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Welcome to My Blog!
Schooling two active boys has never been more... interesting. That's the word I'm looking for!
I love my boys! God has given them the blessing of strong, active bodies and minds. We continually pray the first will remain intact, and the second will remain engaged with Him first, and then the school work. You'll meet my sweet sons, both entirely different, but both loving God to the best of their ability in the way He made them. I lovingly refer to them as my Bell Pepper Boy and my Habanero or Hambone. That should say it all!
This blog is an eclectic mix. The events, conversations, and the thoughts behind it all will be in here.
Every once in a while I'll try to capture something I don't want to forget. I hope you find things you enjoy. Please let me know if you do!
Blessings!
Our Curriculum
- Mystery of History vol. 1
- Saxon 5/4
- Horizons Grade 2
- A Beka Language
- Spelling Power
- Apologia Zoology 1
Books I'm Reading
- The Bible
- Adam and His Kin by Beechick
- It by Groeschel
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Road to Classical Home Schooling
Posted in Curriculum Things
I don't know how many of you know where I am on the home schooling continuum. I like to think I'm much like a fine black and white photograph, slowly and perfectly developing and coming into focus. (Of course, I don't really care to discuss the implication of being "all wet" in the process.) *giggle*
Probably the first thing you need to know about me is I am a college graduate with coursework in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and English Literature. There are pros and cons to all of that. The largest con, I believe, is leaving the training I've received to travel in a home schooling direction. You see, the two are not necessarily compatible at all times. Sure, I know more about the various philosophies the public schools tend to use, but that's not particularly helpful in my given situation. I know how to evaluate a curriculum from that particular perspective, but I find I also need to evaluate on a whole other level. As a home school teacher, I have the blessing of tooling it all to my teaching strengths, weaknesses, and style. Plus, I can choose based on my students' exact needs (which equates to their strengths, weaknesses, and style.) How wonderful is that!
I have a friend who mentored me a bit from the beginning. Our family felt led to home school, but I was left trying to sort out what that meant, how we would go about it, and where we would find our tools to accomplish this huge goal. God managed to put her in my life, I think, because he knew we'd be close in the way we would tend to move along in schooling. Thankfully, she started me in the way of a very basic Classical approach. (Thanks, Angie!)
We're now heading into what I consider to be more serious areas. I've been flying by the seat of my pants for a few years, and God has been gracious. However, I noticed I felt a bit like I was burning the candle at both ends. I felt as if there was the missing piece. I hoped there was something that could sort of neatly tie all of this together a bit better than my current way of doing things.
Enter my good friend, Kathy! She's been home schooling for many years, and she's done well. The hard and fast evidence is three of her five matriculated to fine schools. (And there was much rejoicing!) In all honesty, I'm beginning to think it is a great thing to know someone who has accomplished the goal when it comes to a mentor relationship in home schooling. I'm a big advocate of home schoolers helping one another, and now I'm a bigger proponent of it with this little piece of wisdom in mind. :')
I'm going to break this entry into more than one part. (Yes, I just heard the collective sigh.) I just think it will be wiser to do that, and it will help solidify a bit of the process for myself as I'm sharing.
"So, class, what have we learned today?"
Whether formal or informal, find someone you will learn from and dialogue with about schooling. (This sounds rather ridiculous to say here, knowing that HSB is all about connecting in this way, but be intentional about it.)
Find something that works for you as a teacher and your kids' as students. Know the ins and outs of what you've chosen; know where you've been and where you're going (to the best of your ability).
Don't be afraid to admit you need a little help or guidance from a friend! (My pride kept me from asking too many questions, and that did me more harm than good. Thankfully, my kids will probably be fine.)
Be willing to do whatever it takes in the area of "Professional Development" when it comes to your school. (I feel it's more important than ever now.)
 The question rambles in my brain: can I ever become a "Relaxed Home Schooler?"
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Jenn