April 18, 2008
High School Bible curriculum |
I think I have most of our high school curriculum figured out except for Bible. Any recommendations?
Personally, I think Bible is the most important subject in high school......foundational for life. It would be good if you and your husband could prayerfully brainstorm what you want your kids to know before they leave? church history? theology? read the Bible through once/every year? scripture memory? overview of the Bible? catechism?..... Then formulate your curricula from that. This year we have been studying several sources on the authenticity of the Bible. We usually do a year of knowing what and why you believe/defending your faith. We have spent a year on missions/great commission and a year on Biblcal Worldview. It is important for our kids to understand the culture they are entering into....with a strong Biblical Worldview! Let me know if you want any recommendations once you figure out what you want them to know!
Vickie
|
February 20, 2008
Creation/Evolution Seminar to be held February 23, 2008 | Home Education Consultation, Inc. presents…
A Mini Seminar On: The Case For Creation
Join us for an informative and educational seminar on
Saturday, February 23, 2008 [9 AM- 4:30PM lunch 12-1]
Location: 558 Tumble Creek Terrace, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Some of the topics will include:
-
The History of the World- Part 1 [An overview of Genesis 1:1-11 with the latest Creationist thinking]
-
6,000 Years Old, Really? [Biblical and scientific arguments for a young cosmos]
-
Dinosaurs and the Bible
-
Social Darwinism: The Impact of Darwinism on Society
-
Is the Sky Falling? [Scientific and Biblical view of global warming, overpopulation, etc…]
-
A time for Q & A’s
This seminar will be limited to 50 pre-registered persons
The content will be appropriate for all ages but directed towards junior high and high school students
Questions: Vickie Wright (760) 689-4041
For 19 years Mr. John Rajca was the director of the Museum of Creation and Earth History in Santee, CA. He has spoken to several thousand people a year (of all ages) through guided tours of the museum.He has hosted many interesting guests including the American Atheists Association, the American Humanists Society, university students and professors from various Southern California schools, including some individuals who claimed they were from other planets.
Mr. Rajca has been interviewed numerous times, most notably by CNN and PBS, appearing on the PBS special “In the Beginning” hosted by Jeffery Balmer.He has been a frequent speaker and guest on ICR’s weekly radio program “Science, Scripture and Salvation.”He has also lectured at ACSI conventions, churches and schools across the country.
In his presentations Mr. Rajca strives to “make the case” for his views without demeaning opposing views.John and his wife Johanna have a son named Peter and live in Beaumont, CA.
Mr. Rajca earned a B.S. in biology in 1983 from Christian Heritage College.In 1994, he earned an M.S. degree in biology from the Institute for Creation Research.In 2003 Mr. Rajca also earned his M.S. degree in Faith and Culture from Trinity International University.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration Form
Name(s):______________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
E-mail address: _________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: ( )___________________________
Seminar fee is $15. per person. Lunch is provided on Saturday for an additional charge of $6.00. [Turkey & Jack Cheese sandwich, chips, and beverage] You are welcome to bring a sack lunch or there is fast food available in the area. There is NO registration at the door. Pre-paid registrations ONLY. Space is limited to 50 persons. Nursing babies welcome.
Number attending _____________@ $15.00=$_________________
Number of lunches ____________@ $6.00=$_________________
Total:$_________________
Clip and mail Form and Payment to:
Home Education Consultation, Inc., P.O. Box 2137, Fallbrook, CA 92088-2137 |
November 20, 2007
Southern California Fires | Hello Family and Friends,
The Wright family has returned home as of today, Friday, October 26th.
Praise the Lord! As you probably already know, we were evacuated mid morning on Monday during the horrible Santa Anna winds [40-80 mph!] and fires that hit north San Diego County. We have never seen or experienced anything like this before.
We had been with friends in Escondido on Sunday night and noticed south east of us a slight smoke cloud w-a-y off in the Ramona/Julian area. Some of those friends [in Poway] left that evening thinking that they might need to pack up their valuables when they returned home. We never in a million years would ever have predicted that we would have been so affected by that distant fire in such a short time.
