Biblical Womanhood: Input requested: Homeschooling/Christian education

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Input requested: Homeschooling/Christian education

I was just wondering if you would consider bringing up the topic of homeschooling/Christian Education on your blog. Christian education and homeschooling is now almost unheard of in the United Kingdom. However, there is a small group of Christians in my local area looking to set up a Christian school in Glasgow, Scotland by seeking God’s help and leading. We are just in the preliminary stages at present and would like to ask for your prayers that children in our city would have a school in which children would be taught in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I would be glad to hear if you had any particular views on curriculum yourself, or if any of your other readers did. On a practical note, I was wondering if any readers had attended a Christian school, and would be able to share their experiences? Or anyone who homeschools, how they structure their day, and if they use a particular curriculum?

I know that you have written on the topic of educating from birth yourself. Do you use any set pattern or curriculum yet and how do you put it into practice? I could use some ideas with my own 2-year-old daughter! - Karen

Hi, Karen!

My apologies for taking almost five months to get to your question! I would be glad to share what we are doing with Kathrynne, though it isn't anything earth-shattering! I'm all for simplicity. You mentioned educating from birth and you are exactly right that that is something I believe in. However, I believe that every child is educated from birth - that is, every child is educated in something. Whether or not it is good education is the question!

With that in mind, we've tried to make our home a forum for learning good things, without it taking enormous effort on our part. Most of this just involves having a routine (We believe chaos is not a healthy environment to be raised in, though we're not certainly perfectly organized by any means!), giving your children good choices in things to play with (We prefer creative play as opposed to sitting your child down in front of a entertainment machine - whether that be the TV, computer, etc.), and instilling in them a love for learning through real-life.

Real-life is one of the greatest ways to learn most things and I'd rather have my child learn something from practical, hands-on experience, than just read about it in a textbook. That doesn't mean there isn't a time and a place for textbooks, I just think they need to be balanced with learning from life.

Since Kathrynne is so young, we don't have any set "curriculum" we do with her, but she spends much of her day learning things. Here's an idea of our usual routine and how learning from everyday life works for us:

We usually read a simple, short chapter in the Bible in the morning at breakfast. I explain to her what it means in the best way I can at her level. We also pray together, with her praying a simple prayer (Usually, "Dear God, help mama and baby, amen."). We talk about why we pray, why we read the Bible, how important it is to love the Lord, and how we want her to grow up to love the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

After breakfast, she spends a few hours every morning by my side - helping me with cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. As I go about doing these simple tasks, I try to explain to her what I am doing and why. We incorporate much learning as we go, without it ever feeling like "school."

When we're cooking, we talk about measurements, we count the number of cups of flour we need to put in, we talk about fractions, we do simple addition and subtraction. Now obviously, at two years old, not all of this is making complete sense to Kathrynne, but I'm amazed at how much of it is. And she is seeing how it is practically used. When we do laundry, we'll talk about matching things, about colors, about whose clothes are whose, where things are put away, and so on. Not only is she learning academics through practical life, but she is also learning the basics of running a home. At the same time, she's having fun and spending quality time with Mama. What could be better?

After lunch and before her nap, we usually cuddle on our bed and read her Bible verse book, talk about a few of the verses and Bible stories, review her verses she is learning, and then read a book - often one from the library on some subject she's interested in. We just spent the last few weeks talking about painting and art and we read parts of a book on Monet everyday. Now we're going to move onto trains, another subject she is fascinated with. Without even realizing it, she is learning so much through this and we're having so much fun at the same time!

When she gets up from her nap, she often will help me, play with her Legos, sit at her desk and draw, read books, or we'll sit on the couch (if Mama's not feeling too well!) and sing together. Sometimes we'll just run around and have fun together - dancing, playing hide-and-seek, etc. - laughing and giggling the whole time. I'm all for enjoying my children and some of my best memories growing up were when my parents just got down on our level and had fun with us.

