Remember Marie? Of course you do!
Well, we're hanging out with her again tonight. Which is super cool. We also have movie night every Saturday (so if you're ever in the Denver area on a Saturday night, let me know). Of course, Marie doesn't come to that, but others do. And that's nice.
In fact, we have people over frequently. And that's nice too.
My hope is that everyone who comes through our house feels welcome, loved and at peace. And overall, I think that's mostly the case. Our house is not a museum. Far from it. Instead, we've got the "lived-in feel." I'm guessing that feeling will become even more present once the kids get here. But even then, I want people who come by to feel loved and important to us ...even if our laundry is still piled on the couch <smile>.
I think it's much easier to influence people--in a "blessing" sense, not a "manipulate: these-aren't-the-droids-you're-looking-for" sense--if they are your friends. Enemies don't tend to like what you have to say, and those who don't know you exist don't care much. Friends make for much better conversation and sharpening.
So, I'm going home to hang out with some friends. Have you had the opportunity to do that lately? Homeschooling sure does give you the flexibility to do that.
...which is nice.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Monday, August 31, 2009
A BOX FOR ME?!
The box came while my son was taking his nap. I had to fight with every ounce of my being not to open it and tear through it myself. I did, however, yank out the parent's companion with closed eyes, but replaced everything around it carefully and perfectly, then closed the box back up for when the boy awoke.
And thank goodness I did, otherwise I might have missed the screeching, "A BOX FOR ME?!" moment and this look:
Ben and His Box
Unfortunately, this was the only picture I was able to take. One moment after I got that look, the paper started flying and he wanted to read every.single.book in the box. Right then and there.
I do believe he's a fan!
Jess R.
Ben, P3/4
And thank goodness I did, otherwise I might have missed the screeching, "A BOX FOR ME?!" moment and this look:
Ben and His Box
Unfortunately, this was the only picture I was able to take. One moment after I got that look, the paper started flying and he wanted to read every.single.book in the box. Right then and there.
I do believe he's a fan!
Jess R.
Ben, P3/4
Friday, August 28, 2009
...and when necessary, use t-shirts.
[adapted title link here]
I was the poster boy for Christian t-shirts in high school. I still have them, reminding me of earlier days:
My Christian T-Shirts
But I think my thinking has shifted.
When I was in high school, I was fired up to tell people about Jesus. I left my life of homeschooling to go change my campus for Christ. I was a man on a mission. And like all good agents, I had to wear the right stuff: the hospital band thingy from summer camp that I wore until it fell off, Christian dog tags, and, of course, the Christian t-shirts.
They weren't cheesy. They were a cool way to remind people that I followed Christ.
Looking back, the shirts were cheesy. Like, not even a good Gouda, but a can of spray-on cheese.
And I was a punk.
Granted, real punks wear their hats incorrectly, their pants at their ankles, and a look on their face that says, "Just try tellin' me I care!"
In the same way, what I was wearing was intended to make an impression, take a stand, and get people to think... and I didn't care if it upset you. You needed to get upset! My t-shirts were there to remind you of the eternal significance of your choices today.
And today, t-shirts are back into the forefront of my mind (though now I wear polos).
I first came across Mrs. C's post. And then Meg's ...followed by her followup. All of this eventually made it onto JJ's blog where the comments are alive and well.
As a young man, I never considered how bothersome my garment choices could be. And, if others could wear their Bad Religion shirts, well, then I needed to represent.
The Christian t-shirt phase was an important time in my life, but I have since learned that loving others is often much more important--and effective--than simply touting stuff on your bumper sticker or t-shirt.
I've seen similar things in the world of politics and education as well.
So, again, I think my Christian punk phase was important, but I'm very glad I grew out of it.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
I was the poster boy for Christian t-shirts in high school. I still have them, reminding me of earlier days:
My Christian T-Shirts
But I think my thinking has shifted.
When I was in high school, I was fired up to tell people about Jesus. I left my life of homeschooling to go change my campus for Christ. I was a man on a mission. And like all good agents, I had to wear the right stuff: the hospital band thingy from summer camp that I wore until it fell off, Christian dog tags, and, of course, the Christian t-shirts.
They weren't cheesy. They were a cool way to remind people that I followed Christ.
Looking back, the shirts were cheesy. Like, not even a good Gouda, but a can of spray-on cheese.
And I was a punk.
Granted, real punks wear their hats incorrectly, their pants at their ankles, and a look on their face that says, "Just try tellin' me I care!"
In the same way, what I was wearing was intended to make an impression, take a stand, and get people to think... and I didn't care if it upset you. You needed to get upset! My t-shirts were there to remind you of the eternal significance of your choices today.
And today, t-shirts are back into the forefront of my mind (though now I wear polos).
I first came across Mrs. C's post. And then Meg's ...followed by her followup. All of this eventually made it onto JJ's blog where the comments are alive and well.
As a young man, I never considered how bothersome my garment choices could be. And, if others could wear their Bad Religion shirts, well, then I needed to represent.
The Christian t-shirt phase was an important time in my life, but I have since learned that loving others is often much more important--and effective--than simply touting stuff on your bumper sticker or t-shirt.
I've seen similar things in the world of politics and education as well.
So, again, I think my Christian punk phase was important, but I'm very glad I grew out of it.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
A New Way to Enjoy Box Day!
As my 12 year old and I trekked up to our schoolroom with armloads of all her WONDERFUL new books, my little ones were busy with the box! You never know what will come in a Sonlight box... : )
Enjoying Box Day
We are using cores K, 5, and 7 this year. We love it!
The S. Family
Baltimore, MD
Enjoying Box Day
We are using cores K, 5, and 7 this year. We love it!
The S. Family
Baltimore, MD
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Sonlight | OneVerse Project
Much like last year's Rice Bag project, I believe what follows will be one of the most important things we do this year:
Sonlight's OneVerse Project
Last year, for $30 you funded a woman's education in India.
This year, for less than $30, you'll be able to fund the translation of a verse of the Bible. And here's the deal: If we raise as much as we did last year, we'll be able to translate a complete New Testament.
But that's not what my mom is praying for. She's reaching way out there and praying that we will all give enough to translate the New Testament into three new languages.
Three.
That's huge!
Learn More About The Sonlight | OneVerse Project
Would you partner with us in both praying and giving in this endeavor?
But Bible translation isn't all there is. This is, in typical Sonlight style, an educational opportunity as well. Sign up before this project begins on September 21th, and OneVerse will send you an 8-week course that covers things like the importance of the Bible and the latest in translation techniques!
So, please, click here to find out more about this project and how to register to be a part of this educational and world-changing opportunity!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Our culture's Christian roots ... and how they impact our society
Sarita's Word
I recently read Vishal Mangalwadi's compelling book Truth and Transformation, which offers fresh insights into the way the Bible has influenced our culture.
Mangalwadi opens with a description of a visit to a dairy in Holland with a Dutch friend. Mangalwadi is stunned when he realizes the dairy store has no employees present and yet it does business and makes a profit. His friend takes milk from the cooler, puts money in an open basket, and counts out his own change. Mangalwadi, born and raised in India, can't help but exclaim: You could never do this in India. In India, a "customer" would take both the milk and the money.
As he thought about it, Mangalwadi realized that a culture that is not based on honesty requires higher levels of oversight--"services" that add no value to the products. In a dishonest culture, the dairy farmer would need to hire a sales clerk to protect both milk and money from consumers. And consumers would need inspectors to ensure their milk is not watered down by the farmer. The inspector, in turn, being corrupt, would take bribes, and so another inspector would be required to check up on the first inspector. None of these people add value to the milk. Mangalwadi says, "In paying for the extra workers, I simply pay for my sin: my propensity to covet and steal my neighbor's milk and money. The high price of sin makes it difficult for me to buy ice cream; that is to say the price of sin prevents me from patronizing genuine economic activity."
