Self Worth and Service

We are often wondering how we can help a child develop self esteem and self worth.  Often times we find ourselves when we lose our selves.  It's kind of ironic, but so true!  When we give and serve we find out who we are and the worth we have as an individual.  Kimber can help with that...

#4—Self-Serving Homework Assignments Can Transform into Service Projects

People all over the nation are becoming alarmed by the low self-esteem among our children. Why don’t they like themselves? Often parents and teachers turn to excessive praise and adoration to help the children think well of themselves. But we found that this usually has the opposite effect on the child’s growing personality. Here is what we discovered and integrated into the Kimber language arts curriculum, and what is now being recognized in many parts of society:

Community service is a great builder of self-esteem for children of all ages. In recent years, student self-esteem seems to have had almost too much emphasis. Yet, parents and teachers watch with increasing alarm as the children get more and more depressed, turn to drugs, contemplate suicide, and fall into the abyss of immorality. Today we even read of children murdering each other at school. What is happening?

Many feel that the cause for this low self-esteem -- or as we like to put it --low self worth, is because most learning methods direct children to think inwardly. They are encouraged to satisfy their every immediate desire--and “self” is Number One.

In contrast, we all know there is a better way. Teaching the child to think outwardly towards serving others--becoming concerned about the welfare of the other person--helps keep the child’s focus away from himself and his own problems. As Jesus said: “He that findeth his life [in self-service] shall lose it; but he that loseth his life for my sake [by serving ‘even the least of these’] shall find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

An article from USA Today displayed this headline: “Giving to Others to Give Kids Compassion.” The January 29, 1996 article reads in part as follows:

“Deborah Spaide of New Canaan, Conn., is still glowing from a holiday success story. Children from her area stuffed more than 1,000 shoe boxes with little goodies for homeless and needy children in three states .... ‘The kids were creative with what they put in the boxes,’ Spaide said. ‘It’s a simple project and they really got into it. It made them feel empowered to touch somebody else’s life.

“From this experience, she says the children learned an important lesson: Caring for others makes you feel better about yourself. But many kids today aren’t learning simple lessons of caring and charity. And one reason is there aren’t that many opportunities out there for them, says Spaide, 36 .... Spaide has written a new book, Teaching Your Kids to Care: How to Discover and Develop the Spirit of Charity in Your Children, ... which lists lots of creative ideas for charitable opportunities for kids.

“ .. .It all started because she wanted to make sure her own children developed compassion for others .... So she started looking for activities for her children. The first thing they did as a family was go into a disabled woman’s home and paint the walls and clean the apartment. Her kids started telling their friends what they were doing, and the friends wanted to come along to the next activity. Spaide found that kids were ‘starving for these kinds of opportunities.’

“ .... Spaide and her husband, Jim, say that they’ll know they’ve succeeded if their kids grow up and measure success in terms of the people they touch and help, instead of in terms of money or material gain. …We have nothing against money, but it’s an empty value,’ she says. ‘No matter how much you have, you never quite feel content. While charity, even in small doses, leaves you feeling satisfied and whole.’“

Parents can give their children “free reign” to think of ways that will help their neighborhood, community, city, state and country. As families go through the Kimber language arts curriculum, they will find the weekly service projects will develop a habit of service to last a lifetime.

HELP WANTED

Due to a series of unfortunate events our elective program has been significantly cut.  We've had people who needed to take full time positions elsewhere, people who are unexpectedly moving and various other life changing events that have made things unfortunate on our end.  We were so looking forward to all these great people were bringing to the table.  We will miss them and the things they were bringing to Kimber Heber Valley!

However we are optimistic that there are MANY of you out there who would LOVE to share your talents with us and others.  Do you write? Do you love art? Do you know how to crochet? How about youth leadership training? We would love to have you join our team!

Please contact us if you would like to teach an elective class at Kimber Academy ~ Heber Valley, we would love to see what talents you have and help share them with others.

Contact Natalie Clyde (801) 420-4700 natalieclyde@gmail.com
or Kyndra Sweat (435)671-2413 tkos29@yahoo.com

Detached Learning?

#3—Avoiding Detached Learning by Applying Knowledge to Life

Students who are unable to associate knowledge from one area of learning to another have detached learning.

One way to tell if a child has detached learning is through diagnostic exams. We discovered this years later when we developed our curriculum. There needs to be a way to check the academic knowledge of our children and students, and at the same time see if their knowledge is being internalized.

