Our Family & Home Education
Just a typical homeschooling day {ahem}
I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what it means for us as a family to home educate.
What do we want for our children? What are our goals? Why are we doing this? How are we going to go about it?
My husband and I are newbies at this homeschool thing, our children are only 4, 3, and 1 and so our journey is just beginning. However, we have been blessed to be mentored by the Brookshires, and glean wonderful advice from Sally Clarkson and Victoria Botkin (through her Curriculum Advice Volume 1). It is with the wisdom and discernment of those who have gone before us that we take our first steps into the homeschooling ocean.
Here is our focus in a nutshell:
- Love for God’s Word – Know Him through His breathed out revelation as given in the bible, knowing Him, loving Him
- Character – Building into the hearts and spirits the good things we should seek to become
- Obedience – Learning it is well with our children when they obey; obeying because of love for us and the Father
- The Good Things – We want to fill our babes up with good things with the hope that they will cling to the good and forsake evil
- Traditions – Rooting our family bond in the good, the fun and the memorable
- Celebrations – Enjoying and celebrating one another as those in the image of God – living it up for His glory
You will notice, I’m sure, that “subjects” are not included in my list. There are two reasons for this: 1. It is so important for us to instill a foundation in our children before we get into the nuts and bolts of education. 2. We believe that in the younger years, we can seamlessly weave into our day many of the subjects without them being official. In fact, most of life is filled with the arts, literature, math, science, etc, we just have to grasp onto it as we walk long with our children. Down the road these areas of study will be refined (we are currently teaching our daughter to read).
Our Homeschooling Philosophies
We are educating our children with a biblical worldview – everything we study will be through a biblical lens.
We believe that ultimately education is about being able to communicate well with others so that we can live with and flourish in our skill sets and callings while glorifying God and being a light to the world.
We are not just raising our children, but we are raising generations. This is powerful to us, and we want to take up the responsibility of doing our very best to pass on a godly legacy to those will never even know. We believe shepherding our children as opposed to outside schooling is the best way to do this (in the spirit of Deuteronomy 11:18-21).
We are quite fond of the Charlotte Mason method.
Textbooks are out, living books are in.
We are very eclectic. I couldn’t decide on one curriculum if I wanted to! We are taking bits and pieces from here and there…
The Good Things – Something God Has Been Teaching Me About
In the education of our children, in how we do life together, we don’t want to focus on the “no’s” but rather we want to fill them up with the good things first and foremost. For example, I’ve struggle with “shouldn’t my children read the classics like Peter Pan…even though I’m not sure how I feel about teaching my children about fairies yet?” Well, maybe, at some point, but for now we’ll stick with things that instill godliness and goodness and love (thanks for the advice Robin!). We will fill their minds with good music and good books (as opposed to “twaddle“), and will put beautiful things before their eyes, and delicious smells all around them. We want to engage all their senses in the magnificent, because our Creator has done all things magnificently. We’ve opted out of “regular” school not because it bad, but because we have a glimpse that there is so much more to be offered. The good things…we have a vision for them.
Resources We’re Using in Our Home Education
The Bible – Need I say anything more? ;) (Aside from teaching out of the bible, my babes listen to the bible on CD in the mornings while I make breakfast.)
The Local Library – Hello? Free books! Perfection. (I am happily surprised that our library carries the Elsie Dinsmore series, which we will be reading throughout the year.)
Educating The WholeHearted Child – Excellent excellent excellent foundation and information for every home educator.
Teaching Character Through Literature Study Guide ($14.95) from Beautiful Feet Press – We are borrowing the recommended books from our library (I did buy a couple books because they didn’t have them available at our library, but I searched all over for the best prices).
Our 21 Family Rules – We have taken these rules on as our own.
Home Economics, Level 1 from Pearables
Classical Kids - We’ve started with Mr. Bach Comes to Call and my babes really enjoy it.
Polished Cornerstones (a great and helpful resource, but don’t feel like you have to buy it!)
For Instruction in Righteousness (same note as above)
Questions & Answers from the Westminster Shorter Catechism (free online)
Free audio books (HOLLA!)
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (not what I wanted to use, but it seems to be best suited to us right now…and it’s getting the job done!)
