Posted in Teaching Thoughts

Simplicity is the buzz word these days.  "Simple living" and decluttering are the rage.  Living the simple life is the cultural dream as time becomes more and more precious.

Even in the homeschooling world, "Multum non Multa" (less is more) has become a catch-phrase.  Parents discuss focusing on the three R's out of frustration with trying to juggle different programs, children, and needs.

In the past year, I've examined six history packages, eight math programs, four language arts options, and five science programs - and no doubt I've missed a few.  The wonderful curriculum options are endless! 

So, how does one choose?  How does one create a plan out of these endless options? 

I'm not talking about how to use the materials we already have on our shelves.  I'm discussing the "big picture."   What is the best course for our homeschool?  How, then, should we achieve that?

I would argue that what each homeschooling family needs is a roadmap.

Such a roadmap would not be a series of lesson plans from now until the end of the coming school year.  It would not be a long-range plan of which curriculum we intend to use eight years from now when our kindergartner enters high school, which unrealistically ignores the needed changes and unknown opportunities that might benefit them in the future.

So, what would a homeschool roadmap look like?  It may help to compare it to other theoretical roadmaps that are more familiar.

A business plan is a roadmap for starting a new business, or expanding an existing one.  It includes market analysis, marketing plans, financial projections, best/worst/most likely case scenarios, and other ways to guide the start-up of a business.  Business plans are usually "short term" plans, meaning that they are only valid for a relatively short period of time in the life of the business.  Once the business is established, revisions must be made to the plan in order to keep it relevant and flexible to the changing needs of the company.

It would seem, then, that a homeschool roadmap is a reflection of both of these types of guides. 

From a textual standpoint, many homeschoolers choose a theory from which to work.  Many times the theory is encapsulated in a book, or series of articles, which inspire the reader and leads him or her to believe that this is what their homeschool should look like. 

Some books provide more specifics on curriculum choices, which can be helpful, but also ignores changes and additions that may become available.  More importantly, however, is how the theory is presented and how the text inspires the reader to adopt the theory for their homeschool.

From a practical, working standpoint a homeschool roadmap needs human guides - found in the student and teacher.  Understanding both the student's and teacher's needs, interests, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses provides insights into how the chosen theory may be applied.  This takes time, trial and error, observation, listening, honesty and occasionaly re-evaluation. 

Having these two facets of the roadmap in hand, a course can be plotted for one's homeschool.  Choices can be made in curricula based upon their suitability for the theory you've chosen to utilize.  Then, specific curriculum can be further evaluated for its "fit" with both student and teacher.

But, staying the course is another issue and this is where the multiplicity of options can ruin the simplicity of the plan.

Having a theory and knowing the human components of your homeschool won't be enough if you allow yourself to be swayed by the siren call of every "new" program out there.

The roadmap for your homeschool should become the mast that you voluntarily lash yourself to, so that your homeschool doesn't wreck on the rocky shoals of all the options.  Struggling to stay lashed to the mast is normal. 

Every side road and path along the way will beckon, offerring multplicity over simplicity.  But, if you don't have a solid plan for what route that you want your homeschool to take, then you can never reach those destinations on your journey.