A Look at Science Class: Anatomy--The Brain

After postponing Science from 10 to 10:30 (unfortunate, but felt it was best) we gathered together and laid Chugger-dude (11) on the table.

"Let's cut into his brain and review what we learned."

That got their attention.

Then we reviewed the different parts of the brain we learned about from Chapter 9 and the first part of Chapter 10 from Apologia's "Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology."  We then watched an actual open brain surgery while the guy was awake!!

National Geographic: Brain Tumor Surgery (3:14)

Wow!  So cool!  We then started reviewing (I basically read and cover) the information in the second half of the chapter, starting on pg 166.  We do all the "Try This!" experiments except for the egg one, since I don't want to take the time to dig up some Karo syrup, easter egg and eggs...although we did decide to do an "egg drop challenge" for next week!!

As we talked about the brain, I try to have them tap the parts of their body that we talk about, making connections with real life, like: "Wow!  So if our brain was in the base of our spinal column, would we have much protection?" or "So how does that apply to people who have back accidents?  How does paralysis work?" or any other question that comes to mind!

I believe one of the keys to generating good learners who love to learn is to become one.  In the chapter on "Humility" in Kevin Hall's "Aspire" he discusses how the most successful people in the world are also the best learners...they are always learning!!

The end of the chapter gives a bunch of experiments to test people's ability to do certain "brain skills." One was mazes. (Here is a link.)

I think one of my favorite parts of the class was the following video that covers brain health:
Brain Health Video
It completely validated our school schedule!!!!!

Devotional: Taking Leadership to Heart

Of course, we started with a Studio C:

This gathers everyone together.  Then we sang a patriotic song chosen by the "child of the day" (Chugger-dude) and said the Pledge of Allegiance.  Relative quiet ensues (baby was hurriedly changed while singing and is now nursing). Time to begin!

"This is the month of love," I began, holding up a bag of discount heart lollipops I had picked up for 45 cents yesterday.  We talked briefly about Valentines Day and then I transitioned.

"Could anyone explain to us the concept of 'Generals and True Love'," I then asked.  Avot raised her hand and then explained the concept (check out the link) that we want generals who know and care about their troops, not ones that see them as a mere number of tools.

"We want people who love, leaders who love.  God wants this same thing for us.  In fact, it is one of the great commandments."

After watching this video, I opened it up to the kids to make remarks about what they noticed about the video and the message.

"So we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, but that leads to an interesting question...what do we think of ourselves?" I paused, letting it sink in.  Then we watched the following:

There was silence as the power of this message sunk in. Again, I asked them for their thoughts, asking probing questions to make them think a little deeper about it, apply it to themselves.

Do we love ourselves? Do we see the value in what we do?

I then shared how the video I posted last night onto youtube covering "our day" already had 147 views...overnight. I shared with them my frustration and disappointment after making my first video, how I didn't like how I looked or sounded.  I shared, "What if that one person who needed my message of yesterday didn't get it because I didn't like my first video?"

I shared the portions of the video where it showed me in my "full glory" of exercise head, no make-up...awesomeness.   I then challenged them to face those things that are holding them back from sharing their own messaged and confront and conquer them, recognizing their glory:

We are the temples of God.

Chugger-dude chose: "As I Have Loved You" to sing and then I prayed.

Turned on the "Reflection Time" music and the kids sat around the table with their reflection books, most of them writing, some just sitting. (Randomly selected: "Take Time To Be Holy" was played.  So many times just the right song emerges during the Reflection Time music!  Love it.)
And then we ate the heart suckers. Perfect.

Trust God

I came across this story a couple days ago and it's message has floated with me:

Most recently, my husband taught our children about the story of Moses. I said, “I think the faith of Moses’s mother is amazing! She sent him down the river and prayed that Heavenly Father would keep him safe. Can you imagine the great faith it took for her to trust Heavenly Father with her baby?”

Lucy asked, “Mom, do you have that much faith?”

