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We're almost half way through our second year of homeschooling. Last year we were independent (as in, not through a charter or private school) and this year, like I've mentioned, we are homeschooling through a private Christian school. I decided to do this, mostly, so Judah could go to the school and participate in some of their electives.
We had our first trimester teacher-parent conference with the teacher over the homeschool program and I left feeling very discouraged and inadequate. Don't worry, it wasn't because of the teacher. She was so sweet, telling me I'm doing fine and giving me pointers and showing me curriculum, but I couldn't help feeling like I wasn't doing enough. I felt like the things I was teaching Judah were the bare minimum. I would look at his teacher at school and feel like, "there is no way I can do all of that."
I recently ordered a book, after seeing it on a blog (and maybe a friend told me about it, but I can't remember if it's the same book) called Educating the Wholehearted Child.
I know that homeschooling isn't for every person and every family, but I do know that it's what God has called us to in this season. After starting this book (and finishing most of it in just a few days) I feel encouraged to continue on in raising my wholehearted children.
I love how the book talks about how homeschooling parents keep their kids out of school, then try to emulate school. That's exactly what I was doing. I was trying to doing "regular school" at home and it just wasn't working. My goal for schooling at home is to not only teach my kids reading, writing, and arithmetic, but to help them to grow in their love for God, have strong character, and to spend lots of quality time with them.
I love the ideas of Charlotte Mason which are to use real books (as opposed to textbooks) and lots of art, classical music, and classic literature. Instead of reading a text book about history we can read The Diary of Anne Frank. I plan to do waaaay less workbook work and more hands on craft projects, drawing, talking, memorization and reading.
I know a lot of you, my friends, use a Charlotte Mason-type homeschool program. Any tips? Any encouragement for me?
I'm thankful for the growth and change.
Hi Morgie,
ReplyDeleteIf you have time, email me and let's set up a phone date. I would love to talk to you about homeschooling, and it would probably be easier to talk than email. Plus we would be able to catch up a bit, too!
Nancy
hey Morgan, great post.
ReplyDeletefirst - I love, love, love that pic of the kids. I'd frame that one!
I've only recently heard of Charolette Mason, and I love that perspective. I know I've been lacking in the arts, crafts, & music; I think I'd like to get in the kitchen more with cooking and science experiments. New Years resolution ... starting now? :)
I'm sure you're doing a great job with Judah, actually with teaching all of them. God has given you a gift and from knowing you, it will not be wasted. hugs.
I just stumbled across your blog for the first time, so hello :) I've been reading a book called A Charlotte Mason Companion, and it's GREAT! I really love her methods, and I totally relate to the making homeschool like school problem. My husband works at a school, so I always find myself comparing how my kids are doing with the kids in his school. I have to remind myself often "this is the reason we homeschool...so we don't have to do things only ONE way." :)
ReplyDeleteHi Morgan,
ReplyDeleteI know this is a year later, but trust that you know or will find what works best for you children. We were using the Well-Trained Mind Curriculum and then discovered Charlotte Mason; so now we do a mish-mash of both. I consider us classically-eclectic-Charlotte Mason scholars. Talk about stress-my fifteen year old is taking the PSAT this morning. What's that going to say about my homeschooling? God is our ultimate judge. We answer to him not to the world. Our goal is to raise Christ loving men and women of character. Everything else is just gravy. Whenever I get stressed that's how my husband brings me back to center. I do go on.
Be blessed.
we use something called amblesideonline.com it has a list of books for each grade level and a very loose weekly schedule for what you should be reading. It's Charlotte Mason based and we love it. I get a lot of the books from our local library and then renew them. Or we've ordered them off of half.com as well.
ReplyDelete