Another school year, a new season...and we continue collecting our little grains of sand.
I first wrote about Morning Time here on my blog back in 2010. Kati was a junior (as Bekah is now) and Bekah was a little third grader, and we had already been doing Morning Time for several years. These many years later, Morning Time remains a foundation of our day. It is a time that has enriched us, one that is well worth the minutes that are sown in exchange for the bounty that is reaped.
Morning Time currently looks something like this...
BIBLE READING
We are reading and studying the book of Colossians. We read a chapter to get an introductory glance. Then we go back, breaking that chapter down into smaller portions to read again with some discussion. A third time we read, this time also reading corresponding thoughts from Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald. After we have completed our study, we will listen to a series of messages on Colossians by Dave Hunt.
BIBLE MEMORY
We are learning Malachi 3:16, 17.
Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.
"They shall be mine," says the Lord of hosts, "on the day that I make them my jewels. And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him."
SING A HYMN
Our hymn for the month of September is "When He Cometh (to Make Up His Jewels)" by William Cushing. My daughter-in-law introduced us to this song when she taught it to my grandchildren and they sang it for us. The words are beautiful, the thoughts born of the verses from Malachi that we are memorizing.
POETRY STUDY
We're reading the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. We began with "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." If you haven't read this in a while, you'll be amazed at how many commons phrases come from this poem! We will read more Coleridge poems, read some biographical information about him, and perhaps choose a poetic passage to memorize.
COMPOSER STUDY
This term we are listening to the music of British operatic composers Gilbert and Sullivan. Bekah read H.M.S. Pinafore, a retelling by Opal Wheeler. Then we watched, over a period of days, a concert performance of H.M.S. Pinafore from the BBC Proms in 2005. (Following a rabbit trail, we also read about the Proms.) Next, we'll look for a performance of Pirates of Penzance.
ART APPRECIATION
After a couple of brief dabblings (because as homeschoolers, we give ourselves the permission to leave something that doesn't bring "shining eyes" in search of something that does), we settled on Rembrant as the artist for our fall term.
 |
| The Night Watch (de Nachtwacht) Rembrant van Rijn, 1642 |
We watched a fascinating video from Khan Academy in which we overhear art historians discussing Rembrandt's The Night Watch while we are looking at the painting in the Rijksmuseum. Special effects highlight and outline the details on the painting while we listen. (Sound boring? Not at all! We felt like "experts" after we listened. We'll be looking for more of these videos!)
HISTORY READING
This is a new addition to our Morning Time line-up. Certainly not a new thing for us to share a history book together, simply a new place in the schedule. After a couple of years of Morning Time in the afternoon 😉, we have returned to gathering in the morning and it makes sense to do all of our "togethers" when we're . . . well . . . together, rather than carving out a separate time later. Simplify!
Our current history book is The World of Columbus and Sons by Genevieve Foster (love her books!) which covers the years 1451 to 1522. We read ten to fifteen pages a day as we are immersed in the world of Renaissance and exploration, wars and kingdoms, enlightenment and discovery, spiritual darkness and persecution.
Our current history book is The World of Columbus and Sons by Genevieve Foster (love her books!) which covers the years 1451 to 1522. We read ten to fifteen pages a day as we are immersed in the world of Renaissance and exploration, wars and kingdoms, enlightenment and discovery, spiritual darkness and persecution.
Morning Time continues to be a wonderful way to find joy in the journey of homeschooling!
For more reading about "Morning Time":
An introduction to our own "Morning Time"
Cindy's Inspiration for Morning Time
Kathy's "Morning Stack"
Confessions Regarding Morning Time
Morning Time
So interesting to hear more about your Homeschooling, which is something that is fairly rare here. You certainly cover some interesting subjects.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a blessing to be able to homeschool!
DeleteIn the middle of reading your post, I had to check out the Proms and Khan Academy! I signed us up for it!
ReplyDeleteYour year sounds great!
Homeschooling is never the same, is it? There is always something new to learn or a new way to learn it!
Deletereading through your post i'm reminded how much i enjoyed homeschooling my daughter. love that you're including Dave Hunt (a personal favorite), and adding a hymn .. ♥ what's not to love? :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you love Dave Hunt! He was such a Godly man with a heart for truth!