By mid morning on Monday, I could see serious smoke less than a mile in the east from the upstairs window of our home. Knowing that we had so much to pack if we were going to be told to evacuate, we [Cale, Vanya & I]...Robert was at work in Murrieta and I could not reach him by cell phone...started packing both our Ford clubwagon and our Toyota Camry. We started with Robert's current 2007 counseling client's charts, then important business and personal papers. Cale loaded the cars while Vanya took pictures off of the walls and counters and put them in boxes, suitcases and hampers. We then [with less that a quarter tank of gas in the van...argh!] decided to attempt the "back way" through De Luz to head
north to Murrieta. [Cale followed me in the van driving the Camry... he now has his driving "permit"!] After the cars were packed we decided to accept the offer of some freinds in Murrieta [north of Fallbrook] and go stay with them. They were wonderful and made a potentially traumatic situation very bearable. We were able to stay in their motor home in their front yard for 4 nights!
We were kept informed about our home during the week by one of Robert's counseling clients who just happens to be a policeman in Fallbrook. He kept an eye on our home and let us know periodically that it was still standing. By Tuesday, there was a horseshoe shape of fire all around our residential area.
Driving home via I-15 today, there are blackend hillsides for miles and miles on both the east and west side of the highway. We have returned and are very thankful that our home was kept safe. As you would imagine, it is still very smokey and there is alot of ash still in the air and all over our home [inside and out].
Thank you so much for your concerned telephone calls, e-mails and loving prayers. We could not have gotten through this so well without them. On Monday, Vanya commented at how much she felt comforted by everyone's loving concern. However, please be in prayer for our frinds who have lost their homes and possessions and for the other Fallbrook residents who are still not allowed in the ongoing the evacation zones.
Charis @ Loma Linda University was affected by the fires in Lake Arrowhead with terrible smoke and ash. One of her fellow dental hygiene student friend's family had to be evacuated near Highland Ave. Wade was safe in La Jolla one exit south of the southern border of the fire at Highway 56. UCSD has been closed all week. Barak has been unaffected @ Biola University in La Mirada...with the exception of some serious prayer coverage for his family!
We greatly appreciate you,
Vickie, Robert, Cale & Vanya
|
September 25, 2007
Back again...... | Here we go again, another school year upon us. The Summer was rewarding, victorious and yet punctuated with frustration and discomfort. Rewarding and victorious in that much was accomplished with "days out" with our children [both young and adult], completed projects and school prep for a new school year, and sending off yet another one of our home school graduates [Barak] to college [Biola University]. The frustration and discomfort arose from the re-occurence of many of the physical maladies [migraine headaches, thyroid problems etc....] that I had erroneosly thought to have been previously resolved. Therefore, I have to admit that I struggled this past Summer with the ongoing quest for improved health. I am happy to report that I am again feeling much improved since finding a physician who has been treating me from both an allopathic and homeopathic approach. With the new school year underway, I am renewed in my enthusiasm and encouraged from the possibilities that this year promises. I pray that you also will experience the freshness that a new year offers. God bless you as you endeavor to train the hearts and minds of your precious sons and daughters.
VLW |
September 25, 2007
Safe return from Bangladesh | Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your prayers for Charis during her 10 day medical/dental mission trip to Bangledesh. She has arrived home safely with many stories of God's goodness to share. Please continue to pray for her as she was a victim of credit card fraud and is in the process of resolving an $8,000 fraudulent use charge.
God be praised for His goodness & faithfulness!
Vickie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends and Family,
It is with great excitement that I share with you about what I will be doing during my break at the end of this summer quarter. I have been given the opportunity to go on a dental/medical mission trip with Loma Linda University, yet again! This time I will be traveling to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh
Our team will be leaving on September 14th and will be returning on September 23rd. It is during this short time that we will be working with an international dentist to provide dental and medical care to, predominantly, Muslim farming families on the outskirts of Dhaka, the capital city. As Bangladesh is currently one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in the world, there is a tremendous need. Not only will our team consist of dentists and dental hygienists but we will also have nurses, a physician, and a nutrition specialist. It is the goal of our team to provide whole person care and to educate our patients about the importance of caring for ones health.
As I have already had the enriching experience of being a part of dental/medical teams providing care to people in China (March 2007) and Mexico (August 2007), I am extremely excited about the opportunity I will have to serve again in an area of the world where healthcare is not widely offered or easily accessible. Not only have these experiences been rewarding by being able to help people in need, but they have also given me extraordinary experience in allowing me to further develop the clinical skills that I will be using in my profession upon graduation. It is my hope that my time in Bangladesh will contribute to the foundation that I have been building upon and that it will serve to keep my awareness fresh as to the tremendous physical and spiritual needs of people in the world around me.