Moral foundations
Mangalwadi says that moral teaching in the West came from religious reformers like Martin Luther, John Knox and John Amos Comenius who universalized education to civilize generations of Europeans. They based education on Judeo-Christian ideas such as "God is holy; He has given us moral laws such as the Ten Commandments; obedience to God's Word is the source of good life; disobedience to God's moral law is sin that does not go unpunished; and sinners can repent and receive forgiveness."
According to Mangalwadi, the moral teachings of the Bible became the intellectual foundation and force that produced moral integrity, economic prosperity, and political freedom in the West. It is the reason that even non-believers in the West have, at least until recently, sought to live moral lives. Mangalwadi claims modern educators have rejected this Biblical framework. Consequently, he says, the West is threatening to follow India into corruption.
Can we change the trajectory of our society?
Mangalwadi, even in the title of his book, argues that the apparent future of our society is not inevitable. There is reason for hope. Societies can change. It happened beginning about 500 years ago in the West. We saw a moral transformation in English society under the Wesley brothers just over 200 years ago. We can see similar transformations again.
In Genesis, God tells Abraham that He is going to destroy two wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah.
Abraham asks God, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
The Lord replies, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."
Abraham then asks if God will destroy the city for 45, then 40, then 30, then 20 righteous people. In each instance God affirms that He will not destroy the city for the sake of the righteous.
Then [Abraham] said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?"
God answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
Just as God was willing to allow a wicked city to remain because of merely ten righteous people, I pray that we may be among the (few) righteous people who will change the course and destiny of our nation and the world.
What about nations without a Biblical heritage?
If, as Mangalwadi proposes in his book, nations thrive when the Bible is available and respected (and I think he is right), how do we help nations or peoples who have never had a single word of the Scripture in their language? People without a single word of the Bible have never heard of John 3:16, Jude 24 or your favorite verse. As believers, we can send translators to bring the Word of Life to people who need it to transform themselves and their societies. And it is with that thought in mind that I would like to call your attention to...
An opportunity and an invitation—the OneVerse Project
Just yesterday, I sent out a letter to almost 50,000 current and recent Sonlight customers. In it, I ask the recipients to join John and me in collecting loose change to bring transformation to the more than one million Meetto people of Mozambique in southeast Africa.
The Meettos are part of the larger Macua (Makua) ethnic group of about five million. While the Makua language has the Bible, the Meetto speakers don't understand it well.
We now have the opportunity to help provide the Meetos with Scripture in their heart language. OneVerse, a very successful program of the Seed Company (a daughter organization of Wycliffe Bible Translators), will work with native Meetto speakers to translate the New Testament into their language. But they need our support to achieve this enormous goal. Just $26 covers the cost of translating one verse of the New Testament (and since John and I are matching your contributions, every $13 you give will become $26).
I believe as parents we have a golden opportunity to impact the hearts and minds of our children. And I believe that as we challenge our children to give sacrificially, we can help align their hearts to the things that matter to God.
I pray this opportunity to collect loose change from September to early December will grip your heart and the hearts of your children. And may our partnership bring to pass an entire New Testament to people who for multiple millennia have not heard a single word of the Good News in their language. May we as Sonlighters impact our world in this very practical way!
To join the Sonlight/OneVerse project and help reach the Meetto people with Christ's transforming love and Word, register at www.oneverse.org/sonlight by September 17. Just like Mission India did last year, OneVerse will provide lessons and activities that can help your children learn about and connect with the people group they're serving. I'm eager to see what God does through the generous hearts of the Sonlight community this year!
Blessings,
Sarita
I recently read Vishal Mangalwadi's compelling book Truth and Transformation, which offers fresh insights into the way the Bible has influenced our culture.
Mangalwadi opens with a description of a visit to a dairy in Holland with a Dutch friend. Mangalwadi is stunned when he realizes the dairy store has no employees present and yet it does business and makes a profit. His friend takes milk from the cooler, puts money in an open basket, and counts out his own change. Mangalwadi, born and raised in India, can't help but exclaim: You could never do this in India. In India, a "customer" would take both the milk and the money.
As he thought about it, Mangalwadi realized that a culture that is not based on honesty requires higher levels of oversight--"services" that add no value to the products. In a dishonest culture, the dairy farmer would need to hire a sales clerk to protect both milk and money from consumers. And consumers would need inspectors to ensure their milk is not watered down by the farmer. The inspector, in turn, being corrupt, would take bribes, and so another inspector would be required to check up on the first inspector. None of these people add value to the milk. Mangalwadi says, "In paying for the extra workers, I simply pay for my sin: my propensity to covet and steal my neighbor's milk and money. The high price of sin makes it difficult for me to buy ice cream; that is to say the price of sin prevents me from patronizing genuine economic activity."
Moral foundations
Mangalwadi says that moral teaching in the West came from religious reformers like Martin Luther, John Knox and John Amos Comenius who universalized education to civilize generations of Europeans. They based education on Judeo-Christian ideas such as "God is holy; He has given us moral laws such as the Ten Commandments; obedience to God's Word is the source of good life; disobedience to God's moral law is sin that does not go unpunished; and sinners can repent and receive forgiveness."
According to Mangalwadi, the moral teachings of the Bible became the intellectual foundation and force that produced moral integrity, economic prosperity, and political freedom in the West. It is the reason that even non-believers in the West have, at least until recently, sought to live moral lives. Mangalwadi claims modern educators have rejected this Biblical framework. Consequently, he says, the West is threatening to follow India into corruption.
Can we change the trajectory of our society?
Mangalwadi, even in the title of his book, argues that the apparent future of our society is not inevitable. There is reason for hope. Societies can change. It happened beginning about 500 years ago in the West. We saw a moral transformation in English society under the Wesley brothers just over 200 years ago. We can see similar transformations again.
In Genesis, God tells Abraham that He is going to destroy two wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah.
Abraham asks God, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
The Lord replies, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."
Abraham then asks if God will destroy the city for 45, then 40, then 30, then 20 righteous people. In each instance God affirms that He will not destroy the city for the sake of the righteous.
Then [Abraham] said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?"
God answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
Just as God was willing to allow a wicked city to remain because of merely ten righteous people, I pray that we may be among the (few) righteous people who will change the course and destiny of our nation and the world.
What about nations without a Biblical heritage?
If, as Mangalwadi proposes in his book, nations thrive when the Bible is available and respected (and I think he is right), how do we help nations or peoples who have never had a single word of the Scripture in their language? People without a single word of the Bible have never heard of John 3:16, Jude 24 or your favorite verse. As believers, we can send translators to bring the Word of Life to people who need it to transform themselves and their societies. And it is with that thought in mind that I would like to call your attention to...
An opportunity and an invitation—the OneVerse Project
Just yesterday, I sent out a letter to almost 50,000 current and recent Sonlight customers. In it, I ask the recipients to join John and me in collecting loose change to bring transformation to the more than one million Meetto people of Mozambique in southeast Africa.
The Meettos are part of the larger Macua (Makua) ethnic group of about five million. While the Makua language has the Bible, the Meetto speakers don't understand it well.
We now have the opportunity to help provide the Meetos with Scripture in their heart language. OneVerse, a very successful program of the Seed Company (a daughter organization of Wycliffe Bible Translators), will work with native Meetto speakers to translate the New Testament into their language. But they need our support to achieve this enormous goal. Just $26 covers the cost of translating one verse of the New Testament (and since John and I are matching your contributions, every $13 you give will become $26).
I believe as parents we have a golden opportunity to impact the hearts and minds of our children. And I believe that as we challenge our children to give sacrificially, we can help align their hearts to the things that matter to God.
I pray this opportunity to collect loose change from September to early December will grip your heart and the hearts of your children. And may our partnership bring to pass an entire New Testament to people who for multiple millennia have not heard a single word of the Good News in their language. May we as Sonlighters impact our world in this very practical way!
