June 2011 - Educating Laytons

Memberships – focus on the reciprocal rates!

June 30, 2011 By Stef

Science Center - meteorology exhibit

Once I started “officially” homeschooling we decided educational memberships would be great field trips to enjoy monthly. Rather than looking at it like – we have one place to go all year I focus on the reciprocal rate and all the places we can go all year!

Where not to go: Art Museums. This was not a great idea for our family! My 6/7yr old son wanted to touch paintings and an almost fidgety crying 2yr old constantly wanted out of the stroller! The entire time I was reprimanding, “don’t touch”, “stop running”, “don’t touch”, “come back here”, “don’t touch”!

The exhibits did not change very often, the child looked at one painting gave it a thumbs up or down and ran on. We were in and out in less than 30 minutes. Not to mention they cancelled the “kids day” due to lack of funding we decided it was not a good season in our lives for an art museum membership.

DO go: Science Centers – it has been great fun for both my 8 & 3 yr olds. The hands on activities are fantastic! It’s been fun for me too!

Science Center – Hurricane Wind Tunnel

Usually for the day we take in 2-3 exhibits and check out the live animals. I do not push the boys around and we take a very leisure pace. Science center memberships are fantastic because of the reciprocal rates when we travel to other science centers.

Space Museum

We can get around the state of Florida in no time at all so we have access to many Science Centers! I love that if a new exhibit hasn’t opened here we can take a drive and enjoy a totally different scene!

The same with the zoo! We also purchased a membership (which was almost 1/2 the price of the science center membership). We have the opportunity for 1/2 price admission to all zoos around the country.

Zoo

Our zoo gives a discounted rate for “homeschool class days” – so I plan on taking the little one around the animals while the older one attends a monthly class. And there are some fantastic zoos and aquariums nearby I can not wait to enjoy for 1/2 price! Not to mention our friends out of town who live near zoos we can join them for a field trip!

If you focus on a membership at your local wherever you might not find it worthwhile, but if you keep your focus on the reciprocal opportunities … even if you don’t travel across the country – another town or city 30 minutes away … it’s worth it! Don’t forget to check the holiday schedules. We have found some fun things to do during holidays!

Yes – I realize gas is getting expensive – so make a day trip and enjoy the local library, playground, park, etc. Or consider reciprocal rates during your summer vacation! Many people take one big annual vacation – why not check out the surrounding area or cities you will be driving thru in order to enjoy an educational break!

** definitely call before you arrive to make sure your reciprocal rate is being honored. Places have the right to change and will before updating their website.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Teaching Colossians 3:12 – get clothed in God’s Word!

June 28, 2011 By Stef

What I love most about the entire third chapter of Colossians is the new self! But teaching we are to behave in a new way is very hard for an 8yr old to understand! It’s hard for this 34yr old to live out!

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

A quick observation is the word “clothe” – other translations say “put on”. I like literal – visuals – so does my son. We made some clothes. I took old white undershirts that didn’t fit anymore and marked them up with words. (t-shirt makers will love this project – I’m just a straight markers gal). We then put on these shirts and did a little role playing.

Opposites!

It looks funny wearing a “kindness” shirt while one is hollering at their brother and threatening a knuckle sandwich.

Or seeing patience and continually getting asked the same question from an impatient person. And humility – while bragging on oneself (or showing the guns). Its quick for a child to see these simply do not make any amount of sense. It looked wacky – and a little ridiculous. But it works for me because - isn’t that how we (mommy) sometimes behave too?! (waving hand)

I once had a co-worker friend tell me she walked into the office bathroom daily to “put on” the armor of God. And in the mirror she went through each piece of battle gear to arm herself for the battle ahead. (we worked in a law firm – there were a lot of battles ahead).

I think showing children what the Word means – and how it can look or how it does not look – is a great way to hit a home run lesson. Roll play for an Academy Homeschool Award! It did for me – because nothing is worse than a mommy wearing a compassion shirt and being at wits end with little ones.

(this week I’m going link up hog crazy. Forgive me — I love this idea and want to share it with as many people as I can as we try to teach our children God’s Word – and live it out ourselves)

Filed Under: Craft, Faith, Visual

Guest Posting This Week

June 26, 2011 By Stef

Sunset Lake Tibet, FL ~ Stef Layton

I’m “about town” and guest posting this week — and both posts happen to fall on the same day!

Amy asked me to do a SOAP on John Chapter 9 – I was delighted (since I had forgotten to get back with her a few months ago and she was giving me a … 3rd chance now) MOMS TOOL BOX - Accept What God Gives You.

I write monthly for Toni – and this month I’m sharing how I plan our homeschool. THE HAPPY HOUSEWIFE- Tips to Planning Your Homeschool Day.

We took the boat out and I got this photo – on hub’s iphone! It is just so lovely — you’ll excuse me for a bit this week while I take in a deep breath of Jesus and enjoy my family! See you soon!!

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