education

When Real Life Sneaks Into Sunday School

Karen Brown4 Comments

daniel-von-appen-375405

I’m a licensed and experienced teacher, mom of four, former homeschooler, and have taught Sunday school too many times to count.

And I’m actually nervous about this week’s elementary lesson.

The scheduled text is on Peter and the Beggar. It’s the story where Peter and John approach the temple to pray and meet a beggar at the gate. They heal him in the name of Jesus, and send him off  “walking and leaping and praising God.”

I’ve taught this group several times. I’ve even presented this story before. But like all teachers , I’m anticipating my students’ questions, and this is where the nerves are kicking in…

I’m imagining a few raised hands this week… Continue reading →

Surviving High School With Your Introverted Child

Karen Brown2 Comments

photo-1417577792096-106a2c4e353d

An enthusiastic cheerleader’s voice boomed through the loudspeaker over our heads and echoed down the shiny, tile hallway. Our little group paused until it was over.

“Sorry about that. Big game tonight.” The assistant principal said with a smile. He then motioned us toward a doorway marked “125”.  Inside, students were huddled together over papers and chrome books, talking and writing. They looked up at us briefly.

“This is one of our history classes. The students here are working on a group project,” he explained.

We watched for a while, then continued our tour. We were new parents and students, getting informed and oriented before the next school year. The following thirty minutes were spent moving from one spot to the next, as students pushed past each other in the hallway, reached across each other in the cafeteria, and talked over each other at classroom tables. It was a loud, busy place.

Personally, I loved high school, and happy memories washed over me that day. The energy of games, clubs, and social activities fueled me through my academics, and I thrived in it all.

But now, as a parent, I was seeing things through my daughter’s eyes. With her in mind, even this short tour made me tired.

She is extremely introverted person, and I realized I had to do some very intentional parenting for us both to survive until graduation day.  Continue reading →

Our Effin’ Summer Plan (It’s not what you think…)

Karen Brown7 Comments

A couple of people have asked me to post this. I hesitate for fear of people thinking I’m a parenting expert in any way. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. At. All.

However, I have tried various ways to keep my teens active, learning, helpful, and growing over the summer. About four years ago, I came up with this plan, and it stuck.

Enough set-up. Here’s what we do. Not perfectly. Not without grumbling. But it seems to keep us out of trouble… Continue reading →

Sunday School Lessons I Wish I Never Taught

Karen Brown12 Comments
Sunday_school_at_the_Baptist_church_which_is_not_on_company_property_and_was_built_by_the_miners._Lejunior,_Harlan..._-_NARA_-_541342
Photo Source

As a Sunday school coordinator, and as our session is ending, I’ve been thinking a lot about what our students have learned this year.

We studied parables, Old Testament prophecies, the significance of the Passover, and The Great Commission. I expected them to learn these things, and I’m glad they did. But as I observed, taught, and listened, I realize they also learned some lessons that we didn’t plan, lessons that might end up hurting them – and the church – in the end… Continue reading →

That One Kid

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Photo Source
As a teacher, I used strategies in the classroom to help distracted students pay attention. I sang, rang a bell, even stood on my chair, occasionally, to get their attention. And as a mom, I use similar strategies at home. I praise and reprimand my kids hoping that their siblings will also get the hint: “I really like the way Josh let everyone else go first…” I put my hand on my daughter’s shoulder to silently remind her to say thank you to her grandparents. And to really make a point Continue reading →

Twenty Years

Karen Brown3 Comments

As of last month, it’s been twenty years since my first-born was placed into my arms. It seems like yesterday, and so long ago at the same time.

I look at his tiny body in the picture and can’t believe that he is now a man: strong, talented, intelligent, sensitive, and godly.

And I look into the face of the young version of myself and remember. She is clueless about being a mother, but Continue reading →

Friendship on Purpose: A Letter to My Daughters

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Photo Credit

Dear Daughters,

As you get ready to enter new schools in the fall, it’s normal for you to be anxious for things to go well.

We’ve thoughtfully planned your core classes, electives, and extra curricular activities.

We made a list of supplies and will scour the stores for just the right binders, backpacks, and notebooks.

We’ve budgeted and will shop carefully for outfits that are practical, appropriate, and expressive.

You are pretty much ready, except for one thing.

We haven’t done anything to prepare you to sift though a big, new group of people in the hope of making godly friends. Often, the friendships that you have in middle school and high school can influence you so much more than your classes, supplies, and clothes. Therefore, I’d like to offer some advice and encouragement, to be just as intentional about getting ready for this part of your new school year. You can begin now to prepare to make friendships. You can do this…on purpose. Continue reading →

The Knowing

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Photo Credit
 
Click click click.
My high heels skittered across the classroom floor while I worked to finished the last of my bulletin boards. I took a deep breath, puffing myself up, and admired my work. School would start any minute and I was ready.
The art supplies were arranged and labeled in cute, colorful containers. The reading area was cozy and inviting. My lesson plans were complete and my teaching certificate hung on the wall.
Then my students arrived. Before the end of the first week, they left the markers uncapped and abused our class library. One child pulled and ripped the bulletin board border and another wrote a bad word on the cubbies. I clicked up and down the aisles, dragging those second graders through my lesson plans, but no one was learning. After a couple of weeks, the sight of my certificate made me cringe.

Continue reading →

An Offering in Cursive: A True Story

Karen Brown1 Comment
He’s a student I’ll always remember. It’s a story I’ll never forget.
It began on the first day of school, after the unpacking of markers, glue sticks, and tissue boxes, and after I had asked my students to write me a letter about themselves.
I stood in the back of the classroom watching them work, wondering what kind of year was ahead of me. It’s so hard to tell on the first day…

Continue reading →

A Non-Resignation Letter to Our Kids

Karen Brown4 Comments

To My Awesome Kids,

All four of you are in different stages of your education. Since I (Mom) feel a little panicky as I watch you grow up so quickly, I want to press pause for a moment to write you this letter.

Naturally, as a homeschooling family, parent and teacher roles have been been blurred for you. This was a good thing at home. I never wanted you feel like I had a dual personality (leave snide comments aside for now, teenagers), so “School-in-Session Mom” wasn’t too different from “Weekend Mom”.

This worked well for us. However, clearly defining the roles of parent and teacher might be beneficial now that you are getting older and entering into traditional schools. Even when my role as your school teacher ends, I’d like to make it clear that Dad and I are not resigning as your lead teachers in the following areas:

Continue reading →