To join the Sonlight/OneVerse project and help reach the Meetto people with Christ's transforming love and Word, register at www.oneverse.org/sonlight by September 17. Just like Mission India did last year, OneVerse will provide lessons and activities that can help your children learn about and connect with the people group they're serving. I'm eager to see what God does through the generous hearts of the Sonlight community this year!
Blessings,
Sarita
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
...it's gonna be huge!
Remember last year's Rice Bag Project?
Well, details about the next project opportunity you have will be coming out shortly*.
But it's not quiet ready yet (despite our best efforts today).
So... yep... that's all I got.
Big news coming soon!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Well, details about the next project opportunity you have will be coming out shortly*.
But it's not quiet ready yet (despite our best efforts today).
So... yep... that's all I got.
Big news coming soon!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
*As in: Tomorrow... I hope.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Special Offers
Remember how I gave you a link to a Rosetta Stone demo a while back? Well, the demo is still there if you haven't tried it out.
And the Rosetta Stone special discount is well under way right now! So, if you've been thinking about adding Rosetta Stone to your homeschool adventure, now's a good time to do it.
Why the sales pitch?
Because I've been mired in emails about this for much of today. <smile> So it's on my mind.
Other stuff has been bouncing around inside my head, but I haven't had the time to really put anything into words. I have a lot of impressions and fragments floating around in my noggin. Education. Ideas. Fields of study. Discussions. Learning. Opinions. ...and a host of other tidbits colliding like so many vacationers in a wave pool on a hot summer afternoon.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
And the Rosetta Stone special discount is well under way right now! So, if you've been thinking about adding Rosetta Stone to your homeschool adventure, now's a good time to do it.
Why the sales pitch?
Because I've been mired in emails about this for much of today. <smile> So it's on my mind.
Other stuff has been bouncing around inside my head, but I haven't had the time to really put anything into words. I have a lot of impressions and fragments floating around in my noggin. Education. Ideas. Fields of study. Discussions. Learning. Opinions. ...and a host of other tidbits colliding like so many vacationers in a wave pool on a hot summer afternoon.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Monday, August 24, 2009
How do others view homeschoolers?
One of the regulars over on the Sonlight Forums shared a thought-provoking, well written article today. It is titled College Professor Critiques Homeschoolers by Greg Landry M.S. I'll copy the article in its entirety at the end of my comments ... but I wanted to highlight a few of the things he noted about homeschool students that I think are "right on".They are independent learners and do a great job of taking initiative and being responsible for learning.
I have found that most homeschool students I've encountered, including my own, are independent learners. I spent a few years teaching science labs in a homeschool co-op and for the most part, my students were motivated and didn't need me hanging over their shoulder every moment giving direction.
They handle classroom social situations (interactions with their peers and professors) very well. In general, my homeschooled students are a pleasure to have in class.
This is, to me, an especially significant observation. For all the dire warnings and fears that folks have about homeschool students not being "socialized", this statement seems to imply just the opposite. Homeschool students seem to do very well in "mixed" age groups ... equally comfortable with peers as with those who are older.
They come to college without sufficient test-taking experience, particularly with timed tests. Many homeschooled students have a high level of anxiety when it comes to taking
timed tests.
My kids have never seemed to have test taking anxiety, so this one surprised me a bit. Though it certainly doesn't sound unreasonable. Anything that is unfamiliar in life has the potential to create anxiety ... and many homeschoolers are "anti-testing". The good news is that this one is easy to remedy! It wouldn't be terribly difficult to add some "timed" testing to your high schooler's educational experience.
Many homeschooled students have problems meeting deadlines and have to adjust to that in college. That adjustment time in their freshman year can be costly in terms of the way it affects their grades.
I have, for years, encouraged folks to add "organization and time management" as a required skill to their academic schedules. It's always nice when you see the goals you set for your students pay off. This is one area that my daughter brought up soon after she entered her freshman year of college. She was amazed at all the kids who could not seem to manage their time and get assignments and projects in on time. As she was heading off to bed at night she would smile at all her suite mates burning the midnight oil to get the next day's work done in time!
Overall, a very encouraging article ... but offering challenges as well. I enjoyed the balance in the author's presentation, which can be difficult to find when reading through articles on homeschooling or about homeschoolers.
Article copied in its entirety below:
College Professor Critiques Homeschoolers
copyright 2009 by Greg Landry, M.S.
I teach sophomore through senior level college
students - most of them are "pre-professional"
students. They are preparing to go to medical
school, dental school, physical therapy school,
etc.
As a generalization, I've noticed certain
characteristics common in my students who were
homeschooled. Some of these are desirable,
some not.
Desirable characteristics:
1. They are independent learners and do a great
job of taking initiative and being responsible
for learning. They don't have to be "spoon fed"
as many students do. This gives them an advantage
at two specific points in their education;
early in college and in graduate education.
2. They handle classroom social situations
(interactions with their peers and professors)
very well. In general, my homeschooled students
are a pleasure to have in class. They greet me
when the enter the class, initiate conversations
when appropriate, and they don't hesitate to
ask good questions. Most of my students do
none of these.
3. They are serious about their education and
that's very obvious in their attitude, preparedness,
and grades.
Areas where homeschooled students can improve:
1. They come to college less prepared in the
sciences than their schooled counterparts -
sometimes far less prepared. This can be
especially troublesome for pre-professional
students who need to maintain a high grade
point average from the very beginning.
2. They come to college without sufficient
test-taking experience, particularly with
timed tests. Many homeschooled students have a
high level of anxiety when it comes to taking
timed tests.
3. Many homeschooled students have problems
meeting deadlines and have to adjust to that in
college. That adjustment time in their freshman
year can be costly in terms of the way it affects
their grades.
My advice to homeschooling parents:
1. If your child is even possibly college
bound and interested in the sciences, make
sure that they have a solid foundation of
science in the high school years.
2. Begin giving timed tests by 7th or 8th grade.
I'm referring to all tests that students take, not
just national, standardized tests.
I think it is a disservice to not give students
timed tests. They tend to focus better and score
higher on timed tests, and, they are far better
prepared for college and graduate education if
they've taken timed tests throughout the high
school years.
In the earlier years the timed tests should allow
ample time to complete the test as long as the
student is working steadily. The objective is for
them to know it's timed yet not to feel a time
pressure. This helps students to be comfortable
taking timed tests and develops confidence in
their test-taking abilities.
3. Give your students real deadlines to meet in
the high school years. If it's difficult for students
to meet these deadlines because they're
coming from mom or dad, have them take
"outside" classes; online, co-op, or community
college.
_______________________________
Greg Landry is a 14 year veteran homeschool dad
and college professor. He also teaches one and
two semester online science classes, and offers
free 45 minute online seminars.
http://www.HomeschoolScienceAcademy.com
Funny Monday
Has it been a great start to a week for you?
Awesome!
...wait... what? No? Oh, well, it's definitely been a Monday here too. So let me share some mirth with you. A blog alert that mentioned Sonlight this morning that made me pause:
Sonlight Shows Up in Odd Places
Well, it's definitely not us. But someone is planning on using Sonlight.biz's products for some questionable activities. <smile>
There are a couple more gems in the Other Posts of Note today. Like, you know, this video.
Tiffany Blitz
In other news, voting has started for Sonlight's 2010 catalog cover. So, hop on over and rate the photos!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Awesome!
...wait... what? No? Oh, well, it's definitely been a Monday here too. So let me share some mirth with you. A blog alert that mentioned Sonlight this morning that made me pause:
Sonlight Shows Up in Odd Places
Well, it's definitely not us. But someone is planning on using Sonlight.biz's products for some questionable activities. <smile>
There are a couple more gems in the Other Posts of Note today. Like, you know, this video.
