You’re Invited to Tea Time with Sarah

In previous blog posts, I’ve shared about how “Tea Therapy” has been healthy for me and our children. I’ve also written about our Poetry Tea Time together.

In February, we hosted our first Medicinal Tea Workshop at Olive Branch Farm. Click here if you’d like details about attending our upcoming event: Creative Retreat – Tea Time, Gardening, Foraging, Pottery, Jewelry Making and More! The date is June 3, at Olive Branch Farm.

Since then, I’ve started a new Facebook group entitled Tea Time with Sarah Janisse Brown. I’d love for you to come join me! I’ve just put together 19 tea boxes, and am in the process of compiling orders for 15 more. Come to the group for details, and click here to order your box!

Disclaimer: Although we are firm believers in the benefits of herbal teas and herbal products, we are not medical practitioners and cannot diagnose or treat any disease.

Statements made on this website regarding the herbal and natural products offered on this website have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration as the FDA does not evaluate or test herbs.

The information presented on this site is provided for informational purposes only, it is not meant to substitute for medical advice or diagnosis provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Do not use this information to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or health condition.

If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, consult with your physician for diagnosis or treatment. Use herbs as per instructions and always watch for any allergic reactions.

You should always carefully read all product packaging and labels. Always consult your physician or health care provider before using any herbal products, especially if you have a medical problem.

We assume no liability for any injury, illness, or adverse effects caused by the misuse and/or use of the information or products presented on this website.

Please visit this FDA website to clear any confusions you have about food and dietary products and their ingredients: https://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/default.htm

We Learn Everywhere!

Fun-Schooling Happens EVERYWHERE!!!!

I was flipping through family photos and made a little collection of photos that show how my kids are learning without the traditional “Desk” approach… Sometimes they enjoy working at a desk or table, but the floor is also popular! Some kids love to be in the middle of everything and set up school at the coffee table in the family room. Others like to hangout on their beds to study.

Share your “Fun-School Everywhere” photos in the comments on this post in our Facebook group if you would like to!

My kids choose where they work. This freedom makes them so much more comfortable. One of the perks of Homeschooling!!!!

The Friday Bucket

How we use our Friday Bucket:

1.When the kids finish an activity I call 2 or 3 to each take two activities from the Friday Bucket.

2.They each decide on their favorite of the two.

3. Next they get to see what the other kids choose.

4. They have the choice to use their card, or join the other child in the activity they choose.

5. Anything that is not used goes back into the bucket, the used ones go into the other bucket.

What kinds of activities will you put in your bucket? How about trying it this week? Let us know what fun things your kids enjoyed!

Praying for the World

Over the years Josh and I have traveled to several countries. During our time in each one, we would feel called to sing and pray over the land and the people. These books each represent the countries we have traveled to and have committed to interceding for. The Lord had called us, His Bride, His Children, to pray for all the nations, and this is just one little idea for how to do it. Creating a book of prayer and blessings for each place we pray for.

I feel so strongly that these prayers are heard and answered and God is working in the world through the release of our prayers, supplications, decrees, songs and words of blessings over land and people.

God has given the earth to humans, it is ours to care for, protect, and nurture like a garden.

Humanity fails and blames God. But… in fervent prayer for the lands, the nations, the people, the governments, the church, the religious leaders, the sick, the bound, the suffering ones, the lost… we bring forth blessing, light, deliverance, power and healing on earth.

“The heavens belong to the Lord but the EARTH He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16

I want so much to be a good and faithful servant and leader in all the authority God has given me… over my family, and over these places in the earth where I have a calling and where I have authority to bring the blessings of the Kingdom of God down to Earth. Through prayer God releases power. Power of angel armies, power to bless, power to heal, power to bring deliverance and salvation! Prayer brings light into the darkness.

If you say you are part of God’s family, I just want to encourage you to take your authority in prayer and supplication over your family and over the land you have walked upon to pray… “Your Kingdom Come! Your Will Be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!”

