Pajama School Blog

Pajama School, Stories from the Life of a Homeschool Graduate

Thank You! 20 Homeschool Grads Tip Their Hats to Homeschooling Parents

by natalie

As my generation of homeschool graduates begins to make their way in the world, more and more of us are recognizing the incredible legacy that our parents have given us. That’s why I am thrilled to be a part of a project initiated by Amy Puetz that compiles the writings of 20 homeschool graduates as they reflect on their homeschooling experiences. Amy’s vision resulted in a wonderful e-book called, Thank You! 20 Homeschool Grads Tip Their Hats to Homeschooling Parents. The book is sure to be a blessing and encouragement to many homeschooling parents (and students and graduates as well – I know I’m enjoying reading the other contributions!).

Thank You! 20 Homeschool Grads Tip Their Hats to Homeschooling Parents

Here’s a peek at the 20 homeschool grads that contributed to Thank You!:

Kevin Swanson – Generations with Vision
Amy Puetz – AmyPuetz.com
Rachel Starr Thomson – RachelStarrThomson.com
Candace Allgood – Sonbeams
John Notgrass – JohnNotgrass.com
Lea Ann Garfias – Whatever State
Jana Kornfeld – A Time 2 Write
Jonathan Lewis – Homeschool Enrichment
Katherine Loop – Christian Perspective
Rachel Ramey – Titus 2 Homemaker
Daniel Mills – Salem Ridge Press
Mary Evelyn McCurdy – Christian Musical Theatre
Matthew Lewis – Homeschool Enrichment
Abby Kelly
Natalie Wickham – Pajama School
Eleonore Kappenman – Kap and Pen
Samantha Jarrett – Sammer’s Stuff
Emily Topp – Homeschool CPA
Amanda Read – AmandaRead.com
Eric Novak – Cross-Eyed Blog

The e-book is priced at $7, but is available until the end of June as a free download, so grab it now while you can! 🙂 After June, 2010, you can purchase it at AmyPuetz.com.

Everything Your Child Needs to Know…

by natalie

…and How to Teach it to Them.

That’s the facetious title of the workshop that I am scheduled to give at 10:00 this morning for the Heart of the Matter online homeschool conference. I’ve been preparing for the workshop now for several weeks with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I really love talking with and encouraging homeschooling families, but there’s always the gnawing fear that maybe I’ll say something dumb…or the presentation will be too random and lacking in substance…or someone won’t like my style of speaking…ad infinitum. Hmm. Kind of how I feel about my book, too. And the truth of the matter is that I have said dumb things…I have been random before…I have had people dislike my presentation style. But we cannot allow ourselves to be crippled by fear and insecurity.

In the familiar Psalm 23, we read that “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” In the ESV Study Bible notes for this verse, “want” is described as “to lack what one needs.” What a simple, but precious promise! If I need security, my Shepherd holds me in His arms; if I need guidance, my Shepherd leads me in paths of righteousness; if I need courage, my Shepherd makes His presence known; if I need refreshment, my Shepherd restores my soul; if I need hope, my Shepherd reminds me that I will dwell in His house for all eternity. What blessed contentedness may be found if we truly take this passage to heart!

If you’d like to download a copy of the handout for the workshop, just click here or on the image below.

Everything Your Child Needs To Know

Memorizing Scripture

by natalie

One of the areas of discipline that was very important to my parents as they raised us kids was the memorization of Scripture. We started with The Navigator’s Topical Memory System at a very young age, and then moved into longer passages and books of the Bible. Even though I didn’t always enjoy it at the time, this is probably one of the things that I value the most now. I describe Dad’s regimen for this discipline in more detail in my book Pajama School – stories from the life of a homeschool graduate.

In addition to the benefit of storing up much of God’s Word in our hearts and minds, I think this early habit of memorizing Scripture even helped us develop a capacity to memorize more effectively. That said, some of our family members do struggle more than others when it comes to memorization. I found this post of 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture recently and thought it had some really helpful tips. Intentional memorizing is hard work, but SO worth it!

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Psalm 1:1-3