Tiffany Blitz
In other news, voting has started for Sonlight's 2010 catalog cover. So, hop on over and rate the photos!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Friday, August 21, 2009
Have a Great Weekend!
My little brother, who features in many of Sonlight's DVDs (and is pictured below), is heading back to college tomorrow or the next day. So, we'll hopefully get to spend some time with him before he heads out again.
So, that's one of the things I hope to do this weekend.
You? Any plans?
Even if you don't have anything special or big going on, have a great weekend!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
So, that's one of the things I hope to do this weekend.
You? Any plans?
Even if you don't have anything special or big going on, have a great weekend!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
My Kids were actually excited!
So after a year with a different curriculum, with pleas of no more homeschooling, I went looking for a new program and found Sonlight! The kids still weren't convinced that it'd be a better school year and they'd have more fun and more time with mommy......
But BOX DAY came!!! They got so excited to see all the books mom would be reading to them.
BOX DAY!!
Needless to say they dug in pulled everything out. And they showed me the map, they carried it around to show Grandma and Dad all day, they loved it. Also they got to playing with the box before I could tell them there was a castle inside!!
Soooooo Excited!
And then they found the Science Supply kits and were so ready to start school!!! My second grader, who had been the one who did not enjoy last year, actually asked me if we could start Science, and maybe a little of the other books!! I couldn't believe my ears and if I had been prepared I'd of dug in! It gave me so much hope for this new year!!
But before any of that I had to figure it all out. So I got to checking my order and getting my Instructor Guide setup, it was a little overwhelming but not as much as I thought!! After getting it all put away it didn't look so complicated and the Guides are awesome!!! And I can't wait to read Charlotte's Web to my kids... the one book I remember enjoying so much in school.... now I am confidant they won't only love that book but so many more!!!!
Wow! So Many Books
I can only thank God for the friends he brought to me to keep me going last year though I thought we'd never get through it, and helped me find a better program that is so better fit for my kids!!
-Amy M.
But BOX DAY came!!! They got so excited to see all the books mom would be reading to them.
BOX DAY!!
Needless to say they dug in pulled everything out. And they showed me the map, they carried it around to show Grandma and Dad all day, they loved it. Also they got to playing with the box before I could tell them there was a castle inside!!
Soooooo Excited!
And then they found the Science Supply kits and were so ready to start school!!! My second grader, who had been the one who did not enjoy last year, actually asked me if we could start Science, and maybe a little of the other books!! I couldn't believe my ears and if I had been prepared I'd of dug in! It gave me so much hope for this new year!!
But before any of that I had to figure it all out. So I got to checking my order and getting my Instructor Guide setup, it was a little overwhelming but not as much as I thought!! After getting it all put away it didn't look so complicated and the Guides are awesome!!! And I can't wait to read Charlotte's Web to my kids... the one book I remember enjoying so much in school.... now I am confidant they won't only love that book but so many more!!!!
Wow! So Many Books
I can only thank God for the friends he brought to me to keep me going last year though I thought we'd never get through it, and helped me find a better program that is so better fit for my kids!!
-Amy M.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Places Production Takes You
Today we were doing some audio corrections for the upcoming MathTactular DVD (which is not yet in that bundle because we aren't quite to the technological level of Spaceballs).
In college I read about a sound guy who found himself in all sorts of odd locations to get the sound clips he needed. Well, today, we ended up in my daughters' room trying to recreated the "audio space" of Detective Justin Time's headquarters.
Fixing Audio
We also needed to find a place to simulate the acoustic tone of a gusty snowy hill with a major freeway in the distance.
That we did in a small parking lot behind Sonlight to get away from the hum of summer bugs.
And this reminded me of a fun little activity to do, especially if today has felt harried: Take a few minutes to sit quietly somewhere. Take a pen and paper and write down every distinct sound you hear. There are many more than you'd initially think. It will give you a new appreciation for how much happens around you, and yet it's almost peaceful.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father (still)
In college I read about a sound guy who found himself in all sorts of odd locations to get the sound clips he needed. Well, today, we ended up in my daughters' room trying to recreated the "audio space" of Detective Justin Time's headquarters.
Fixing Audio
We also needed to find a place to simulate the acoustic tone of a gusty snowy hill with a major freeway in the distance.
That we did in a small parking lot behind Sonlight to get away from the hum of summer bugs.
And this reminded me of a fun little activity to do, especially if today has felt harried: Take a few minutes to sit quietly somewhere. Take a pen and paper and write down every distinct sound you hear. There are many more than you'd initially think. It will give you a new appreciation for how much happens around you, and yet it's almost peaceful.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father (still)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
My 15 Seconds of Fame
...almost.
I was working away yesterday
Upon a thing or two.
When what should I see coming at me
But a coworker out of the blue.
"Right now, this moment, this very time
"The radio station is playing
"A bit about homeschoolers and awkwardness,
"So you should see what they're saying."
I decided to call. The busy wall
It stopped me once or twice.
Once finally through, they said "Hellu?"
I said, "Homeschooling's a blessing, not vice."
"I see. Uh-huh. That's very nice,"
The screener said back to me.
"I'll let them know, and thank you so
"For calling and talking with me."
<click>
I didn't get on the air. Instead, they talked with a woman who "had" to homeschool because of her daughter's recent surgery.
"How's it going?" the DJ asked.
"Horrible," the woman exclaimed, "I hate it!"
They also chatted with a guy who felt that his homeschool experience had been bad and he definitely wouldn't do it with his children, even though he had somehow turned out okay.
The last caller they got was very positive about her homeschool experience, but all they wanted to know was the age at which she lost her virginity... which somehow related to not being a dork and properly socialized.
Perhaps it's good I didn't get on.
Still, it's bothersome when the media end a segment on homeschooling by saying, "All right, I think we've established: If you don't want your kid to ever have relations... homeschool 'em."
Where did they come up with that?
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Overwhelmed. What? Me?
Exciting stuff happened last weekend...the FedEx man delivered two important boxes!
Reese's 1st Grade curriculum arrived and we couldn't wait to dig in and see what Mommy had ordered!
Lots of exciting books, instructor guides, manipulatives, experiments...
And more....
Overwhelmed with all of the items? Me? *cough cough* Nah!
I have to keep reminding myself that these are the supplies for our entire year and that if I laid out the supplies from my 1st Grade Teacher Days it would have looked just as massive an undertaking.
Heather W.
Reese's 1st Grade curriculum arrived and we couldn't wait to dig in and see what Mommy had ordered! 
Lots of exciting books, instructor guides, manipulatives, experiments...
And more....
Overwhelmed with all of the items? Me? *cough cough* Nah!
I have to keep reminding myself that these are the supplies for our entire year and that if I laid out the supplies from my 1st Grade Teacher Days it would have looked just as massive an undertaking.
Luckily, Hubby always reminds me to eat the elephant one bite at a time & it does help me to remember that this isn't all for Day 1! :)
I've sorted through all the Instructor Guides and placed everything in the notebooks for Mama. We will begin our school year on August 17th & I can't wait...this curriculum from Sonlight is heavily literature based which makes me so excited!
And...it is a little less intimidating once everything is put on the bookshelves, in the cabinets, organized in the binders, etc.
But don't even get me started on the fact that my baby boy is a 1st grader...I remember when I taught 1st grade that the students seemed so independent and "big" by the end of the year. Don't even get me started I tell 'ya....
Heather W.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Summer Staff Success Story
People send in success stories about Sonlight frequently. You can read some of them in the Sonlight Moments widget on the right (get the widget for your blog/site here). But we don't have too many great stories from here within Sonlight because... well... we're working*.
But this morning in prayer, one of our recent summer staff, DeAnn, mentioned how much of a blessing it is working here. She and her husband, Brandon, will be moving in a few months, and she didn't want to start her four year old in a preschool, only to disrupt that in the move.