Being an active member of the Kingdom of God is a great honor, joy, blessing and a great responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required. Don’t squander your role in your family or your role in God’s family.

UPDATE His Story: The Musical!

At the time of this writing, there are only 34 days until the opening of His Story: The Musical! Read here about the cast!

It’s pretty incredible to listen to Anna’s story about how she happened to write this musical…go here to see the tent raising!

Watch the video at the bottom!

Listen to the tracks, and get tickets and updates here!

Waldorf Method

What is Waldorf?

  • This is be a very brief overview
  • Similarish to Montessori- lots of overlap
    • Montessori begins formal lessons much younger
  • Developed by Austrian Rudolph Steiner over 100 years ago in Europe
  • Now spread around the world with homeschoolers and Waldorf schools
  • A “gentle” way of learning
  • Very tactile
    • Focuses on engaging head, heart, and hands
    • Big focus on practical life skills, the arts, and citizenship
    • Lots of creating of things like maps, mini-books, journals, illustrations, tactile math, etc
  • Focuses on using natural materials and engaging w/ nature whenever possible
    • Waldorf materials are largely wood, paper, and wool
    • Avoid plastic whenever possible
    • No technology or screens at all for younger children and very little for older
    • Lots of focus on the rhythms of the seasons
  • Go at the natural pace of each child vs forcing kids into a mold to meet x standard at x time
    • Encourages an “unhurried childhood”
    • No textbooks until 6th grade
    • Document learning in journals
    • Writing taught before reading
      • Like a way to communicate with art
  • Students work in blocks
    • Focus on one main subject at a time w/ up to 2 hours per day dedicated to that subject & stay with it for about 4 weeks at a time
  • Big focus on subjects public schools often drop
    • Art, music, playing instruments, crafts like knitting, drama, etc
    • Also teach things like breath work, relaxation techniques, mindful movement, self-care, etc.
  • Founded on the basis that they believe children go through 3 stages of development, each about 7 years
    • Birth-7 is all about:
      • Sensory development
      • Observing others and learning through doing
      • Play-based education
        • Not giving reading lessons or formal lessons yet
      • Lots of art, play, crafts, and learning to care for themselves and others
    • 7-14 years old focuses on:
      • Beginning of more “formal” lessons
      • Reading is taught in 2nd grade / around age 8
      • Lessons focus on engaging wonder, creativity, and feelings
      • Lots of fairy tales and beautiful stories
      • Study other cultures and biographies
      • Elementary years have a lot of storytelling, drama, rhythmic movement, visual arts, and music – daily
    • 14-21 education looks like:
      • Students are given more autonomy over their education w/ teachers acting more as guides
        • Encouraged to work w/ experts in the field they’re interested in studying

Remember- any journal can work- Waldorf emphasizes documenting learning in journals and diving into kids’ interests. They all fit with a Waldorf-inspired homeschool. These are simply some of the more “Waldorf-y” ones:

Want to see how to combine Waldorf with your Fun-Schooling? Watch here!

Inspiration and Resources for Your Co-Op!

Considering trying a Fun-Schooling Co-Op? Here are some inspirational photos from our Co-Op at Olive Branch Farm:

Here is a post with some pointers on how to begin a Co-Op.

Did you know you can get sample journal pages to share? Join the main Fun-Schooling group–you’ll find them all in the Files!

Are you looking to join a Co-Op? Here is a list of Fun-Schooling Co-Ops to investigate, including the Facebook pages for each group!

Fun-Schooling + The Montessori Method

How Does Montessori work with Fun-Schooling?

