Posted in Homeschool

We are about to begin 9th grade with my oldest daughter.  I am wondering what is your favorite high school resource or any hints or tips any of you out there may have for homeschooling highschoolers.  It is hard to believe we are here already.  It seems like it was just yesterday we started kindergarten.  These years at home with my precious daughters are flying by way to quickly as far as I am concerned.  One of the greatest blessing in homeschooling is that we get so much time together.  It still feels like it is not quite enough as I look at how fast time seems to be going by.

Posted in Homeschool

Someone had asked in a comment on another post about my experience with this curriculum.  I have enjoyed using it but have to admit that I haven't used it to it's fullest potentional because I tend to not do a lot of extra projects.  They do look fun though. The main tip I would give you has to do with one of the recomended reading books.  I am not sure what the ages of your kids are but I found that the Streams of Civilization was a bit over the heads of my 9 and 11 year old.  It is a well written text but really does read at a jr/sr high level.  My 8th grader, who is a very good reader,  read it on her own  and enjoyed it.  I substituted The Story of the World, by Susan Wise Bauer for my younger two daughters and this seemed to cover the same material at an easier to grasp level for them.  I would be happy to answer other questions on this topic but do not claim to be an expert by any means.

You can check out the web site for this curriculum at http://www.mfwbooks.com/

Posted in Homeschool

I recently attended a homeschool conference in my area.  Michael Smith, the president of the Homeschool Legal Defense was the keynote speaker.  He did

an excellent job of reminding us of the struggle Homeschoolers, not too long ago, went through to pave the way for the freedom we enjoy today.  Many went to jail and had their children placed in foster care, simply because they wanted to teach their own children at home.  He also reminded us not to become complacent or the freedom we now enjoy could slip away just as quickly.  It is important that we pay attention to what is going on in our local legislatures as far as laws being proposed to limit or restrict our freedom as homeschoolers.  We must not be afraid to let our voices be heard so that our Legislators know that we are willing to fight with our votes, for our freedom. 

Posted in Homeschool

I went to a homeschool conference in my area last weekend and gleaned lots of wonderful advice and encouragement.  I especially liked the workshop given by

Elizabeth Smith, the wife of Mike Smith, president of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Ten Reasons to Homeschool Teenagers

1. Vast amounts of time separated from family will affect their relationships with parents and siblings.  We risk loosing what we have built during our homeschool years.  Relationships take a lifetime to build, one day at a time.

2. We have the freedom to customize our teen's education to meet their needs and develop their strengths.

3.  They can begin higher education and career training earlier because homeschoolers tend to be more mature and have a more flexible schedule.

4.  Homeschooling in High School helps you continue to build an emotional bond and a close relationship with your teen.

5.  You can be sure they are actually learning something when they are taught at home and you can be sure they are taught the truth.

6.  You can continue to have an influence on their peer relationships.

7.  You can protect your teen from the pressure to conform to what others are doing.

8. Homeschool teens have a greater flexibility to find work study and job opportunities.

9.  Public education focus a lot of time on crowd control.  At home there is time for academic pursuits and well as time to work on developing Godly character.

10.  Public schools are not safe or healthy places anymore. 

Posted in Homeschool

Jude 1:24

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy."

He is able.  Those three words give me so much peace.  As I look over the school year that has just been completed I think about the successes and failures. I am tempted to look at the things I did not accomplish feel discouraged.  Then my loving Savior gently and faithfully reminds me that He is able especially when I am not. He is the one who has called me to homeschool and He is the able to fill in the missing pieces. He will equip me and strengthen me to be able to do what he has called me to do.  According to the verse He will even enable me to do it with great joy.  I think the key to this is to remember that my joy comes from Him and not from what I have or haven't accomplished.  I am so blessed to serve such a loving God.