Category Archives: General BPA

Thermometers and thermostats

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

Thermometers and thermostats seem similar on the surface. Both deal with environmental temperature. Both use numbers. But inside they are very different. Thermometers simply tell you the temperature of the area. They offer a reading of the local temperature. This is handy but not life changing. It cannot to anything to change the environment, it only reflects it. A thermostat, on the other hand, does not tell you what the temperature is. It tells you … read on, my friend…

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What exactly is a principle?

Posted on February 11, 2011 by

What is a principle? I’m so glad you asked! It is best to start at the beginning, after all. Webster’s 1828 defines it generally as: PRIN’CIPLE, n. [L. principium, beginning.] 1. In a general sense, the cause, source or origin of any thing; that from which a thing proceeds; as the principle of motion; the principles of action. In the Biblical Principle Approach, a principle is that from which a subject springs. Principles are the … read on, my friend…

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Why teach from Biblical Principles?

Posted on January 28, 2011 by

It’s the way Jesus taught.The Pharisees didn’t like his approach much. They wanted facts, rules. He got to the heart of the matter. He was able to sum up the 10 commandments in two principles. His approach frustrates the flesh but gives life to the spirit. There are more examples of His teaching methods than I can list here but I recommend the book Teaching Techniques of Jesus by Herman Horne. It’s good to begin … read on, my friend…

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Homeschooling is a bit like nursing

Posted on October 31, 2010 by

Since I have started working again I have noticed there are a few correlations between what I do now and home educating. Individual attention. I have two patients and so I am able to concentrate only on them. Specialization. It takes a special skill set to work as an ICU RN. It also takes a special skill set to homeschool. Continuing education. You are always learning as a nurse and as a home educator. If … read on, my friend…

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5 things America got right

Posted on October 20, 2010 by

“I know my own principles to be pure and therefore am not ashamed of them. On the contrary, I wish them known and therefore willingly express them to everyone. They are the same I have acted on from the year 1775 to this day, and are the same, I am sure, with those of the great body of the American people.” Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Samuel Smith, 1798 1. Separation of powers The … read on, my friend…

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Gentle BPA

Posted on June 1, 2010 by

With all the trappings of Biblical Principle Approach–word studies, 4-Ring, notebooks, the Red Books, Rudiments, etc., you can easily get overwhelmed and frustrated. Your idea of home education is not caught up in books and all that research, but in being with your children, learning alongside them. There is a way to do both. Ease into the whole BPA mindset. It takes time and effort to reformulate your ideas of American Christian education, to get … read on, my friend…

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Transitioning to Biblical Principle Approach

Posted on November 18, 2009 by

BPA is so exciting, so life changing, so excellent that those new to this approach can, in their zeal, overdo things and burnout quickly. It can leave you feeling like you have failed or that BPA is not a fit for you. Because it requires more on the part of the parent-teacher, it takes more time to make the changes you desire to see in your homeschool. It is not a matter of simply tossing … read on, my friend…

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R Road book giveaway

Posted on August 18, 2009 by

I haven’t had a contest in a long time and I love this book, so I thought I would give away a copy to a fortunate reader. Lisa Hodgen’s new book Freedom & Simplicity on the R Road to Biblical Wisdom: A “How to” Guide to Biblical Learning in Home Education is one of new favorite books. I reviewed it at The Curriculum Choice so I won’t rehash it here. Just know that I think … read on, my friend…

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Life is tasty in small bites

Posted on August 17, 2009 by

Being an all or nothing kind of person, I tend to “go big or go home.” I struggle with the idea of just a little of anything, which is why I avoid certain situations where my tendencies could get me into a lot of trouble. But as I get older I am starting to see the value of incremental living. Because I still have very small children my life is chopped into a hundred little … read on, my friend…

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Enjoying a good word study

Posted on March 8, 2009 by

Word studies are hard. And dry. And time-consuming. At least that’s how some people see it. Even the title makes me chortle. Who ever heard of such a thing as actually being fun? Well, everything we do for our kids’ education can be something we enjoy. If not all of it, then at least some part. You may not know what a word study is. Or you may avoid them. Or you may do them … read on, my friend…

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