While preparing orders in the warehouse, Brandon turned to DeAnn and mentioned how much he loved reading many of these titles as a child. They decided to purchase from Sonlight and start homeschooling this year!
"I'm so excited that we have this opportunity," DeAnn told me.
"I'm really excited too," Brandon chimed in.
DeAnn and Brandon
Granted, they aren't sure they will continue homeschooling after this year. But for now, homeschooling is exactly what their family needs. And, who knows: Perhaps we'll read a Sonlight Moment from them in a few years <smile>.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
But this morning in prayer, one of our recent summer staff, DeAnn, mentioned how much of a blessing it is working here. She and her husband, Brandon, will be moving in a few months, and she didn't want to start her four year old in a preschool, only to disrupt that in the move.
While preparing orders in the warehouse, Brandon turned to DeAnn and mentioned how much he loved reading many of these titles as a child. They decided to purchase from Sonlight and start homeschooling this year!
"I'm so excited that we have this opportunity," DeAnn told me.
"I'm really excited too," Brandon chimed in.
DeAnn and Brandon
Granted, they aren't sure they will continue homeschooling after this year. But for now, homeschooling is exactly what their family needs. And, who knows: Perhaps we'll read a Sonlight Moment from them in a few years <smile>.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
*That's not to say we don't have some really excited parents here. Tim, our marketing manager, has been telling everyone how amazing his son has been doing in his first few days this year. ...perhaps I'll interview him next. <smile>
Monday, August 17, 2009
Subtle Biases
I noticed one of 'em today.
I was going through my blog feeds reading the 463 posts that had piled up since Friday afternoon and adding a few posts here and there to the Other Posts of Note. If you've browsed those posts at all, you know that I include posts that make me laugh, posts that make me cry, and posts that include information that I think is, well, of note.
So when I moved on after reading The good side of WalMart without adding it, I stopped myself.
I was going through my blog feeds reading the 463 posts that had piled up since Friday afternoon and adding a few posts here and there to the Other Posts of Note. If you've browsed those posts at all, you know that I include posts that make me laugh, posts that make me cry, and posts that include information that I think is, well, of note.
So when I moved on after reading The good side of WalMart without adding it, I stopped myself.
'Hold on, Luke. You thought that was interesting. You just didn't include it because you don't particularly like WalMart.'
"Now hang on," I answered back, my pride more than a little bruised, "I don't need to include any posts about WalMart on a site about homeschooling and Sonlight. I have no obligation to include the post."
'Come on, you've linked to all sorts of stuff--even things with which you disagree--because it was a different perspective or bit of data that you'd never heard. Why this?'
"Because it's not that important. Besides," I toss in for good measure, "this is my blog and I can do what I want."
'Sure,' the little voice inside me said, sure that I wasn't sure at all. 'Now jot down "Subtle Biases" because you need to blog about this.'
And I knew I was right, as infuriating as I sometimes am.
So now I wonder: What will I neglect to teach my children because of the subtle, easy to dismiss biases in my own life? After all, we can't teach our children everything. There simply isn't time. But will I withhold something that would prove helpful simply because I don't particularly like whatever it is?
This is one more reason I love Sonlight: It encourages you to look at other sides, read things that may make you uncomfortable and consider your biases. If you walk away and still hold to your position, great! But you'll know better why you do and why other people disagree.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Our box day!
This is our first year using Sonlight and we are super excited! My son CJ has been anticipating this day all week! I ordered it on Monday, it shipped on Tuesday and we received it Friday. (It probably helps that we aren't too far from Colorado) We tracked it through the FedEx website so he would know when it was coming. When the doorbell rang he started shouting "It's here! It's here! Box day is here!" He was so excited to see the two boxes out front.
As we started pulling out the books he was getting more and more excited.
He couldn't help himself and had to stop and look at the Science kit and then he ended up reading one of the Magic School bus books....then he told me that I had to read them to Nicholas his little brother.
I had to stop several times from assembly of my Instructors Guide to help cut out the castles from the 2 boxes. What a fun day! We are very excited to start school and I know that this year is going to be fantastic! Thank you Sonlight!
Nichol H.
North Las Vegas, NV
Friday, August 14, 2009
Elihu and Marketing
I get to be involved in many of the "behind the scenes" aspects of Sonlight, like taking part in what "the powers that be" discuss. So, when I give you an "insider's view" it could be from deep behind management lines.
But sometimes, when replying to one of my dad's emails, I feel a bit like Elihu: Just some kid piping up with my ideas.
I don't know if you've ever seen one of my dad's emails, but they can be epic. I got a few my senior year of college right around finals, and I'll merely say that more pages of reading was not what I was looking for at that moment.
But I've discovered I can dish out in similar fashion.
Like this morning.
My dad wrote the second part of an email series--yes, he writes email series. Doesn't everyone?--that discusses a book he's been reading about companies that fail. And I replied, pointing out some of the areas that I think are weak in how we communicate with Sonlighters and those who should be Sonlighters.
And I want to share my thoughts with you. Why? Umm... because I think it's interesting and gives you a glimpse into some of the things we talk about. So, here's what I think we should focus on when telling people about Sonlight:
But sometimes, when replying to one of my dad's emails, I feel a bit like Elihu: Just some kid piping up with my ideas.
I don't know if you've ever seen one of my dad's emails, but they can be epic. I got a few my senior year of college right around finals, and I'll merely say that more pages of reading was not what I was looking for at that moment.
But I've discovered I can dish out in similar fashion.
Like this morning.
My dad wrote the second part of an email series--yes, he writes email series. Doesn't everyone?--that discusses a book he's been reading about companies that fail. And I replied, pointing out some of the areas that I think are weak in how we communicate with Sonlighters and those who should be Sonlighters.
And I want to share my thoughts with you. Why? Umm... because I think it's interesting and gives you a glimpse into some of the things we talk about. So, here's what I think we should focus on when telling people about Sonlight:
What Sonlight gives you is everything you need to stay "on the field" one more year (be it overseas on a mission field or homeschooling in your living room). The Sonlight experience is the joy of a box full of everything you need and then having your kids beg you to start learning together now. ...a joy that continues for the rest of the year and into the next.
The rest is how we get you there: Great books, fantastic IG, customer support, and a guarantee so you can find what's perfect for you and your family. And, to make the deal even sweeter, and help you even more, we've thrown in a few bonuses: 10% discounts, free shipping, and the Forums.
I believe we need to flip our marketing on its head: We've been starting from the wrong end (the icing) and working down toward the cake. We need to tell people about the cake first, and then move up toward the icing.
Well, what's your experience? What was the most helpful/encouraging/informative thing someone ever told you about Sonlight? What are the things that you've read in Sonlight's marketing materials that have made you wonder, 'What's that doing in there?'
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Silly Web Content
I've spent considerable time today wrestling with some really old content on our site. With a website as huge as Sonlight.com--with upwards of 3,000 pages or more--we sometimes don't revisit things for a while. And that is why certain "gems" remain on the site for extended periods of time. Like this one:
That's all I have time for at the moment. May your day be filled with mirth, joy, love and learning.
~Luke Holzmann
Web Content Guy of Sonlight.com
"The publisher designed their product to encompass the material so that Level 1 is a beginner level, Level 2 is intermediate, and so on."
Really?! A sequential numbering system? How original! I simply must have this product!
I ran into that sentence after reading "this is the only program we've tried—and we've tried a lot of them..." so I was more than a little slaphappy.
Tears.
Literally.
Rolling down my cheers. Hilarity the likes of which is seldom seen.
And if you'd like a few more funnies, as well as some really interesting articles, check out the latest posts added to my aptly named Other Posts of Note.
And now for your:
Obsequiousness: abject or cringing submissiveness
Brought to you by Global Prayer Digest
That's all I have time for at the moment. May your day be filled with mirth, joy, love and learning.
~Luke Holzmann
Web Content Guy of Sonlight.com
What a blessing to stay home!
Sarita's Word
Since John and I are out-of-country, attending a conference of field staff from one of the mission agencies we support, I asked our second daughter, Jonelle, if she would write a "Word" in my behalf.
She readily agreed. And what you see below is the result.
Blessings!
Sarita
--
I imagine you are gearing up for the school year. May I encourage you to remember the blessing of being able to stay home with your children and keep them with you all year round?
My daughter Natalia turned one just a couple of weeks ago.
When I was pregnant with Natalia, my older sister told me that the one thing she wished she'd done more with her firstborn was to hold him as much as she could. I took that to heart and have hardly put Natalia down. (Now that she has begun to crawl and is pushing to walk, I am no longer holding her every moment of the day. But still ... )
That policy of holding her as much as she wants has yielded many positive benefits. It has also created some issues that aren't always pleasant to deal with!
Since I am with Natalia almost constantly, on the relatively rare occasions I go someplace during the day, she comes with me. The fact is, at this point, Natalia hates to be alone. She follows me from room to room, and always wants to participate in whatever it is I'm doing.
For a while, I was the only one who could hold her. If I didn't hold her, she would burst into tears. I felt (feel) trapped!
I have since found a few strategies to help ease some of the claustrophobia, but the reason I'm writing is to note that I have to get up each day, just like you, and believe, pray and hope that my relationship with my daughter will be stronger than it was when we went to bed. I am just getting started on this journey and, already, some days it all just feels like too much. But, then I remember something I have overheard my mom say to different people: "It all just gets better. When they get older you get to see all of your hard work pay off because they succeed."
I don't know if you're thrilled with the start of school, or wondering if you can enroll your child tomorrow in the local school because that just might be best. What I do know is, that children are a blessing from God, and we have an awesome responsibility, and gift, to invest in them.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, here, but so many times I forget the gift side of things. I only see the parts I'm missing, such as the clean house (I've started joking that my house will be clean in 18 years when all my children are grown), the freedom to just go wherever I want (and when I had that freedom, I really didn't go anywhere! It's just knowing I don't even have that option now), and the time to talk with other adults: I miss that part of the job I used to have out in "the real world." ...
But what I need to focus on is the fact that my child is almost walking. She smiles and laughs at me. She can play catch if I'll just sit on the floor. She loves playing the piano at Grandma Beppe's (Sarita's house), and any time I sing or do rhythms, she claps along. And the great thing is I get to see that! I don't have to hear about it from the daycare worker. I have a million photos to sort through, but the important part is that I've taken them. I have the option to sort through them when Natalia's in college, because I've taken the time now to shoot them.
Ahhh, just writing this encourages me, brings tears to my eyes, and releases a sigh of joy.
I started this letter by encouraging you to remember the blessing of being able to stay home with your children and keep them with you all year round, and I think that's where I'll stop. Taking even just a few minutes myself to write up some of the things I am enjoying at this point in my life was helpful for me. Perhaps you'd like to do the same as well--here on Sonlight's blog, on your own blog, the Sonlighters Club forums, or just in a journal or diary.
I know I want to choose to rejoice today. Regardless of yesterday, the Lord made today, He made my child, and I can rejoice in that.
Blessings!
Jonelle
PS: I wrote the beginning of this "word" last week. At that point everything in my life was going swimmingly: good meals, birthdays, happy baby, happy hubby, happy me. Then, disaster hit. For whatever reason, everything in my life just felt (feels) like it's falling apart. I sort of wanted to start over, write something else that I could still be positive on, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I need to keep reminding myself that it is a blessing to be with my child. So, this "word" is for me as much as it is for you.
Since John and I are out-of-country, attending a conference of field staff from one of the mission agencies we support, I asked our second daughter, Jonelle, if she would write a "Word" in my behalf.
She readily agreed. And what you see below is the result.
Blessings!
Sarita
--
I imagine you are gearing up for the school year. May I encourage you to remember the blessing of being able to stay home with your children and keep them with you all year round?
My daughter Natalia turned one just a couple of weeks ago.
When I was pregnant with Natalia, my older sister told me that the one thing she wished she'd done more with her firstborn was to hold him as much as she could. I took that to heart and have hardly put Natalia down. (Now that she has begun to crawl and is pushing to walk, I am no longer holding her every moment of the day. But still ... )
That policy of holding her as much as she wants has yielded many positive benefits. It has also created some issues that aren't always pleasant to deal with!
Since I am with Natalia almost constantly, on the relatively rare occasions I go someplace during the day, she comes with me. The fact is, at this point, Natalia hates to be alone. She follows me from room to room, and always wants to participate in whatever it is I'm doing.
For a while, I was the only one who could hold her. If I didn't hold her, she would burst into tears. I felt (feel) trapped!
I have since found a few strategies to help ease some of the claustrophobia, but the reason I'm writing is to note that I have to get up each day, just like you, and believe, pray and hope that my relationship with my daughter will be stronger than it was when we went to bed. I am just getting started on this journey and, already, some days it all just feels like too much. But, then I remember something I have overheard my mom say to different people: "It all just gets better. When they get older you get to see all of your hard work pay off because they succeed."
I don't know if you're thrilled with the start of school, or wondering if you can enroll your child tomorrow in the local school because that just might be best. What I do know is, that children are a blessing from God, and we have an awesome responsibility, and gift, to invest in them.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, here, but so many times I forget the gift side of things. I only see the parts I'm missing, such as the clean house (I've started joking that my house will be clean in 18 years when all my children are grown), the freedom to just go wherever I want (and when I had that freedom, I really didn't go anywhere! It's just knowing I don't even have that option now), and the time to talk with other adults: I miss that part of the job I used to have out in "the real world." ...
But what I need to focus on is the fact that my child is almost walking. She smiles and laughs at me. She can play catch if I'll just sit on the floor. She loves playing the piano at Grandma Beppe's (Sarita's house), and any time I sing or do rhythms, she claps along. And the great thing is I get to see that! I don't have to hear about it from the daycare worker. I have a million photos to sort through, but the important part is that I've taken them. I have the option to sort through them when Natalia's in college, because I've taken the time now to shoot them.
Ahhh, just writing this encourages me, brings tears to my eyes, and releases a sigh of joy.
I started this letter by encouraging you to remember the blessing of being able to stay home with your children and keep them with you all year round, and I think that's where I'll stop. Taking even just a few minutes myself to write up some of the things I am enjoying at this point in my life was helpful for me. Perhaps you'd like to do the same as well--here on Sonlight's blog, on your own blog, the Sonlighters Club forums, or just in a journal or diary.
I know I want to choose to rejoice today. Regardless of yesterday, the Lord made today, He made my child, and I can rejoice in that.
Blessings!
Jonelle
PS: I wrote the beginning of this "word" last week. At that point everything in my life was going swimmingly: good meals, birthdays, happy baby, happy hubby, happy me. Then, disaster hit. For whatever reason, everything in my life just felt (feels) like it's falling apart. I sort of wanted to start over, write something else that I could still be positive on, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I need to keep reminding myself that it is a blessing to be with my child. So, this "word" is for me as much as it is for you.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rosetta Stone Demo
It's been almost 11 months since I first purchased Rosetta Stone from Sonlight and blogged about it.
In that time, not much has changed in the world of Rosetta Stone. Prices have gone up and down and Sonlight continues to offer the best price out there. That's not new.
What I did figure out today--and we're working on getting this implemented across the site--is how to link you directly to the free Sonlight Rosetta Stone demo. Seriously, it's super cool. I own the program and I still found the Rosetta Stone demo incredibly exciting.
Try out the Sonlight Rosetta Stone demo now!
Isn't that encouraging?
It is for me because I struggle with languages but this makes it cake.
Here's the other really exciting bit: We're ironing out a few last details on a Rosetta Stone special. So I'm not giving you a link to buy this program yet because I want to give you a direct path to the savings.