As with any trip of this nature, there are significant expenses that are incurred. If you feel lead to support me financially for this trip, please mail your gift to:
Mission to Bangladesh
Grace Presbyterian Church
PO Box 1749
Fallbrook, CA 92088-1749
If you are unable to support me financially, I would ask that you please consider praying for me and my other team members as we embark on our 9-day journey!
Prayer Requests:
-
Pray for the unity of our team. I have already had the experience of working with many of the team members and I believe that we will continue to work well together.
-
Pray for safety of travel going to and from Bangladesh. Also, there has been much flooding in Bangladesh due to heavy rains from the monsoon season. We hope that this will not adversely affect us as will most likely be working in a more rural area.
-
Pray for our health. We will all be arriving in Bangladesh on the heels of a rigorous academic quarter and finals week and we can’t afford to be sick!
-
Pray for the receptiveness of the Bengali people we will be ministering to, and that we will be able to help them with both their physical and spiritual needs.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! You are all a tremendous encouragement to me and it is largely because of this that I am able to continue participating in such enriching and rewarding experiences!
With Joy,
Charis |
September 25, 2007
Classical Education thoughts..... | Hello Dana,
If I remember from our "online chat" yesterday, you asked me what I thought about a "classical" approach to education. I really like and appreciate a classical approach with most students but not necessarily for their entire education. Some students can handle and like the classics, some students cannot/do not. I'm not an advocate of letting the student dictate what they are going to be taught, however the teacher needs to implement wisdom in recognizing the student's strengths and learning styles. For instance, Barak was ready for a classical approach very early on, but Cale is only now approaching readiness for a classical approach as a 10th grade student. I think most older [jr high/high school] students should be exposed to good [classical] literature. Sometimes when students are exposed to the classical stories early on [and usually watered down/abridged] they become so familiar with them that they get bored or sometimes develop an attitude of contempt for the stories instead of being able to correctly understand the concepts/purpose/meaning behind the story and the historical context that it is written in.
I would advise teachers of ALL students to utilize "living books" in their approach to teaching/learning. It is a "rich" way to teach history and concepts to all students with any learning style. I especially use these for all of the elementary grades. Vanya is doing Sonlight 6th year on her own this year because she has had such a strong foundation using "living books" for the past 5 years. She just happens to have developed into a very good independant student and strong reader. Living books will stimulate imagination, boost vocabulary and help to create strong readers.
I hope this helps,
Vickie
|
June 27, 2007
Catching our breath | For some reason, academic years when we have a home school high school graduate seem to be more demanding than others. This year has been one of those years. I feel as though I finally landed last Friday as the culmination of the academic year came to fruition.
We graduated our middle son on Saturday, June 2nd at a formal [cap and gown] home school graduation with 5 other graduates. It was a memorable and moving ceremony with a few hundred family members and friends in attendance. It was wonderful to see and hear the comments that the parents and graduates shared during the ceremony. All success for our victories was credited to God's working through us in the lives of our son and daughters.
Wednesday marked the 18th birthday for our son Barak and we surprised him with a dozen of his home school friends showing up [while he was still asleep] to sing Happy Birthday and then go to breakfast and to a matinee movie. I know that will be one birthday that he will remember with fond and fun affection.
Following those events, Barak and I left on Saturday for Austin, Texas where he had an opportunity to compete at the NCFCA National Speech and Debate Tournament in Belton, TX. He gave a Persuasive Speech about "Aging in Modern America", he placed in the semi finals in Apologetics Speech, and then he and his Team Policy Debate partner, Asher B., placed 8th in the nation in Team Policy Debate [out of 98 teams from all over the U. S.] It was a terrific opportunity and I personally am very appreciative of all of the people who labored to make the opprtunity available for so many students across the nation. What an great life skill to develop! It was a memorable time...complete with a tornado warning/interuption in the middle of one of Barak's speeches. To me the close of the tournament marked the ending of one season of life [for Barak] and the beginning of another as we now look to prepare Barak to leave in August for Biola University.
