Amazing Animals

We enjoyed a great class put on by the McWane Center, and organized by a mom in our cover school. Since we're such animal lovers, we got a kick out of the unusual creatures that Lawrence brought to share with us. The group of 25 kids or so was well-behaved and really attentive, and he patiently answered many questions. We got to enjoy touching some lovely cockroaches native to Madagascar, a huge king snake, a box turtle (which is really a tortoise), a leopard gecko, and we were able to observe a cute, but bashful, chinchilla.

Nature Walk (a.k.a. Science, the CM Way)

This morning, upon Isaac's request, we decided to take a nature walk. At first I thought it was a ploy to postpone schoolwork, but still agreed, knowing we always find awesome things on these trails near our neighborhood. Since we don't own the land we long for, the woods and meadow near us substitute pretty well for now. We had so much fun, being somewhat quiet, and observing all kinds of creation. I quizzed the kids on which direction was which several times, and they had to figure it by looking at the sun's position. They did great and answered perfectly, so apparently have been listening as we discussed north, south, east and west. We even found a few treasures along the way including wildflowers, a little mushroom, and some beautiful bark. We saw raccoon prints too, in the silty creekbed. When we were getting a little tired from our trek, Isaac even asked, "Can we do school now?" so I guess I assumed wrongly! I'm so thankful my kids love the outdoors like I do, and it sure makes learning fun to be able to take these mini field trips.

Curriculum of Choice

For those of you who think teaching your own children is impossible without a teaching degree, let me assure you that is a misconception. There is a wealth of material out there that parents can choose from: complete curriculum sets, with detailed directions on everything to say, word for word, in every subject imaginable, to general guidelines and suggested reading lists. I hesitate to say absolutely anyone could do it, but really, almost anyone could. A college degree is not necessary, I promise you. Besides the many choices of great curriculum, in our area of the country, we are blessed with numerous cooperative programs with classes for higher level language or math that homeschoolers can take, if their parents are less-than-comfortable instructing them in physics, for example, and support groups are numerous. I never feel alone in this educational process and am so thankful!

For the current school year, beyond math and phonics from ABeka, we'll refer to these books often as part of the core curriculum I've chosen to put together. Our guide is Ambleside Online, based on Charlotte Mason's concept of using "living books" to teach and the Bible as the ultimate source of all wisdom. As she recommends as well, we're enjoying learning through nature and experiences, and we'll use a few basic textbooks that offer some great goals and interesting experiments too.

I don't know if we'll always use a hodge-podge of curriculum like this year with Bob Jones and ABeka books, but I do hope we always use the basic CM method, since I think she was so right about her focus on great quality literature, learning through getting out and experiencing nature and life, and the basis of all truth being the Bible.

Other things we're delving into slowly, but surely, are sign language and beginning Spanish. We're using online curriculum for Spanish and flash cards and an awesome video series for sign language. Our main music focus is beginning piano lessons with Mama too. I'm excited to find some more time to play and encourage my musical kids to pursue learning this instrument I love so much.

OUR YEAR-LONG READING BOOKS:

The Bible
We're studying main stories and characters in the Old Testament right now and learning Scripture monthly. We're memorizing the books of the Bible, and the themes of each also.

The Burgess Bird Book for Children

by Thornton Burgess

We'll be studying birds in our region during different seasons, and learning how to identify them and distinguish their calls.

Science 1

by BJU Press

We're covering all sorts of interesting topics in science, including: our senses, the solar system, how things work, plants and flowers, tame and wild animals, properties of matter, heat, sound, and air, weather, and how to be good stewards of the earth God has given us.

The Aesop for Children

by Milo Winter

We're learning great morals from these stories about animals who face different choices and dilemmas.

The Blue Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

These fun fairy tales also teach us some great values.

The Treasury for Children
by James Herriot
The beloved British vet's stories have always been a favorite of mine, and our kids love them already.

Parables from Nature

by Margaret Gatty

These true-to-life anecdotes about creatures in nature teach us about their habitats and personalities and also show us how we should learn to behave from their examples.

Heritage Studies - the New World
by BJU Press
During history this year, we're covering the discovery of America and what life was like for the early settlers. We'll also learn about their relationship with Native Americans.

Things I've learned from homeschooling

- I can offer an education that is uniquely suited to each child, based on God's Word and His love through me
- I am not perfect, but get all day, every day, to fix my mistakes with my kids and to try again the next day, and the next...
- I will never have to say, "I regret not having enough time with my children."
- I am not worried about who is influencing my children without my knowledge
- I can reinforce positive behavior and work immediately, and nip the negatives in the bud quickly, helping them learn with lots less pain and a good deal more confidence
- I know they're not being neglected or ignored or lost in the shuffle
- they're learning our family's morals and goals and priorities, not a state's or government's
- they aren't capable of making mature decisions or influencing others positively all the time, and can grow in a safe environment in our home, and be given more freedom as they earn it
- we can choose activities, sports, and social outings that are best for their needs
- why would being surrounded by a group of kids your own age and general level be best when a family is who God places us in for life and the world is also full of varying ages and maturities?
- one-on-one education is amazing
- their teacher knows them better than anybody else
- we can accomplish all we need to each day, in half the time they'd spend in a typical school day
- I love spending time with my kids and I won't have them at home very long, so am going to make the most of the time I have!
- NO homework!
- I have a partner in educating them, who loves them unconditionally also
- I'm becoming a better person because the discipline and consistency they need must be reflected in me (ouch - this one is hard for my laid-back, tendency to be lazy, self!)

