Two of the subjects we do in school are handwriting and spelling. I’ve noticed some similarities and some differences in both of these subjects.
We take tests for both handwriting and spelling. We also do work-text pages for both subjects. We write in both subjects.
But there are many differences between handwriting and spelling. In spelling, we learn how to write words, but in handwriting we learn how to spell words neatly and correctly. In spelling, we study parts of words, like prefixes. However, in handwriting we write poems and paragraphs. In spelling, we also write in journals. We don’t do handwriting every day, but we do spelling every day.
I like both of them because we learn how to read and write. But I would probably want to do handwriting, but spelling helps you read books. So…I don’t know which one I like best.
August 24th–the first day of school for Gospel Haven Academy– a day much-anticipated by all the excited, smiling students (maybe a little bit dramatic but you all get the picture). Some eagerly skipping and others reluctantly shuffling, they all are greeted by the joyful, warm smiles of their teachers.
The first part of the morning was spent in the classrooms getting to better know each other and becoming acquainted with expectations and protocol for the year.
After the first bell, the students filed into the chapel where Mr. K. introduced each student and staff member, and reviewed our theme verse for the year, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7). Just as the early Christians fought the fear of being persecuted, he encouraged us to not allow a fear of what people may think about us, say about us, or do to us to hold us back from God’s invitation and call on our lives.
The focus then shifted to the discovering of prayer partners. Each year, the older students are paired with the younger students as prayer partners. Each student received a name, taped to their back. In their attempt to discover whose name was on their back, the students were forbidden to ask anything, except yes or no questions.
After everyone was aquainted with their new prayer partner, the assembly transitioned to the gym for some team games.
Each team, consisting of 8 people (4 pairs of prayer partners), were told to stand on a blanket and–without stepping off the blanket–flip it to its opposite side.
After this was accomplished by each team, they were ordered to link arms and a hula hoop was passed around the circle with everyone having to pass through the hoop.
Mr. K. then called everyone to attention outside where he launched a rocket. The first launch went well, but when a more powerful “engine” was inserted, the rocket surpassed the expectations of all and flew so high was almost out of sight. Unfortunately, the wind caught hold of the rocket and it was stranded at the top of a tall tree…
It was an unfortunate circumstance, indeed, but the students were soon distracted by the ice-cream served to them. After all the ice cream was consumed, the students headed back to their classrooms. Here, they were gifted with some parting words of wisdom from their teachers and dismissed to return the next morning, eager to learn.
Overall, I believe it is safe to say that the day was a smashing success! “In all my 14 years of teaching, I think this was possibly the best first day of school ever!” exclaimed Miss K as the students dispersed.
GHA’s new Kindergarten program is gaining steam. Parents are noticing, staff members are excited, and students are excelling.
Recently, we captured some “film” to share at least a small glimpse of what happens in “that room by the gym.”
Kiana Reading:
Working out a shape puzzle (?–I forget what it’s really called)
GHA Kindergarten will be hosting “Kindergarten Discovery Day” on March 22 to serve as an open house for incoming Kindergarten students for the 2010-11 Term. To register your student to attend, please call or text Mr. K at 330-204-5498.
On February 5, The Flames hosted a quiz tournament for 2 teams from Cornerstone Christian school from PA, 3 teams from the Christian Life Homeschool co-op, and of course 1 GHA team. After a morning of round-robin quizzing the Flames found themselves in last place with the bottom seed for the playoffs.
In the playoffs is were the team really came alive. In the first round of the playoffs the flames fought hard and Kelsi Miller answered 2 key bonus questions, which helped lock-down first place in the quiz with a close score of 50-40-30. With this win, the flames advanced to the finals.
The Flames saved their very best quizzing for the finals with Ashton Troyer, Jenson Coblentz, and Tyler Stolzfus stepping up and answering some tough questions. On question 18, Tyler Stoltzfus pulled out a great jump and answered the question correctly to put the Flames in the lead, which they held to the final question (see video below). In the end the Flames edged out a Cornerstone team and the Christian Life Witnesses with a score of 100-70-90. The stellar quizzing of Ashton Troyer, who has really been an anchor for this GHA quiz team (and scored 60 points in the championship round), earned him an all- star award. “After our performance in the first matches, no one expected us to go anywhere in the playoffs. It felt good to finish strong” noted Jenson Coblentz after the match.
It was a good finish for the quiz team and their coach Galen Kauffman, who helped bring quizzing to GHA. ”Even though we finished strong for the win, there is so much we can do to improve for next year. I’m hoping this can help some more get excited about quizzing for next year, and memorize a lot of Scripture!” Next year’s passage will be Matthew 4-7.
