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

Season of Portfolio Discussion!

Around HCOS 

If you can believe it...it's time to start thinking about portfolios.  

Here are a couple of things to consider:

• It's a time to celebrate and reflect on learning that has taken place
• Portfolios are a chance for you child to take the things they are most proud of this term and highlight it for their teacher
• Due date: November 16th

To help all families understand what is being asked for in the portfolios, please CLICK HERE for a checklist that will walk you through the whole process. 

**Note: If you've already submitted an example that will meet the portfolio requirement, please don't duplicate.  Just remind me in our talk of the sample that will meet the checklist request.

Scheduling

Please contact me about a time to meet with your family (virtually or in person).  

I have time Monday to Friday, November 2 - 16th, anytime after 5 pm.

On weekends, that's November 7, 8, 14, or 15th, I also have flexibility.  

  

A Moment of Reflection

This past Thursday and Friday, I was privileged to attend the Willowcreek Leadership Summit. There were many fantastic speakers including Jim Collins (Good to Great), Ed Catmull (Pixar), Brene’ Brown, Hoerst Schultze, Liz Wiseman, and Bill Hybels

I want to share with you one idea from Bill Hybels talk on the Intangibles of Leadership.  He spoke of developing GRIT in people.  GRIT can be defined as unrelenting- long term tenacity.  Those that become leaders and confident individuals play hard and overcome obstacles without getting hung up on challenges.  The development of GRIT within our character requires us to walk through difficult circumstances.

It made me think about how we can develop GRIT in our children.  

Do we create opportunities where our children face adversity and challenge without having the chance to give up on the difficulty that faces them?  

Resource Center - Writing Rubrics

This focus this week is on setting our children up for success in their writing.  How can we do this?   

One way is to start using a writing rubric with them.  By using a writing rubric, you can focus your child on a skill to be developed, it will help them in assessing their own work, and it will be setting a goal that they know they can meet.  

Please note you could use the same writing rubric over multiple weeks with a focus on different line items each time.  If you are teaching writing topic sentences, then that week, just use that line item to help assess and give feedback.

Here is an example of a writing rubric that can be used for older students.  

For younger students, here is an example.

Election Evening

A Moment of Reflection

I'm sitting watching the election results as I watch what is happening within Canada.  Regardless of political bend or who we think should have won or not....the result is very clear.  We need to continue to pray for leadership in our nation.

Resource Center - Narrative Writing

A narrative or story is any report of connected events, actual or imaginary, presented in a sequence of written or spoken words, or still or moving images.

Have fun with your students this week trying out some narrative writing.

For older students, here is a great graphic organizer.

For younger students, here is a graphic organizer:

Struggling for Writing Prompts:

Around HCOS

One of our sponsored coops made the local newspaper!  Thanks to Leah Pillet and Ridge Meadows Home Learners for representing home education and HCOS so well.

Check it out:

http://www.mrtimes.com/federalelection/332968241.html

HCOS invites you to join us for
a Scratch Programming and Makey Makey Camp
 
Don't sit around playing video games, come join us and learn how to program your own arcade style games.  This learning camp will teach computer programming concepts using Scratch.  Scratch is a user friendly, icon based program language created for kids at the MIT Media Lab.  In this class you won't just be writing code, you will be learning to think creatively and reason systematically.  Makey Makey will also be incorporated into some of the design challenges.  This is a great class for any aspiring programmer.

Registration deadline is October 29th.  https://fluidsurveys.com/s/ft-langley-scratch-program-and-makey-makey/

Post Turkey Talk

 A Moment of Reflection

It's the day after Thanksgiving here in Canada. I had an amazing long weekend with friends and time to get things done around the house that I've been putting off for ever. I got plenty of sleep and ate fantastic food.  Easy to give thanks.

Today. Day after Thanksgiving. Not so much.

I was reminded tonight that it's easy to give thanks when everything is going smooth, but not so easy when things don't all line up.  

How do you remind yourself to give thanks when things are not going well?  

Resource Center - Expository Writing

Here is a writing focus for the week!  Expository writing is a type of writing that is used to explain, describe, give information or inform, 

Here are some writing prompts that you might like to use:

For older students:

AROUND HCOS

Right Now Media has a new resource: https://rightnow.org/Content/KidsSeries/1176#1

Lunch N Learn: Highlighting the Subscription Databases

Bring your lunch and any questions you may have along to our next online Lunch n’ Learn:
Topic: Highlighting the HCOS Subscription Databases
Date: Thursday,October 15th
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm PAC time

CLICK HERE

Short and Sweet This Week!

A Moment of Reflection

This speaks to me about the sovereignty of God.  Something if I'm honest is not that easy for me to wrap my mind around.  The enormity of this overwhelms me at times. Other times it brings me great comfort when I think I "messed" up, and I am reminded that ultimately, God is in control.  

What does it mean for us when we acknowledge that "all things" come from God?  How should or could this impact the way we live our lives?

Action Needed - October 14th

I just wanted to make the blog short, and to remind you that we (HCOS) need two things from you by OCTOBER 14th.

1. Student Learning Plans -  Please don't forget to go into Encom and sign off that you have read and agreed with the Student Learning Plan. Questions?  Contact me.
   
   SLP Parent/ Guardian Sign Off

     2. Proof of Work: I need two pictures of marked work that your student has done.

        My suggestion for doing this easily is:

• Mark one of their math pages or timed math fact drills in a different colour pen, put a total at the top (e.g. 17/20) with a comment (e.g. Good job!) and take a picture of it and send it to me.
• Mark another work sample (e.g. spelling test, comprehension sheet, printing practice), again give it a mark and a comment, and send me a picture of it.

You're free to send in other examples, but the more objective the work is the easier it is for everyone. It's a good reminder that the Government is not looking at the quality of work being done at this point, but rather wants proof that the student is active with HCOS.

HCOS News  

Reading Buddies

K- 3 with Pippa Davies – starts Oct 21 and runs twice a month until the end of January.  More info and registration found at https://fluidsurveys.com/s/2015-2016-k-3-reading-buddies/

Book Clubs

Grade 4-5 with April McLeod – starts Oct 16 and runs once a month until May.  More info and registration found at https://fluidsurveys.com/s/2015-2016-gr-4-5-bookclub/

Grade 6-7 with Kari Bell – starts Oct 14 and runs once a month until May .  More info and registration found at https://fluidsurveys.com/s/2015-2016-gr-6-7-bookclub/

Literature Circles

Grades 7-9 with Kathy Kanda – starts Oct 9 and runs until Nov 27.  More information and registration found at https://fluidsurveys.com/s/2015-fall-lit-circles/

Grades 9-12 with Kathy Kanda – starts Oct 9 and runs until Nov 27.  More information and registration found at https://fluidsurveys.com/s/2015-fall-lit-circles/

Parent Action Required!

Please note that your child's student learning plan is complete.  

This year, in order to meet audit requirements we need to have parents sign off that they have seen seen and approve of each child's Student Learning Plan.

So, how do you do this?

1. Log in to Encom (contact tech@onlineschool.ca if you don't have username/password)
2. Click the icon "SLP Parent/Guardian Sign Off"
   
   
   
   
   
   SLP Parent/ Guardian Sign Off

If you would like anything adjusted on the Student Learning Plan please let me know.

PROOF OF WORK – First 2 Weeks of October

Last the year the audit took literally thousands of hours of time between teachers and office staff, so we’re trying to streamline the process to prove to the government that our students should be funded.

Their requirement is that since they fund our students based on our enrollment on September 30^th, they want to see that our students are all doing work immediately after that date.

So, starting on October 1^st I will need at least two pictures of marked work that your students have done. This will need to be done by October 14^th so we’ve got a couple of weeks.

My suggestion for doing this easily is:

1. Mark one of their math pages or timed math fact drills in a different colour pen, put a total at the top (e.g. 17/20) with a comment (e.g. Good job!) and take a picture of it and send it to me.
2.  Mark another work sample (e.g. spelling test, comprehension sheet, printing practice), again give it a mark and a comment, and send me a picture of it.

Please make sure that the work samples are marked & dated – students should write the date on their work, as it only counts if it is clearly in the first part of October, and you should give it a mark at the top.

Of course, you’re free to do other types of work, from essays to experiments to physical education.

These, however, will likely be harder to show a date and/or a mark for, so that’s why I’m suggesting something really objective and really basic.

The government is NOT concerned with the quality of the work, or what it’s covering. They just want to see that every student they are paying for is in fact “active” in doing schooling with HCOS.

Oh, and the week that you do this, consider your update DONE!

Resource Center - Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is a great skill to have your child develop as this style of writing will lay a good foundation to what in the future will become great essay writing skills.

What is it? Simply put. Persuasive writing is presenting your opinion on a certain topic, and then providing examples or reasons for your point of view.   

For younger students a lot of this can be done through a discussion based approach and then you can scribe their answers for them. 

Struggling for prompts. Check out http://www.writingprompts.net/persuasive/. 

For older student you can use this online persuasion map: CLICK HERE

Or consider the whole lesson plan that is found HERE.

Most children have an opinion about a topic they are interested in. Have fun discussing with your child, and then helping them explore their ideas and beliefs.  

Feel free to share with me what child creates. I would love to see examples!

A Moment of Reflection

This past weekend in the lower mainland was absolutely gorgeous.  Crsip, sunny, September days are probably some of my favourite of the year. It was a good reminder to get outdoors before the winter rains descend.

As I spent time outdoors making my way through the corn maze with friends, I was reminded of the Psalms that speak of the beauty of creation and that even creation does not deny the goodness of God.

Enjoy this upcoming week!

Psalm 96;11-12

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Last Bit of September

A Moment of Reflection 

Bruce Hildebrandt - Director of Individualized Program

Romans 8:38-39 says, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow; or where we are — high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean — nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us” (TLB).

This has been one of my favourite verses for a long time.  It tells me that God will never, ever, ever, ever stop loving me. I will always be loved. Nothing can destroy my relationship with God. As I grasp this fact, it changes my life, my thoughts, and my actions. 

Some days it seems like everyone and everything is coming at you from every side.  Demands, accusations, self-doubt.  Things can feel pretty lonely. However, we are not alone. 

When you put your hand in God’s, He grasps it, and He’s never letting go.  It doesn’t matter what the world tries to tell you, how many doubts or fears you have, or how bad you might mess up. If you put your trust in Christ, He says nothing — nothing! — will separate you from His love. No matter what you face in life, you will never face it alone. 

What a wonderful assurance!  

Let’s pray for each other to hold on to that assurance no matter what happens in our lives.

Resource Corner - Creative Writing

Writing can be a lot of fun!

(Saying that, depending on your child's interest in writing, it can feel more like pulling teeth than a joyful learning experience.)

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to give some tips and resources that will hopefully give you some ideas on writing. These posts will include information on a variety of writing styles, writing prompts, and even writing rubrics that can help you and your child evaluate and improve their writing skills.

This week, my writing resource is a focus on creative writing. 

Struggling for topics or ideas?  

http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/50-positive-creative-writing-topics-for-kids/

or 

http://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/creative-writing-activities-for-kids.html

Around HCOS

Learning Camps and the Learning Commons

Sign up for RSS feeds for Learning Camps and the Learning Commons. That way you will receive the relevant information as it is released. 

 L4U and Overdrive Webinar - Tuesday, September 22nd

 http://hcslearningcommons.org/2015/09/14/lunch-n-learn-with-the-learning-commons/

Speaking Words of Love - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey

Often we remain silent when we need to speak.  Without words, it is hard to love well.  When we say to our parents, children, lovers, or friends:  "I love you very much" or "I care for you" or "I think of you often" or "You are my greatest gift," we choose to give life.

It is not always easy to express our love directly in words.  But whenever we do, we discover we have offered a blessing that will be long remembered.  When a son can say to his father,  "Dad, I love you," and when a mother can say to her daughter, "Child, I love you," a whole new blessed place can be opened up, a space where it is good to dwell.  Indeed, words have the power to create life.

Resource Idea

Health & Career -

Does your son or daughter have a goal they would like to meet over this coming year?  

My resource tip this week is to use one of the many worksheets found on this site. Click here.  

