At this time of year it is common for people to make goals and evaluate priorities.  As I pondered the idea of priorities in education, I realized that the things I feel I fail in the most as a homeschool parent are things that are lowest on my priority scale.  I love music.  I believe it is important.  But it is not in my top five priorities.  Why then, do I feel so guilty when it gets put on the back burner with art, field trips, and similar things.

My top five homeschool priorites are...

• Scripture.  I want my children to know scripture.  I want there to be no doubt that when they graduate from Sierra View Christian School they know the Word inside and out.  I cannot infuse them with my faith, but I can infuse them with the Word of God by which faith comes.
• Reading.  I truly believe that the sub-foundation (after scripture) of all education is the ability to read comprehensively. 
• Writing/Composition.  The ability to communicate effectively is the backbone of relationships and evangelism.  In order to have a reasonably solid education, one must be able to articulately convey a comprehensible thought 'on paper'.  (Very unlike my previous sentence.  Ick.  I will leave it as a perfect example of what I hope to teach my children not to do.)
• Math.  Yes, the very prosaic study of mathematics is vitally important in my opinion.  Without the ability to calculate simply and abstractly, you are at the mercy of those who may chose to exploit your lack of knowledge.  The most basic elements of our existence require a solid understanding of calculating numbers. 
• Research Skills.  With an understanding of how to acquire knowledge, one can overcome any gaps in one's education.  A good reader can, if he knows how to pursue an independent study of a subject, learn anything he needs to know.

Why is it then, that I focus so much of my energy on my failures in areas that are not priorities to me when those that are suffer for it?  I need to enjoy the extras of education.  I would not be content to teach only the five areas outlined above.  Literature is also very important to me.  I want my children to know literature.  To appreciate writers like Shakspeare, Austen, Burns, Scott, and Twain. 

I want them to have a good overview of history and enjoy discovering lives in the past and how the decisions they made affect us today.  I want them to learn from the mistakes of the past so they may do their part to help those in the future to avoid a repeat performance. 

I want them to fully understand the basics of science.  To understand science is to begin to grasp the magnificence of our Lord. 

Call me a Providentialist but I want my children to know the legal system of their country and understand the importance of safeguarding the parameters our founding fathers put on freedom and government.  However, I don't want their study of civics to end with our own system of government... I want them to see the wise and the foolish political systems of other countries throughout history and the far reaching effects of them.  I want them to see where the decisions we make to day can lead us tomorrow.

It is an overwhelming task.  However, I believe it is an attainable goal.  I need to keep my focus on my priorities first.  I need to decorate them with the 'extras' without allowing the decorations to crowd out the furniture of the educational room I am building.