Drawing to Learn

Choosing a homeschool Bible study curriculum has always been difficult for me. I don't know exactly why, but finding just the right fit for our children--at the right level, covering the right material, in the right way--ack. It's just been hard. Some curriculum in the past has sapped the joy right out of study, and others has seemed totally out-of-step with where we are as a family of faith. I think that this just comes with looking to someone else to read Scripture for you, to divide it up into nuggets of wisdom worth sharing, and then to present it to you (or your kids) in such a way that they think is best. This is a very effective way of doing Bible study in a lot of cases, but works off of the "one size fits all" philosophy...and with Bible studies, as with swimsuit shopping, I can't just buy the popular styles at Target or Land's End even. I'm fickle that way, and it drives. me. nuts.

Well, I've solved it. For now (I've learned that even when I think I've figured out a "fix", it is almost never permanent...so as much as I think my solution is for all time, I know better).

 It involves two elements: Dr. Horner's Bible Reading System (Gasp! Really? You need to read the whole bible to study it? Who knew?), and the delightfully simple "Draw to Learn" program put out by Notgrass Publishing. I'll let the links provided speak for the actual elements themselves, though I will point out that although a little girl is shown with one of the Draw to Learn books, it is easily used by all ages. I'll also say that we regularly study the Scriptures as a family, so the lighthearted and "simple" approach of Draw to Learn is the perfect counterweight to our normal Bible Study routine. It has been an unexpected blessing.  I find that those kind are the best. :)

I wanted to show a few of the sweet (and sometimes unexpected and/or funny) pictures my girls have drawn from ideas found in the Book of Proverbs, so as to remember them always.

First, Belle:

"Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many."  Proverbs 4:10   Instruction: Think of a dream you have for the future, and then illustrate the dream.  Belle wants to continue homeschooling through high school and college, then she wants to become a police officer, and then when she has children she wants to stay home with them.  Deep breath.  :)

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
         "And with all your acquiring, get understanding. “Prize her, and she will exalt you;
         She will honor you if you embrace her.
“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
         She will present you with a crown of beauty.” Proverbs 4:7-9
This is Belle wearing her crown...and telling someone to hold on a second.

The instruction on this day was to draw a picture of one of her grandfathers, with the emphasis on  her grandfather's teachings.  Belle couldn't resist drawing a hunting scenario with she and Bucky in camo, where Bucky is taking aim at a moose while she seems to be cheering behind him.

She also couldn't resist pointing out that she added some hair that she gave him after a trim.  Inside joke.

"The wise will inherit honor,
  But fools display dishonor." Proverbs 3:35  It's a major award! 

The LORD blesses the house of the righteous.  We have a reservation. :)

"If I keep wisdom and discretion, my sleep will be sweet."  Proverbs 3:21-26  The instruction was to make an illustration of her sweet sleep.  I love that those things that she draws that are involved in her sweep slumber: books, horses, howling wolves, doves of peace, and "the boys", a reference to a picture of her cousins that she looks at each night before she goes to sleep.

"By understanding the LORD established the heavens." Proverbs 3:19  I'm bummed that I could not flip this image, but if you cock your head you will see a clever depiction of a wolf howling at the moon in a starry night sky.

"The LORD loves and corrects like a father who delights in his daughter."  Proverbs 3:11-12  Instruction: Fill up the frame with your father's face when it is filled with delight because he loves you.  Thank God for the discipline you received from God and from your dad. 

"Fearing the LORD helps my body."  Proverbs 3:7-8  Belle looks like a cupie doll in this drawing.  LOL

 I will acknowledge the LORD in all my ways. Proverbs 3:5-6   Instruction: Think about something you do and about how you can honor God when you do it.

The LORD gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  Proverbs 2:6-22  Instruction: Illustrate the LORD giving us His word.  I think these are members of the Aaronic Priesthood receiving a Torah scroll from a nail-scarred hand. Pretty deep for an 11-year-old.

I will keep my feet from the path of sinners. Proverbs 1:10-19  Instruction: Illustrate keeping your feet on the straight and narrow path, and off the path of sinners.  The orange-red scribble on the left is--I think--the burning bush asking "What does your heart say?", while the impish face on the right calls out "Come this way.  It's fun!"  The path on the left contains daily bread, water, good, life, truth and heaven.  The path on the right has lies, murder, blood, evil, sin and death.

 

Now Marah:

Proverbs gives us wisdom and understanding. ~Proverbs 1:1-6

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7 Instruction: Illustrate a beginning.  In this case, Moo drew a morning.

I will hear my father's instruction. Proverbs 1:8-9  I love that she gave him red hair. :)

I will not forsake my mother's teaching.  Proverbs 1:8-9  Instruction: Draw your mother in a place where you often see her.  Like my new haircut?

I will keep my feet from the path of sinners.  Proverbs 1:10-19   Which way to go? Which way to go?  My vote is to the left.  Though if going Bigfoot hunting, I'd go right. 

Wisdom calls.  The one who listens will live in safety.  Proverbs 1:20-33  Instruction: Draw a room where you feel safe.  Include people and/or objects that make you feel safe.  Ahh...snuggled up on the couch with their favorite blankets, reading next to one another during a thunderstorm.  Love it.

The wise search for wisdom like people search for hidden treasure.  Proverbs 2:1-5

I will write kindness and truth on my heart.  Proverbs 3:3-4

I will acknowledge the LORD in all my ways.  Proverbs 3:5-6

The LORD loves and corrects like a father who delights in his daughter.  Proverbs 3:11-12  

Daddy.

Wisdom is better than silver, gold, and gems.  Proverbs 3:13-16

Wisdom is a tree of life--specifically, a pear tree--to those who hold her fast.  Proverbs 3:17-18  

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth.  Proverbs 3:19  Instruction:  Draw a beautiful scene of the earth God created by His wisdom.  Here you will see the influence of our current botany class--the leaf and cellular structures of the plants are shown.

By understanding the LORD established the heavens.  Proverbs 3:19  Pictured (as described by the artist): solar flares, a waxing moon, and a white dwarf.  Sheesh...homeschooler.  ;)

How I treat my neighbor is important to the LORD.  Proverbs 3:27-29

The LORD blesses the house of the righteous.  Proverbs 3:30-34  This is our house in Nashville.

The wise inherit honor.  Proverbs 3:35

I hear the words of my father's mouth.  Proverbs 4:1-6   Instruction: Draw a picture of both of your grandfathers.  That is Jerry Grant on the left, and Ronald Priebe on the right. 

Wisdom will give me a beautiful crown.  Proverbs 4:7-9  Moo had me look this up for her. This crown displays the Hebrew word for wisdom: חָ֭כְמָה, or  "hokmah".  Interestingly, this word denotes active skill, not merely head knowledge.

Many years is the blessing for accepting the teaching of my parents.  Proverbs 4:10  Instruction: Think of a dream you have for the future, and illustrate.  This is moo with her daughter.  In the foreground, she has drawn a director's stand...she wants to be a children's choir director when she grows up.