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| Studying BETWEEN classes. Wow. |
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| I just love folks with a servant's heart |
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Posted by: Charla M.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
More Co-op pictures--2 weeks worth of 'em
Posted by: Charla M.
ROO-guh-lock
Today was our monthly meeting for the High School Current Events Co-op class. Oh, I just love teaching these kids. Way too many were out this week for various reasons, but I sure enjoyed hanging out with the ones that did make it.
This class have a very conversational tone to it. We discuss various headline events of the day, and we also follow along with a monthly news magazine that is similar to the old Weekly Readers magazines my school subscribed to back in the day. I used to love Weekly Reader days, because it meant we didn't have 'real' school for that hour or so.
Anyway, today's focus was on a couple of the articles for this month. One was entitled, "Iran: What Happened to the Persian Empire?". The focus was on the history of Persia from Bible times, and how it was on the cutting edge of science and inquiry and culture for much of world history, until the religious clerics took over the rule of the government in 1979 (remember the Iran hostage crisis? That was these folks). Former rights that Iranians enjoyed as free citizens have all but vanished. However, over 2/3 of the population of Iran is under 30, and they are very disillusioned with their government and its control. Social media only fuels their desire for change, despite the intense persecution they face if they are too vocal. They also are seeking authentic religion, and are very open to the gospel.
We also talked about the Taureg nomads from Niger. Niger (in Africa) is in the middle of a devastating drought, and members of this tribe are being forced to sell or barter their animals for food, and they are still starving. This is a culture where a man's worth is measured by the number of animals he owns. When a man is forced to part with his last animal to survive, where does his sense of identity come from, especially if he does not know God? The discussion came around full circle as we talked about where people from all times and places have placed their security--money, crops, fame, comfort, freedom from illness, stuff, people, love/lust. It all means nothing apart from God. Now, of course, these kids have heard this for years, but I sure do like being part of their reminders of why they should never take their freedoms, or their responsibilities, for granted.
To kind of tie it all together, we had two very different culinary experiences. First, they had the chance to try some rugulach, a pastry famous in the Middle East (Islam and Jewish cultures alike) for its symbolic decadence. It is normally served as part of special feasts or holidays. Then, they tasted millet, a staple grain in Niger/Africa. It has been all the nomads have been able to find to eat for years now, and currently 'costs' two goats for about 400 pounds of millet, which is all the family eats for every meal. Have you ever had millet? It is not the tastiest of grains, even with salt and garlic and butter added (which they did not have today). I hope they came away with a better understanding of and appreciation for what their parents may be serving (or NOT serving) for supper tonight or breakfast tomorrow.
I sure do love hanging out with these kids. Feel free to join us if you ever get the chance--third Tuesdays from 3:00 - 4:00. Just follow the funky food smells.
Posted by: Charla M.
This class have a very conversational tone to it. We discuss various headline events of the day, and we also follow along with a monthly news magazine that is similar to the old Weekly Readers magazines my school subscribed to back in the day. I used to love Weekly Reader days, because it meant we didn't have 'real' school for that hour or so.
Anyway, today's focus was on a couple of the articles for this month. One was entitled, "Iran: What Happened to the Persian Empire?". The focus was on the history of Persia from Bible times, and how it was on the cutting edge of science and inquiry and culture for much of world history, until the religious clerics took over the rule of the government in 1979 (remember the Iran hostage crisis? That was these folks). Former rights that Iranians enjoyed as free citizens have all but vanished. However, over 2/3 of the population of Iran is under 30, and they are very disillusioned with their government and its control. Social media only fuels their desire for change, despite the intense persecution they face if they are too vocal. They also are seeking authentic religion, and are very open to the gospel.
We also talked about the Taureg nomads from Niger. Niger (in Africa) is in the middle of a devastating drought, and members of this tribe are being forced to sell or barter their animals for food, and they are still starving. This is a culture where a man's worth is measured by the number of animals he owns. When a man is forced to part with his last animal to survive, where does his sense of identity come from, especially if he does not know God? The discussion came around full circle as we talked about where people from all times and places have placed their security--money, crops, fame, comfort, freedom from illness, stuff, people, love/lust. It all means nothing apart from God. Now, of course, these kids have heard this for years, but I sure do like being part of their reminders of why they should never take their freedoms, or their responsibilities, for granted.