In whatever we are doing, I'm constantly talking to her, explaining things to her, asking her questions, and seeking to make all of life a learning experience. If she's drawing, I'll ask her what she is drawing, ask her to draw something specific, ask her what color she is using, show her how to draw a shape or letter. If she is playing with Legos, I'll ask her what she is building, ask her to build a tower, etc. If we're listening to Classical music while we're working, we'll talk about what instruments are playing. I'll ask her to pick out the violin or tell me when she hears a piano.

I've never sat down and done any "formal school" with her, but just through teaching her as she is by my side, she has learned to count to ten (we're still working on counting objects correctly), she is learning her colors, she is learning her ABC's, she knows a few Bible verses, she can hold her pencil correctly (I decided instead of having to break a bad habit when she is four or five, let's just learn the right way from the beginning!), she can draw circles, and is working on drawing letters. No, it's not anything astounding, but she is learning and she's loving it at the same time.

I know some people would read all of this and say, "Well, that's easy, you only have one child." You're right, I do only have one child not in utero. I'm sure it's much different with two or three or five. However, I don't think that means that learning from life has to stop just because there are more littles around. Nor does that mean that learning has to stop being enjoyable.

When my children are grown and gone, if they love the Lord with all their hearts, love to learn, and have happy memories of their childhood, I will be fulfilled. I'd rather enjoy them and teach them to love Jesus, than have brilliant children with all kinds of academic honors. Wisdom in man's eyes can never compare to the Wisdom from Above.

For the rest of you: I'd love to hear how you are teaching your young children, too. I'd also love to hear a lot more input on Karen's other questions. Since I'm not terribly familiar with homeschooling or Christian education in countries outside of the US, I'll leave that question to other readers to pitch in and help out on. I'd especially love to hear from those who have their children in a Christian school or are homeschooling and live in a different country, though anyone is welcome to share. I'm also not any expert on homeschooling or curriculum. Ask me in another 20 years and I'll probably have a lot more to say. I have a great group of readers here who can give you more insight, ideas, and suggestions than I could ever hope to come up with, so I'll open it up to them to help out with that.

25 Comments:

Robyn K said...: Karen-
Being from the UK, you might be interested in the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education, as she was a British educator; there is a great website dedicated to her curriculum called Ambleside Online at: www.amblesideonline.org. LOTS of interesting reading; I still haven't plumbed the depths of it all! We have used this method with my daughter for several years and love it. There is a strong emphasis on the Bible, nature study, and literature; you may find some of the literature to be too worldly, depending on your approach to education, but the philosopy can still be a very interesting read, as CM emphasized habit formation, discipline, and education as a lifestyle. It works for us! Best of luck in your research-; 9:57 AM
Sandi, Punta Gorda, FL said...: Dear Crystal and readers,
I am also planning to begin home-schooling my oldest son who will be entering 6th grade in 2008. I am beginning to do my research. I have not been to happy with the education he has been receiving in the public school system here in Florida. When we first moved to SW Florida we did enroll both our children, ages 9 and 5, in a wonderful Christian School. They based their teachings on the Abekka curriculum. Unfortunately, my children could only go one year because the tuition was so expensive (I thought that living in Florida the tuition would of been less expensive than NY private education but it was actually a lot more).
I am friends with a lady from our church who did homeschool her children but her children are now back in public school. She did mention something very important....what we teach our children at home is very important and that is where they get their foundation. I do find it hard though when my child comes home speaking of "GLOBAL WARMING" and other things he learned which to me are not what we as Christians believe. It is almost like you have to de-program what they learn. I do see that especially in Florida there are many homeschooling groups, both Christian based and non-denominational and the state of Florida also offers virtual school for parents willing to homeschool their children.
I think I may decide to go with the Abekka curriculum if I decide to home-school. It is wonderful! All their readers are based on Christian based stories and it is a very good curriculum.
I have always believed that the amount of time a child spends outside the home is so important especially when they are around views of what the world thinks. I do have many people in my church who have gone to public school and have received a very education and they used that as a way to minister others who are non-christians.
I am so new to this. I am planning to homeschool my oldest son but I too am new to this and all I can say is get all the information you need. Parents need to be very disciplined and structured when homeschooling. At the time a friend of mine said "If you can't stay home full time then home-schooling is not a good option". Well I am a stay at home mom again so God has put it in my heart to do this and with him everything is possible. God will lead you and everyone to making good sound choices. Though I was unable to afford a Christian education for my children, homeschooling has become a wonderful option where I may be able to continue teaching him truth.; 10:08 AM
Jeana said...: How we homeschool is too much to put into one comment, but people ask me often. That's why I started a second blog specifically detailing our homeschooling lifestyle. You can read it at http://red-letterdays.blogspot.com/; 11:09 AM
MM said...: Karen,

