Our Teacher

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=225 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Crooked Pines Ministries"><U><IMG SRC="040bf930.gif" border=0 width="191" height="147" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Glance at Reading Readiness"><U>A Glance at Reading Readiness</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Look at Peppermint and Slippery Elm Ba"><U>A Look at Peppermint and Slippery Elm Bark</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Pleasing Palette"><U>A Pleasing Palette</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Treasure So Fine!"><U>A Treasure So Fine!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Amazing Grace or Flaming Rebellion"><U>Amazing Grace or Flaming Rebellion</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aunt Bettys BBQ Sauce"><U>Aunt Betty's BBQ Sauce</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Back to School"><U>Back to School</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Beginnings of Habit"><U>The Beginnings of Habit</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Being Poured Out"><U>Being Poured Out</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Broccoli Chicken Casserole"><U>Broccoli - Chicken Casserole</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Building Habits on the Dry Bones of Educ"><U>Building Habits on the Dry Bones of Education</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Choosing Curriculum for the new year"><U>Choosing Curriculum for the new year</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives"><U>The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dwelling in Safety"><U>Dwelling in Safety</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall: The Season of Change"><U>Fall: The Season of Change</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fighting Burnout with Scriptural Promise"><U>Fighting Burnout with Scriptural Promises</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="For the Love of Ginger"><U>For the Love of Ginger</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL "><U>From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL - A Covenant Journey Part 1</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL "><U>From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL - A Pure Vessel Part 2</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get Ye unto Your Tents... and REST!"><U>Get Ye unto Your Tents... and REST!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Habit of Dawdling, The Cure"><U>The Habit of Dawdling, The Cure</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in t"><U>Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in the Lord</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have You Been Working Out?"><U>Have You Been Working Out?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="His Love"><U>His Love</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home Educators and their Books"><U>Home Educators and their Books</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling... A New Adventure"><U>Homeschooling... A New Adventure</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling in the Shoals"><U>Homeschooling in the Shoals</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling in the Springtime"><U>Homeschooling in the Springtime</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id82.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling in the Swamp"><U>Homeschooling in the Swamp</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How the Created Thing "><U>How the Created Thing </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Prepare a Tincture"><U>How to Prepare a Tincture</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="In the Final Analysis"><U>In the Final Analysis</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Joy of the Lord and His Plan"><U>The Joy of the Lord and His Plan</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Just Enough Stress"><U>Just Enough Stress</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Loneliness in the Homeschool"><U>Loneliness in the Homeschool</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Message"><U>The Message</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nature Studies Indoors"><U>Nature Studies Indoors</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nursing ParkerDaniil"><U>Nursing Parker-Daniil</U></A></div> <div> <B>Our Teacher</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Relationships in the Homeschool"><U>Relationships in the Homeschool</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="S is for Skullcap and Sleep"><U>"S" is for Skullcap and Sleep</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satans Great Deception"><U>Satan's Great Deception</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Science through a Nature Club"><U>Science through a Nature Club</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing from My Excess"><U>Sharing from My Excess</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sir, We desire to see Jesus!"><U>"Sir, We desire to see Jesus!"</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Storms of Change"><U>The Storms of Change</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Strength to Face the Day"><U>Strength to Face the Day</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two Moms, One Jesus"><U>Two Moms, One Jesus</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Waiting excerpted from Parables from Nat"><U>"Waiting" excerpted from "Parables from Nature by Mrs. Gatty</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Water and the Blood"><U>The Water and the Blood</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why Are You Homeschooling"><U>Why Are You Homeschooling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id84.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter... Dormant? Not Hardly!"><U>Winter... Dormant? Not Hardly!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Your Liver loves Burdock!"><U>Your Liver loves Burdock!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="__crooked_pines_publishing__________"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>  Crooked Pines Ministries</B> </FONT>    |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Crooked Pines Ministries"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Articles by Mary E. Woodis"><U><B>Articles by Mary E. Woodis</B></U></A></div> <div> Our Teacher</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.hisimage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hisimage.org"><U><IMG SRC="05193950.jpg" border=0 width="147" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> Provender – Food for Your Soul</div> <div> Crooked Pines Publishing A Supplement for “A Note from Home” September 2004</div> <bR> <div> OUR TEACHER</div> <div> BY: MARY E. WOODIS</div> <div> Background verse: Isaiah 48:17</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Teachers are given the unique opportunity to mould the character and lives of their students and to introduce them to new learning possibilities. One thing is certain, as home educating parents we have an even greater advantage and responsibility. We are not only responsible for the education of this child, but also his mental, physical and spiritual well-being. We are told to educate our child all throughout the day, in every aspect of life. (Deut. 6:4-9) We are told to train our children in spiritual things and not to provoke them. (Eph. 6:4).</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Our children's education is of special significance to us today. As we embark on another school year we need to be prepared and flexible. For many in our group this is your first year. Many rewards and challenges await you. For many others this is just the next year, but even so, exciting times lay ahead. How can I say all that with any certainty? Because, my friends, we are home educators and each day for us is a new adventure. We are not dictated to by a set curriculum handed to us by a board of education. Even with an established curriculum we have the freedom to add or delete parts that don't exactly suit our child or our lifestyle.