For example, when we first started our private schools and began testing the students, we found that many of them had memorized the fifty states and their capitals. This was good, of course. However, when they were asked to fill in a map of the United States, they did not know wheremost of the states were located. In addition, we found that most students did not understand why they were learning particular subjects. They seemed to think that the main reason to learn was to pass an exam and get a good grade. They had detached their knowledge from living life.

When the mind is able to grasp the whole picture of a subject, and attach particular information to other subjects, learning begins to make sense in every area of life. So we decided to incorporate into the Kimber curriculum learning exercises that correlated with many subjects. In history, for example, we gave some assignments to figure particular math equations. In language arts, we had the students perfect their reading and writing skills right along with history and science. In science, we involved creativity, geography, and Language arts skills.

An Associated Press article, written April 22, 1996, demonstrates the efficiency of this method of teaching. The foremost subject during one term at Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia, was the study of the life of Leonardo da Vinci (who, incidentally, wrote these inspiring words: “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”).

The article reports:

“Teachers weave the work of the painter, inventor, scientist into lessons about science, English, math, history and art--a teaching style that’s gaining popularity nationwide.

“‘It’s a way of organizing curriculum without putting everything in boxes, or saying --OK, now it’s time to take out our science book,’ says Fran Simms, language arts teacher [Barcroft Elementary School]. ‘It connects the day, connects learning.’

“ ... Integrating subjects isn’t new, but the number of schools trying it has grown steadily since the mid-1980s, and more rapidly in the past five years.

“There are hundreds and hundreds of schools exploring it,’ says Sally Chapman with the Association For Supervision and Curriculum Development, which conducts workshops on the concept.

“At Brown-Barge Middle School in Pensacola, Fla., students learn lessons under themes. In the ‘Global Awareness’ section, for example, students research and write about different countries, study ratio and proportion by comparing the size of continents and learn science by studying climate, rainfall and ocean currents.

“‘The kids love it because it makes sense to them,’ says assistant principal Sandy Ames. ‘There’s nothing more frustrating than learning things in isolation.’

“... Teachers enthusiastic about integrated curriculum say their students don’t just march from class to class in blocks of time. They learn classic course work and skills, like writing, while exploring a larger issue.

“ .... At Barcroft, students are urged to be inquisitive, like da Vinci. They are taught to think like historians or investigators. Like da Vinci, the students draw from live models and keep notebooks.”

(The Daily Spectrum, Monday, April 22, 1996, Page B2)

From Division to Unity

A family divided, can become a family united!  

A story from Julianne Kimber:

"One of the warning signals that our family was not united glared bright and clear when we took them on vacation one summer. All the children were excited to go, and each begged to invite one of their friends to come along so they could have “fun”. We began to wonder why they needed outsiders to provide the fun they were looking for. Because we wanted this to be a family outing, we told them, “This time, no friends.” During our so-called vacation there was much sulking, arguing and contention among the children. We realized something had to change in our family relationships.

Not long after this experience we began home tutoring. At first, we were surprised by their behavior towards each other even in the home. It was anything but positive. It was during learning time that we discovered that they didn’t really know each other! They had always been separated in different grades or schools, and had various social activities that rarely allowed them to associate together. As a family unit, we had a lot of growing times while they learned how to get along 24 hours a day!

After a few weeks, we started noticing gradual changes in relationships. The children slowly but surely began to develop a certain loyalty to one another. Because we were spending so much time together, there were more opportunities to “bond” at home.

After several months, we also noticed that teaching became much easier, and learning became a lot more fun because there was a general spirit of cooperation and unity in the home that we had not experienced before. Of course there were days when relationships and learning times would back-slide, but we noticed that it was much easier to solve those problems when we were together on a continuing basis. We decided that serving each other was one of the main keys to this harmony.

As the spirit of service grew, the children really began to enjoy being home together in a learning atmosphere. Our children started to become friends. They were learning to help each other and were more interested in doing things together. Outside influences didn’t have as much of an impact on their relationships. Today those growing years bring happy memories to us as parents, and – hopefully – to our children as well".

• As families become more unified in their learning together, contention will leave the home.
• As families who are used to other public or private school schedules become involved with Kimber Academy, they may experience this same process that Julianne's Family went through. It may take time, but they will notice that their children will begin to have more in common as they are placed in the same class and/or learning the same curriculum. Just the fact that the children are all learning with the same scriptural-based guidebooks with provide them with a unifying source.
• Outside of the 12 hours spent at Kimber Academy, many families enjoy learning at the kitchen table where they can hear the stories of history altogether, and enjoy read-aloud time with Mom. Here the children have opportunities to teach each other while they do their individual work.

