Walking Therein

How We Homeschool

    We use anything we study to fit the 7 child frame we have at this point in our family. I actually started using out A Beka, the little desks and the whole nine yards. YIKES!! (sorry to you A Beka users, - we actually use a couple arith1,2 workbooks!) That was 10 years ago, and many Ebay listings later....

   Well, I have changed a lot in my thinking, and we mostly use the same studies for several children at the same time. I think I would go berserk if I had 7 different lessons to plan and 7 different directions to be going.

    Our children are: dd16, dd15, dd12, ds8, dd6, ds2  ds10m

    First of all, we homeschool all year round.  We have found it easier to take a break when needed for family and keep the breaks short.  Besides, we feel that the Teachable Moments do not stop. We are learning creatures. If we break for 3 months, we will be learning something, so why not take advantage of the beautiful summer days to homeschool?

     We also group children at the same learning level into the same lesson. They may not all learn or master it the same, but it is exposure, and allows them to learn what they can catch. They also get to do it with a sib.

    The older 2 girls usually study together. I will include dd12 into most assignments, just toning it down.

    We mostly do self-made Unit Studies.  The past 2 yrs. have been a fun learning time, as we studied WWII and then Biblical Times and Paul's Journeys.  I can tailor these studies to any age, and we all learn.

   Last summer I was convicted that we need to use the Bible as our base for all of our studies.  I even took time off from all the information studies, and we got down to the nitty-gritty Bible basics. 

    If your children are having a hard time getting along or doing as they are told the first time! UGH!! It will make schooling any child/ren, of any age, a time of tears and trial.  That is when it is time to get out the Bible and dig, dig, dig.  It is written to every age, so you don't have to change a thing. 

    You will be refreshed and fulfilled that you are putting the LORD first, and school will be better - everything will be.  It will make you want to leave it as the basis of your Home Educating.

    I use workbooks for the Littles for math and handwriting. I am also starting ds8 on Saxon 54, slowly. I feel like there is sometimes a lot of repetitive work that is unnecessary once they know the basics and will use it in new math... I am not saying my 8yo has mastered all the concepts. I just looked through the 54 and decided we could use it along with the gr.2 Arithmetic workbook he studies.   The 3dd's are in 65 and Algebra1. I do not usually have any of them do all the problems. dd15 is also doing a consumer Mathematics workbook, pretty much on her own. dd16 helps her out, if need be.

    We have studied Logic, reading to all the children.  We all read the Hobbit as a family - we loved that, even down to the 2yo!  One time, the girls baked cookies while I read about 3 chapters!  We ended the reading with a family time of The Hobbit cartoon movie.  It enabled us to learn even more, as they critiqued the differences in the book and the movie.

    We do nature study and science readings, projects all together.  The older dd's have done projects with the Littles.  Art can be taught to different ages at the same time.

    The list is endless on how we work one topic of study together.  Of course, we expect more from our older 3.  The 2 Littles are learning math, reading and such together, at ages 8 and 6.   If and when there comes a time they are at different levels, we will adjust. 

   Isn't that the beauty of homeschooling?  We really get to know our children; they get to know themselves, as God-designed, and we encourage them to be that.  It gives me joy, just to know that I can have a hand in God's plan for their becoming Godly adults. 

   Oh, and I did not even mention all the sewing, baking, home-keeping, Ebay business, home business learning and gardening there is going on around here!

Related Tags: Homeschool ,  Homeschooling , Bible , Christian ,  Teaching , eclectic , High School , Curriculum ,   Education , Learning ,  Titus2 Woman,  Biblical Womanhood , Unit Studies

hello

1:32 AM, Friday, April 21, 2006 .. Posted by FivelittleZarcones

I just wanted to say keep up the good work.You and I have much in common- I teach across the board too in order to avoid several lesson plans at once. It is amazing how even the youngest can sit through Tolkien or Dickens. It's all in the way it's presented I suppose. I try my best to make it fun. I would love to add you to my list of friends and stay in touch. May the Lord continue to bless your efforts.