Now as I take a breath, I ponder God's goodness and plan for the Summer. I usually begin making a Summer "to do" list around January of every year. It is a list of all of the things that I need or want to do that I do not have the time for during the demanding school year. This Summer already looks to be a great opportunity to accomplish some or most of those things. I hope that you also have a relaxing and victorious Summer. His, VLW |
May 8, 2007
Choosing a College after Home School High School | |
Barak is graduating from home school high school on June 2nd, 2007. Many years of teaching, training and preparing are coming to an end. I/we are thankful that we have had the opportunity and privelege to spend these years together in this way. These past several weeks have been frantic with lots of year end deadlines for high school graduation, in addition to speech and debate meetings and tournaments, and decisions to be made for college. Barak was admitted to both Biola University, Torrey Honors Insitute and UC Berkeley. It has been agonizing trying to best decide what direction to guide Barak, in light of his past training and his future ambitions. Ultimately he/we concluded that Biola University, Torrey Honors Institute would be the best education for him at this season of his life. Below is an e-mail from Dr. John Mark Reynolds at Biola University sharing some wisdom during the decision making process. I know that you will enjoy his thoughts and realize that his wisdom is applicable for many different potential situations in life.
Dear Barak,
Why would I choose Biola over Berkeley? (And I would . . . )
First, I believe education is training to virtue. A good man can learn
skills at any time . . . but intense mentoring to virtue is not going to
happen at any stage of your life in this culture. I think we need more
good men who are smart . . . not just good men.
Second, I think we have to ask ourselves this hard question: if you
could have been mentored by Peter (a fisherman) or Plato who would you
have picked? At your age, I would have picked Plato . . . now I see
that ignorance of God creates a real ignorance that means that Peter
(whatever his faults) would have more to stimulate my intellect than
Plato. (And heaven knows I love Plato . . . ) It is true that you will
not be so lucky as to get Peter in class at Biola, but neither will you
get Plato at Berkeley.
Third, we will challenge your faith more intellectually. At Berkeley
your faith will be ignored more than attacked, so even if it survives
the dorm immorality (what kills 50% of our kids who go to secular
schools), it will be soft. Christianity is not under fire at Berkeley
since most don't know it well enough to attack it well . . we on the
other hand love Christianity enough to let you have it . . . we want
strong Christians, battle hardened for the intellectual war with Islam
that is coming.
Finally, you have always taken the unconventional path. If your parents
had done what everyone else said (the high school equivalent of going to
Berkeley), you would not be the you that got into Berkeley! Having begun
"weird" and profited by it, why become "normal?"
At THI, you will be one of fewer than 500 in a chosen band, at the
government school you will be one of thousands. I know which I would choose.
Can God use you at Berkeley? I am sure He can. Do we need you at THI?
Not in the sense of closing without you, but "yes" in the sense of
looking for men who want to get ready to be deep cultural warriors.
Ask yourself this: would the head of the Berkeley program answer your
email? Will he invite you to his home? Will he personally lobby you into
grad school? Sometimes the "practical" thing isn't! You began in faith (at least the faith of your parents!) . . . I would advise ending in faith.
Pardon the errors in this hastily typed post.
JMNR
[Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Biola University, Torrey Honors Institute] |
March 14, 2007
Thank you Thomas Edison | We have had a particularly busy window these past couple of months. January and part of February always seem like a replication of the busy-ness similar to what we experience at the Christmas holidays because of the amount of birthdays, out-of-town company and speech & debate tournaments that we have each year. Now that it feels as though we are back to a more normal routine for our family, we are thankful to be in a predictable rhythm with school and family commitments.
Last month we were reading in our American History, Book 7 of the A History of Us. (Joy Hakim) I was moved by a quote by Thomas Edison in the preface of the book. At this time of the year, I always need a second wind to keep me going through the end of the school year. This year I feel even more depleted than years past. Maybe it’s my age? Well, his quote has helped me to refocus and enthusiastically persevere for the rest of the race! I thought you might also be encouraged by it!
“The most necessary task of civilization is to teach people how to think. It should be the primary purpose of our public schools. The mind of a child is naturally active, it develops through exercise. Give a child plenty of exercise, for body and brain. The trouble with our way of educating is that it does not give elasticity to the mind. It casts the brain into a mold. It insists that the child must accept. It does not encourage original thought or reasoning, and it lays more stress on memory than observation.”
With that said, nothing has changed in our day. If anything, teaching children to “think” has declined even more drastically. I am energized by our goal to raise children/students who love the Lord, love and serve one another, and who are trained to THINK! [ 2 Tim 4:7-8 ] I encourage YOU to P-E-R-S-E-V-E-R-E!