The scriptures contain many words of wisdom to help parents know how to teach their children at home. There are several scriptures that would make excellent posters to remind us of the Lord’s counsel regarding families and education.  For example, Paul wrote:“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ....” (Ephesians 6: 1-4)
Solomon wrote:“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
“For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
“For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
“Forsake her [ie, wisdom] not, and she shall preserve thee: love her; and she shall keep thee.
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:1-7)

Faith and Moral Values

At Kimber, we believe that Faith and Moral Values come First, not last.  Benjamin Franklin said, "Learning to serve God, family and community should be the aim and end of all true learning." Serving God and learning to keep His commandments should be foremost in a student’s learning as he or she goes through life.We took a different approach to all the academics and made them God-centered and service-oriented. Briefly, here is how we have attempted to accomplish this:

History. History is simply a record of God’s dealings with mankind, and man’s dealings with each other. Instead of teaching godless theories of how mankind evolved, the Kimber History is taken directly from the viewpoint of the scriptures. Each student--no matter what denomination he or she belongs to--can refer to their preferred set of scriptures—the Bible (any version), the Book of Mormon, the Torah, the Koran, or the writings of Confucius. All these are considered to be sacred writings. When young people see how God works with mankind, and how mankind works with one another on the earth, they begin to know their own worth and thus develop a personal relationship with their Creator. This grows into a desire to serve Him and keep His laws and commandments.

Math. Instead of repetitiously manipulating numbers on pages and pages of pre-written math problems, the Kimber Math program presents the fundamentals of how God used mathematics to pattern of the entire universe. Students are taught that He is the Great Mathematician who organized everything, for he said: “ ... all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.” (Moses 1:35) Also, the Savior told his Apostles, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30). As students begin to see the magic of what they too can do with numbers and correlate the concepts of how God organized everything in existence with numbers and formulas, His majesty becomes more clear. It is hoped that students may begin to ask questions such as, “How can I use mathematic knowledge to help my fellow man, and to help build God’s kingdom?” The Kimber math texts are designed to help them answer this question.

Language Arts.  Language arts is the “art of communication.” When students learn proper grammar, spelling, and language skills, they are better prepared to communicate. The plan of this curriculum is to teach the student the beauty of communicating their thoughts and words, so they can help others gain an appreciation for the Creator. Using their Language arts skills, the Kimber Language arts program teaches students to share the beauty of language with all kinds of service projects. Students begin to use self-expression on a higher plane because they use the “art of language” from the scriptures and the classics. They show how they feel about life and God through stories, poetry and thought

Science.Science is perhaps the greatest testator of the existence of God. In the Kimber six science guidebooks, students are given major vocabulary words to research, analyze, memorize, and illustrate. As they write their own textbooks on the subjects of physiology, zoology, botany, chemistry, geology, and astronomy, their knowledge and testimony of God’s existence builds and strengthens. Their finished books are an impressive portfolio for any college or job.

A Good Fit

Is Kimber Academy a good fit for your family?  Know anyone whose family would benefit from Kimber? Please spread the word!

Our founder, Dr. Glenn Kimber felt that without religion and morality taught along with academic education, true learning would not take place. He established these academies with the goal to prepare students to become the very best servants of their God, their family and their country they can possibly become.

We promote both academic learning and leadership skills. Every subject incorporates use of scripture and moral principles. We teach God's laws, principles for a free government and God's standard of dress and behavior as the code to live by. We teach the Constitution from the Founders' perspective and intent. The Founding Fathers saw a millennial generation that would restore the government with the 28 principles of liberty. We are here to support that movement.

We hold class for our 5 core subjects 3 days a week (Tues, Wed, Thurs) for 4 hours a day. We believe school should be an extension of the home with parents as the inspired educational guides for their children. We believe the home and family to be the center of the student's life and learning and therefore spend less hours in school and more hours at home, with family, to study and pursue their individual interests.

The Kimber curriculum teaches and promotes:
- a love of learning
- how to develop a relationship with the Creator
- self-motivation
- thinking skills
- how to be a servant in ones family and community
- how to govern oneself

We are a small, tuition-based, non-accredited private school. We aim to bring like-minded families together to educate our children to build strong individuals, families and communities.

