Why I love Homeschooling……
We have had a little virus running through our house. Our daughter is feeling better but weak and our youngest is starting into it so I have been a little preoccupied.
Because this space has always been a place that I can record ideas and insights along my journey of life, I wanted to leave a few thoughts about why I am in love with the space that God has us in in regards to homeschooling our kiddos.
Firstly, you have space. Space to work on habits consistently over a long period of time. Space to be still as a family and really watch your children move along in their own formation. Space to stay clear of the “parenting rat race” that is oh so common. Space, to pick up hobbies and customs that would not be possible if we did not live our lives this way.
Secondly, you have time to really see what each child needs, and meet them there. Learn really who they are, and pray that God would show you exactly what they need at any given time in their overall development. Like any parent, there are days you feel like you are not doing enough, your kids are not getting something of what they may need etc. etc. When those days hit I re-read my homeschooling philosophy, and re-read the scope and sequence provided by AO and relax all over again. Whenever I get stuck in the details, I pull back and remind myself of the big picture. Speaking of big picture look at these two jokers. You will have to go to my flickr and read the whole story. I was laughing so hard I could hardly focus my camera.
I say this over and over but honestly it is sooo true. If you can read a recipe and bake a cake, you can homeschool. You have to learn to be disciplined, but hey if you are not, I would say that is a good life skill to work on anyway, so why not give it a go. If you are on the fence, this is what I would say. Try it, you may like it. Hey you may love it, and then tell all your friends and they do it with you and before you know it, you have a regular homeschool party kickin’. If you do want to give it a go. Check out what we use. It is awesome on so many levels. Every time I read the FAQ’s I get so tickled that God lead us to this and I can give this level of education at home without me having to spend GOBS of money and without me having to do hours and hours of work to put something of this caliber together. MAJOR props to those homeschool Moms out there who can pull it together on their own. I know a few and my hats off to them. I just need some traintracks to run on, and I am good to go. Ambleside gives me that. I know the “why” before the “how”, and even then when I don’t understand the “why” I trust the method and in time see the amazing fruit in it.
So, today I really had it on my heart to say GO FOR IT! You have nothing to loose and only buckets of insight to gain. It isn’t a cake walk for sure, but what is? Great Googly Moogly I could go on and on, but I will stop now.
Grace and Peace to all those who love learning~
I had a look at the Ambleside website out of curiosity, maybe because I had a the brilliant idea to start the idea of starting an NGO with my MPH (Public Health) friend and fellow single woman lamenter of course once I’ve done my Masters, and then well was thinking of how life goes from there - the life of a planner - anyways to the point, I was quite suprised at the suggested readings for their high school plans - as that of course is all that’s important… There are readings that I didn’t tackle until 4th year university and that are incredibly thought provoking and challenging, like Ellison’s Invisible Man. Honey, not that I have kids or am an educator so I know if my opinion carries any weight, but from an English Major’s opinion you’ve got a good set of tracks for that train, a set that who knows maybe some day I’ll be brave enough to use.
Comment by Jenn — February 5, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Wow - how cool of you to look at that. Not many do, and those who do can get a bit freaked or overwhelmed because it is quite rigorous. I will say that it is very gentle at the same time…kind of an enigma you know. I had a view of it right as we were starting homeschooling and just fell in love. I got a whole new imagination for what is possible outside of traditional school. The website FAQ’s say that once you go through year 7, your child has the equivalent of a American public high school education.
With Apologia Science and Math U See I can stay on top of the math/science angle and keep this whole train chugging along.
I thought it was wicked cool that 1st graders started with Shakespeare. If that is a sign of things to come, I can’t wait. Now that we are in year 2, my oldest begs for our readings….they are that good. Got to give serious “props” to any curriculum or method that can do that.
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — February 5, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
Oh yeah - what is a NGO and a MPH? You lost me on that one?
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — February 5, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
First of all responding via my BlackBerry may not work but we will try an ngo is a non government agency not necessarily religious but can be same idea in many respects as a non profit and an mha is a masters in health administration.
Comment by Jenn — February 5, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
Hiya!
