Joseph Smith as Scientist

Joseph Smith as Scientist: A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy by John A. Widtsoe is a great read to consider in your family. Elder Widtsoe discusses the basic principles of science and then quotes Joseph Smith and his teachings. Some of the subjects treated include: matter, energy, ether, astronomy, geological record, the sixth sense and evolution. This book will challenge you, but it will also increase your comprehension of what God has done for us.

I found the subject matter informative and very helpful.  I think it would be an important book for scholar youth.  It proves again that the scriptures truly do contain all subject matter and we can find ultimate truth by searching the scriptures. Elder Widtsoe points out that these teachings found in the scriptures from Joseph Smith were not known or accepted scientific laws at the time. It was only later that science came to "discover" them. The reader is also left with convincing "proof" in a temporal standpoint that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet.

The original chapters in the book appeared in installments in the Improvement Era in 1903-1904. In 1908 Elder Widtsoe had it published after a committee appointed by the First Presidency read the manuscript. That committee was Elders George Albert Smith, Edward H. Anderson and Joseph F. Smith, Jr. The point being that you can't get more official and authentic than The Improvement Era and approval from two future prophets.

In reading this book I felt that I was furthering my garnering of information about the History of Relief Society. This information was known and published among the Saints. With the revival of studying not only the History of the Relief Society but also the History of the Church I think we will gain some essential information needed to raise our children and to prepare for the Second Coming.

This book is available from Archive Publishers. The address is 754 East 50 North, Heber City, UT 84032. The phone number is 435.654.0824. The website listed is http://www.archivepublishers.com/ .

Arithmetic vs. Mathmatics

I have been spending a lot of time thinking about arithmetic lately.  Partly it is due to the fact that Determination (10) is really ready to delve into the fascinating world of numbers.  Numbers have always come easy to him and I foresee that he will use numbers a lot in his mission in life. 

It wasn't until I read this fascinating post by Karen here that I began to think of arithmetic and mathematics as two different things.  The idea fascinated me and I begin to do some research.  This was another missing piece of the puzzle in our home education.

Arithmetic is the study of numbers on a basic level learning.  Basic arithmetic includes the ability to compute numbers through addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Higher arithmetic includes decimals, fractions, and negative numbers.  Mathematics would be Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Calculus, etc.

I realized in my mind I was treating them as the same thing.  When I disconnect the two in my mind I see clearly the skills I need to teach my children before they reach scholar phase when they will begin an in depth study of mathematics.  This study will be possible only after the groundwork of the skill of arithmetic as been accomplished.  (Much the same way that studying literature is only possible after the skill of reading is learned).

I mentioned in a previous post that I am starting to offer skill classes to those interested.  I have been asked repeatedly to teach some math classes by the boys.  I realize now that I need to focus on basic arithmetic with Imagination and Leader.  (Leader has not requested any classes yet and so he will not have them until he does request them).  Determination needs some (and has requested) advanced arithmetic work in fractions and decimals and then he will be ready to begin his mathematical studies when he is ready.

Through my study an awareness as come about what level of arithmetic/math I use on a daily level.  I realized that I do not use mathematics.  I do use arithmetic constantly.  I balance my check book, double a recipe, figure out sales tax, budget for daily needs, etc.  All the activities I pursue are on an arithmetic level.  This reinforced to me that I need to make sure my children have a solid base in arithmetic.

After this they can move on to mathematics in their life.  My husband I now realize uses mathematics.  He computes the square feet of fence needed, the amount of paint we need for a bedroom, the probability of success in our investment accounts, etc.  Mathematics is needed in his world.  I realize now where I can improve.

After doing some research and consultation with my friend who is my curriculum expert, Mr. Patriot and I have determined our curriculum choices. For basic arithmetic we will continue to use Saxon Math to gather problems and explain things.  (I do not like Singapore or Right Start Math.  I am sure they work great for everyone else but me, but my brain does not work in these math programs).  Saxon will be utilized more as a reference.  Basic arithmetic can easily be taught with out a textbook.  I will teach these basic principles in small chucks with a wipe board and pencil and paper.  Then the boys will use real life experiences to reinforce principles learned.  Since my life is full of arithmetic they will have ample opportunity to practice.

For advanced arithmetic and mathematics we have chosen to use The Life of Fred series.  Click the link to learn more about this great program.  There are example pages (link here) taken from each book.  I have seen these books and have found them exceptional.  (If math can be exceptional. : ) I tend to prefer literature and history).

I continue to love to read great posts by all of you that spring board me into ideas that will work for my family.  Thank you all.

Khan Academy

Kudos to my mom who recently told me about Khan Academy.  The site containes 1,400+ videos (more added regularly) on a variety of subjects.  The videos are short, 15-18 minutes, explaining multiple subjects including basic math, advanced math, economy, physicals and chemistry. I appreciate that the videos are short, concise and free. Sal Khan has an interesting story.  This slow laptop created problems downloading a couple of videos explaining is story.  They are available on the website.

We watched a basic math video and a history video and found them informative.  I think they have the potential to be a great supplement in home education.  I have not viewed all the videos obviously so preview with care.  I noticed some questionable videos on the biology section that  you may want to pass on.

This won't be beneficial for everyone.  I am a visual learner and so this proves to be helpful for me.  It is very much a "lecture" style like in TJEd and so should be used minimally.  I see it beneficial in explaining advanced math and math based sciences.  I think that it will be helpful to me also as I work on my own scholar/depth phase in math as I lack a mentor in those fields.

Planting a Sunflower House

I am currently reading Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Rochard Louv.  This is a great read in motivating us as parent to get our children back outside and into nature.  The book contains many ideas to help encourage this.  One idea that they suggesting was to "plant a sunflower house."  I think even I can manage this gardening project.  Here is how the book reads,

"A unique gardening project is the sunflower house.  In an eight-by-eight foot square, parents and kids can plant sunflower seeds or seedlings in a shallow moat, alternating varieties that grow about eight fee high with ones that grow to four feet.  You can also plant a few corn plants among the sunflowers; corn discourages Carpophilus beetles, and the sunflowers protect the corn from army worms.  Inside, plant a carpet of white clover.  As a child plays within the containing protection of the sunflower house, bees, butterflies, and other insects will congregate at the blooms above.  Plant seeds of indigenous pollinating plants that provide nectar as well as roosting and nesting sites, and also help increase the number of pollinating birds and insects.  This activity can strengthen interrupted pollination corridors and help reestablish the migration paths of butterflies and hummingbirds; and your child can become a participant in the winged migration, not just an observer." Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv pg.173-174.

I think this would be a fabulous science project!