We will be opening Kimber Academy Heber Valley this fall. Accepting applications. Application fee of $150 will be 50% off until JULY 4TH!!

For more information you can view our national website at www.gjkacademy.com

Natalie Clyde
Owner/Admin KA Heber Valley
801.420.4700

Kyndra Sweat
Owner/Assistant Admin
435-671-2413

See how Kimber Academy can bless your lives! http://youtu.be/fqjhQ1CAshE

Our Place ~ Our People

OUR PLACE ~ When we began this journey we needed a place.  We looked and searched and found one that would work well. But after a time we were certain we didn't want to live out of a suitecase and that we needed our a space to call our own.  So the search began again.... and it is with great joy that we introduce to you the location of Kimber Academy - Heber Valley!!

1375 S. Daniels Road  Suite #1

It was by the sheer grace of God (and a few funny stories) that we found this place and it is perfect!  We have ample parking, a great landlord, a fantastic facility, and best of all...room to grow!

OUR PEOPLE ~ Without further ado we give you the Staff of Kimber Academy - Heber Valley

• Administrator/Dean/Owner ~Natalie Clyde

Natalie is moving back to the Heber Valley after her family lived there 13 years previously.  Feeling the pull from her roots has prompted her to build the Kimber Academy for Heber Valley.  

She and her husband have 4 children, Lydia 14, Hannah 12, Shaylee 9, and Wyatt 2.  Natalie enrolled her children in Kimber Academy Lehi 5 years ago.  There she was hired as the Junior B teacher.  Those years at Kimber Academy has fostered a love of educating children with the Spirit of God in her.  Believing that others may have the same desire, Natalie became Kimber Acadmey's Wyoming/Colorado Regional Coordinator.  This position consists of helping, supporting and consulting with people in the region to start their own academies.  

Throughout her whole life, Natalie has had a deep love of America.  She is an avid reader of W. Cleon Skousen and Ezra Taft Benson's works on freedom, the founding fathers, and the Constitution.  She loves teaching the principles of freedom and how it relates to God's plans to her children. 

• Senior teacher/Assistant Administrator/Owner ~ Kyndra Sweat

Kyndra has lived in the Heber valley for almost 20 years. She grew up in Wallsburg and moved to Heber after marrying her husband, Trevor. They have 5 children, Shelby 20, Cole 16, MaKynsie 11, Walker 8, and Karlee 6. Kyndra has a passion for learning and has been homeschooling her 3 youngest for the past two years. She believes that the family is so important and loves that her children are best friends because of the time they are allowed to spend together.  

Kyndra taught preschool off and on for over 7 years and is currently working on her bachelors degree.  

When she came across a Kimber Academy post last year she knew she had to be involved with this incredible school and the foundations it teaches.  She has seen the hard work and divine intervention that has taken place in establishing the school in Heber Valley. She loves to farm, fish, hunt, bake and read. Her favorite color is purple and she is a huge fan of chocolate! She is excited to be apart of the Kimber Academy - Heber Valley family and can't wait to teach the youth!!

• Junior Teacher ~Rachel Turnbow

Rachel Turnbow has always had a love of learning and education. After graduating from Wasatch High School she attended BYU where she graduated with a B.S. in Family Life Science - Human Development which has given her a greater love and understanding of children as well as the need for children to learn to love learning. 

Rachel also has a deep love and appreciation for the arts. She grew up singing and performing in numerous choirs and plays. While in high school she got involved in the local arts community where she continues to volunteer her time helping to direct children's theater programs.

During her time at BYU, Rachel met Stephen on a "sort-of blind date group activity" where they immediately hit it off. A short while later, they were married and now have a rambunctious 16 month old named Jackson. Besides singing and performing, Rachel and Stephen love to go camping and be outdoors, they love to try new crafts and projects, and they love spending time together as a family.

Kimber Academy - Heber Valley's Elective Program is EXQUISITE!!!  

We are ecstatic to announce our elective program for the upcoming school year.  This will be open to any and all who want to take these electives (not just Kimber families).  The cost will be $5 per week/per elective.  If you want to take one, three, five or ALL of them, the choice is yours.  Some incredible talents and phenomenal women have joined our elective program and we are elated with the quality education and the skills these courses will teach.  The electives will be after school and we will solidify the specific times and dates as we creep closer to our start date.  We are still looking for other electives to be taught so please feel free to contact us about teaching an elective.

