Power-Plus-Learning

MUSIC THEORY

Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the piano (or any instrument) but felt it was too difficult to learn music, much less music theory?

You should try the Power-Plus-Learning approach - Talk about about unique, yet powerful! Come see the world of music through the eyes of math, science and art! It's a blast. You will never see music the same again!

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Interactive Music Theory The Power-Plus Learning Music Theory program is taught in a unique approach; through the eyes of Math, Science and Art. Students and children of all ages will come to learn about music theory in a fun way and see music in a new light. Music Theory will never be the same again with this fun,

INTEGRATING SUBJECTS - Going from overwhelmed, to managing, to mastering (in our imperfect, human way).
When I began homeschooling, the first word I would use to describe my feelings was overwhelmed! I had NO clue where to begin. Previously, I was "never going to homeschool" and now, all of a sudden, here I was, in the thick of it, not knowing what I was doing.

During our first year (1997), while helping the boys work on their math (Saxon - at the time), I learned one of my first valuable and most powerful lessons in understanding the concept of integrating subjects.

Both of my boys had become frustrated with fractions. (I even remember the math problem they were working on because it was the very problem I was taught this amazing concept through the Spirit.) Their math problem was 2/3 + 1/4 = ?

We focused on other subjects, but literally took weeks off from doing math, while I took my question directly to the Lord: "Did Adam and Eve work out of a workbook?"

The obvious answer was "No!" - but then came my real dilemma... "Then how did they learn?"

During one of my personal morning devotionals, I had read: "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;" (Doc & Cov 88:119)

Later that day, while going through their math book I saw the chapter on "Order of Operations" - and for some reason the word ORDER stood out to me. I soon realized that order was found in everything - housecleaning (a house of order), math (order of operations), science (order in the universe), history (order in time - timelines), etc. So I prayed, "I think I'm starting to get this. If I'm correct, please help me see how to use this concept in our math problem: 2/3 + 1/4 =?"

I began to analyze the math problem...

STEP 1 - in order to add fractions, you must convert (change) each fraction so the denominator (bottom #) is the same, or so they have "a common denominator."

The smallest number both "3" (in 2/3) and "4" (1/4) have in common (or go into evenly) is "12." (Remember, to multiply fractions, you times straight across.)
"3" (the bottom # in 2/3) goes into twelve "4" times - so I multiplied 2/3 by 4/4 to convert to 8/12 for the first number.

"4" (the bottom # in 1/4) goes into twelve "3" times - so I multiplied 1/4 by 3/3 to convert to 3/12 for the second number.

STEP 2 - Now we can add the two converted fractions together:
8/12 + 3/12 = "11/12" (When adding fractions, you add the top number, but the bottom number remains the same "common denominator.")

The answer was correct, but I wasn't finished learning, for the Spirit showed me the spiritual pattern that totally changed our homeschool adventure...

He showed me the spiritual concept of becoming one through the atonement of Jesus Christ, with the above pattern of "ones" everywhere.

I first had to CONVERT each fraction (multiply the original fractions (2/3 and 1/4) by "one" (4/4 and 3/3 - or 100% truth) before I could add them together (become converted - or get the correct answer.)
Once I had the correct answer (11/12) I still needed something (grace) to become "one" (12/12) with Him at the end.

Now let me say here that I KNOW Christ's grace does not make UP the difference - "It makes ALL the difference!" His grace is throughout our mortal equation of life, but for this math problem, "grace" was represented by the "1/12" - keeping in mind - that the answer to a subtraction problem is called "the difference," so in this case, the "1/12" is the difference in this subtraction problem. (12/12 - 11/12 = 1/12)

This was so exciting to me! I could see - for the first time through MATH the importance of my Savior, Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

I could see the relationship of the "conversion" process, and the importance of multiplying what I was learning about God with 100% truth to truly be converted to Him.

But even "after all we can do" (11/12), we still "fall short of the Glory of God" (12/12) and need His "grace" to make up "the difference" - so I could see clearly the "1/12" representing His grace.

I knew from this experience, if I could learn such a profound spiritual lesson through a MATH problem, we could easily learn math and other subjects this same way! I could now take this concept (which I did and will show you in other posts how we did) to teach math, science, history, art and language (i.e. reading, writing, communicating, etc.) to have a more powerful, in-depth learning experience.

THIS CONCEPT REALLY WAS THE KEY THAT TOOK US FROM FEELING OVERWHELMED, TO BEING ABLE TO MANAGE, TO FEELING LIKE WE WERE TRULY MASTERING DIFFERENT CONCEPTS. IT BECAME ONE OF THE MAJOR JOYS OF OUR FAMILY JOURNEY! We found an easy way to incorporate this concept into our learning, so the stress of both teaching and learning was truly removed with joy, excitement and feeling empowered!! My goal is to share these with you!

I hope I've explained it well enough for you to be able to go to Heavenly Father and allow the Spirit to show you the same vision. It truly is amazing! I have no doubt, if I can do it, you can, too!
PS - You will see this concept applied in each of our programs. We've done a lot of the work for you, but it's always fun to add to. If you want to see how programs can integrate other subjects to teach READING (3-6 yrs), MUSIC (5+) or the CONSTITUTION (8+) - check out our website at www.power-plus-learning.com ( )

THREE FAVORITE RESOURCES
Many people ask me what programs and theories we use. Like you, as we began homeschooling, I searched to find out where and how to begin.

After "trying to keep up with the school" (which was a terrible idea), I soon learned that it was okay to do things MY way. There are so many wonderful resources out there and a million different ways of doing things. I began collecting different resources and combining or integrating my favorite theories and methods into my own way of teaching.

I'll begin by sharing my three most favorite resources that truly helped me get started as I let go of the "school's" way of doing things and began my own journey of success. You can probably check these books out at your local library.

#1 - "The Well Trained Mind" (by Jessie Wise / Susan Wise Bauer)
I LOVE this book - but you have to understand, as I began - I also loved structure and I needed resources, and there's a lot of both of those in this book. It takes children from K-12 with TONS of resources in all the different subjects. It even provides a sample daily schedule - if I wanted or needed that kind of structure. (Which I thought I might, but thanks to this book and having that at my finger-tips if I needed, I was truly able to let go and learn about other theories and methods.)

#2 - "A Thomas Jefferson Education" (by Oliver DeMille)
The thing I love about this book and incorporated into our learning is the focus on the Classics! I LOVE the classics!!! DeMille also stresses leadership and using primary sources from which to learn, which I thought was important.

#3 - "A Charlotte Mason Education" (by Catherine Levison)
With me being such a "structure" goo-roo, I love this layed-back, relaxed approach of getting into nature. I also learned the value of working with my children verbally before I had them write. I've been told many times that my children are excellent communicators and I have to credit this part of our education for that outcome.

These three resources were my favorite that I used to create my own method. I learned early that combining methods, theories, subjects, games and activities, (anything really) gave us more of a rich, in-depth learning experience than we would have otherwise had.

In the end, I really have to credit our Father in Heaven for our family's success. There were a lot of prayers offered and much needed counseling with Him as to what was right and best for our family. I can testify to you that He's been there for us and I know He'll be there for you as well. He will help you know what's best for you and your family.

Good luck on your journey.

What a beautiful time of year. Hoping you, too, are loving the Holiday Season. May you be blessed with peace, love and joy. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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