Well, there you have it, where our family is at when it comes to the education of our children. We will be praying for wisdom and mercy. I’d love to hear some of your families ideas and resources!
Related Articles:
Solving the Crisis in Homeschooling – Exposing the 7 Major Blind spots of Homeschoolers
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, andyou shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them…” Deuteronomy 11: 18:21
…
I am not a natural at organization, so homeschooling does not come easy to me as the teacher. However, I have His strength to rely.
Sounds like a great plan! Enjoy the journey, enjoy the time with your kids. I enjoyed every single day and it is bittersweet that my job homeschooling is finished.
CJ´s last [type] ..And they thought sliced bread was cool
CJ´s last [type] ..And they thought sliced bread was cool
You've got some great reasons and thoughts here! I totally agree~ and Charlotte Mason ROCKS! :)
It's great when someone asks~ "What's a Living Book?"
I love that other's notice that my kids are homeschooled not because they seem "strange" but because they have a "spark" about them- a willingness to learn in all situations, a beautiful independence and *ahem*, a massive vocabulary from all of those books! :)
{This does not imply that other children enrolled in other educational backgrounds are lacking in any of the mentioned qualities, it just is something that I typically hear from individuals in circles that my children are involved in}
I love how you included the good things, tradition, and celebration in your focus. We are only a few years into our homeschool journey, but the curriculum "peer pressure" is intense. I'm hoping to step away from the lists and simplify.
Your year looks fantastic!
Kathi´s last [type] ..Childrens Book Monday- Little Bear Goes to the Moon
Kathi´s last [type] ..Childrens Book Monday- Little Bear Goes to the Moon
P.S. I just wanted to come back and leave you with a few links:
reaberg.wordpress.com (beautiful feet books author's quiet little children's literature blog)
and
heartofwisdom.com (robin sampson's take on a bible-centered, charlotte mason style education)
Kathi´s last [type] ..Childrens Book Monday- Little Bear Goes to the Moon
Kathi´s last [type] ..Childrens Book Monday- Little Bear Goes to the Moon
Kathi – thank you for the links!
So excited for you and can't wait to hear more about it!!!
Sarah A´s last [type] ..Before the Journey is Clear
Sarah A´s last [type] ..Before the Journey is Clear
Thanks for all of the resources!! We are new to homeschooling as well. I have two boys, age 2 and 4 and you put into words how we feel about home educating our kiddos! I feel so strongly about educating my children at home and often don't know how to express that but you've written it beautifully!
Crystal´s last [type] ..Homemade Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag!!
Crystal´s last [type] ..Homemade Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag!!
For a very little period of time -2 months- we needed to send my babe to a Montessori school. He's just 2 years, but I needed to help my mom who's fighting at this moment against cancer.
Now I feel that God is opening the door again for homeschooling, and I´m triying to be prepared for this. Praying in the first place, but reading your post has gave me great ideas.
Thank you!
Tania´s last [type] ..¿A qué edad se destetó tu hijo
Tania´s last [type] ..¿A qué edad se destetó tu hijo
I posted our homeschooling philosophy last fall. So many people ask the question – why do you homeschool – so I felt it necessary to put our philosophy in writing.
http://6hollandhappenings.blogspot.com/2009/10/re…
We also use the Charlotte Mason Method/Philosophy of education. I LOVE this method. It is such a natural and fun approach to education, while also being rich in academics and centered on God.
I'm very eclectic too. For one, I can't afford to invest hundreds of $$'s into curriculum. Two, I'm way to creative to be locked in a textbook! *boring! (to me)*
I'm a first yr homeschooler. My oldest just finished one yr of kindergarten. I hadn't decided to hs till the 2nd half of his kinderg. yr. ;)
Tracy @ Hall of Fame´s last [type] ..National Geographic Kids 2011 Almanac Review and Giveaway
Tracy @ Hall of Fame´s last [type] ..National Geographic Kids 2011 Almanac Review and Giveaway
Thank you for all of the links! My little one is only 6 months old, but I am already looking forward to homeschooling him and his siblings one day, Lord willing. I am a homeschool graduate, and although it had its ups and downs, I am very appreciative of the education I received, and am excited to pass it on to my children.
