How do you teach your students about plagiarism and how to avoid it?

A friend sent me this article written by Mrs. Richman, a leader in homeschooling and a current teacher.

After teaching in both a private Christian school and a co-op myself, I can tell you that plagiarism cannot be overlooked.  It is a serious problem which deserves its time in the homeschool setting. We need to start by explaining to our kids what it is; Mrs. Richman does a fabulous job of showing it with excellent (and unfortunate) examples. Perhaps the discussion can begin by reading the article together. Then we need to teach strong research skills or put our kids in settings where they will learn them.

Should we wait until high school to introduce the word?  Absolutely not. As soon as students are drawing ideas from other sources, they need to know it's not okay to borrow (i.e. steal) someone else's words. Their note-taking and citations may not be as sophisticated as an older kid's, but if they learn young, they'll avoid a whole lot of trouble later. More importantly, they'll have work that is truly their own.

See Writing Research Reports for additional help.

After years of rebellion, God rescued Abraham Piper. In this piece, he shares his testimony,offering parents of wayward children suggestions for how to love them and give them Jesus. Enjoy this picture of redemption and the fruit of wisdom that comes from it!

Saeed Abedini is an Iranian/American Christian who is being persecuted in one of Iran's most notorious prisons. In a letter to his wife, he talks about his unimaginable trial. Forgiveness in his circumstances is truly miraculous, a testimony to the gospel that has made forgiveness possible.

Meanwhile, Saeed's wife waits with her two young children in Idaho, praying and hoping for his release. Her response is no less miraculous. Read the letter she wrote for his 33rd birthday yesterday.

Please join me in praying for this family, that God would sustain and encourage them, reuniting them very soon. Pray also that Saeed's persecutors would meet Jesus through Saeed's faithful witness.

We are inundated with news everyday that is discouraging, even downright depressing. As Christians we believe in our heads that God is Sovereign, that "light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5), that the gospel of Jesus redeems and transforms lives. But when the news continues to bombard us, we sometimes forget. Testimonies of God at work encourage our hearts and fuel our hope. Here is #2 in the series.

This is the story of the Kings, a family of nine following God's call to adopt a 1 lb, 13 oz preemie in a state 2,000 miles away. Be blessed as you read this unfolding story of the gospel on display...and pray that God will supply their every need.

I’d like to tell you the story of a little girl.  For reasons we may never know, this little girl’s family wasn’t able to provide for all of her needs.  And in January of last year she was placed in an orphanage in northern China.  On that exact same day, half a world away, a family whose hearts had been stirred by God to bring another child into their family was officially accepted into China’s adoption program.  Though the child and family knew nothing about each other, God’s perfect plan was already unfolding.  Almost a year later, the first day that child’s name appeared on China’s shared adoption list was also the first time our family was eligible to be matched from that list – and the Lord’s sovereign hand connected our paths for good.  Though there was a huge distance between us, and she still had no idea we existed, we loved her and were willing to take on all of the obstacles in the way to bring her into our family.

For those who don’t know our story – this is Mercy, and yes she is Chinese, but she has a condition known as albinism.  Her body does not produce normal levels of pigment, so she has very pale skin and white hair.  As a father (and mother), we look at her picture and feel a love in our hearts for her that is unexplainable, save that we are made in the image and likeness of God.  And this process has given us such fresh insight into the heart of God for His children.  Mercy’s story is also my story (and your story.)  My earthly family was not capable of providing for all of my needs, but there was a heavenly father that could.  And though there was a huge gap between us, and I still had no idea He existed, He loved me (and He loved you.)  And He was willing to take on all of the obstacles in the way to bring us into His family.  While we were still rejecting Him or ignoring Him or just otherwise oblivious to Him, He paid a heavy price in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross to open the door for us to be adopted into His glorious kingdom.

Though it was nothing like His sacrifice, we also had to pay a heavy price in time and resources to allow our daughter to come home (which we are now on the brink of accomplishing).  But we have been blessed by tremendous help from our family (and that’s all of you!)  From the start of this process we have been shown overwhelming support, and we wanted to take this time to deeply thank you all.  Our spaghetti dinner (believe it or not) was a year ago yesterday.  And it humbles me to this day to remember the willingness and eagerness that so many of you showed to give of your time and energy as well as financially.  So much food and so many auction items donated; so many hands volunteered to do the work of setting up and cooking and serving and cleaning up; such a blessing to our souls to feel the unconditional support of our church family!  And that was just the beginning.  In the weeks and months that have passed since then we are constantly asked “How are things going?”, “What can I do to help?”, “Here’s something I thought you could use?”, and “What specifically can I pray about for you?”