For students learning about the 5 W's in story writing, I thought this might be a particularly

interesting one for them to use. http://worksheetplace.com/mf/goali.pdf.

Remember for younger students that you could act as their scribe or they could cut out pictures to show some of their goals. 

Have fun exploring with you children some of their goals for this year whether they be academic, athletic, artistic or another! 

Around HCOS

Have you heard about the Learning Commons? Did you know as parents of HCOS you have access to a wide variety of resources, videos and may of them in e-version.

Here is a link to Learning Commons Essentials for “Newbies” - CLICK HERE

The learning commons is excited to bring you a series of Lunch n Learn webinars to share with your families.  CLICK HERE for more Information. 

. 

Exciting New Year

Summer Highlight

As many of you know, I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks this summer in Rwanda and Uganda.  It was a wonderful experience!

Above are pictures of two amazing Women of Action!  One is President of her local agricultural co-op and the other is a member of her sewing co-op.  

I'm always impressed when I meet powerful women who are using the gifts and opportunities that God has given them to further not only their own family well being, but also those within their own community.  

Each of you, a powerful Woman of Action, is being called by God this year to nurture and disciple your children through homeschooling. I want to let you know that I'll be praying for each of you, and your families.  

I hope you can share not only the challenges you are facing, but also the victories!  

AROUND HCOS

WOW - Week of Welcome is taking place within HCOS.  Please look for an email from Sara Kraushar announcing the locations of an event in your community.

Memory Challenge - Does your child love to learn memory verses? Check out this group within HCSO to learn more. If you decide to join, please let me know, as this activity could be included in your child's Bible outcomes.  CLICK HERE

RESOURCE IDEA

Thinking of how to keep track of your child's DPA?  Not sure what will work?  Need some resource ideas?

There is an app that the BC Govt has set up if you would like to use it: 

http://www.learnnowbc.ca/services/DPALog/default.aspx

There is a weekly log on this page that might be helpful to use - just scroll down a little and you could print off those pages,

http://elibrary.sd71.bc.ca/phys_ed/DPA_Log.pdf 

You could even use a calendar and just mark in the time each day with the name of the activity.  

CHECK HIGHLIGHTS

Good Evening Everyone!

I'm not sure what you're weekend entailed, but I had the honour of attending my first ever CHEK conference. I had such a fantastic weekend!  I returned home (a bit weary) but very inspired.

Since many of you were not able to make the weekend, I want to introduce you to the key note speakers Jenni & Jody.  These two wonderful women hail from Florida and have a combined 24 years of experience in homeschooling their kids.  The great thing about these ladies is that they make a lot of their resources, including podcasts, available online.  Jenniandjody.com is where you can check them out.


HCOS NEWS

Re-Enrolling
HCOS in encouraging all parents to let us know your plans for next year as soon as possible.  We know that some of you may still be deciding, but if you've come to a decision about next year's plan please let us know (even if that means you're not returning).

Here are instructions for re-enrolling your child:

• Log in to your Encom account (http://encom.onlineschool.ca/)
• If you do not know your log in information or need to reset your password, please email our office (office@onlineschool.ca)
• Click the re-enrolling link 
• Read through the options at the top and click “Re-enroll (student name)”?
•  Follow instructions on screen to complete re-enrollment

Learning Camps
Don't forget that there are still many great learning camps happening from now until June!
https://sites.google.com/site/hcoslearningcamps/

                                                       HCOS invites you to join us at

Charis Camp

 

Camp description:

Day Camp from 9am-3pm, enabling students to develop physical skills on a climbing wall, in archery and on an obstacle course as well as team building activities to develop good sportsmanship and communication skills.  They will also be taught the safety rules associated with these activities.  Learning Outcomes for active living, movement skills and safety, fair play and leadership for various grades of PE will be partially covered as will communication and collaboration learning outcomes in language arts.   Cost includes lunch, snack and safety and skills teaching, as well as coffee for the adults.  https://fluidsurveys.com/s/charis-camp-2015/






HCOS Drama Production

Please consider supporting this great HCOS event.

Tickets available at House of James in Abbotsford or Eventbrite.

theatre.onlineschool.ca