Walking Peacefully

A Moment of Reflection

From "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. This devotional is written as if Jesus himself is speaking directly to the reader.  Scriptures to refer to Exodus 33:14; Deut 33:25; Hebrews 13: 20-21; Psalm 29:11.

Walk peacefully with me through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me.  This is a training opportunity, since I designed you to deep dependence on your Shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you.  Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow my lead.  I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

Resource Center - Writing Memoirs

You'll have to let me know if this suggestion this week is all that helpful!  So far, over the weeks, we've been focused on writing and different genres.  We've looked at narrative, expository, persuasive, and creative writing. We also took a look at writing rubrics and the need to help kids evaluate their own writing.

This week, I'm going to make a suggestion that has the potential to tap into multiples subjects.  Memoir Writing can not only be an opportunity for your child to experiment with different writing styles, but could incorporate an art, music, health and career, math and others.

Here is just one site that talks about how you bring memoir writing to life: http://www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com/how-to-write-a-memoir.html

Experiment with your children and have fun reliving some of the important memories of their lives!

Around HCOS

Portfolio Visits - If we haven't set up an appointment yet to meet about portfolios, please contact me so that we can get something on the calendar.

If you plan to e-copy me samples, please also let me know that is your plan.  Thanks!

HCOS Subscriptions

Our Little Earth  is no longer providing a Questions & Answers page for their issues, and HCOS has not been receiving notifications when their issues are released bi-weekly.  You can sign up for free at their homepage:  http://www.ourlittleearth.com/

Learning Commons

Here is our latest learning commons news!

http://hcslearningcommons.org/2015/11/09/december-news-from-the-learning-commons/

Refreshing Rain

A Moment of Reflection - Rain in a Dry Land

Atacama Desert in Chile is known as the driest place on earth.  Can you believe it has gone as long as 173 months without a drop of rain! 

This area received 0.96 inches of rain in one day in March. Doesn't seem like much, especially if you live on the West Coast), but get this - it was the equivalent of 14 YEARS of rain in one day. 14 Years!

I saw the picture above after the rain and at first thought, "oh that's beautiful". 

Then I thought about the spiritual application of this. Can you think of a time in life where you have felt in "desert" mode? (Maybe it's happening right now).  Perhaps it was feelings of emptiness, loneliness, sadness, or lack of purpose?  The times we're walking through this season it almost seems to much to bear.

But then. A drop of rain comes. A kind word. A smile. A note of encouragement. A resolved conflict. A great day of homeschooling after days of battling.    

I hope you're not walking through one of those seasons. If you are, I'm praying that through it all you will be reminded that the "rain" will come.  

Around HCOS

First of all Thank you for all of your attention to submitting work samples and signing off on SLP's.  It is greatly appreciated (especially since all of us are still settling into fall routines and the busyness of the start up of the year).  So Thanks for making my role so much easier!

Last week I introduced the idea of Portfolios.  Here is a bit more information this year:

• We discussed November 16th as proposed deadline (if this doesn't work for your family, please just let me know and we can work on a time line that work for your family)
• Think of this first visit as more of a "show and tell" rather than evaluation. Think of this first visit as a celebration and a chance to see how plans are working out for you.      
• The focus will be on Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Daily Physical Activity (DPA).
•  Try not to stress about learning outcomes (that's my job), or what I think, but rather gather meaningful samples that you feel best demonstrate your child's learning.  

For families living in the lower mainland it's best if we can meet in person, but if that doesn't work, please let me know.

For families living internationally, I love to meet you virtually, but again, if that doesn't work for your family it's not necessary.  You can use dropbox, google drive, etc and share samples with me.

Here are the dates, I have available (please note these are in Pacific Time)

• Monday - Friday, November 2nd - 16th (anytime after 5 pm)
• Weekends, November 7, 8, 14, or 15th - Flexibility on times to meet

So I hope this helps to take some of the pressure that can often come from portfolio time.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon about a good time to meet with your family.

HCOS Resources

Remembrance Day Activities.

1. The War Museum has a lot of great information for all ages.

•  http://www.warmuseum.ca
• http://www.warmuseum.ca/overthetop/game/    (this is a personalized and interactive game/story appropriate for grade 4 and up)

2. Reading -  http://www.readingandremembrance.ca/

3) Crafts and printouts:  Grade k-4 http://www.dltk-holidays.com/remembrance/

 in YO