Setting the Scene

When you have a small area to work with, you would want to maximize the use of each square inch of your space and make the most of it. I guess this is the 'rule of thumb' when planning small rooms. Usefulness and functionality would be foremost in the consideration of the lay-out. Our study/learning centre was no exception.

Although I have been wanting to rearrange the furniture since the middle of last year, we could only work on it gradually and it was not until recently that we had actually finished doing it. I am so happy that we have now completed the task in time for the start of school this year - yes, quite literally, just now.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Homeschooling, for us, has always been Catholic based. And the motivation for deciding to homeschool has been - largely - in order to impart to the children our beautiful and rich Faith without the unnecessary watering down, the half-truths and untruths which are evidently rampant even in Catholic schools these days. (And of course a great advantage of homeschooling is being able to eliminate peer and societal pressures on precious kids, which are otherwise responsible for killing the souls of our youth!)

The focal point in our Learning Centre, eversince, has always been our altar. At one stage we found a nice antique oak carved low altar which was perfect for the boys to play Mass (see some of the before photos). However, since redesigning the room, we have had to relocate that altar into our chapel sacristy, and instead use a shelf top as our altar so that it can double as storage for other materials.

Since reading about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which is a Montessori-based method for teaching Religious Education, we have adopted some principles and applied them to the reinvention of our new Centre. With CGS, staying true to the Montessori way, using manipulatives such as small versions of liturgical items are valuable tools in teaching children about the hows and whys of certain aspects of our faith, thereby enhancing their relationship with God and the larger worshipping community.

Atop our school altar is housed a miniature brass tabernacle, a pair of brass altar vases, a pair of brass candlesticks, an antique St Anne with the Virgin Mary as a girl statue (which originally comes from Ireland) and a St Joseph statue, miniature Latin Mass altar cards and a mini brass missal stand. The boys have a great time playing Mass on it, especially because we also have other miniature church vessels just perfect to be handled by little hands, such as: ciborium, chalice, paten, monstrance, cruets, sanctuary lamp, thurible, sanctus bells, candle snuffer, etc. They especially enjoy vesting in the child-size set of priest's vestments which I sewed for them a couple of years ago. And to complete the sacerdotal garb, we also added a small size but real biretta.

Walls That Teach

Although I often wish we had a bigger space for schooling, I still feel blessed and grateful that we at least have an area set apart for the purpose, one that is separate from the rest of the house. (I have certainly read about homeschooling families that have to use their dining table, not to say at all that this is bad. I believe some actually choose this set up because it is more effective in their particular situation.)

Using the walls to hang up instructional posters is a great solution to the space issue and has always been a method I have employed eversince; but the overall idea was to maximize the wall space and strategically place the posters to facilitate and enhance the kids' learning.

A beautiful recent addition to our wall panorama is a mural-type oversized poster of Raphael's "Triumph of the Eucharist," a Renaissance masterpiece found in the Vatican - a wonderful sight for little eyes to behold, to start them out young at developing an appreciation for sacred art. And with the size of it spanning most of a single wall, one cannot help but be drawn to this magnificent picture.

Also, apart from math, science and geography posters, we have added a few saints' quotations on laminated A4 paper for added inspiration!

The Montessori Touch

Adopting the Montessori system for teaching the pre-schoolers last year was what prompted me to rethink the set up of our learning centre. And since gradually acquiring Montessori learning equipment, we have had to change the shelving in order to make it easy for our little learners to access different materials and to put them back after use. The big geography puzzles were a problem at first, but thanks to hubby who constructed a spiffy little puzzle cabinet, they now sit happily in their own individual slots, inviting little hands to slide them out and explore them.

Our Catholic Library

Building up a Catholic Library has been painstaking but enjoyable at the same time. We have consciously slowly acquired different children's titles over the years and our collection now includes very rare books such as traditional Catholic reprints of those from the 1920's and even a few original classics.

We have also expanded to include a video library which is composed mainly of movies about the lives of the saints, bible stories, catechetical aids, etc. including several animated versions. And this is such a hit with the whole family!

Last year was definitely a great year in terms of our stronger Aussie dollar compared to the US buck, which allowed us to purchase a large bulk of our new addition books and DVD's from America, which are otherwise unavailable locally. Our small library continues to grow, but it is now proving to be even more of a success just by the interest generated among the kiddies!

The Reading Nook

Although we started with a reading area smack against the middle of a wall, we are now happier with our current one which is tucked in a corner, adjacent to the only window in the room, giving the reader lots of natural light and fresh air. (And of course we had to add a reading lamp for the overzealous reader at other times!) For 20 bucks we acquired ourselves a great find: a virtually unused colourful little tubchair (from a 2nd hand office furniture shop) which has been surprisingly comfortable and great to cradle little bodies during their reading adventures into different eras and periods in different parts of the world!

On the wall behind the tubchair we have an old picture of St Anthony of Padua with the Child Jesus (glass-mounted), a quotation from St Therese, and some inspiring words from St John Bosco about what books one should and should not read.

We are certainly all very happy with the outcome of the changes in our new and improved Learning Centre, but the real sense of fulfillment comes from seeing the kids come alive in their new learning space. Apparently, they find the room very inviting, stimulating and nurturing - judging by several instances so far when, some mornings, they each wake up and go straight there to do their own explorations. And this, we don't mind at all. Such sweet fruits of labour, indeed!

At this particular point, I am posting some pictures to do the rest of the talking. :D

BEFORE

AFTER

This Year's Curricula

Deciding our curricula for this schoolyear was no walk in the park. Well, for me, that is. Besides, although the 2 middle children have been receiving bits of lessons here and there since the middle of last year, this is the first year that I will be giving FORMAL, structured instruction to TWO students - as my 2nd child, Joseph, OFFICIALLY starts Kindy. Specific subjects and the scope of study had to be carefully considered. (Actually, personally knowing mothers who have schooled up to 11 kids, I really don't know what I am complaining about. Like I always say.. What is wrong with me?)

However, as I was saying to a friend, I am so thankful that my eldest, Christopher is now largely self-directed and only needs minimal assistance, and that Joseph has started reading simple words since the 2nd half of last year. These will be such big help.

Our Grade 4 curriculum will consist of the following core subjects:

1. Mathematics - using Delta Math U See
2. Language Arts:
a. Reading Comprehension - using varied beautiful Catholic reading materials, even great books reprinted from 1920's etc.
b. Spelling - using My Catholic Speller C
c. Grammar & Composition - using Language of God C
3. Science and Health - using Behold and See 4
4. Religion - using mainly Faith and Life 4 and a range of other resources for Liturgical activities
5. Australian History and Geography - using Australian Social Studies from Australian Christian Education
6. Handwriting - using Catholic Heritage Handwriting Level 4

As in the last 2 years, Latin will continue to be our non-core subject, using Latina Christiana I and Little Latin Readers.

Music - Gregorian chant on Thursdays and organ added on Saturdays (under Jack Ho of Musica Sacra); and Graphic Arts (mainly using Art with a Purpose) will be Christopher's other electives.

Although we have used resources obtained from Catholic Heritage Curricula (California, USA) for the last 5-6 years or so from Pre-School years (except for Mathematics where we have used Math U See since Grade 1), this year I have decided to incorporate ACE (Australian Christian Education) resources for our Social Studies 4 which is concentrated on Australian History and Geography. It was necessary to look for local sources because CHC was offering American History and Geography for Grade 4 SS which is quite inappropriate for us, for obvious reasons. Hubby also suggested that I include Philippine History and Geography, given that the Philippines is our native country. Although this suggestion made sense, I would have to see how we go, pace-wise, with our Australian studies, and if time permits (i.e. before schoolyear ends, perhaps I can give Christopher at least an overview of Philippine History and Geography.

Actually, going back to ACE, I was so grateful to have tapped into this resource. The kids and I went to the institution this morning, some 25 minutes away, (ACE moved from an area that would've only taken me 7 minutes to drive.) Although I have known about ACE's existence about 7 years ago (when I was doing my initial research and inquiry about home education in the state), I never actually made time to go over and have a look at what they had to offer. Until today. And as I said to the ACE consultant this morning, compared to the Social Studies books I skimmed though, theirs were more desirable to us, seeing that it is Christian based (pity it could not be more Catholic-specific!).

Using Christopher's past curriculum with only minor adjustments, Joseph's Kindergarten subjects will include:

1. Reading and Phonics - using Little Stories for Little Folks (Catholic Phonics Readers)
2. Handwriting - using my own Handwriting practice notebook
3. Mathematics - using Primer Math U See
4. Religion - using Kinder Who-Am-I and God's Love Story

With only 3 days away from when we officially start schooling, part of me is very much looking forward to this year's learning endeavours with the 2 boys. However, a part of me is also dreading it. But I only have to constantly push these distractions out of the way, because I know everything will work out for the best, with God's grace, given that we are doing this for the kids' sake, not for anything else. When I shared these sentiments with a good friend, who has had such a great influence on me as a Catholic mom and has become my great mentor, Anne, she had these inspiring and challenging words to say in quotation of the late Fr John Hardon (a very holy priest, writer and brilliant theologian) in reference to home education: "Only heroic families will survive."

Well, with lots of prayers and a fervent desire to commit to doing more devotions and works of penance this year, I sure hope our family survives!

Saint John Bosco, please intercede on our behalf!

Invoking Don Bosco's Assistance

Yup, it's unanimous. The patron saint we have chosen for homeschooling this year is.... St John Bosco! We thought that, because both of our students this year are boys (Christopher - Grade 4 and Joseph - Kinder), it would be so fitting to choose the great educator and patron saint for boys, Don Bosco.

This coming Sunday, January 31 is St John Bosco's feastday; and it is also the first day of the week that we officially start schooling this year. Isn't this remarkable? Almost feels strange, but I'm certain it is providential! It is a bit of a pity that we are only 5 days away from his feastday, 4 days short of the nine days usually required for a novena which we could have done, had we decided much earlier. Nonetheless, we will fervently pray for his special intercession in all our efforts throughout this schoolyear.

O glorious Saint John Bosco,
who in order to lead young people
to the feet of the Divine Master
and to mould them
in the light of faith and Christian morality
didst heroically sacrifice thyself
to the very end of thy life
and didst set up a proper religious Institute
destined to endure
and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth
thy glorious work,
obtain also for us from Our Lord
a holy love for young people
who are exposed to so many seductions
in order that we may generously spend ourselves
in supporting them against the snares of the devil,
in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world,
and in guiding them, pure and holy,
in the path that leads to God.
Amen.

Celebrating the Feastday of the Conversion of St Paul

Yesterday, January 25 was the feastday of the Conversion of St Paul.

Although we spent most of the morning out getting most of our grocery supplies for the week, the afternoon was spent preparing for our private Mass which we have every Monday evening. And though a few days earlier I told myself I was going to make more of an effort in preparing our activities for this feastday, as it turns out, I was not organized enough to allow myself to fulfil it. (Darn!)

So, although I earlier thought the kids and I would decorate a nice "conversion of St Paul"-themed cake, we ended up simply placing a figurine of St Paul and a horse on top of it, symbolic of how St Paul was knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus by the Blinding Light which was the start of his conversion and the turning point of his life.

As a nice highlight to the day, we watched the movie: St Paul the Emissary - which was an excellent tool in teaching the kids about this saint's life as Saul, persecutor of Christians and how he was converted by Christ - through a powerful experience - into St Paul, the greatest missionary in the history of Christianity who gave up everything in order to spread Christ's message to all the world. And to end the day, the kids spent some time colouring-in pictures of St Paul, emphasizing his symbols, the sword and the scroll.

On this day, let our prayer be:

Loving Lord, please convert our hearts and minds, so we can become the people You intended us to be. Blind us with Your Light, Your Love - if it means that we would be able to redirect the rest of our lives into living ONLY for You, as You died ONLY for love of us. Help us to live totally abandoned to Your Divine Will so that, as St Paul said, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me," (Gal 2:20)

Sancte Paulus, ora pro nobis!

Safe, Effective, Natural Antibiotic - A Godsend!

I am referring to Colloidal Silver which has proven itself very useful as a wide-spectrum bug-buster in the brief time that we have been using it. (No wonder information on this “super antibiotic” has been suppressed by big pharmaceutical companies worldwide for many decades!!)
When you are a mother of young kids, you are not a stranger to the frequent bouts of infectious diseases that kids contract and manage to spread to the rest of the family. Colds, coughs, flu, laryngitis, etc. are only a few of the afflictions that plague our household on a regular basis.

Just 2 weeks ago, however, my youngest daughter came down with the measles. I was very reluctant, to say the least, about taking her to the doctor because I knew I would merely be advised to keep her comfortable, e.g. maintaining a normal temperature, pushing fluids, and basically letting the disease take its course. In addition, I did not want them hassling me about why I stopped bringing my children back to the doctors for their immunizations (a choice we had to make for certain reasons).

Like some mothers would, I resolved to take matters into my own hands. Apart from copious prayers and requests for intercession from close friends and relatives, I decided to give her colloidal silver, a naturally obtained antibacterial. Our family has been using it for a few months now (a tablespoon, once every night) as an immunity booster, and I must say that it has been quite effective in keeping the old nasties at bay.

However its most impressive “performance” (for want of a better word) in our family was witnessed as recent as only a couple of weeks ago. In late December, we drove interstate (approx 12-hour drive) and visited some family in Sydney. We stayed for a couple of days and drove back. Because it was quite hectic, and our normal daily routine suddently went haywire, the kids were consequently sleep-deprived, to a certain extent. Hence, I suspect, Bright-eyes' normal resistance had understandably dropped. A few days after we got back from our long drive, we noticed her breaking out in a generalized rash. Although I was initially uncertain of its nature, I had to make sure it was not the dreaded meningiococcal rash. So I tested the rash with the old “glass test.” Imagine my relief when I proved that it was not! And after looking through medical books and websites, it was conclusively – measles.

As aforementioned, whilst we normally only take it once every night, I had to increase Bright-eyes' colloidal silver dosage during her illness. I was giving her a dose every 3 hours. To our pleasant surprise, this nonpharmacologic treatment started taking effect almost instantaneously. And within 48 hours, her rashes disappeared from sight – literally. We were admittedly very shocked to witness the speed at which this natural therapy eliminated the disease. In an attempt to provide an apt description for it, impressive is simply an understatement.

In all this, I am so thankful for God’s loving providence that the disease did not progress any further especially before Bright-eyes got any worse. During this illness (which can reportedly be fatal in small children, in some cases) we never had to set foot at a medical clinic or consult with any medical professional. And after this recent eye-opening experience, we now have a renewed trust in our wonder-elixir (as I like to refer to it) which is apparently as naturally occurring as any other trace element in the body – which is why colloidal silver is classified as a ‘food supplement.’

Notwithstanding our desire to increase our awareness of the different herbs from “God’s Pharmacy” and the benefits that they can have on our health; nonetheless, we are very pleased to have come across this natural antibiotic. And compared to the man-concocted, chemically formulated antibiotics (whose production are, more often than not, profit-driven), that cause more harm than good, especially in children, I can safely say that colloidal silver is – definitely – a Godsend.

Et clamaverunt ad Dominum in tribulatione sua de angustiis eorum salvavit eos misit verbum suum et sanavit eos et salvavit de interitu. Psalm 106: 19-20