Friday, June 29, 2007

Schooling

As some of you know, schooling is always a laborious choice for me. I have an early education degree, many opinions on curriculum choices, and love to be with my kids. So the homeschooling option is always a possibility. We try to seek the Lord from year to year on our schooling decision and follow His leading. For the upcoming year we have chosen to keep #2 at home and give him one more year to prepare for kindergarten as his 5th birthday is the last day of August. For #1, we will be sending him back to the Christian school that our church sponsors. But I think that after this school year we will be homeschooling again, maybe.

My favorite curriculum is called Veritas Press. It is a classical curriculum, which is the education style that best fits our family's personality and goals. The "phonics museum" and history/Bible track is amazing! The history/Bible starts in second grade. So we would hope to start #1 the following school year and #2 could come along in kindergarten.

I don't know why I am sharing all of this, except to say that we have finally come to accept the fact that our family is different. All Christian families should feel different, in a way. But God's will for our family has been somewhat unpredictable and not the norm. I don't have many friends that put their children in a school not knowing how long they will be there or praying through the decision from year to year. I don't know of many families who have the ability to utilize "Dad" in their homeschooling as much as we hope to. I don't know of many families who have moved around as much as we have (we are in our fourth house in 8 years!). I am very thankful that after many years (atleast the first 7 of our marriage) of wanting to just look like a regular suburban family, I am not at peace and even exciting about just being who God has called us to be. I can't help but wonder what God has in store for us. I wonder what He is preparing us to do. I can see that He is getting us ready for something different. Hmmm...I wonder?

3 comments:

Kate said...

I was in your shoes five years ago. I went back and forth with wanting to home school him yet not having the structure or time to do so and instead put him in a great private Christian school. He was 5/6 old at the time and my other three were toddlers and a baby. So... with all that to say, you will find what suits you all best. In His time and in his will! :)

MorningSong said...

I wonder what God is up to lately. So many I know are struggling with the homeschool issue. Should I, shouldn't I. It makes me think God is up to something and I am excited to see the fruit of the laborers. :) I will be praying for you to find a homeschooling network to lean on. I found one and it truly has made the thought of homeschooling more bearable!! Keep us posted!!

Anonymous said...

Homeschooling is really a great choice if you really feel led to do it, and if you're husband is willing to support you. I think one of the mistakes a lot of moms make is just doing in on their own, without thinking that their husband might have a view on it. My husband is all about homeschooling, he even purchased the curriculum for our K-5 last year. This year I did all of the research on curriculum, made arrangements for us to visit a family who'd been homeschooling for 15 years to get ideas, and then basically presented him with all of the research so that he could make a choice (I like to do research and leg work).

Veritas is a great curriculum, and what they are doing is awesome--in the way of classical education that is. If you're really very interested in finding out more about how people homeschool elementary with classical methods go to www.wtmboards.com (this is the well trained mind's message board). I just read the discussions to get good ideas about what others are doing. We personally decided not to use Veritas this year, classical methodology is limited before the 2nd great really (for some), and I only have a K and 1st grader this next school year. We opted to use Sonlight because it is structured and tells me when to do everything. I have a new three week old baby, so I need the guidance on a daily basis. There are lots of moms on the wtmboards though that are very experienced in giving advice about curriculum, etc.

Whatever you do, a Christian education is your ultimate goal, and however you and your husband choose to accomplish that I'm sure you'll do well! Have fun reading!!

Erin

PS Found your blog through my SIL's blog--Renee with 5 boys. I have three boys and one girl--she's definitely outnumbered.