And let me tell you we have felt those prayers all along the journey.  God has provided consistently, “exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine”.  Making sure we had all of the funds we needed exactly when we needed them.  Connecting us with complete strangers who had kids with similar conditions as Mercy to encourage us when our spirits were low.  Having a couple of seats open up on the “fully booked” flight we wanted appear just as we called to make a reservation.  But most of all – providing a supernatural sense of peace about bringing Mercy into our home – even in the face of doubts and fears.  I don’t want to paint an unfair picture – those doubts and fears still do come.  Like countless others before us, no matter how many times God provides, we still question “But what about this?”, “Can I really trust you to provide that?”  But God has been faithful to bring us peace in our hearts when we remember to focus on Him.  And thanks to so many of you who have helped us to get our focus back on Him when we needed it most.

Adoption is not easy (and we’re just getting started!)  There are so many of you here that have gone before us, and have so much more to tell than we do.  And we have benefited greatly from your friendship and experience and wise council – thank you so much for your time and patience, sharing your journey with us and illuminating God’s work in the lives of your families.  We look forward to being able to do the same someday, and share our stories of God’s grace to those who take this journey next.  Let me encourage those who may be hearing the call of James “to care for orphans” in your lives, but are filled with fear or feelings of inadequacy – we have those feelings too, but we are not in this alone!  When I first thought about putting Mercy’s picture up on the screen – the thought struck me that I don’t even need to!  Because most of you already look at her picture every day.  She’s hanging on refrigerators and bulletin boards, in picture frames and on computer desktops all around this region.  The world looks at her and sees a poor little orphan girl without a family – but the reality is she has a huge family!  A family that is anxiously waiting with open arms to gather her in.  Eagerly anticipating her arrival to shower unconditional love upon her.  And at the front of the line is Jesus Christ himself who longs for her to know Him, and trust Him, and love Him as He loves her.

Our ultimate prayer is not that Mercy will have a better life, or have her medical needs met more effectively, or bring joy to our home – though we do hope for all those things.  Our deepest prayer is that she would know Jesus and receive His salvation from sin.  And we are so glad to have all of you, as her extended family to help her to find Him.

Isaiah 43 

1 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.

5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.

6 I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

We leave for China this Friday.  If all goes according to plan, Mercy will be in our arms on Mother’s Day – what a gift, right? 

Thanks for being such good stewards of God’s grace.  Thanks for supporting us, encouraging us, and lifting us up in prayer.  Thanks for opening your hearts to our Mercy, just as you have to Michaela, Matthew, and Mason and for sharing your walks of faith with them.  We couldn’t do this without you.

Thank you!

How many times have you heard your child whine, "When am I ever going to need this?"

When do they ask the question (if it even counts as a question)? I've typically heard it during grueling math or science lessons.

Have you heard your child ask the question about writing?

I can't speak for the usefulness of higher level math or science for the non-math and science majors, although the information and skills have helped me in homeschooling, a calling I never anticipated as a young mom, let alone a young student. What about writing? Will your kids need it?  Should it be a priority in your homeschooling program?

I say a resounding yes, but what does that matter, especially to your children?

Sometimes ideas come at the strangest times and places. Last night, as I was hanging laundry under the night sky, this one came. I want to compile a list of dads, moms, and their professions and how/when they've needed to write as an adult.

I'm wondering if we can make a convincing case that writing is an important skill, worthy of our students' time, thought, and energy.

Leave your comments here. I'll share the results in a future post.

Left to myself, I would have kept this site in my imagination for a long time. But thanks to friends, who encouraged me to offer my gifts more broadly, and to my girls who prodded and helped me, here it is.  I hope you enjoy.

Flashback post from February 2008

When you take on the monumental task of teaching your own children, there is a lurking question: Will I miss something? I answered that one long ago with a resolved yes. Even with my own public school education, gaps abound. God's world is too vast to master it all. But last week, out of curiosity, I opened a science scope book I have on the shelf. I don't know why I have it. I can look at my girls and be completely content with their progress, but one peek in a book like that has potential to stir up all kinds of panic. As I browsed the book, I noticed that Rebekah's age group should know about the food groups. Of course, I try to feed the girls healthy, well-balanced meals, and we talk about healthy eating, but I've never "studied" it with Rebekah. Oh no, a gap!

Interestingly, the next day Rebekah wanted barley for lunch. As she ate, she asked, "Mom, is this healthy?" (another way of saying, "Look at this healthy lunch I'm eating, Mom.) I told her it was healthy but not well-balanced. Suddenly we were in a conversation about food groups which reminded her of a picture she saw in a book. She brought me a full-page, full-color picture of the food pyramid. In the following days, she purposed to have as many representatives of each group as possible on her plate.

This simple scenario reassured me yet again that I don't need to follow someone else's prescribed curriculum to avoid the dreaded gaps. Just by living life and seizing the moment--at least this time--Rebekah could check the box on the scope (figuratively speaking, of course). But even taking me out of the equation she, being a learner herself, knew where to look for additional information. If she can do that, I'm confident she will be able to fill those pesky gaps as they appear.

Now, will you remind me of that next time I look at one of those scope books?