Until then, please enjoy Sonlight's Rosetta Stone demo and share it with your friends and family. And I'm going to practice my Russian.
До свидания.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
In that time, not much has changed in the world of Rosetta Stone. Prices have gone up and down and Sonlight continues to offer the best price out there. That's not new.
What I did figure out today--and we're working on getting this implemented across the site--is how to link you directly to the free Sonlight Rosetta Stone demo. Seriously, it's super cool. I own the program and I still found the Rosetta Stone demo incredibly exciting.
Try out the Sonlight Rosetta Stone demo now!
Isn't that encouraging?
It is for me because I struggle with languages but this makes it cake.
Here's the other really exciting bit: We're ironing out a few last details on a Rosetta Stone special. So I'm not giving you a link to buy this program yet because I want to give you a direct path to the savings.
Until then, please enjoy Sonlight's Rosetta Stone demo and share it with your friends and family. And I'm going to practice my Russian.
До свидания.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Smoke and Mirrors
I was accused of selling that today.
Now, I tend to have rather thick skin and I know my stuff well enough to not be too bothered by such comments. But still, it sticks... "like a splinter in your mind" to continue quoting the film.
Smoke and Mirrors
But I'm not interested in smoke and mirrors. There's too much of that already.
And that's the problem. The problem is not that I am purposely deceiving people with my amazing skill with smoke and mirrors, but that there is far too much of something else:
Now, I tend to have rather thick skin and I know my stuff well enough to not be too bothered by such comments. But still, it sticks... "like a splinter in your mind" to continue quoting the film.
Smoke and Mirrors
But I'm not interested in smoke and mirrors. There's too much of that already.
And that's the problem. The problem is not that I am purposely deceiving people with my amazing skill with smoke and mirrors, but that there is far too much of something else:
Haze and fog.
Perhaps you have been gifted with incredible clarity and can discern all truth right out--which would be super impressive if it wasn't so annoying <smile>--but if you're anything like me then you and I both see but dimly.
The haze and fog of life disrupts my ability to see everything exactly as it is. And that is why I'm still learning. Because I don't know it all, and I don't plan to either. Not that it wouldn't be nice to be omniscient...
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Monday, August 10, 2009
I love new pencils
One by one, homeschools are gearing up and beginning a new school year. A friend recently Facebooked a picture of her elementary aged kids on their first day of school. The picture shows brother and sister sitting at the dining room table with eager smiles on their faces. On the table are folders and notebooks and of course ... new pencils.I always made a special day out of our first day of school ... some years it was a special breakfast ... other years the day included a picnic at a local park. But every year included new school "treats" that I had purchased in the weeks prior to beginning. My kids always anticipated that first day ... excited to see what fun folders I had purchased or if I had found special shaped erasers or pencils with their names on them.
These days I have one in college and two in high school. Nobody gets excited about folders and pencils any longer. But I have decided it's still important to "celebrate" in some fashion ... despite the moans and groans that I will hear when I present them with their planning notebooks and pile of books and computer software. This year we'll take a day and drive a couple hours to a favorite amusement park. We'll eat junk food, get sunburned, and end the day at the local burger joint. While we won't have new pencils to admire, we'll have some new memories and peeling skin to kick off another year of learning and growing.
What do you do to kick off the new school year?
~Judy
Compelling Learning
I loved two of my really hard Bible classes in college.
For one of them I had to read through the whole Old Testament and take notes on each chapter (things like questions I had based on the text, themes I saw developing, etc). By the end of the semester I turned in a 140 page single spaced 8pt font document. It was insane.
The first day of the other class, my professor said, "I'm going to tell you what the final will be so you can start preparing now. You will write down everything you've learned about the book of John. You will basically recreate your course notes in three hours."
I worked my tail off in those classes, and I loved them.
Other courses were far less compelling and I complained about how much work I had to do. But for some reason, I was happy to plow through these courses despite the insane amount of work.
Why?
That's what I'm trying to figure out at the moment for a "next gen" project we're working on. I've jotted down some ideas, but I'd love to hear any insights you've had from situations where you've been happy to learn the material despite the difficulty. Some of the factors that have made me happy to work were:
For one of them I had to read through the whole Old Testament and take notes on each chapter (things like questions I had based on the text, themes I saw developing, etc). By the end of the semester I turned in a 140 page single spaced 8pt font document. It was insane.
The first day of the other class, my professor said, "I'm going to tell you what the final will be so you can start preparing now. You will write down everything you've learned about the book of John. You will basically recreate your course notes in three hours."
I worked my tail off in those classes, and I loved them.
Other courses were far less compelling and I complained about how much work I had to do. But for some reason, I was happy to plow through these courses despite the insane amount of work.
Why?
That's what I'm trying to figure out at the moment for a "next gen" project we're working on. I've jotted down some ideas, but I'd love to hear any insights you've had from situations where you've been happy to learn the material despite the difficulty. Some of the factors that have made me happy to work were:
- The hard work was just expected (no apology)
- The content was good
- I could tell the professors cared about me
- I could go and chat with my professors if I wanted to
- I felt like I could make progress
So what about you? Have you had a time when you've had to work really hard but did it happily? What caused that? What made the effort worth it?
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
It's here already!
Boy! Did our box get here in a hurry. We ordered before heading to the beach for a week or so and the box was here when we got back.
Opening the Sonlight Box
The curriculum was for our oldest daughter, Amelia. The youngest, Michelle, uses her big sister's curriculum from past years.
Admiring the Books
After opening the box Amelia asked if she could start reading the books. She really likes the books you select.
Thanks Sonlight!
Ready for a New Year
Neecie H.
Michelle, 2nd grade
Amelia, 7th grade
Opening the Sonlight Box
The curriculum was for our oldest daughter, Amelia. The youngest, Michelle, uses her big sister's curriculum from past years.
Admiring the Books
After opening the box Amelia asked if she could start reading the books. She really likes the books you select.
Thanks Sonlight!
Ready for a New Year
Neecie H.
Michelle, 2nd grade
Amelia, 7th grade
Friday, August 7, 2009
Plenty to Fix
I was afraid that I had broken the links for the new Sonlight Rewards program. And I had.
But now they're working again (but I still haven't had a chance to make the text on the page great. Oh well. I have a project for Monday <smile>).
There is always more to do.
I've spent quite some time today writing up a response to the many comments left on this post. If you're interested in what I've been thinking about today, give it a read.
And now, unfortunately, I must leave everything as is for the weekend. I will continue fixing things on Monday.
Have a great weekend, friends!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
But now they're working again (but I still haven't had a chance to make the text on the page great. Oh well. I have a project for Monday <smile>).
There is always more to do.
I've spent quite some time today writing up a response to the many comments left on this post. If you're interested in what I've been thinking about today, give it a read.
And now, unfortunately, I must leave everything as is for the weekend. I will continue fixing things on Monday.
Have a great weekend, friends!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Blurring the Line
As a professional blogger, I lead an interesting life.
No, not quite that interesting.
What I mean is that the line between my personal life and my professional life is blurring. And, in many ways, it's blurring for all of us as our information becomes more and more accessible to the Whole Wide World.
Blurring the Line
That's why I thought twice about writing my latest personal post ...and then went ahead and did it anyway. While I always try to be fair, I'm a little more "contained" on this blog.
So why am I writing about this over here on my blog about Sonlight and homeschooling?
Because one of my jobs here at Sonlight is to be a "Media Relations Specialist" and keep tabs on the crazy world of social media. And that means watch what people say about Sonlight on their blogs and help customers or give more information where possible.
Much like what I think--and hope--Macon Phillips meant in his post. And, in many ways, I totally understand the desire to "keep track of all [rumors]" because I'd like to do the same thing. It's very important to help people know the truth if they somehow have the wrong idea.
But Phillips' word choice was poor.