Our journey to homeschooling

"Why do you homeschool?!" That is a question I know people wonder, and some of you have even asked. I'm always eager to TRY to answer it, because this decision has been an exciting one in our family's life.

First of all, I have to say it is humorous, and also sad to me, when people say in astonished voices, "I could never spend all day with my kids!" or "I'm not a teacher - I could never be organized enough to do that!" Most homeschooling families will admit they weren't super-organized to start with, but out of necessity, develop a routine that works. That's the case with us. James can attest to the fact that I'm not incredibly organized yet. :-) And, I don't quite get the argument about not wanting to be with your own kids, to be honest. I mean, why do people have children if they just absolutely do not want to be with them? I realized whenever that thought enters my mind briefly, it's not the kids that are the problem - it's my own selfishness. I don't want to give up my time, or my leisure, or hobbies. I really DO want to spend time with them. I longed to be a mom my whole life. God blessed me with the answer to that prayer. So, I finally figured out how much I do love these babies of mine, and that since God so graciously answered the desire of my heart, how can I not spend as much time ensuring they are loved and educated to the best of my ability?

Secondly, I am not implying those who don't homeschool are doing their families a disservice. There is no need to defend your education choice, as some folks feel the need to do everytime they hear we homeschool. I am not judging anyone else for the way their kids are taught. I know that for now, this is what our family is supposed to do. I am passionate about that, and it's a freeing thing to know that at least in one area of my life, I am being obedient. :-) There is no doubt in my mind that God led us to this point, and it's been a hard journey, but a rewarding one, already. If you are a public school supporter, or your child attends a private school, then I just encourage you to be the best parent of your child wherever he or she is! Everyone should not homeschool, and not everyone is able to, for various reasons. I totally understand that and my reasons below are what we've discovered for OUR family, no one else's. These are simply our family's convictions and realizations. That's who we're accountable for, after all.

O.k., here's our journey--

Though I taught elementary school for 5 years, I never planned on homeschooling, though I also thankfully didn't ever say I would definitely not do it. :-) I loved my public school experience, then thoroughly enjoyed teaching in a private, Christian school.

James and I weren't sure exactly what our plans were for our own children, until we adopted Isaac. Once it became clear he'd benefit from ECLIPSE, the preschool program our public school system offered, to help him with speech and physical therapy, we decided to try that for 2 years.
Then, we decided to stick with the public school for kindergarten, since our experience there was so positive during preschool. That year wasn't awful, but it was filled with conflicting emotions. Isaac's teacher was kind and concerned about the individual kids, but she had a class full of many different needs and personalities, and without consistent help from any aide, it quickly became clear that he was getting lost in the large group. He wasn't doing well, and became very frustrated with himself, more insecure, and I became increasingly concerned that my 5 year old already disliked school.

That fall, through a neat conversation with a new friend, at our boys' soccer practice, who also had been a teacher and was planning to homeschool her kids, God really challenged me. Mindy asked why I didn't think I could teach Isaac, and I gave a list of reasons (excuses), including my lack of experience with children with learning delays, no idea how to start homeschooling, I had a 1 year old, etc. She kindly answered, "Well, if God thought you were equipped to be Isaac's mom, He might help you be the kind of teacher he needs to." I sat there, stunned and ashamed, because it basically all came down to fear and selfishness on my part, not a lack of desire to be with my son. So, when I tearfully told James what I was afraid we might need to consider, he reminded me that he'd always encouraged me and hoped I'd want to teach our children. We started praying in earnest that we'd make the wisest decision. By Christmas, we were heavily leaning towards homeschooling, though we kept him in kindergarten through the year. We all learned a lot through that year, and I'm thankful we had the experience to meet some great people and also know what a public school education would be like.

The next year we began school, repeating kindergarten at home, and now this is our 3rd year. It's my best beginning, as far as being more organized and excited, and the kids were very happy to begin this year also. It's Abigail's kindergarten year, so she's so proud to be officially "in school" with us.

The thing I've found about homeschooling that surprised me is how the extra work that people say they dread actually makes our lives run so much more smoothly. When we have a flexible, but consistent schedule of classtime daily, we're all so much happier in the afternoons and evenings. The kids have watched much less TV, since after class, they are in creative mode a lot of the time and paint, build, play games, and entertain each other. It's like their brains are working better since they've been challenged early in the day. It's exciting to see them play with each other as best friends, pretend, help one another with tasks, and learn conflict resolution with Mama nearby, overseeing.

Homeschooling has been an adjustment of priorities - every single day of the last few years. It's an amazing adventure, an awesome undertaking, as exhausting a job as parenting, and one of my great passions. I haven't yet regretted it, though at times I'm tired and would like to pretend to just be "mom," not "teacher" also. Then, I remember all the reasons we do this. They're next.