Matt Yoder, 2010 GHA graduate and son of Paul & Darlene Yoder, is currently serving in a mission school near Cayo, Belize. We asked Matt to share a little snapshot of his day-to-day routine, and how his experiences are shaping him…
Most mornings around here start with awaking to the sound of my alarm clock at 5:15 and preparing for another day at school. The intention is to leave for school by 6:30, although at times the reality is something slightly different. My two co-teachers and I have a 15 minute walk to school, or a two minute drive, depending on the morning. School begins at 7:15 so by 7:00 students are beginning to arrive. The reason we start this early is so when “dry” season comes around, our labors are done before the afternoon sun scorches our brains.
Matt (3rd from right) posing with his fellow teachers
I teach in the “big room” which consists of thirty-four students and three teachers. I have eleven students ranging from grades 7-11. The rest of the forenoon pretty much goes like a normal school day in the states. There are kids who need extra help, then there are some who do everything on their own. Two breaks throughout the morning provide some much-needed brain rests, then by 12:15, dismissal time has come and we send the students home.
With this being my first year as a teacher, some of the challenges I face are in knowing how to handle certain disputes and situations when there needs to be an immediate answer. Another challenge that comes upon me at times is in trying to get my explanations across in a way that is easy for the student to comprehend. At times it seems difficult to do, but one of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing the students eyes light up and realizing they “get” it. Finding the student has done a good job on his/her test adds to the list of rewarding parts.
My students on the night of the program singing away. Unfortunately, some of them are in their "costumes"--not their new clothes
Having a proper student/teacher relationship should also be included in the rewarding parts of teaching school. From the missionary’s perspective, some challenges are knowing how to respond to questions and certain situations that arise, since there are four young guys that are at our house a lot of the time.
The rewarding part of the missionary that I’m trying to be is seeing evidences of the Christian life in the guys that hang out with us. It’s crazy how obvious the change is in a person when the Spirit of God is in his life. It’s amazing how pleasant and “chill” the guys are when they “di win Satan,” and when they are losing the battle they seem so incredibly annoying. There is such a distinct difference.
Posing by a wrecked plan in the bush
The pressures of responsibility, I believe, are helping me to grow personally. Realizing that I am a role model to the guys and others at all times has definitely led me to think responsibly for everything that I do. The eyes are always on the “gringos.”
Living in Belize, my perspective on America has changed “sek ah” living in a “nex” culture (although I still immensely like living in the states). My perspective of Christianity has also changed as a result of living in a mission setting.
My learning experiences at GHA greatly enhanced my desire to teach. Some of the courses I took and opportunities I was given at GHA gave me ideas on what teaching would be like (I once had the privilege of “student teaching” 1st grade science for a week my senior year).
The Life-Shaping Decisions class, taught by Mr. Kauffman, was also beneficial as it caused us to think a great deal on our future, what our gifts and interests really are, and the importance of using these resources for God’s greatest glory!
The 4th-5th graders recently had a contest—boys against girls. Whoever had the most money at the end of the month won. It might sound unnerving because there are 6 girls and 3 boys. So, Miss Coblentz helped the boys.
Everyone was asking people for their change, saving it up, and bringing it in to school. By the end of the month, the girls had more money saved. The boys had $240 and the girls had $280. Altogether, we had $520, but someone donated $81 so we had $601.
Us girls decided that we should send the money to Asia to buy a Water Buffalo that gives milk, pulls a plow, and pulls a wagon–and 2 chickens that give eggs and/or meat. Also, ten bed nets that keep out mosquitoes that with one bite can kill and one filter that cleans water because there are diseases in it. We hope we can help lots of people!
-written by Sasha Yoder, Grade 5
Following is a video published by Gospel for Asia with a testimony from a family that received gifts through GFA.
In this video, Will Shetler grabs the rebound and passes it up to Jordan Stoltzfus, who finishes off the play with 2pts.
After giving up a 12-point lead, GHA Flames trailed by 8 points in the 4th Quarter. However, in last several minutes, the Flames put the game away with a commanding 9 point victory.
Second grade wrote shape poems today about kites. Some of these poems
bring tears to my eyes. In their writing, I see their shining young souls.
- Miss Miller
Kites
red, yellow
orange, brown, green,
They zoom across the sky.
I like to see them dance up there.
And the wind whistling.
And I heard a
boom!
They
zoom.
They dance
through the air.
They wiggle their tails.
Their tails are
pink and
blue.
I
chase
my blue
brother kite
across the sky.
We are playing tag.
I like playing
tag with my
brother.
Kites
zoom.
Kites wiggle
their tails. Kites
dance. Their ribbons
are orange. My kite is
red. They wiggle
their
tales.