Great post, Sarah Mae. I hope to one day be able to home school our daughter. She is in a great Christian school (5th grade this year) but I know I can give her a much more specialized education at home. She has ADHD and OCD and struggles with reading. It is a true desire of my heart, but my husband is most definitely not on board. I think he doubts my ability to be home with her all day, every day. I just keep praying that if the Lord wills, his mind and heart will be changed.
Meanwhile, I keep learning so much from you and other like-minded Christian homeschool ladies.
Thanks!
Yvonne, keep praying…my husband was not on board for a long time, and I just prayed. Now, he is more of an advocate for homeschooling than I am! Also, check out Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson – she homeschooled and had a son who had ADHD and OCD as well.
i love voddie baucham and hearing him speak at the christian home educator's of ohio conference in june changed my whole idea of "school".
also, we use teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons and are loving it :)
You're on a good path, Sarah Mae:) The longer you home educate, the more you learn life is learning~you can't box it as a curriculum, it's just the day in and day out of exploring all God has created and excitedly sharing it with your children. It's a joy to watch God at work in your heart and how He will use you to bless your family.
Rhonda´s last [type] ..Are you feeling out of love
Rhonda´s last [type] ..Are you feeling out of love
This is a great post. One thing that I would add personally for my family as we raise our children, is that in addition to teaching them about God's word, character, and everything you mentioned, we want them to learn how to "think" for themselves. I'm concerned that alot of kids these days don't know how to think, and rely on whatever is spoonfed to them, whether it be in academia, peer groups, or even religious instruction, instead of learning how to wrestle and grapple with things, and settle firmly into a faith and ability to learn and make decisions that is strong. Blessings on your homeschool endeavors…we're just getting started, too.!
Julie – excellent point!
Many of our friends home school and I am open to it, more than my husband is. It's not that he is against the concept, but he doesn't think I am up to the task. Yikes, brutally honest there.. :). Like you described yourself, organization does not come naturally to me.
With the exception of two of my friends, all the others belong to a home school co-op. I've entertained approaching my husband about homeschooling and participating in the co-op my close friends belong to. But..I don't know if this is the answer, either.
On the other hand, I am so blessed and fortunate to be a stay at home mother, and I am the one who is with them before and after school and I take them to and from school.
A very thought provoking and informative post today, thank you.
Erin´s last [type] ..The Big Surprise Wonderland Unveiled
Erin´s last [type] ..The Big Surprise Wonderland Unveiled
Excellent plan :D I loved the opportunity to homeschool my children when they were young and commend you for choosing this route. (BTW…I LOVE the Charlotte Mason Method!)
Kristine McGuire´s last [type] ..Faith Over Fear
Kristine McGuire´s last [type] ..Faith Over Fear
Oh…and I love the pic. One of my favorite things about homeschooling was the flexibility to experience learning in a variety of ways…especially through cooking or getting messy :D
Kristine McGuire´s last [type] ..Pursue Love
Kristine McGuire´s last [type] ..Pursue Love
Thank you for linking up to my Homeschool Blog Hop! Nice to meet you! Enjoy your week!
Great post and thanks for the links!!! You might like this blog post, she has similar views on homeschooling- http://raisingolives.com/2009/05/why-we-homeschoo…
This is such an encouraging and lovely post. We are all so excited for your family and the adventure that you are embarking on. You are going to learn so much, oh and your children will too. :)
The Lord used homeschooling to help us all to grow in so many different areas. Hugs from afar!
Great resources! You can see ours here: http://homeschoolblogger.com/joyfulmothering/24/
I need to get my post up showing our school rooms. Still trying to finish organizing the living room for the upcoming year (book shelves,etc). But almost done!
Christin´s last [type] ..Clothed with Strength & Dignity
Christin´s last [type] ..Clothed with Strength & Dignity
I, too, have found that focusing on "subjects" while the kids are so young is misdirected. I've learned to "teach life" and do "learning activities" that relate to what we're reading or doing as a family.
Ashley´s last [type] ..Running from Submission
Ashley´s last [type] ..Running from Submission
Great Post.