It was a profound question. I thought about it for a moment and then shared a few experiences that I have had when I successfully relied on the Lord with faith. The discussion that followed was edifying for the entire family. Her question comes to my mind all the time.

So many times when I structure my day, I feel that God has specific things He wants me to do.  My intention to follow them is good, but then I start worrying about my children: am I giving them enough of my time and energy?  What of their afflictions are caused by my inadequacies or neglect?

We see our children suffer and as a mother I ache for them. I want to make it all better.  Over the years, my "helicopter parenting" has changed from controlling as much as I can to just trying to create an environment where they can experience a maximum of healthy agency with accountability, inspiration and respect.

But every once in a while I lapse.  I worry. I fear.  I have so many children. I homeschool. I am actively and along with Quinn independently responsible for their education. I feel that God approved of and desired for us to have this many children.  Do I trust that He can make up for my deficiencies?

Do I trust as I send first Tova and then Kel out into the world that they will have what they need?  Do I trust as I see my kids battle with heartache, loneliness, or rejection that it is part of God's refinement and sometimes all we can do is hold them, love them and then let the Spirit teach them?  Do I have the courage and trust to just be quiet and stop lecturing?  I think that sometimes I shout down the Spirit with my determination to get in the last word!

Anyway...powerful story and example of trust.  There are times and places for each parent to figuratively "send their child down the river," in different ways and stages...and for different children!  I pray that I will have the spiritual closeness to recognize when to jump in the water to save them and when to let them go."mom

A Video Look at Our Homeschooling Day and Week

Here it is, Marni!

Service-Oriented Leadership: a sample look at our day learning about it!

Our day started with the following videos in a devotional (after our token "Leadership" Studio C "funny")...

Great video to set the stage!  (The visual of a tree and the roots are a very effective symbol of good leadership, similar to the "brain/nervous system" analogy below, in case you would like to study botany, plant seeds,...all sorts of viable connections using the Eureka lens!)

Then we followed up with this tender application of true leadership, reminding me of Marni's quote about leadership:

"Leadership is communicating to another person their worth and potential so clearly they are inspired to see it in themselves." -- Stephen R. Covey

 We are then watching the movie "Molokai" and have been reading "Heidi" aloud as examples of good leaders.

We also studied the Brain and Nervous system this week as part of our ongoing study of Anatomy this year as a family.  We made the connection to our theme this month as we recognized that the brain, without a network of information running to and from the "greatest" to the "least" of a body's parts would be unable to do it's work.  The brain, as any good leader, needs to be "in touch" with all under their stewardship.  Each part is valued.  Each part should be recognized and understood, with efforts of the whole directed to meet the needs of the one.  A good leader creates synergy and collaboration throughout the system, just as the brain does with the nervous system.

The connections are there!  We just need to help our youth and children see them to make it all more real, more relevant :).

The Four "Births" of Childhood

"We come into the world...'trailing clouds of glory.'"

Birth. Beautiful and powerful experience.  Triumphant.  Scary. New.

Each one of us developed physically within our mother’s womb while relying for many months on her body to sustain ours. Eventually, however, the process of birth—dramatic for both mother and child—separated us. (Wixom)

As I read this quote above the other day, my head went spinning into direction with this concept of "birth."  What makes up this experience of birth?

As a baby emerges into this world, the change of temperature and light and the sudden release of pressure on the chest induce the baby to take its first gasping breath. Those little lungs suddenly fill with air for the first time, the organs spring into action, and the baby begins to breathe. As the umbilical cord is clamped, that lifeline between mother and baby is forever severed, and the baby’s life on earth begins.

Job said, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." (ibid)

I believe that through the growth progress of a child to adult there are different "births" that our children go through.  You can read about these in parenting books and literature about development (I will hopefully blog with more sources later) but this is my ah-hah based upon my studies and experience.

I wonder if we must go through successful "births" to the next level to mature and develop in a healthy way.  When elements of our "births" are not present, we suffer, as much or more as if it were complications with the pregnancy and birth of a newborn.

What makes something a successful "birth"?