I was smitten with Charlotte Mason when I began to uncover this new idea of learning from literature and not from textbooks because it fit into my own personal philosophy of life that had developed after years of being a book’aholic. It just.makes.SENSE, you know? When we first decided we would homeschool, it seemed like the future was so far away it would never come. But now, with Jack-Evan approaching his 1st bday in less than 3 months, I feel like time is speeding, and I’m glad I began my quest to research homeschooling when I did! If I had to dive into a CM or Konos or Classical curriculum without knowing what I was doing, I’d fall to pieces emotionally and homeschooling would never happen. I went to a private school, and (christian) textbooks were the “end all, be all”. Who would have ever thought you could do it differently?? I’d wager that if more parents would take the time to research what’s out there for them (in terms of methods, activities, resources, etc) homeschooling would grow substantially. Have you read A Charlotte Mason Companion?? It’s awesome. I borrowed it from my cousin who homeschooled 2 kids through 6th grade and have read it twice. Theres just so much wonderful information in it on ways to apply various aspects of the whole CM concept of learning.
Charlotte Mason via Ambleside Online was the first website I ever studied (back in 2007) when I began toying with the idea of homeschooling our kids (I was then just 6 weeks pregnant with Jack-Evan).
The ONLY thing I don’t like about Charlotte Mason’s approach to education is the emphasis on not teaching children letters, numbers, reading or formal print before 7 years of age. In one of her Homeschool series books, she made the comment that a child will probably have taught his own self how to read by then anyway. Some highly intelligent kids, maybe - but the majority? Not true. If one has ever been close to an illiterate adult like I have, its heartbreaking to see what can happen when a child is deprived of learning the written word during his formative years (before 5 years old). Literacy is a huge passion of mine, and I believe strongly that all children should be introduced to letters, numbers, phonetic differences, sounds, words, etc. from the day they are born. If the “average” parent who is *just starting* their homeschooling venture is told that they shouldn’t introduce letters and reading skills until 7 yrs. of age, it could be disastrous in the long run.
Anywho, I too think Im going to be one of those moms who prefer a set course or curriculum. Or at the very least, a terrific “spine” to go by.
p.s. love the pic!! the focu on it is awesome - looks 3D on my laptop! amazing overall shot and a great memory to boot.
Comment by Jack's Mommy — February 9, 2009 @ 3:18 am
focu? i must be tired. I meant “Focus” is awesome. lol
Comment by Jack's Mommy — February 9, 2009 @ 3:21 am
Hey Jack’s Mommy,
Like with everything you have to adjust for your children and what you know of them personally. That is one of the GREAT joys of homeschooling. I believe CM was really trying to emphasize the fact that children learn through experience and not to force the letter/number thing too early. You have a choice, do something in 3 years time because a child just isn’t ready yet or do something in 1 week because they are ready to do so.
There are a few things, I try and grasp the “heart or meaning” behind and then move on. Like Nature Study. I don’t live in an area where we can be “out of doors” on lovely nature walks for hours everyday. I don’t just skip it, I am intentional about it, just not as frequently. Context for each family is everything.
My 4 year old is passionate about all things letters/numbers and sounds right now. Of course I am feeding him with very small consistent “lessons” but I am not drilling him with flash cards on the couch if you get my drift. I hear that Sweden does not even teach reading until 7 and has a near zero percent illiteracy rate so I think if a child has a “nutrient rich” environment from day one, then all of these things naturally progress with a watchful eye from Mom who adds new and interesting things to that environment all along the way.
I am neutral about the point. All of my kids have know their numbers and letters and sounds before 5 just through watching the oldest. Just like my 4 year old loves,all of the math concepts he sees the older 2 do with Math U see. He natural skip counts by 2,s 5’s 10,s 100’s just by hearing them. He asks to “work” with the “unit” block while the older 2 do their work. As a Mom it is fascinating to watch.
It will be really fun watching you progress with Jack and your future kiddos. Being so prepared so early is a gift. Yes, I have read TCMS and FACS several times as well. They keep me passionate about this.
And as for the picture, I am addicted to my 60mm and shoot wide open on almost every shot, thus giving the 3D affect. It could of been a regular snap shot, but I like to always kick things up a notch when ever possible;-) Get yourself a Nikon D90 now so you can record your little Jack on the move. It even has digital video capabilities all in one. It will become another addiction above and beyond books:-)
Peace to you,
a
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — February 9, 2009 @ 9:11 am
I’m new here (and new to homeschooling) but I have to say I feel so much the same way about homeschooling that you do. From day 1 we kept asking ourselves , “could it really be this good?” I’m looking forward to continuing to hear of your adventures!
Comment by Sheryl (PBandJBoats) — February 17, 2009 @ 10:22 am