My family works extensively with Christian education. I was homeschooled (with the assistance of tutors) as a child, but I later entered Christian elementary and high schools that my parents helped to found.

I did not enjoy homeschooling; I thrived in the environment of the Christian classroom. It was so much fun to be surrounded by other children and students, and I adored my godly teachers. Scripture and prayer were part of our daily classroom routine and our studies. My friends and I also developed routines of praying, fasting, and practicing evangelism together at school.

One good Christian curriculum resource -including travelling consultants who will come to assist you in setting up a small school with other families or through your church- is the Foundation for American Christian Education, available at http://www.face.net/. (See "The Noah Plan" especially!)

I recommend them!; 11:16 AM
Martha A. said...: I think there is a big difference when you have one child than more! I had the time to do much more with my first child than my 4th one, but it just takes alot of organizing for me!
I had to realize that what works for someone else may not work for you. The lady above loves A Beka where I myself, am not very fond of it. Some people love all unit studies approach, no workbooks etc. where others take a mixed view. You have to find out what works for you!
I was homeschooled most of my life. I attended a christian school one year and my parents hired a teacher another year to basically homeschool us (we went to school three days a week next door in our neighbors basement and homeschooled 2)
I enjoyed going to school, but I also enjoyed homeschooling. When I got older, I was frustrated at the amount of time they would take in school as I could get up early and get my school done before the day pretty much started.
I think it is good to read reviews by other mothers who are actually doing the work. It can get confusing when you pick up catalogs and everything sounds great! Talk to other mothers who really use it and you will see when you see everyone says Math-U-See has worked well for them, 5 people liked it, 2 people liked BJU, and one person likes Singapore Math and 3 for Saxon! There is different views for different grades and ages.
I have enjoyed reading books by Raymond Moore. Some of the things that he says is being backed up now by the studies they are doing, how they are pushing children now to do things younger and younger and how they end up with breakdowns when they get older in school. It is so easy to push your child to be the top and the smartest, but having funa nd learning at the same time when theya re younger does work really well!; 12:18 PM
Lindsey @ Enjoythejourney said...: Young children catch on to far more than we realize or give them credit for. I'm currently homeschooling my 1st grader with a 4 and 3 year old at home too. A few weeks ago I did a science experiment on sinking and floating (did you know an orange will float in water because of the trapped air between the fruit and the peel?). This experiment got into some heavy duty vocabulary like buoyancy (sp?) and my preschoolers LOVED IT! They were more excited than my 1st grader.

Just expose, expose, expose them to things. Talk about everything you see. Read lots of books. Sing songs. Share with people, serve others. Every single thing in life can be a teaching experience.

Homeschooling is more of a LIFESTYLE than an education choice. You may do school at 3 pm on a Saturday, or at 7 pm when Daddy's home. Learning happens when it happens---there are no set rules! ENJOY the ride, it is a wonderful thing.