-Womb-like conditions
-Reliance upon the mother or nurturer
-Dramatic separation
-Changes in light and temperature (environment)
-Organs (or dormant skills, mental states, etc.) spring into action
-Umbilical cord severed

There are all sorts of comparisons and analogies with each of these aspects of a successful "birth" for the following hypothetical stages or "births" that our kids go through as the age.  In the interest of time, I am just going to brainstorm as I go, bringing in different ideas I have as they come up.  These are just part of a theory I am developing to better help me understand the growth of my children and maybe look at different ways to help them.

Different Points of "Birth"
1st birth: gain body
2nd birth: gain sense of self from parent ("you mean my mom and I are two separate beings?")...around 2 years old.
3rd birth: gain sense of identity ("My parents have one set of standards/beliefs/ideology but there are others out there.  Where do I fit in?")...around 12 years old.
4th birth: gain independence ("I am in charge of myself and my destiny.") ...around 18.

Ramifications
So why does it matter to identify these stages?

Well, I think it would be helpful to recognize what is happening at each stage and the needs of an individual going through them.  There is a womb-like need for children at each of these stages: times to be wrapped up, comforted, surrounded with support and comfort. But right up against it is the recognition that the "umbilical cord" needs to be cut and they need to struggle to "breathe" so those new "organs" can practice and be sustained.

I can see it right before and during some of my children's transitions, from my 3 year old to my 17 year old.  They have times when they come to me and need to be wrapped up in love and assurance and just sheltered.

And then there are times when they are "cutting the umbilical cord."  Trying out new "organs" like their mind, their will, their independence.  The rest of the family often needs to step back and be patient with "birth" much as a family takes a reprieve from normality when they welcome a new little baby to the family circle.   The family surrounds the new "little one" with warmth and acceptance.  Do we do this for our emerging youth? Our emerging adults?  Giving birth at any of these stages is not only painful and memorable but incredibly beautiful as we see a "new creature" emerge.  So many comparisons and analogies!


I need to think about it some more:
--how can I recognize the "transitional elements" of these stages of birth and growth
--how can I foster a successful "birth" at these different stages
--at what point am I the nurturer, the womb, in charge of environment, the severer of the umbilical cord (if ever?...it is considered quite an honor in some circles to be the one who cuts it...new way to think about it...)

On a parting note, a funny yet sobering look at "cutting the umbilical cord."

A time to...begin!

As I am beginning to schedule out my actual structure for the new year, I think it is important for me to get back to some basics.  This morning, as I prayed, it was interesting to try and articulate what it was I truly wanted for me and my children.  I think I came to this:
-for the them to know, love and serve God
-for them to be prepared in every way I can help them to fulfill their missions on this earth
-to know what is the right time to do things and when is the right time to not do things.

The scripture in Ecclesiastes came into my mind:
1To every thing there is a season , and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 
2A time to be born, and a time to die ; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh ; a time to mourn , and a time to dance; 
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 
6A time to get , and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 
7A time to rend , and a time to sew; a time to keep silence , and a time to speak; 
8A time to love, and a time to hate ; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

I am excited to hopefully start learning when to continue with a lesson and when to stop, when to speak and when to keep silent.  I have been so caught up in "carrying through with the plan until death!" that I have lost some meaning and depth that could have been reached otherwise through the agency of my children or other possible directions of the lesson.  What is it that I fear?  This has been a good question for me to articulate and answer and plan my homeschooling year accordingly. 

Up until now, we have just been having daily accountability with studies entirely led by the children's desires to learn math, spelling, etc.  I purchased a workbook for Lily and younger for the kids to work out of because they love workbooks (I hardly ever use them and just have small rewards for finishing them, so they are a novelty) and in the process they have been practicing their reading and writing skills, learned a few things that the public system feels is "grade-level," and kept them in a habit of learning.  Piano lessons, some random art sessions and anatomy classes--always with family reading and devotional--have been the extent of our technically scholastic learning as we adjust to a new place and work, work, work on our house and relationships with others.