I've been homeschooling for 6 years now. You look like you are off to a great start. Just remember that your kiddos are still so young and you have plenty of time. My number one piece of advice for homeschooling moms is to focus on getting the child to read well. First they learn to read, then they read to learn. It makes homeschooling so much simpler.
Also, remember to take each year one by one. You never know what God has planned for our children. It took a while for us to settle in on the curriculum that works well for our family. (We ended up with Sonlight because we all love to read quality literature and it doesn't require a bunch of busy work.)
Anyway, have a wonderful year enjoying your kiddos!
I love your focus…
Carrie´s last [type] ..Being Prepared
Carrie´s last [type] ..Being Prepared
Hey Sarah!
Love your blog! Love to be strengthened in our walk with the Lord as we serve our families! Homeschooling rocks! My oldest will be 13 in October! My youngest is 5 months. The rest are 3, 6, & 9. By God's grace I have had them home from the start. I love Charlotte Mason too & have used various curricula with her style. I currently use Heart of Dakota. It is a Christ centered complete program that you can((if you wish) choose your own, phonics, math, & LA. It is filled with amazing living books for history & science. This will be my 3rd year using it. I just wanted to share my joy with this program b/c when you find something so great you just have to share! I have tried using 100 easy lessons also but it was too complicated for me! So I gave it away. I used My Fathers World K program in the past(has a great reading manual in the program) but this year (& last)I am using Adventures in Phonics. So far we love it & it is inexpensive! I love to talk about homeschooling & what works & what doesn't! God Bless you & your family!! :)
Blessings,
Georgette
Hi there,
I am also the mother of a 4, 3, and 1 yr old and am also homeschooling, though without any formal curriculum right now. I loved your links. I am just curious if you can share more about your plan to include "homemaking" for your daughter and other things in place for your son. What does this look like practically? It seems the Pearables link you have could be modified to teach a son and daughter – though as you teach to explain some different insights, right? Or do you plan to keep that entirely separate? Just curious on your thoughts about that. I plan to teach my son (3) and daughter (4) at the same level right now – they are both pretty much at the same place, son is more verbal and daughter is more detailed and better with letters. I want to start a curriculum for the year but procrastinated til now and am now going through some plans with my husband. I find the choices to be the most overwhelming part right now – though I know I favor Charlotte Mason and unit studies. Your post gave me some more things to think through. I am hoping to order something soon and get our plan finalized so that we can start with some routine and schedule by mid-Sept. Thanks for your posts!
I LOVE your thoughts on homeschooling, Sarah. Your six themes are spot-on; all of us would be so blessed to follow them. I'm cutting-and-pasting your post: it filled me up with a breath of fresh air regarding the importance of building a home with our children by our sides. Thank you!! (And thanks for the stack of fantastic resources; keep 'em coming!)
Laura´s last [type] ..Curriculum Plans- Preschool!
Laura´s last [type] ..Curriculum Plans- Preschool!
Thanks for sharing the homeschool thoughts and resources. I really like the idea of the 21 Family Rules…I think I'll print that for our family!
Jennifer´s last [type] ..12 New Things
Jennifer´s last [type] ..12 New Things
Just found your blog this evening… really enjoy it. I share much of your thoughts/approach to schooling. We also tried "…100 easy lessons" for reading, and Spell to Write and Read before finding "Phonics Road to Reading". I can't say enough about PRR. Our family loves it.
Thanks again for this blog. Warm regards and blessings!
Thank you for your honesty & wisdom in this post! I have no idea yet if God is truly calling us to this homeschooling "thing" (our oldest turns 5 this summer), but I do know that it will ONLY be by HIS strength that I would ever be able to do it. (let's just say…i'm not a teacher!!) But I do agree with so much of what you said about your perspective and focus in homeschooling. It blessed me today. Thanks!
Sarah, Just recently discovered your blog and what a blessing! Your godly spirit and genuine candor speaks volumes! Several of your posts have left me in tears–maybe because I'm pregnant (or maybe not!).
I am a mom of three–ages 4-1/2; 3; and 1–and we have another due in July. Although my oldest knows her letters and sounds and is constantly "writing," we have not yet begun "officially" homeschooling. It is encouraging to read your posts and you have offered several helpful resources as I'm beginning to plan for our "homeschool journey."
Thank you!