DeleteHow rich your Morning Times are!
ReplyDeleteThey should not be confined to homeschooling but practiced by all who are serious about growing in wisdom, stature and favor with God and men. ♥
That is a good point, Rebecca!
DeleteYour homeschooling sounds rich and vibrant and when learning is fun we tend to remember.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terra! My kids amaze me with what they remember. The teacher-mom, on the other hand, needs more frequent refreshers! :)
DeleteI agree with Rebecca's thoughts...love your outline and not just for the "homeschooled". How blessed are your children to have you as their teacher! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rebecca! I feel very blessed myself!
DeleteThere is no doubt that your family has benefited greatly by these morning (and afternoon) practices, Cheryl. Good for you that you have continued this through the years!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby! I'm in it for the long haul. :)
DeleteThat sounds like a very rich morning together time for sure. Makes me want to be part of your homeschool. :)
ReplyDeleteGreg and I went to a live performance of H.M.S. Pinafore in London on Valentine's Day 2002! Fun memories.
Wow! What a treat that must have been to see a live performance!
DeleteIt would be fun to have you in our homeschool! We'd probably talk a lot, and you could tell us all about Merry Old England!
One of the great thrills in my life was standing in the Rijksmuseum trying to take in the magnificence of The Night Watch. The light was the most amazing. I loved hearing about your morning time. I so enjoyed learning along with my kids when we home schooled. How interesting that you are singing Precious Jewels this month. We grew up singing that song, and I believe we called it "Precious Jewels."
ReplyDeleteI will bet that it was an amazing experience! There is just something about seeing art in person that a flat picture in a book cannot convey.
DeleteI had never heard that hymn until about a year ago. Interesting that you grew up singing it. It is worthy of learning!
Sounds fascinating to me!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vee! We so enjoy Morning Time! Kati says that MT is the thing that she misses most about being in school.
DeleteWow, what a wonderful homeschooling time you have together. You both are blessed to learn and experience so much together.
ReplyDeleteRembrandt has been a favorite artist for many, many years now.
Thank you for sharing this bit of your life ~ FlowerLady
Thank you, Lorraine! We know that we are blessed to have this time together!
DeleteI love your MT Cheryl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mornings have always been the best time for us to school. I too am on my last child to homeschool. Sadly, i do not spend as much time with him in the mornin as i did with the others. You inspire me with this post!!!! I love how ya'll spend your time!!!!! If you think of it i would appreciate your prayers for our time. I want that joy again. Lord bless ya'll and your precious time!! <3~tammy
ReplyDeleteTammy, thanks so much for your comment and your encouragement! Yes, I will pray for you as you invest your time and yourself with your homeschool student!
DeleteSo much learning and so much enjoyment. Sounds like it is all going so well!
ReplyDeleteMorning Time is going very well . . . there is so much to love!
Delete(Don't ask me about Algebra II.) ~half smile~
I have never had children and so have never homeschooled. But reading about your Morning Time makes me think I should do something like this for myself! There is always something to learn. I love watching youtube documentaries and learning more.
ReplyDeleteI saw a live performance of H.M.S. Pinafore years ago. I am in love with the music from it. The guy I was dating at the time was friends with one of the cast members so we got to go to the cast party following the performance. What a treat!
I like that idea, Kathy! You're right . . . there is always something to learn!
DeleteI'll bet it was a thrill to see the opera and meet the cast members too!
Dear Cheryl, I truly believe you both have found "Joy in the Journey"! Several thoughts came to mind as I read this,... What a great relationship you and Beka have formed, as well as with your other children. I am thinking what a great foundation has been laid for the future of your children and grandchildren! What a legacy you are leaving your family one that will be passed on from one generation to another!
ReplyDeleteThe scripture that comes to my mind is Proverbs 31!
Thank you for sharing, I always leave Pineapple Farmhouse much encouraged and filled with hope
for our families!
I am sorry it has taken me so long to visit, I so appreciate your friendship here in bogland.
Have a blessed day,
Hugs,
Sue
Sue, your words are so very kind! We are blessed! And I most certainly appreciate your friendship too!
Delete