Silencing the Background Noise or Why I Blog

While kids and weary husband sleep, I sit at the table and peck through chapter by chapter. I copy the author’s words to help me remember, to help me teach.

I strain for the discipline to just finish the last two chapters, but thoughts buzz. Ideas repeated here and there during the day hum for the moment they can be completed. When is that moment? It’s now, when the silence of the night gives ear to their music.

I decipher the purposeful notes and realize daily multi-tasking dulls my focus. My children too easily become part of the background noise. Walls press in, so I must press out. I need new perspectives.

Today three of us lingered at the window. Flocks of birds visited our feeder. We watched the juncos bounce around nibbling spilled seeds. Their black suit coats contrasted with the white snow. Finches of gold and purple brightened the dead lilac bush.

The fourth person here, my son, glanced out, flipped through books, and started asking:

Can we make a suet feeder? Can I make a bird bath? What about a brush cover?

My active, imaginative son always wants to do. I want to bundle up and hibernate until spring. Instead, I make the effort to listen and gather supplies.

Then I pause, before sleep, to capture a moment to help me remember, to help me teach.

What helps you be a better mother and teacher? What do you do to stay focused?

Inexcusable

I should know better by now. The hint of an upcoming article haunts me. Series take me so long to complete, they can’t be called sequential at all. A better explanation is that eventually my ideas find a way of escape.

My intentions are the best. In fact, they are so good they get sketched out again and again like a draftsman crafting a castle. I know it’s hard to believe, but I am a bit obsessive.

For instance, my homework assignment for the past three weeks has been to compile a notebook on Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. I’m supposed to take notes on the five elements of literature in each chapter: setting, characterization, plot, style, and theme. Simple enough. Unless you’re me.

I took six pages of notes on one chapter! This book is for upper elementary grades. Would my twelve-year-old son write that many notes on one chapter? No way!

Needless to say, I’ve realized the error of my ways. Homework for this week was much easier and less time consuming. See, I can relax. Really, I can.

When our computer dubbed, somewhat affectionately, Frankenmachine died, I took deep breaths to calm my heart rate. And as soon the twitching stops, I will be fine.

Our antique laptop dubbed, somewhat affectionately, What is that! is just what I need to slow me down. Because it would be inexcusable if I had the chance to overwhelm you with all my ideas at once.

Bawling During Homeschool

There were just a few more pages to turn when it happened. My voice froze and I felt the tears pushing. My son grinned knowingly, “Mom’s going to cry.”

For the rest of this article, please join me at The Curriculum Choice.

Introduction to Biblical Poetry

It’s midnight, and I just finished my homework. Yes, real homework. College homework! I’m taking an elementary literature class at Aletheia Christian College. My assignment this week was to start creating a notebook on the classic, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. I plan to share it when it is done, but for now, I’d like to introduce you to Biblical poetry.

Poetry isn’t my favorite form of literature, but my research created such an engaging word picture inspiration erupted. I was able to take this one lesson and relate it to all my children, ages 4 to 12. Please pay special attention to the definition of composition in my outline to see if you get any ideas.

photo credit: whiteafrican

To pique student interest:

Imagine stumbling across a treasure box full of gold and diamonds. Would you simply sigh and walk away? What kinds of words would you use to describe your excitement?

Sometimes a narrative just isn’t enough. Sometimes our souls beg to express to the wonder of our experiences. We sing. We dance. We cry. We pray. We use words to try to expose what is going on inside our hearts. One way we do this is through the gift of poetry.

I. Introduction to Biblical Poetry

A. Poem “…A composition in which the verses consist of certain measures, whether in blank verse [has meter, but not rhyme] or in rhyme.”

B. Verse “In poetry, a line, consisting of a certain number of long and short syllables…”

C. Composition “In literature, the act of inventing or combining ideas, clothing them with words, arranging them in order…writing them.”

The Bible has some of the most beautiful poetry of all, but the poetry in the Bible is much different from our English poetry.

II. Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

A. Hebrew poetry relies on rhythms and sounds. Hence, the use of alliteration, repeating of sounds.

B. Parallelism, logical rhythm

1. Synonymous parallelism, the second line reinforces the first (Psalms 19:1)
2. Antithetic parallelism, the second line shows a contract (Proverbs 13:16)
3. Synthetic parallelism, the second line continues the thought (Proverbs 26:20)

C. Acrostic “A composition in verse, in which the first letter of the lines, taken in order, form the name of a person, kingdom, city, etc. which is the subject of the composition.” (Psalms 9, 199, and 37)

Did you see it? Clothing ideas with words. Who knew the dictionary could bring life to a lesson? Well, Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary can!

I took that one idea and talked to my children about our internal thoughts. Words clothe our ideas, but can they truly reveal our innermost parts? How can mere letters comprehend the personality and soul of a unique individual?

And think of all the ways we use words. Some work in warm boots and overalls, some lounge in jeans and a t-shirt, some dance in sparkling ballroom gowns, some sing in pajamas at dawn.

I’ll embrace that last gift, but it might not be before coffee…