  • Montessori is hands-on and self-directed
    • Goes along perfectly with Fun-Schooling baskets!
    • Include natural material learning toys and games in your basket – there are lots on Etsy
    • Could easily set-up different Montessori-inspired Fun-Schooling stations
    • Give kids control to choose what they want to do and when they want to do it
      • Montessori students know what needs to be accomplished in a designated amount of time and are given the freedom to complete their tasks in any order they choose
  • Montessori classrooms rotate out activities/works
    • Can rotate single-subject journals and complementary materials
    • Store them on a low shelf/table for easy access
  • Nature study, Life Skills, character development, and the arts are a big part of Montessori
    • We have journals for all of those!
    • Pair them with hands-on life experience
  • Use Montessori materials like sandpaper letters, Montessori math manipulatives, and motor skills frames/toys alongside the journals
  • Wooden puzzles!
    • Popular in Montessori and go great in a Fun-Schooling basket
  • Nomenclature cards/ 3-part cards
    • These are used to introduce new words and teach different subjects
    • Would work great along with journals, especially with vocabulary building pages
  • Fun-Schooling journals can be used by a wide range of ages and Montessori classrooms are multi-age classrooms
    • Put together a multi-age group of other homeschoolers to go through a journal together
  • Montessori teens choose an area of focus and engage in hands-on in-the-field study on that area of focus
    • Just like choosing a major!
  • Montessori values teaching independence and equipping kids with skills to thrive on their own
    • Our research method and journals are set up with this same goal in mind

Watch a flip-through of some of our Montessori-friendly journals here:

The Montessori Method

The Montessori Method was founded by Maria Montessori

  • An Italian educator in the late 1800s/early 1900s
  • She was the first female Italian doctor
  • Advocated for women’s rights and child labor laws
  • Studied child development and learning before opening her own school
  • She researched educational approaches and philosophies throughout the ages and studied children in-person to create her approach
  • Pulled heavily from the work of Jean-Marc Itard and Edouard Séguin

Main Focuses of a Montessori education

  • Very hands-on and sensory focused
    • The Montessori schoolroom engages all the senses
    • Activities are referred to as “works”
    • These works will engage multiple senses at a time
    • The environment itself is kept low-sensory and very tidy- everything has a place and is always put back in that place. Only one work out per child at a time. Known as a “prepared environment”
    • Lessons are incredibly tactile with things like sandpaper letters, counting beads, building blocks, and lots of manipulatives
    • Play is work- and children should not be interrupted while working or playing. A big focus is on letting them do things at their own pace with full concentration
  • Everything is adapted to be child-size and child-friendly
    • Works will be put out on low shelves, kid-size tools are made readily available and presented to the child from a young age, kid-size chairs, tables, etc.
    • In the kitchen, kids will have their own set of kid-size cooking items and a special stool to be able to stand up at the counter
    • Kids are given real glasses instead of plastic and “real” tools that are simply child size
    • Taught to work with careful consideration and attention to detail
  • Big focus on Life Skills
    • Taught from a very early age and children are encouraged to be independent from toddlerhood
    • Excellence in completion and attention to detail is a bit part of learning Life Skills
    • Self-care, cleaning, cooking, sewing, and other basic Life Skills are taught beginning in toddlerhood
    • Gardening and farm work are often a part of the daily school tasks
  • Natural materials
    • Plastic is almost never found in a Montessori setting
    • Wood, fabric, and glass are the primary materials found
  • The main core educational subjects are taught along with a big focus on art, citizenship, independence, nature, and engaging in the community

Other tidbits

  • In a school, children are grouped with a wide age range- usually 2-4 grades all together
  • Self-directed learning lets children progress at their own pace
    • Still guided by an adult with each work very carefully introduced in a methodical way
    • Children then can work through things at their own pace and based on their own interests
    • There’s not usually a strict schedule of X subject at X time
    • Instead, children will know what they are expected to accomplish in a day and be given the freedom to complete their tasks in the order they desire
  • No screens until at least 4th grade
  • Age 0-6 is a key age for introducing concepts, life skills, and development
  • Some similar components to Waldorf and Charlotte Mason but starts academic instruction at a much younger age and is much more methodical

Stay tuned for our next post where we will talk about integrating the Montessori Method into your Fun-Schooling!

Fun-Schooling According to AI

This intriguing blog post was written by an AI Chat Bot when it was asked the question, “What is Fun-Schooling?”