If you can't tell, I'm quite passionate about it!; 12:25 PM
Baleboosteh said...: Dear Karen,
There is a small but growing Christian Homeschooling network in the UK of which we are part. The organisation Home Service can provide lots of information not only on homeschooling but also, I am sure, on starting a Christian school (and they produce a small but very useful resources guide). They are based in Stockport and their website is www.home-service.org. There is also a yahoo group for UK Christian homeschoolers called Deut6v7. Hope this will be of some help.; 12:40 PM
Anonymous said...: For a Christian school (or homeschooling) with a classical approach I would recommend Veritas Press
http://www.veritaspress.com/store/home.asp

For homeschooling our kindergartner we're using Catherine Vos' The Child's Story Bible, Phonics Pathways (this was a difficult choice but I liked their emphasis on spelling), Grade 1 workbook Spectrum Math, and we purchased an art book but haven't used it much yet. There are lots of free printables and resources available on the Internet to supplement the above curriculum.

Not to disagree with Sandi, but A Beka is an all-inclusive program that people like for that reason, but I think a Homeschool review can help you see all angles of the program http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/major-publishers.htm; 12:47 PM
Another Heather said...: We have been homeschooling for a few years now. It is a joy, a challenge, and on some days drudgery. I would never change having the children at home, though. You will have days where the children cry through their handwriting or math. However, you all get through it and learn a little about perserverance too boot. For those of you just beginning, focus on the the three R's. Read from the library and discuss what you read. Have the kids write summaries of what you read or just have them do copy work if they are younger. Have them write puppet plays, stories, and letters to their friends. Find an unpretentious grammar book and work through it. Apply it to the writing they have done. Everyone seems to use Saxon math in the US. We do too, but I am not thrilled with it. Make math part of your day, cook, double and halve the recipes, measure metric and English, build, count in as many different ways as you can, graph weather data, sort and classify. Take regular walks and describe, draw and write about what you saw.

Homeschooling is a way of life, not just an educational choice. We do use textbooks and workbooks. The Bible is a regular part of our "curriculum." We are free to include the Lord and His Work in every aspect of our family's life. We can protect, train, and love our children with far less interference because of our homeschool choice. Turn off (or better yet, unplug) the TV. It is a time waster and can undo all you have done in a matter of minutes. We keep one, but we watch one movie (from our carefully chosen collection), maybe two a week for family fun night. Sometimes we find an educational DVD or video to watch as well. But it is rarely on.

Learning is about much more than which school you used or which curriculum you chose. There is a huge (overwhelming) choice of material out there. You will change several times before you are done. We all have done it. But you will find what works for you and you will be more successful than not. And your children will benefit from your committment and attention. And you will become a better parent and Christian because of it all. Sorry I got longwinded. It is worth every ounce of effort you put into it.; 1:11 PM
Mrs. J said...: Karen,

Your story especially resonates w/ me because my mother started technically "homeschooling" us in the 80's, in urban Florida, in the early years of the U.S. homeschooling "movement." It's exciting that you will be one of the forerunners in the U.K.

Back then, in grocery stores we were stared at and frequently asked Why weren't we in school? I am so proud of my mother's courage and dedication to follow her convictions in the face of the culture at that time. The term "homeschool" has now become an accepted one in American vocabulary due to the perseverance of my mom and the many others who pioneered in this field.

Although we technically started homeschooling when I was in second grade, I know it began much earlier. I learned to read before I started preschool on our porch swing with my dad. Throughout our early development, my mom was incredibly diligent in finding toys, activities, and group events that would challenge and nurture us in the earliest stages.

My mom's greatest strength (I think) was her ability to balance structure with flexibility. She did not embrace a single curriculum and insist on following its every decree. She utilized everything: our environment, our friends, our local culture and activities in order to give us a stimulating, exciting education. She encouraged us in our individual interests without descending into a chaotic "Emile" kind of education. For example, my brother loved tractors, so we took a field trip to visit the home of John Deere. We had daily routines and a designated school room. We said the pledge of allegiance, sang hymns, and read Proverbs every morning. We had assignments written for us each day, along with household chores and a checklist to mark our accomplishments. However, we would abandon this if, say, there was a good exhibit at the science museum, or if we knew that Sea World would be empty, or if Swan Lake was performing a matinee. That's the beauty of homeschooling. As young children, we truly had a fabulous time (and scored well on scholastic aptitude tests too).

