Im busy reading through I Saw The Angel In The Marble, and thinking about how much my homeschooling has evolved over the years. We have gone from pre-packaged curricula-in-a-box, to lots of living books but still curricula- just different types. Ive dabbled in classical and natural learning, yet Ive also rigorously followed schedules that don't seem to connect to anyone or anything much and its almost a relief when we are done for the day.

Now I find myself seeking some kind of a balance. Im drawn to a delight-directed disciple-based learning, with still a semblence of structure for the three R's.  I like the Davis's 'rigid priority structure'; first, relationships; second, practical skills and finally, academics. As they tell of their son:

"Seth grew up with a strong academic upbringing, but academics were never our priority. Setth is a skilled, very competent individual of the highest character. He is also one of the happiest young men I have ever known. As I look back at Seth's time at home, I have come to realize that he was never "homeschooled." he simply grew up in a most unusual place- his own home."

I like this quote:

'Scholoarship should be individual and creative through a process of learning that produces a delight-directed student, a student who knows how to learn and will pursue the development of his God-given abilities. You will not reap the fruit of individuality in your children if you clone their education. This approach to child-rearing and home-schooling will suffocate our children's individual purposes. Violation of this principle will result in settling for a generic education, one that does not prepare and individual for life according to God's design."

Wisdoms Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall

Its easy to say this however, but putting these ideas into practice can be time-consuming and tiring. But are they??? This is where I think I have gone wrong in the past- I have not given the connections my children make with their books, their nature walks, their art, their creative play (etc) enough value. As Judith Knowles points out in page 127 '...even though I intuitively understand the need to be a relaxed homeschooler, I still tend to stray back to a traditional educational mind set.' 

When I read this I thought "Hey! Me Too!"  But I think its a battle Im starting to win, as I begin to understand my own mind-set and where God, and my heart, are leading me.

blessings,

Bec