Fun-Schooling is an alternative approach to traditional education that emphasizes creativity, self-directed learning, and play-based activities. The curriculum is typically presented in the form of activity books, journals, and games, with a focus on engaging learners in a way that feels enjoyable and fun.

The main goal of Fun-Schooling is to foster a lifelong love of learning, rather than simply imparting information for the purpose of passing tests. By allowing children to explore their interests and pursue their own curiosities at their own pace, Fun-Schooling aims to create a more personalized and meaningful educational experience.

One of the key aspects of Fun-Schooling is its use of hands-on activities and real-world experiences to teach academic subjects. This might include field trips, art projects, science experiments, and other interactive learning experiences that allow children to see how the concepts they are studying apply in the real world.

Overall, Fun-Schooling is a flexible and adaptable approach to education that can be tailored to the needs and interests of each individual student. It seeks to make learning a joyful and engaging experience that empowers children to take ownership of their own education and become lifelong learners. 

Fun-Schooling emphasizes experiential and hands-on learning, which means that students are encouraged to explore the world around them and learn from their experiences. Some examples of how Fun-Schooling incorporates real-world experiences into the curriculum include:

1. Field trips: Fun-Schooling often involves field trips to museums, zoos, farms, and other places of interest. This allows students to see firsthand what they’re learning about in their textbooks and make connections between what they’re learning in school and the world outside the classroom.

2. Project-based learning: Fun-Schooling often involves project-based learning, where students work on long-term projects that require them to research, plan, and execute a real-world task. For example, students might design and build a garden, create a business plan for a lemonade stand, or write a play and perform it for an audience.

3. Community service: Fun-Schooling often incorporates community service projects, which allow students to give back to their communities while also learning valuable skills. For example, students might volunteer at a local food bank, organize a fundraiser for a charity, or participate in a beach cleanup.

4. Apprenticeships and internships: Fun-Schooling often encourages students to seek out apprenticeships and internships in fields that interest them. This allows them to get hands-on experience in a real-world setting and learn from professionals in the industry.

Overall, Fun-Schooling incorporates real-world experiences into the curriculum in a variety of ways, all with the goal of helping students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and a passion for lifelong learning.

Fun-Schooling takes a creative approach to learning by encouraging students to explore and express themselves in new and creative ways. For example, instead of simply reading about a historical event or scientific concept, students are encouraged to create their own creative projects or presentations that demonstrate their understanding of the material. This can include things like creating a play or skit, building a model or diorama, or even creating a comic book or graphic novel based on the topic.

By taking this creative approach, students are able to engage with the material in a more meaningful way, as they are encouraged to think critically and creatively about the information they are learning. This also helps to foster independent thinking and problem-solving skills, as students are given the freedom to explore and express themselves in a way that works best for them.

Overall, the creative approach of Fun-Schooling is designed to help students develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime. By incorporating fun and creative activities into the learning process, students are able to stay engaged and motivated, leading to greater success and enjoyment in their educational journey.

Fun-Schooling was created by a homeschooling mother named Sarah Janisse Brown. She found that traditional schooling methods were not meeting the needs of her children and decided to try a more creative and child-led approach to education. She developed a curriculum based on the idea of incorporating real-life experiences into learning, allowing children to learn through play and exploration rather than rote memorization.

The curriculum includes a variety of resources such as workbooks, journals, art projects, and games that focus on different subjects ranging from math and science to history and literature. Each resource is designed to spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking, helping students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

The benefits of Fun-Schooling are numerous. By incorporating real-life experiences, children are able to see the relevance and practical applications of what they are learning, making it more meaningful and engaging. Additionally, because the curriculum is child-led, students are able to pursue their interests and passions, leading to greater motivation and enjoyment of learning.

Incorporating Fun-Schooling into a curriculum can also foster creativity and independent thinking, as students are encouraged to explore and express themselves in new ways. Overall, Fun-Schooling provides a unique and effective approach to learning that can benefit students of all ages and abilities.

Pretty accurate!!