My mom remained flexible: as we grew older and some of us wanted to try school, they enrolled us in Christian schools. My youngest sister joined a co-op with several other homeschoolers and used it all the way through high school, supplementing with community college classes. This not only served as a great education, but she was able to shave a year off college because of this nuanced approach. She had exposure with pagan teachers/students without leaving the guidance of our parents.

I am hoping to homeschool my children at least through third grade. I'm not sure which curricula I will use, probably a hodge podge of Classical approaches. I spent 3 years as a teacher at a Christian Classical School, so my interests mostly fall there. I will probably try to imitate some aspects of the education that C.S. Lewis describes in his autobiography, Surprised by Joy (minus the mean teachers!). Dorothy Sayers also offers a good model in her essay "The Lost Tools of Learning." Along the same lines, Mortimer Adler offers the Paideia Proposal, which also provides some good ideas for K-12 education. These all rely heavily on the Western Classics/Liberal Arts and should definitely be supplemented with a strong math program (Saxon has had the best standardized test results with all the homeschoolers I know).

Other Materials that may help you on your journey:
The Well-Trained Mind--Jesse Wise
The Covenant Home Curriculum
(www.covenanthome.com)
Norms and Nobility--David Hicks

Even though I'm sure it was a difficult time and lots of hard work, my mother describes our early homeschooling years as some of the most delightful in our family history. All four of us agree. I'm sure that down the road your children will thank you as well.; 1:38 PM
Erin said...: I attended a Christian school for 10 years before my parents decided to try homeschooling. I had positive experiences with both forms of education.

First and foremost, no matter where a child attends school (Christian or public), the parents are the best educators in the areas of Biblical knowledge and value systems. Although I attended a Christian school, I was still surrounded by peers who weren't Christians or who weren't living according to God's standards. The education that went on at home was valuable in guiding me and keeping me away from some of the destructive behaviors my classmates were taking part in.

My entire primary and secondary education came from A Beka Books. This is a good system to use if you like super-structured education, but it's primarily memorization of facts with little to no hands-on activity.

May God bless your efforts in Glasgow. :-); 1:51 PM
Sheri said...: For the most part we are starting to home school just as you are Crystal. Our oldest is 3 and ½ and it’s so fun to watch her learn and grow! We use every day situations to learn. The grocery store is one of our favorite “classrooms” with all the bright colors of fruits and veggies – we learn math as we bag our produce. When we drive in the car we sing Bible songs and memorize our verse for the week. As we make meals we talk about various ingredients, what they are called, and of course we enjoy tasting! I would encourage every young mom (like myself) to enjoy the journey! I don’t think it’s so much about learning their ABC’s, although that’s important, but to instill a love of learning every day. Isn’t our Heavenly Father good to be so patient with us and teach us as we grow too!; 3:28 PM
Mrs. Robert Gould said...: It has been awhile since I dropped by, Crystal, but thought I would add my comments here.

Homeschooling is so much more than just academics. It is about relationships. It is about life; living and learning together as a family. There are far too many methods and ideas out there that could very well confuse a person, not to mention pull a family off of a track that the Lord may be leading them towards.

Pray and ask the Lord to lead and guide you each step of the way. Seek His wisdom and grace to inable you to do all that He calls you to do. He leads each family to do what is best for those individual members of that family. With the Lord on your side, He will never steer you wrong.

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."

All of this could be applied to setting up a Christian School, as well.

For the record, we incorporate a combination of Charlotte Mason, Classical and Hebrew style of education. Our primary focus is on the spiritual because we desire to raise up a godly heritage, being first generation Christians ourselves.

My husband does a short devotional in the morning before he leaves for work and prays with us.