Kites
are red,
yellow, and
brown. It dances
in the blue, blue sky. It
likes to glance in
the sky and it
flutters and
dances.
Kites
pink green
brown colorful
yellow blue red
orange. If I were
a kite I would chase
my brother
I would be
pink.
it
flies
while the wind
sings. it turns
while the wind blows.
it is green in the sun,
it is blue in moon
it dances in
the wind.
I
will
fly my
kite in the
sky in the waving
air it flies
singing
zooming
dancing
Is There A Difference Between Public and Christian Education?
You already know the short answer to this question. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t. But what are the differences? How far-reaching are they, and how might they affect your children? These are the real questions, and we’ll attempt to answer them here.
The Myth of Neutral Education
Most educators, and far too many parents, have bought into the myth that education can be “religion-neutral.” They’re convinced that teachers can train the mind without shaping attitudes, behavior or spiritual beliefs.
The company line goes something like this: government schools will supply the raw data -- the “neutral” facts -- and parents can add the value system at home.
Here’s the problem. Even in schools that try their level best to achieve academic objectivity -- and there are precious few of them -- the goal is never reached, because neutral education is impossible.
In Romans 12:2, Paul observes the vital link between what we learn and what we become. All of us, your children included, are transformed by the renewing of our minds, a task made impossible when the primary impetus for that renewal -- the Bible -- is either not taught at all, or else reduced to a history book.
“The school system that ignores God teaches its pupils to ignore God,” writes Gordon Clark. “This is not neutrality. It is the worst form of antagonism, for it judges God to be unimportant and irrelevant in human affairs. This is atheism.”
The Agony of Apathy
For argument’s sake, let’s say that educational neutrality is possible; that teachers can create a sterile environment -- an educational vacuum, if you will -- in which the mind is stimulated while the spirit remains unaffected. Even if a school could achieve that end, the Bible clearly urges you not to send your children there. In fact, the strongest indictment against neutrality comes from Jesus Himself.
"In just one generation, most Christian students will graduate from (public) high school and begin their lives operating from a pagan worldview." ~The Nehemiah Institute
“He who is not with me is against me,” He said (Matthew 12:30). Schools that strive for neutrality are nothing more than apathetic or lukewarm. And when you place your children in that kind of environment, you’re sending them to an institution that, in the Lord’s own words, should be considered an enemy.
It’s worth noting that the founders of America’s public school system, John Dewey and Horace Mann, openly expressed their hatred of Christianity. They freely admitted to being “against” Jesus. But even when public schools try to straddle the religious fence, they always fall down. And they always land on the side opposite God.
Only 9% of born-again teens believe in moral absolutes. Where are they being fed the truth-is-relative propaganda? Public schools. ~The Barna Research Group
This can’t help but have an adverse affect on your children. If you administer healthy amounts of damage control, you may be able to reduce the negative impact. But you’ll never eliminate it. Because when fable replaces fact in the classroom, when relativism replaces absolutism, it not only dishonors and displeases the Creator. It deceives those who follow Him, all the more when the recipients of such propaganda are young, impressionable students.
Two Kinds of Builders
Jesus placed all builders into one of two groups; those who build on a solid foundation and those who don’t. Herein lies the primary difference between Christian and public education. One builds its academic house on the unwavering truths of God’s Word; the other on the shifting sand of moral relativism.
"An education that trains the mind without training the moral sense is a menace to civilization rather than a help." ~J. Gresham Machen
The results are predictable enough. Christian schools teach students to understand and live all of life with an eternal perspective, while maintaining a daily, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Government schools, on the other hand, teach children that God is either irrelevant or non-existent. Jesus Christ, if mentioned at all, is said to be nothing more than a good, moral teacher.
From these philosophical differences spring forth many practical ones. For example, public schools teach young people that man landed on the moon. But Christian students learn that space travel would have been impossible unless both man and space had been created.
These disparities are significant, but at the end of the day they all stem from a foundational difference of opinion. By sending your children to a Christian school, you’ll be moving them into a house built on a foundation of absolute truth instead of absolute relativism. And years from now, when the strong winds of life blow in, that strong foundation, together with your own positive influence, will combine to help keep your children from falling, and in the end, to stand.
"For over one hundred years, Americans have been running a gigantic experiment in government schools, trying to find out what a society looks like without God. Now we know." -Douglas Wilson, author of Excused Absence
Big Ideas to Consider:
1. There are basically two kingdoms: a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. It seems strange to have those who walk in darkness educate children of light. It doesn't fit.
2. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.
3. All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.
4. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should provide a godly education 24/7.
5. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.
6. Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child -- social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual -- reaches the possibility of excellence.
7. The best preparation for effective service is to be well grounded in one's mind before direct engagement of the culture.
