A Little Background Information
Because I write (passionately) about the topic of home education and discipleship, it may surprise you to know that I spent my elementary education in the public school system. I then attended a Christian school for junior high and high school. I was not homeschooled. In fact, although I had many homeschooled friends, I was quite against the idea. I swore that I would never ”do that” to my children. Well, as they say, things change.
In our family, we believe that education starts at birth. But, we have been “officially” homeschooling for 2 years. Our daughter is 6-years-old, and in First Grade. (And, Lord-willing, we look forward to adding another little one around February 6, 2012.)
If you are wondering how exactly this change of heart and conviction came about, I suggest you start here:
Why We Homeschool
{Part 1} - Because Scripture is clear regarding our duty and responsibility in the education, discipling, and training of our children.
{Part 2} - Because I do not simply want to “school” my children, I want to educate them.
{Part 3} - Because I believe that education is far more than passing on facts and trivia, devoid of religious, moral, and ethical implications.
{Part 4} – What about socialization? “Fitting in” with their peers is not high on my priority list for my children’s education.
So, now that you know why, here is the how:
How We Homeschool
In college, I majored in Christian Education. So, perhaps it goes without saying, but, I love academics and education. I actually find it fun to research educational methods and philosophies. I enjoy looking over curriculum websites and catalogs, to compare the pros and cons of various approaches. For me, all of this is just as much fun as it is practical and necessary.
Pre-School/Kindergarten Requirements: As I researched curriculum choices and educational methods, I discovered that very few curriculum publishers, professional educators, and state requirements actually agree on what a child is “supposed” to know by the time they start their “formal education.” So, I created my own. This list serves as a guide and foundation on which to build the rest of our child(ren)’s education. It is simply a framework designed to help us evaluate progress in certain areas, and determine readiness for the start of “formal” education. These goals and requirements are specific to our family, and based on our philosophy of education, and our academic goals.
Kindergarten Curriculum (Hannah): I decided on using a classical approach well before I was married, or even had any children to homeschool! I discovered Tapestry of Grace a little later (when Hannah was about 2), and it appeared to be a perfect fit! So, that was the “core” of our kindergarten curriculum.
However, I think that I allowed myself to get so caught up in my “hobby,” and finding “the best” curriculum, that I lost sight of what would truly be the BEST thing for my child.
While I still love the approach of Tapestry of Grace, and the philosophy behind a classical curriculum (and would still recommend it very highly), we needed to go a different direction for first grade.
First Grade Curriculum (Hannah): We are using a traditional textbook approach. Our current curriculum is through Bob Jones University Press Homeschool.
Resources
- Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA): A nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms.
- Texas Home School Coalition (THSC): Promotes home schooling in Texas by providing information and help for individuals, training and support for leaders, and various other functions and activities to continue to advance home education.
- Voddie Baucham Ministries: Pastor and author, Voddie Baucham’s blogs and articles on the topic of education.
- Vision Forum: Homeschooling materials, books and resources
- Curriculum
- Classical: Tapestry of Grace, Veritas Press
- Literature Based: Sonlight
- Textbook: A Beka, BJU Press Homeschool
- Books
- The Heart of Homeschooling: Teaching and Living What Really Matters, by Christopher Klicka
- For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
- When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling, by RC Sproul, Jr.
- Learning Styles: Teaching Everyone God Gave You to Teach, by Marlene LeFever
- The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