We read a Psalm and a Proverb a day, pray for missionaries, family members, church family, as well as our own family's needs. I just started reading John Owen's "The Mortification of Sin" to our children yesterday and they were asking for "more!" after the first chapter. We are also memorizing the Nicene Creed with our church and have scripture memorization on the go, as well. We read aloud alot. Right now, we are going through the Little House on the Prairie Series, more for the younger ones since the older ones have all read it, Missionary Heroism and a book on the Reformation. History, Geography and Science are fun to learn together! We receive Nature Friend and Answers In Genesis magazines. Most of these other subjects can be learned through reading or every day life and questions the children ask.

We focus on teaching our children how to read first, then add math, spelling, grammar, vocabulary and writing, often combining all of them in writing assignments.

This all makes for a very full day, considering all the cooking, pick up times and chores that need doing, plus piano practice. Not to say that everything is accomplished every single day because life happens, and interruptions occur, but this gives you an idea of how another family homeschools.

Hope you can glean something from it.

Blessings,
Theresa
wife, mother to six ages ten down to ten months; 3:45 PM
Laura Leigh said...: Crystal:
When you read a book about Monet to Kathrynne, was it a child's book or was it excerpts from an art book written on an adult level? That sounded wonderful; I just did not know if that was in a kids or "grown-up" book.; 3:59 PM
Crystal said...: Great thoughts and input everyone, keep it coming!

Laura Leigh: That particular book was meant for more of an intermediate reader. We looked at the pictures, talked about the art and painting, and read no more than a page a day. It's hard to find worthwhile children's books that aren't just gibberish, in my opinion. So I often go for ones which are a bit above her level and then just explain it, go slow, and make sure there are plenty of pictures! I want to read a longer book to her again (just reading in short increments everyday), but that's one thing which has slidden during the last few months thanks to my pregnancy.; 4:04 PM
Anonymous said...: I am a stay at home daughter in my high school years. I have been in public school, private school and I am now being homeschooled. In the first year of homeschooling we used the Charlotte Mason approach (I was in 6th grade)now we use Sonlight mostly. When I was in private school we used A Beka. I hated it! I was so confined to textbooks and tests. I had no room to grow or be creative. I believe that the best place for any child is at home no matter the learning style or the child. As far as putting your child in school after you have homeschooled a while, it does not make any sense to me. Why would you want to put your child in a corrupt enviroment while he or she is in the most vital years of his life? I believe that you should teach your child in the ways he should go so that he will not stray from it and to me putting him in public school is the exact opposite of that. I am sorry to get on my soap box or to share my opinion out right or rudely but I believe the Bible is our real "textbook" and that we should follow it whole-heartedly. I highly recommend reading Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson. It shows you the options for homeschooling and choosing the best options for your child.
Blessings,
Bethany; 6:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Crystal,
Does your mom by any chance have a blog? =) I'd love to read it if she does!; 6:56 PM
JKB said...: I couldn’t agree more with Bethany. I grew up in a Christian school in which both of my parents were teachers. Right in the same room with them I learned foul language and dirty jokes. Right under my fathers nose I was exposed to pornography and I learned about all sorts of abominable sexual practices. Right in the same room with them I learned about drugs and was introduced to Rock and Roll music which combined with other events eventually led to a love of the occult.

I spent nearly all of my teenage years incarcerated in various juvenile institutions and was in and out of jail until the Lord graciously saved me at age 21. I nearly spent eternity in the black darkness of the lake of fire and it all started with the “friends” that I made at my Christian school.

I know that many people have had far better experiences (such as mm above) but why take such a chance? Why gamble with the souls of our children if we don’t have to?; 10:20 PM
Kathleen said...: I am a homeschooling grade 12 student. I homeschooled K-6, attended public schools form grades 7-11, and returned to homeschooling so that I could actually get an education. My brother and I do Thomas Jefferson Education: a fantastic educational philosophy! I strongly urge you to read the book, "A Thomas Jefferson Education" by Oliver DeMille. Online, I would direct you to an introductory article I did on my blog, http://liberfidesveritas.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-is-thomas-jefferson-education.html. You could also visit www.tjed.org or www.gwc.edu, which is a Thomas Jefferson Education college in the USA (I'm in Alberta, Canada, where a strong TJEd community is growing!)