He wants citizens to email in "fishy" sites to an address that "flags" it for the Whitehouse? For what purpose? To what end?
If Phillips would have elaborated more on what's going to happen, I think it wouldn't be nearly as disturbing. But since he did not elaborate, and we're already heard some pretty scary things from fishy sites, he didn't help us feel better.
Also, since I get paid for what I do here at Sonlight, I am interested in how much tax money is going into this initiative. I think, much like my position, this is probably fairly important if done correctly. So, in the spirit of giving, here's what I do:
- I ask people to tell me about things that they think I'd be interested to know.
- If someone has misinformation about Sonlight, I try to inform them graciously.
- If someone has a complaint against Sonlight, I do everything I can to make the situation right.
- I have alerts that let me know when people talk about Sonlight on their blogs so I can add them to my reader and get to know them and where they're coming from.
- I try to focus on the positives. Because I can say whatever I want about Sonlight, but it's the people who have actually experienced it that have the most credibility.
- I leave comments open so people can talk to me if they want.
Granted, my position at Sonlight is probably significantly smaller--and of less mass appeal--than one of the hottest topics in the political world right now. But if you're opening yourself up to a barrage of emails, I hope you've got a system in place to handle them.
I know I do:
Just Kidding <smile>
~Luke Holzmann
Media Relations Specialist
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Spam?
Here at Sonlight we try not to spam you.
If we email you it's because we feel that you will be encouraged, blessed, or informed by the thing hitting your inbox. And sometimes, like if we discover that a book was misprinted by our supplier--doesn't that sound devious--then you need to know what we're doing to make it right.
But spam?
Ugh. I ate it once in youth group many years ago. ...once.
And it's not particularly easy to send our emails to huge numbers of people. I mean, I don't have a problem firing off something if you write to me, but the process we go through to compose, create, and convey our mass messages is much like jumping through a bunch of hoops while on fire and singing the alphabet backward ... which I can do (the backward alphabet bit, not the other part).
Right now I've got three major emails that need to go out to different groups tomorrow.
And my head is spinning.
Trust me: Spam is not something I like getting or dishing out.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
If we email you it's because we feel that you will be encouraged, blessed, or informed by the thing hitting your inbox. And sometimes, like if we discover that a book was misprinted by our supplier--doesn't that sound devious--then you need to know what we're doing to make it right.
But spam?
Ugh. I ate it once in youth group many years ago. ...once.
And it's not particularly easy to send our emails to huge numbers of people. I mean, I don't have a problem firing off something if you write to me, but the process we go through to compose, create, and convey our mass messages is much like jumping through a bunch of hoops while on fire and singing the alphabet backward ... which I can do (the backward alphabet bit, not the other part).
Right now I've got three major emails that need to go out to different groups tomorrow.
And my head is spinning.
Trust me: Spam is not something I like getting or dishing out.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Shall we leap into the next school year?
Our new Core is here!!! The excitement we feel cannot be contained! Thank you Sonlight for the opportunity to homeschool using such a wonderful array of amazing literature. We LOVE Box Day!
My Daughter Leaping Over Her Core
~Andrea P.
My Daughter Leaping Over Her Core
~Andrea P.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Paradox of "the Best"
Detraction: the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's reputation (especially by slander)
Brought to you by Jennifer Fulwiler
I've been reading a lot of posts about how people are homeschooling this year. And, I've included several in the Other Posts of Note as they rave about how great Sonlight is <smile>.
But with all this planning and purchasing there comes the question of, "What is the the 'right' method of homeschooling?"
Currently, the accepted wisdom is "whatever is best for you and your family." And, who's going to argue with that? Who would honestly say, "Use something that is not best for you and your family"? No one, especially since one of the many strengths of homeschooling is that you can form it to fit the needs of you and your children.
And yet, when we look at the answer, we discover that it merely begs the original question: Well, then, what is the "right" method that will be best for me and my family?
I'm reading The Paradox of Choice right now, and it's interesting (of course, so are the negative reviews). The basic premise is that we have too many options available to us today and that is actually making us less happy with our final decisions because we worry about what we might be missing.
What's more, in the section I read just last night, things are further complicated by the fact that how we make choices is not altogether wise. For instance, we'd rather hear a 16 second annoying sound that tapers off at the end than just the initial 8 seconds of annoying audio. We choose twice as as much annoyance because we judge things by how they end, rather than what it was like while we experienced it.
Of course, there can be good in this too. I think minimizing the pain and struggle of birth or adoption is probably a good thing as we consider bringing another bundle of joy into our lives <smile>.
What does this have to do with choosing a homeschool curriculum?
Merely this: Feel free to try out something else if something isn't working, but don't let it bog you down.
It feels almost wrong for me--a Sonlight promoter--to suggest that if Sonlight isn't working for you, you can try something else. But it shouldn't because we've got 27 Reasons Not to Buy Sonlight.
Of course, this cuts the other way as well: If you're not thrilled with what you have, check out Sonlight.
And if you don't know where to start, maybe, just maybe, you'd be happier if you just purchased one of Sonlight's amazing Cores and decided that it works for your family. And if it works then it's "good enough" ...no, even better than that: It's perfect for you and your family.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sonlight Rewards!
I am so entirely, completely, ecstatically stoked about this ...as in: You have no idea how sweet I think this is:
Sonlight® Rewards
Here's the gist:
Since Sonlight has always grown best through people telling their friends about it--as I mentioned in this post and elsewhere--we've been working on a way to make it even better for you. And now we have:
Tell your friends, family, and even complete strangers about Sonlight. When they register for a Sonlight account as use your person Rewards code, they automatically save $5 on their first purchase of $50 or more. Which is sweet.
And you?
You get a point for every dollar someone spends on his or her first order (as long as they used your code when they registered so they save the five bucks). The more points you get, the more you save on your next order. Which is sweeter.
And here's how easy this is: If you've created an account on sonlight.com... you're already set up.
It's that easy.
Which is totally sweet-awesome!
So, come on! Check out the new Sonlight Rewards program.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Sonlight® Rewards
Here's the gist:
Since Sonlight has always grown best through people telling their friends about it--as I mentioned in this post and elsewhere--we've been working on a way to make it even better for you. And now we have:
Tell your friends, family, and even complete strangers about Sonlight. When they register for a Sonlight account as use your person Rewards code, they automatically save $5 on their first purchase of $50 or more. Which is sweet.
And you?
You get a point for every dollar someone spends on his or her first order (as long as they used your code when they registered so they save the five bucks). The more points you get, the more you save on your next order. Which is sweeter.
And here's how easy this is: If you've created an account on sonlight.com... you're already set up.
It's that easy.
Which is totally sweet-awesome!
So, come on! Check out the new Sonlight Rewards program.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Box Day out in Africa!
Using Fed-Ex to deliver books sounds so easy and simple, but believe me it took more than one stop to get our books here far out in the bush! Our box reached Maputo, Mozambique in early July – only a few days after ordering! Now, it needed to get way up north - a journey of three to four days by car!
A lift was arranged and we went to town to pick up the long-awaited box …… but the visitors hadn’t yet arrived and so we had to go home empty handed! (This is Africa and all things take their time!) But as all good bush dwellers, we networked and planned lifts again and so this morning our boxes were door-delivered by fellow-missionaries passing our way!
Missionary Delivers Sonlight
Quite a few stops later but the books made it in, I think, record time! God has His own special delivery system using His people across the world!
Belinda P.
A lift was arranged and we went to town to pick up the long-awaited box …… but the visitors hadn’t yet arrived and so we had to go home empty handed! (This is Africa and all things take their time!) But as all good bush dwellers, we networked and planned lifts again and so this morning our boxes were door-delivered by fellow-missionaries passing our way!
Missionary Delivers Sonlight
Quite a few stops later but the books made it in, I think, record time! God has His own special delivery system using His people across the world!
Belinda P.
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