Flashback post from March 2008

I checked a book out of the library on Thursday that has me intrigued. It's called Mindset. In its 239 pages, Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. presents two mindsets out of which people operate, and many examples from her research to illustrate these two mindsets. The fixed mindset and the growth mindset are very different and can, Dweck claims, make a huge difference in how we approach life.

Where do you primarily see your own mindset?

Fixed mindset Traits:

*Abilities need to be proven
*Failure = setback = not smart or talented
*Non-learner
*Belief that intelligence is fixed/can't be changed
*Fear of deficiencies being exposed
*Enjoyment of things safely within their grasp
*Loss of enjoyment if something is too challenging
*Expectation that an ability shows up on its own (i.e. it's natural) before any learning takes place
*Belief that one test/evaluation can measure them forever
*Prefer success over growth--desiring to prove they are special or superior
*Failure is not an action; it's an identity

Growth Mindset Traits:

*Love a challenge
*Abilities developed through learning
*Failure = not fulfilling potential
*Learner
*Belief that they can change/develop their intelligence
*Thrive when they are stretched
*Determination
*A test/evaluation can't project the future
*Belief that it takes time for potential to flower
*Failure is an action, not an identity
*Value the process regardless of the outcome

Throughout the vast majority of my life, I have definitely had a fixed mindset. As a youth, I was known as a perfectionist. Anything less than an "A" meant failure. I didn't take risks because I was afraid of failing. If anyone said I was good at anything, I could easily be puffed up and at the same time fear that I would be exposed as a phony. I wanted to be the best.

I talk about this as though it's past tense, but much of it lingers to this day. I thank the Lord, though, that He is truly changing me. He has yoked me with a growth-minded husband and surrounded me with growth-minded friends. Best of all, He is a growth-minded God who is committed to sanctifying His children that we may become more like Him and increasingly glorify Him.

Yes, this book is secular, but it's interesting to compare the two lists. (Context from the book is helpful, I'm sure.) One is the path of humility, one of pride. One needs the help of the Holy Spirit, one doesn't. One can be Christ-centered if the one is a believer. The other is me-centered.

I would enjoy discussing this book with a friend (or two or three), especially to ensure I am thinking biblically but also to help me (and hopefully you) continue to grow and to pass this gift to my (your) children. Any takers?

Flashback post from March 2008

A couple of years ago, a friend asked me why we homeschool. I began this list.

Homeschooling allows us to maximize time with our children. We have time to instill godly values into them, training them "in the way they should go."

Their childhood isn’t lost to inflexible schedules (arise early, spend a structured day at school, do homework, play with neighbors, go to bed early, start over the next day).

They develop strong relationships and make countless memories with siblings as they learn and play together. At school, they wouldn’t have the same studies or experiences, so it would be harder for them to bridge the gap.

Questions they have throughout the day can be asked immediately. I can answer (or at least try).

Books are for learning and pleasure, and there’s time to enjoy them. I’ve read that school actually takes away kids’ love of reading because it’s not done for pleasure but for required assignments. Homework sucks up time they would have for pleasure reading.

Evenings are free of homework.

Assignments are meant for learning, not to assess where my children are. (That means no book reports and tests.)

Similarly, they are motivated to learn, not to earn a grade. (We don’t assign grades here. The girls work for excellence.)

We can develop a lifestyle of learning. It’s not relegated to specific hours or a certain number of days. Our girls haven’t been programmed that way, so they are happy to do school even in the summer.

We can adjust our school year to suit ourselves. On beautiful spring days, we don’t have to press through, wishing we could be outside. We enjoy the days. During the hot days, when it’s too uncomfortable to be outside, we learn inside. We can be flexible in December as we prepare for Christmas. If grandparents come for a week, we are available the entire time.

School has a broader definition. It can mean sewing days, craft days, field trips, cooking days….

I can work daily with heart issues in our children (and my own which may be provoked by the children).

We don’t need to reteach values that others may be giving in another setting, even a Christian one.

We have more opportunities to go for nature walks, just to explore and enjoy God’s creation.

We have time available to serve others. At one time we visited Alzheimer’s patients at the nursing home. Now the two older girls serve as mother’s helpers.

Vacations are more flexible. We can avoid peak season.

The girls can progress at their own pace. If they get it immediately, they don’t have to wait for the rest of the class. If it takes them longer, they’re not left behind or labeled. In fact, they don’t get boxed into any of the labels kids get in school. The girls know which grade they would be in at school, just to help them answer the what-grade-are-you-in question, but it means next to nothing here at home. If they can handle “6th grade work” (whatever that is) in 3rd grade, so be it. If my sixth grader can handle algebra, then she does it in 6th grade. She doesn’t have to wait until it’s customarily offered.

We can monitor their relationships more closely and help them respond in a godly way to ungodly influences.

Socialization is richer in homeschooling. The girls are learning to interact and communicate with people of all ages, not only those in their grades. They can comfortably converse with adults, then run and play with other children.

We are their primary influence, not their peers.

Mom continues to learn.

And the list could go on! Do you have anything to add?