Beware the conveyor belt!; 10:39 PM
thehomespunheart said...: I appreciated this post! As a mom of a two year old and seven month old, I find myself wanting the older to play by herself more while I run around and get things done. I've been incorporating her into my chores and I'd love to do more of that, but she will not stick with it for several hours. I'm amazed that your daughter will! I guess it is a gradual thing ~ and a matter for prayer...; 5:10 AM
Crystal said...: Anonymous: No, my mom doesn't have a blog - though I'd most certainly be sending you all there if she did! I'm hoping I can at least get her to write something or co-author something with me to be published in the not-too-distant future. She's one of the wisest women I know.

Thehomespunheart: I think the dynamics will change some with having two children, so I can't speak to that. However, don't despair! I'd start out with just having your daughter be by your side for 10-15 minutes a day. Mkae it so much fun for her that she just naturally wants to be with you! Little by little, she'll probably be able to go for longer stretches.

You are so right that you can get things done more quickly with a little one or two not tagging along with you "helping" you. However, I always think of the future. I'm training her to do this now, so in not too long, she will actually be helping me do these things. And someday, she'll probably take over some of the chores completely by herself. So it's an investment I'm very willing to make.

Somedays, after an hour or so Kathrynne gets "antsy." When that happens, I'll get her her tub of Legos or paper and crayons and have her a few feet away playing/drawing etc. That way I can keep a good eye on her and still interact with her. This works especially well if I am going to be cooking in the kitchen or folding laundry - some type of chore which I'll be in one spot for a little while.

Have you checked out the website http://www.RaisingGodlyTomatoes.com? Lots of great advice and help there for keeping your children close to you and involved in what you are doing.; 8:32 AM
Kathryn said...: I was homeschooled for one year, my eighth grade year, because there was no room at the local Christian school. My parents weren't really prepared to cope with things like algebra 1, so they just got some book recommendations from teacher friends of theirs and gave them to me. I learned algebra from the Saxon book (with the help of a neighbor when I got stuck), earth science from Prentice Hall and French via correspondence course; I read every book in the library on the Civil war as well as Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, the Bible (cover to cover), the Great Gatsby, and a lot of other books.

Granted, this would not work with every kid, but I loved it, learned a ton, and made it through my 8th grade work in time to be halfway through my 9th grade work by June. Also, my parents took the attitude that things like global warming and evolutionary biology were OK things to study, so I don't recommend the Prentice Hall science books if you want to keep your kids away from those things.; 3:25 PM
Becky Miller said...: The best homeschool resources I can recommend are Wordsmith for writing and Apologia for science. I was homeschooled all the way through high school graduation and loved it. Now I have a four-month-old daughter, and my husband and I are looking forward to homeschooling her and the (hopefully) many more children God blesses us with.; 3:29 PM
Lindsay said...: Crystal,

My daughter is just a few months younger than yours--she's 19 months right now. If you don't mind sharing a few more details about your day, I know I and a lot of other young moms would appreciate it!

My daughter picks up a lot of information as we go through out or day, but she is just starting to talk herself. What kinds of Bible verses do you work on together? How do you go about memorizing them? What are some of the other books you use when reading to her? And when you read a "simple" chapter out of the Bible, do you pick a Psalm? Read a whole book through a section at a time? I am trying to get some more ideas about spending time with my daughter so I can redeem the time with her for Godly things.

Thanks so much!

P.S. I'm the same Lindsay who asked about the birthday presents; as you can see, I have a lot of questions. I don't have a lot of close mom friends to learn from, so I really appreciate your blog and the great topics you bring up and open for discussion. I've gotten lots of ideas from you!; 2:06 PM
Anonymous said...: I would love to homeschool my children but I do not have teaching ability. My husband and I do not know how to teach academeics. My Math, reading and science skills are limited. What do you advise parents who do not have good reading or academic skills?; 11:04 AM

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Input requested: Homeschooling/Christian education

25 Comments:

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