[Incidentally, I do not completely endorse the A History of US series. The author imposes her politically correct, feminist bias in much of her writing! We use her bias(s) as opportunities for discussion!] |
January 12, 2007
NCFCA Open Point Loma California | We have just now recovered from the rewarding, but demanding, 3 day NCFCA Speech & Debate Tournament at Point Loma Nazerene University, San Diego, CA last week.
Some of you have asked how our sons fared at the tournament and so I will share. In addition to the overall speech and debate experience being a fabulous opportunity to hone communication skills for His glory, our two sons placed very well at the tournament. Cale broke to finals in Humourous Interpretation and then placed 7th at the tournament. Barak and his debate partner broke to double octofinals in Debate. Barak also broke to semi-finals in Impromptu, broke to finals in Apologetics and then placed 1st in the Apologetic category, qualifying him to compete at the National Tournament in June 2007! Our family appreciates your prayers that all of these accomplishments would ultimately give Him honor and glory!
I thought you would enjoy and appreciate reading this article by Joseph Farah posted on World Net Daily about theTournament!
Monday, January 8, 2007
 
Good news about our future
Posted: January 8, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Joseph Farah
© 2007
SAN DIEGO – I took a few days off from the daily grind to spend time watching two of my children compete in debate and other speech categories in the largest tournament of its kind ever.
Not only do I come away from this experience proud of the achievements of my own kids, but I also return home to Washington with a renewed sense of hope for the future of our country.
From Thursday through Saturday about 1,000 students and parents from all over the country gathered at Point Loma Nazarene University, a breathtakingly beautiful campus here, to take part in a variety of events centered around spoken communication.
I heard and saw persuasive speeches written and delivered by 16-year-olds that rival anything being said today in our nation's capital.
I heard and saw extemporaneous speeches on current events given by high school-age students that were superior to anything you might hear on the national cable news programs.
And, most of all, I heard and saw debates that involved research, knowledge and maturity that most Americans would never expect from children of this age group.
There weren't any baggy pants here.
There weren't any bare midriffs.
There weren't any tattoos.
I didn't even notice any piercings other than ears – and those were all girls.
Instead, the boys wore jackets and ties and leather shoes. The girls dressed in "business casual attire" – usually business suits and heels.
Welcome to the 2007 California Open of the National Christian Forensics & Communications Association, which explains its role as "supporting the national homeschool speech and debate community." And what a community it is.
Up there on the top of that mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean on one side and the city of San Diego on the other, I felt as if I finally got a glimpse of that "shining city upon a hill" spoken of by Ronald Reagan.
I've learned first hand over the last year that the NCFCA motto is true. The group believes "formal speech and debate can provide a means for homeschooled students to learn and exercise analytical and oratorical skills, addressing life issues from a biblical worldview in a manner that glorifies God."
To provide these opportunities to homeschooled students, the NCFCA produces qualifying tournaments throughout the country, like this one I attended in San Diego, and the annual national tournament.
The contrast between what I witnessed this weekend at Point Loma and what I see being produced by the public schools of America is about as stark as day and night. The difference between the values I saw expressed by these kids and the trash I see exhibited in the popular culture couldn't be more obvious.
In public schools across America – and even in many private schools, I fear – teachers and administrators and "experts" have decided that today's youth simply are incapable of greatness, simply incapable of living up to real challenges, simply incapable of living moral lives, simply incapable of intellectual heights reached by other generations. But millions of homeschooling parents are simply ignoring all that negativity and educating their children the best they know how. I've got to tell you that competitive debate is a great way for children to learn about their world – and have fun doing it.
You won't read about this tournament anywhere else. You won't see the amazing performances on television. You won't even hear your favorite radio talk-show hosts discuss what happened in San Diego this past weekend. However, what took place here is going to rock the world in a few years in a very positive way. These young people are the hope. They are not going to be conformed to the manipulations of the hideous degradation of the popular culture. They are not going to be conditioned by the government's thought police. They are not going to be limited in their imaginations and expectations and achievements by anyone's standards except God's. And don't worry that these kids represent a tiny minority of their generation. It is these kids who will make an impact on the future. | |
Weblog Archives
May 2006 | Jun 2006 | Jul 2006 | Aug 2006 | Nov 2006 | Dec 2006 | Jan 2007 | Mar 2007 | May 2007 | Jun 2007 | Sep 2007 | Nov 2007 | Feb 2008 | Apr 2008 |
