Missionaries, Death, and Children

Share this post via email










Submit

As I read through my Other Posts of Note today, three ideas came together: Abortion, The Hunger Games, and the blessing of children.

One of the horrors of The Hunger Games--which I have not read, but I did see the movie with friends--is the sacrifice of children. What a timely message: Children are desirable!

In fact, in the world portrayed in the movie, the only reason not to have kids is their potential inclusion in this horrible "game." No, it's not poor living conditions, or the uncertainty of having enough, or a desire to make something of oneself before settling down. Those are non-issues. What gives pause to having children is the fear that these kids will one day be sacrificed on the altar of entertainment and totalitarian oppression.

It's the hopeless meaninglessness of it all. That's the paralyzing fear.

But what do we do with totalitarian governments? How should we respond to cruel games that sacrifice their participants? What will we do when faced with a call for self-sacrifice? Are we clever and resourceful in the face of adversity? How will we stand out in this world, so our lives--and our deaths--are not meaningless?

These are questions explored in that story. But they aren't new. In fact, growing up on a steady diet of missionary biographies, my childhood was full of examples of men and women who have done all that and more! My mom has often said that she wants to give us real heroes to look up to. And the books that fill Sonlight's homeschool curriculum do just that.

Who's your favorite hero/heroine you've read about thus far?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Share this post via email










Submit
Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Sonlight's 2012 Catalog Available Now

Share this post via email










Submit

Sonlight Catalog

If you haven't heard already, you can check out Sonlight's 2012 Catalog in digital format right now! Just remember: If you have an iThing that does not run Flash, you will want to download the .pdf version.

Also, we've released more information about what's new with Sonlight's Language Arts this year. So be sure to check that out if you haven't had a chance to yet.

Enjoy!

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Share this post via email










Submit
Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Mess

Share this post via email










Submit

I have been thinking about how I need to continue to let go of the desire for the appearance of perfection in my life. While I have no desire to spend the time (or money) it takes to put on a perfect image, when my house, or my face, or my body doesn't look the way I wish it would, it makes me a bit blue.

I want to honor people who come to my house by having it look lovely, the reality is, it's not always picked up.


(Hmmmm, nice, but sort of sad that it doesn't look, "lived in")

I want people to take me seriously and respect my thoughts, but I am also working on dealing with the fact that I don't always look put together or that my skin isn't always clear. For example, while watching the "What's New in 2012" videos, a blemish on my cheek jumps out at me, it's just laughing at me that I had a breakout the day I was going in for filming...keeps me humble I guess.*

Also on the topic of image, after this, my third pregnancy, the weight just isn't coming off, and searching for something to wear every day is a challenge. I can't wait for garage sale season to arrive so I can expand my wardrobe with clothes that fit me now.

I guess I could lock the door, hide my face, and never leave the house so no one sees my ill fitting clothes. Instead, I am working on welcoming people into my home, helping them feel at peace so they don't notice the items they have to step over. I'm working on smiling and asking about what others are going through so they see my heart instead of any mark on my face. And, I try to make a point to look at my children so people see the joy I wear in this season, instead of the clothes I have on.

So, if you see my blemish, or imagine tripping over my stuff, or wonder what I've got on... realize, I'm working on letting it all go.


(The normal state of Natalia's room)

Until next time,
Jonelle

*I have never felt comfortable in make-up so I don't wear it. I'm not opposed to it on others, I just personally feel like I'm wearing a mask and don't recognize myself when I look in the mirror. So, I deal with those blemishes and try to pretend that anyone looking at me is more interested in what I'm saying than what my face looks like.
Share this post via email










Submit
14 Comments

The Best Students: On Lectures and Learning

Share this post via email










Submit

I was one of the really good students in school. I paid attention. I wasn't disruptive (much). I answered and asked questions. I turned in my homework. I tested just fine. I also sat in the front when I wasn't assigned a seat in the back.

I was one of the best students in my class. This was proved by my grades, the ways my teachers interacted with me, and the fact that I graduated Valedictorian <cough>.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with other people in the area who are interested in using social media for business. As people filed in, I realized I could probably guess who was successful in school. They would be the people who paid attention, weren't disruptive, and answered and asked questions.

That morning there were about 60 people in attendance. Only a handful made it onto my "best students" list.

And yet... the rest of the group was obviously there for a reason. Muffins and coffee are hardly motivation to get up early on a weekend and sit in an "interactive lecture" for a couple of hours.

It struck me that the classroom model rewards only a few students based (largely?) on their personality and their ability/willingness to jump through hoops. But many of my friends don't fit into this "best student" model. They are brilliant, wonderful people, but they don't match the specific requirements to be one of the top students. And the majority of the business people sitting in the room with me were also, I'm guessing, not great students. And yet, here they are, on the cutting edge of technology working for themselves or in a field they love.

With homeschooling, as we study and read and discuss and learn together, the question of "who are the best students?" rightly fades into the background. That almost meaningless comparison is overshadowed by a question: What does this student need to be successful?

Notice the shift in focus? One is about how the student fits the educational model, the other asks how the model can best benefit the student.

Homeschooling is an excellent educational option because it allows us to focus on the needs and strengths of the student. And that is much more important than figuring out who should get a piece of paper with "Valedictorian" stamped on it.

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Share this post via email










Submit
Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Spring Science!