To kind of tie it all together, we had two very different culinary experiences. First, they had the chance to try some rugulach, a pastry famous in the Middle East (Islam and Jewish cultures alike) for its symbolic decadence. It is normally served as part of special feasts or holidays. Then, they tasted millet, a staple grain in Niger/Africa. It has been all the nomads have been able to find to eat for years now, and currently 'costs' two goats for about 400 pounds of millet, which is all the family eats for every meal. Have you ever had millet? It is not the tastiest of grains, even with salt and garlic and butter added (which they did not have today). I hope they came away with a better understanding of and appreciation for what their parents may be serving (or NOT serving) for supper tonight or breakfast tomorrow.
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| Rugulach from Corner Bakery |
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| Millet from my kitchen, the anti-Corner Bakery |
I sure do love hanging out with these kids. Feel free to join us if you ever get the chance--third Tuesdays from 3:00 - 4:00. Just follow the funky food smells.
Posted by: Charla M.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Anne of Green Gables, ReACHE style
I love attending plays. I used to love performing in them as well. My last play was when I auditioned for the lead role in Mary Poppins. I ended up being the Bird Woman. The only non-speaking/non-singing role in the whole play. I blame it on my coke-bottled, tinted '80s glasses. The world of small town theater just wasn't ready to embrace a modern day Mary. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Fast forward 25ish years. Now, I get to live vicariously through my boys' performances, and I am still loving it. This year's ReACHE production of Anne of Green Gables opened earlier today, and once again, Kim Lepone has done an amazing job of pulling together a stellar cast, crew and program. I wrote about the Fall production of A Thread That Runs So True last year, and all of those same sentiments ring true with this production as well. (I just re-read that post. I think my brain cells worked much better then. You can read it here). So much goes into making these productions happen, and every part of it is necessary. Some parts are large, some are small, and many are truly behind the scenes and only known by a few, but all are important. This is true again this year.
I had the best seat in the house today, but didn't get any pictures during the performance because I did not want to throw off their timing. But I did catch a few shots to give you a feel for the day.
If you are a homeschooling family, and have any spare time to attend, I highly recommend it. It is not only in support of the countless hours that these folks have put into this play, but it would be so encouraging for all parents to see such a large group of homeschooled kids that are not only articulate and entertaining, but they aren't drooling and sucking their fingers in the corner because they aren't being exposed enough to that whole socialization thing.
Tickets are still available for the Thursday and Saturday night performances, which last from 6-8pm, at the Word of Life Church on Lakeland Drive in Flowood.
Written by: Charla M.
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| (I couldn't resist this--it was actually taken after one of the rehearsals for Mary Poppins) |
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Fast forward 25ish years. Now, I get to live vicariously through my boys' performances, and I am still loving it. This year's ReACHE production of Anne of Green Gables opened earlier today, and once again, Kim Lepone has done an amazing job of pulling together a stellar cast, crew and program. I wrote about the Fall production of A Thread That Runs So True last year, and all of those same sentiments ring true with this production as well. (I just re-read that post. I think my brain cells worked much better then. You can read it here). So much goes into making these productions happen, and every part of it is necessary. Some parts are large, some are small, and many are truly behind the scenes and only known by a few, but all are important. This is true again this year.
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I had the best seat in the house today, but didn't get any pictures during the performance because I did not want to throw off their timing. But I did catch a few shots to give you a feel for the day.
If you are a homeschooling family, and have any spare time to attend, I highly recommend it. It is not only in support of the countless hours that these folks have put into this play, but it would be so encouraging for all parents to see such a large group of homeschooled kids that are not only articulate and entertaining, but they aren't drooling and sucking their fingers in the corner because they aren't being exposed enough to that whole socialization thing.
Tickets are still available for the Thursday and Saturday night performances, which last from 6-8pm, at the Word of Life Church on Lakeland Drive in Flowood.
Written by: Charla M.
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