Elf On The Shelf: Operation Ralph!

Operation Ralph begins tonight!  For the next few weeks Ralph will be handing out assignments to encourage the kids to do random acts of kindness.  An assignment will be given every other day through December 25th and will include a Bible verse for the kiddos to look up. Our goal is for the kids to focus on the real reason for the season and to share God's love with others.

ASSIGNMENT #1

Elf On The Shelf With A Twist

I have already started to think about how I will approach Elf on the Shelf this year. Although we do not participate in the Santa tradition, my kids had fun seeing what our crazy Elf was up to each night knowing that mom was behind the silly antics.  It was all in good fun but frankly it was a lot of work. I would still like to bring Ralph the Elf out this year but have decided to go in a different direction. Ralph will only make appearances every other day beginning December 1 and will be leaving holiday assignments for the kids to complete. These assignments will focus on putting others first. I would like to include scripture verses with each assignment. Ralph's every other day appearances will allow the kids time to complete their assignment. I have several ideas already but would love some suggestions. Here is what I have so far...

 Elf on the Shelf Holiday Assignments

1. Buy a gift for a needy child. 

2. Do something kind for a friend.

3. Make and send a Christmas card to a senior in our church. 

4. Make & deliver baked goods to a neighbor or shut-in. 

5. Donate some of your toys & clothes to the needy. 

6. Secretly pay for a family's meal. 

7. Leave a tract in a public place. 

8. Do something thoughtful for your siblings. 

9. Give up something important to you for 1 day and reflect on all God has given you. Write a prayer of thanksgiving. 

10. Honor your parents today by obeying immediately without complaints. 

11. Journal about your experience this month and tell which assignment was your favorite and why. 

The more ideas the better because I can always use them next year!

First Quarter Complete!

Today I handed out report cards for the first nine weeks of school. They all made straight A's and I am so proud of all their hard work and patience as we adjusted to new curriculum.  We've had to make several adjustments but the boys are still using Trail Guide To Learning: Paths of Exploration as their core curriculum in addition to Easy Grammar and Math-U-See.  Hannah is using A Beka for phonics, spelling, reading, language, science and writing.  She is also using Math-U-See and loves it! We are using our Awana curriculum for Bible which has allowed them to really learn and understand those truths instead of memorizing their verses just to pass sections. 

During our first nine weeks of school we have learned about the explorations of Christopher Columbus and are currently halfway through our unit study on Jamestown. I think my favorite part is watching the kids learn about these moments in history and then creatively expressing that new information through drawings.  Here are a few of my favorites:

by Devin

by David

by Hannah