Share this post via email










Submit

Second only to autumn, spring is my most favorite time of year. Everything is new, fresh, and smells so good (yes, even what the farmer is spreading down the road)! Spring is coming early here in the northeast this year. I was out wandering around our yard the other day looking for signs of perennials popping through the warming earth, and trees slowly beginning to bud. I'm not so naive to think we won't have any more cold weather or <gasp> snow! But we have definitely turned the corner.

This is a great time of year to put a fresh spin on your science studies. For younger students, simply getting them outdoors and helping them to become aware of the changes going on around them is some of the best "science" out there. Help them look for tulips breaking through the dirt, buds popping on trees ... teach them to recognize bird calls that have been missing all winter, and talk about the reason for the lengthening daylight. You can certainly have them sketch what they discover in a science "journal", or take pictures to post on the refrigerator or to send to grandma ... but pure discovery is the best way to make them aware of what's going on around them.

For older students, now is the time to begin planning flower and/or vegetable gardens. Have them research planting "zones", raised bed gardening, and seed/plant costs. Let them sketch out their garden "blueprints" and purchase the supplies needed to get starter plants going.

Of course I will always recommend adding literature to your science discoveries! Here are some titles that are especially appropriate for this time of year ...

There are many more, I'm sure, but this is a great list to get your students excited about discovering what creation has to offer this spring. Get outside!! Don't let your kids miss the daily changes taking place in your own yard.

Still on the journey ...
~Judy Wnuk
Sonlight Customer Champiom

 

Share this post via email










Submit
Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Encouragement

Share this post via email










Submit

Sonlight Booth

This past weekend was my first homeschool convention of the season. It was a busy two days. By the end of the conference I was tired. My feet hurt and my voice was giving out. But as I began to pack away my display, an older lady--another veteran homeschool mom--stepped over from the next booth to speak to me. She complimented me on the display and said what a good job I had done for Sonlight. Apparently she had been watching all weekend. She asked how long I had been a Sonlight Curriculum Consultant. I had to think back... let's see, I started in 2000... so I guess that means this is my 13th year. Wow! Time really does go by so fast. I thanked her for her kind words, and we both returned to the job at hand. As I packed I thought about all the reasons I enjoy representing Sonlight at conventions.

  • I love talking to new homeschoolers and helping them see how Sonlight might work for their family.
  • I love it when someone who was new to Sonlight last year comes back and tells me what a great year they had.
  • I love visiting with families who have been using Sonlight for years.
  • I especially love it when a Sonlight veteran stops by and brings a friend. Usually the veteran does my job for me, demonstrating all the reasons she loves Sonlight to her friend.
  • I get excited when someone tells me they used to use Sonlight, but for whatever reason they tried something else last year, and now their kids are begging to go back to Sonlight.
  • I enjoy speaking with parents of special needs kids, and helping them find ways they can incorporate Sonlight into their child's education.
  • I love it when kids come through and point out some of their favorite books to me.
  • I like displaying my microscope and showing kids how to use it.
  • I love giving away cool prizes. I usually have a drawing for a bag of books, as well as other giveaways.
  • It's fun to hand a pen or a bookmark to the little kids who are generally just so bored to be tagging along. It makes their eyes light up to receive a small gift they can take home.

In spite of my aching feet, I came away from the conference last weekend encouraged. No, I didn't attend any workshops. I barely ventured outside my own booth. But all the people who visited my booth for encouragement ended up encouraging me. Thank you.

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. --Romans 1:12 NLT

Enjoying the adventure,
~Karla Cook
Lifelong Learner

Share this post via email










Submit
Tagged , | 3 Comments

Behind the Scenes: What's New Videos 2012

Share this post via email










Submit

Many homeschoolers like to give glimpses into what curriculum they're using in the coming year. For media people--like me--it's similarly interesting to know what kind of equipment people are using to do their stuff.

Almost two months ago I posted a picture of my filming location in Sonlight's back warehouse. It's the best place we've got because I could take up 300 square feet of space without getting in too many people's way. It's not the most ideal filmming location, however, because we had to work around the noise of people... well... working.

Just this morning, we were back there again, grabbing a wild line for the video coming out on Wednesday.

How did I use all the space? Well, as pictured below, I had my subject sit twenty feet in front of the bookcases. Then, I placed my camera another ten feet in front of them. This let me zoom in on the subject's face, while throwing the bookcases out of focus behind them. I didn't like how everything was all on the same "plane" in the 2011 What's New video. So assembling my own set was a big priority for me this year.


300 Square Feet

I used four lights on set. One had barn doors to cast a diagonal beam of light across the bookcase in the background for interest. Then I used two soft boxes to adjust the amount of shadow cast on my subject's faces (trying to have slightly harder shadows on the guys). Then, I put one last light about ten feet behind my subjects to illuminate the edge of their hair and give more separation from the background.

For audio, I used a shotgun microphone pointed up at them from the floor. In the past, I've used a lapel mic, but I like the sound I get from a directional microphone in noisy locations, and it's easier to have a microphone in front of the person rather than on their body.

I shoot 1080i HDV, edit in Vegas Movie Studio HD (about $80 for the older version I have), and clean up the sound in Audacity (free). I render it out as a 1080p .mwv and upload to Sonlight's YouTube channel.

Works pretty well, and I'm very happy with the results.

If you have somehow missed the 2012 What's New videos, check them out. If you, or your children, have any other questions about this production, please ask!

And if your kids are interested in learning how to make media, have them swing by Digital Flatline on the Sonlight student forums. I'm there, ready to answer questions about their media productions.

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Share this post via email










Submit
Tagged , , | 2 Comments