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Our God is a sovereign God and He will bring to our lives circumstances and events that will enhance our child's education. As parents we must be prepared to take advantage of each of these happenings. As Christians we have been given a very special gift, the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher and Jesus Christ is our example. Therefore, our success and the success of our children is guaranteed. The only threat to this success is our ability to hear and obey and how successfully we lead our children. Will this be easy? No way! But is will be rewarding and even exciting at times. Does success always mean a perfect test score or straight A's on a report? No, I don't believe it does. What is does mean is that when you explained that new concept your child's face lit up with understanding, your older student was finally able to work through an Algebra lesson on her own and your child finally got past the mental block when spelling a difficult word. Each one of these successes are possible if you follow the leading of our Dear Holy Spirit. Everything that you need for life and holiness has been provided for you, but you are responsible for using these tools. (2 Peter 1:3) Just to know that this provision has been made is exciting to me!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sometimes we become frustrated when we try to explain a new concept and our children don't understand. There are several tools that I have learned over the years that help with this situation.</div> <bR> <div> 1. Take a break from that subject. Get up, go outside (even if you have to put on a coat or grab an umbrella) and take some deep breaths and breathe out that frustration.</div> <div> 2. While you are outside, pray about the problem and open your mind to solutions. If you are still trying to figure it out, you aren't listening for the answer.</div> <div> 3. Put it away and switch to a different subject. Your mind will be fresh and able to make progress when you come back to it.</div> <div> 4. Read from the Gospels different examples of how Jesus Christ taught His followers. He got frustrated with His children as well!</div> <div> 5. When you come back together, start by reinforcing what your student has done right. Then, come at the problem from a different angle. Be creative and explore new methods.</div> <div> 6. If the problems are continual over a period of time, consider whether the curriculum is the problem instead of your child's understanding. Don't be a slave to the book, it might be the problem.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Nothing will help a teacher understand her students better than to be a student herself. Parents who are educating their children should be continuing their own education. You should be reading or learning new things right along with your children. What better example for a struggling student than to see their parent learning also? This can be such an encouragement for your child! It will show them how important they are when they see you working in order to teach them better. They will come to anticipate new and exciting lessons when they see you researching.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they see you enjoying what you are learning they will just might learn a new attitude about their lessons. You are also modeling that learning is a life-long process. Therefore, they don't have to feel the pressure of learning it all in twelve or thirteen years. Now I don't mean for you to do all the work and offer them predigested materials. They should be working and researching for themselves. I am merely pointing out how invigorating the sharing of ideas and new information can be. You become a team that is learning together.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As you work through your lessons, be sure that you are keeping clearly understood records. Each person's record keeping system will be a bit different. It doesn't matter if it is in a three-ring binder or a journal, what matters is that records are kept that can be easily turned into reports. There are some key ingredients to a well-maintained record keeping system:</div> <bR> <div> 1. Attendance records - keep track of the days that your child schooled</div> <div> 2. Name of subjects studied and the books used to teach these subjects</div> <div> 3. Record of lessons completed and test scores</div> <div> 4. Record of field trips and extra-curricular activities.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When these things are clearly and efficiently recorded, your mid-term and end-of-the-year reporting will be accomplished easily and in a timely fashion. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> When you look at Jesus Christ's teaching style you will notice some key things.</div> <div> 1. He always started His day with time alone with God the Father.</div> <div> 2. He varied the location of His lessons. He was flexible.</div> <div> 3. He used familiar examples and timely circumstances to teach lessons.</div> <div> 4. When correction was needed he reinforced positives before stating the problem. (Rev. 2:1-7)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Let me reiterate my key points. This is too important for you to miss. This encouragement can change your school year and your parenting. I have learned many of these lessons and I have found that I am continuing to learn them. The beauty of writing these articles, is that I always learn something new.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> To be successful in teaching your children:</div> <div> 1. Follow the examples of Christ</div> <div> 2. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit</div> <div> 3. Continue to educate yourself</div> <div> 4. Take advantage of circumstances and events</div> <div> 5. Be flexible in your schedule while ensuring the basics are done</div> <div> 6. Keep good records and make a copy of every report</div> <div> you send.</div> <div> 7. Last, but certainly not least... ask for help when you</div> <div> need it!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Let me close with this passage from the "Women of Faith Study Bible"</div> <bR> <div> <B>Isaiah 48:17,</B></div> <div> <B>"This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God</B></div> <div> <B>Which teaches you what is best for you,</B></div> <div> <B>Who directs you in the way that you should</B></div> <div> <B>go."</B></div> <bR> <div> Good teachers inspire, motivate, guide and correct their students without crushing their identity and creativity. They care about their student's welfare, give them their best, applaud successes and forgive failures. They listen more than they speak and love more than they demand. They dispense wisdom and discard vanity. Good teachers impart more than knowledge; they participate in and shape lives. God does all of these things for us. He is the greatest teacher of all:</div> <bR> <div> <B>Psalm 32:8 </B>"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."</div> <bR> <div> <B>Psalm 86:11 </B>"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> It is my prayer that God will indeed teach and instruct each one of you as you lead your students into new areas of knowledge this year. Please be assured that we are available to help you and guide you when the way is obscure. We look forward to getting to know you over the next year.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By the grace of God,</div> <div> Mary E. Woodis</div> <bR> <div> <I>This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication you please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at </I><A HREF="mailto:jessiew@hiwaay.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jessiew@hiwaay.net"><U><I>jessiew@hiwaay.net </I></U></A><I>for permission and more details.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> This page last updated September 2004</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#__crooked_pines_publishing__________" TITLE="Our Teacher"><U>back to the top</U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>