• Our elective teachers:

Christel Swasey

"The Writing Club" class will be led by Christel Swasey, a lifelong teacher and writer.  The class will be one hour long, twice a week and is open to anyone willing to work at writing and to share his/her writing with others.

The goals of the writing club will be:

1.  To honor God, family, and country

2.  To increase the love of writing

3.  To stimulate creativity and skills through challenging opportunities

4.  To refine and expand our craft by practicing poetry, prose,journalism, plays, personal essays and other types of writing

5.  To produce a high volume of writing

6.  To learn from other writers, including giving and receiving positive feedback by sharing writing aloud

7.  To use the gift of written expression to serve other people

8.  To publish student work.

  

The structure of the sessions will be:

1.  Warm up: speed-writing exercise (5 min.)

2.  Short presentation about a writing  topic or a writer (10 min.)

3.  Reading several typed student projects aloud (with authors' names

  removed) and giving positive feedback (30 min.)

4.  Writing project.  (15 min. - Start in class; finish at home)

Lisa Willey ( picture pending...)

ART-

We learn in the book of Genesis that all things were created spiritually before they were created

physically. God is the master designer and creator of all things. In this class we will explore the 7

Elements of art: Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Value,and Texture through applying techniques we

learn from master artists to textiles, clay, photography and a variety of other medium. We will also have

the opportunity to create our own techniques and enhance our new skills. Through exploring our own

creative abilities, we will gain a deeper gratitude awareness for the beauty around us.

This is not a craft class. This is an experience in investigating and understanding the talents we have been blessed

with.

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING-

In this class we will study why God created the world and all that is in it including animals, plants, our bodies, 

weather cycles and other patterns we find in nature. We will

discover that there is order in all things and that by understanding this order and applying eternal

principles, we can be good stewards as we utilize the resources we have been blessed with. We will also

discover how we can learn from patterns in life and nature that God has given us to create structures

that enhance life and enable mankind to serve and assist one another as we fulfill our purpose on this

earth.

LEADERSHIP-

As Christians, we have been blessed with great knowledge and understanding of who we

are and where we are going. Because of this knowledge, we have a great responsibility in leading others

to the truth and perspective that we enjoy. There are principles and skills that all leaders have in

common. These are eternal principles and skills that were first

emulated by Our Savior when he was on the earth. We will study these principles as we

learn about great leaders in History and more about how the Savior walked and taught when he was on this earth. 

We will learn to apply these principles in our own lives so that we can go out and serve and lead

others to the Light of Christ.

Natalie Clyde (Pictured above)

The Founding Father's 28 Principles of Freedom (for ages 12-99)

Have you ever read a book which literally changed the course of your thinking and your life? That is the nature of this course which uses  The 5000 Year Leap as the text.  It is a study of the United States Constitution from a principle based approach.  You will learn where the founding Fathers got their ideas for sound government and how a return to these ideas can solve our nations problems today.  This course contains: a text book (The 5000 Year Leap) reading assignments quizzes current event discussions ideas on how WE can restore these principles There you have it!  Our Place and Our People...LIFE IS GOOD!

Welcome to Heber Valley Kimber Academy!

Excitement does not even begin to describe the feeling we have about Heber Valley Kimber Academy!  So much hard work, dedication, time and prayers have been put into making this dream a reality.  The Lord has definitely led us to those who wanted this Academy here, those who were needed and wanted to be involved and those who are still (and will be) joining us for the journey. We have definitely seen the blessings and The Lord's hand in all that has happened to bring this to pass.

Who are we? What is Kimber?
Good Questions!  For those of you who don't know and are wanting more information about the Kimber Academy itself please visit the national website (yes! there are schools in many places) www.gjkacademy.com for more information.

As for those of us with Heber Valley Kimber Academy, we are lovers of truth, seekers of freedom, mothers and families who wanted something different for our children.  Knowing that God and Family and Country are the top three important things on the list, being able to incorporate God into our learning and to learn as a family, just as God intended us to learn, is something we value!

We have hired our teachers, have an incredible elective program in the works,  get ready to read all about them SOON!  Many fun and exciting things are happening and we hope this blog will be a way for you to see what Heber Valley Kimber Academy is doing. We are still enrolling for the 2014-15 school year and have some AMAZING deals for registration.  These deals are good through July 4, 2014 so ACT NOW!  For more information please contact Natalie Clyde at 801.420.4700 or natalieclyde@kimber.academy