Most of us are new to homeschooling. We are charting new waters, so to speak! It can be overwhelming. If you've had success with homeschooling, please be sure to leave a comment! In this post, I support developing your own philosophy of education and list specific texts and specialists in education, as well as where to start!
...Start by listening to this interview: http://blog.carolejoyseid.com.s126415.gridserver.com/radio-interviews/
That will help with the "to-do" list. What about public schools and charters? We've been ruined for anything run by the government-even charters. That's not to say that in a crisis we wouldn't do public. We have had our kids in public school. But a crisis is a life-and-death situation. So really, really pray and do your research before committing to a publicly funded school. But I digress...
By research I mean read Douglas Wilson, Dr. Raymond Moore, and Susan Wise Bauer. And Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.
I love you dear reader! God is with you! He has already given you everything you need for the good works he has called you to! That's a promise! Phillipians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
My "go to" for homeschooling curriculum is two fold- The Well-Trained Mind and homeschooling lecturer and consultant Carole Joy Seid. They both ascribe to the benefits of GREAT BOOKS! Our favorite story Bible is by Catherine Voss, A Child's Story Bible. We have tried many different learning materials but what I've found is that if the material isn't working, it's probably the wrong time. I put it away for a few weeks or months or even a year or to-then come back to it and try it again. I did this w/ Saxon Math and have had great success. But I wouldn't start with Saxon until age 9. At that age, things change in the brain and the abstract becomes much less painful to learn! Saxon has online assessments for free so that you can know what level to start at, when the time comes. Pre-Math IT and real life cooking, measuring-making the measuring tape (your child's) favorite piece of equipment-have him measure his bed, his favorite toy, etc. For little ones, get cardboard books where they can put their sticky fingers all over it, then, together, count the balls on the pages or monkeys on the bed. (When you listen to Carole's interview, what I'm writing will make much more sense!)
Use spoken words to describe each task you are doing when the kids are around! And with all this relating, don't forget to build in a rest time! How-to: The kids must have their feet off the floor-and so must you-for ONE HOUR. Set a timer-out of reach from the kids. Show them on a clock. "When the hands on the clock are here, I will come get you! Then be sure to go get them on time, lol! Unplug the phone, or put it on silent-mode! The kids can do one of four things 1) pray, 2) think, 3) sleep or 4) read/play with books.
Allow God to work in your relationships w/ the kids, whatever is happening in life. Don't become a slave to your academic goals. That will all come in time. Obey the Lord, delighting in his love for you! Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you ask him each morning for wisdom and guidance w/ each child and of course, with your husband. Character training is something only you and your husband can give your children. Ultimately, that is what will make them employable, wise learners and thinkers!
Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz
...Start by listening to this interview: http://blog.carolejoyseid.com.s126415.gridserver.com/radio-interviews/
That will help with the "to-do" list. What about public schools and charters? We've been ruined for anything run by the government-even charters. That's not to say that in a crisis we wouldn't do public. We have had our kids in public school. But a crisis is a life-and-death situation. So really, really pray and do your research before committing to a publicly funded school. But I digress...
By research I mean read Douglas Wilson, Dr. Raymond Moore, and Susan Wise Bauer. And Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.
I love you dear reader! God is with you! He has already given you everything you need for the good works he has called you to! That's a promise! Phillipians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
My "go to" for homeschooling curriculum is two fold- The Well-Trained Mind and homeschooling lecturer and consultant Carole Joy Seid. They both ascribe to the benefits of GREAT BOOKS! Our favorite story Bible is by Catherine Voss, A Child's Story Bible. We have tried many different learning materials but what I've found is that if the material isn't working, it's probably the wrong time. I put it away for a few weeks or months or even a year or to-then come back to it and try it again. I did this w/ Saxon Math and have had great success. But I wouldn't start with Saxon until age 9. At that age, things change in the brain and the abstract becomes much less painful to learn! Saxon has online assessments for free so that you can know what level to start at, when the time comes. Pre-Math IT and real life cooking, measuring-making the measuring tape (your child's) favorite piece of equipment-have him measure his bed, his favorite toy, etc. For little ones, get cardboard books where they can put their sticky fingers all over it, then, together, count the balls on the pages or monkeys on the bed. (When you listen to Carole's interview, what I'm writing will make much more sense!)
Use spoken words to describe each task you are doing when the kids are around! And with all this relating, don't forget to build in a rest time! How-to: The kids must have their feet off the floor-and so must you-for ONE HOUR. Set a timer-out of reach from the kids. Show them on a clock. "When the hands on the clock are here, I will come get you! Then be sure to go get them on time, lol! Unplug the phone, or put it on silent-mode! The kids can do one of four things 1) pray, 2) think, 3) sleep or 4) read/play with books.
Allow God to work in your relationships w/ the kids, whatever is happening in life. Don't become a slave to your academic goals. That will all come in time. Obey the Lord, delighting in his love for you! Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you ask him each morning for wisdom and guidance w/ each child and of course, with your husband. Character training is something only you and your husband can give your children. Ultimately, that is what will make them employable, wise learners and thinkers!
Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz
