We as a family made our decision to homeschool Sarah. She was the deciding factor in our decision. Sarah has for about 2 years now wanted to be homeschooled. Some of her reasons are religious. She was becoming disillusioned and discouraged by the fact that the “friends” she went to church with became totally different “friends” in the school environment. She was tired of not knowing “who” they were on any given day. She was disgusted with the language that was heard daily. Who’s doing what with whom on Saturday night…..She was discouraged and not motivated to work, because of the students who required so much of her teacher’s time. Sarah WANTS to learn and grow. Sarah WANTS to please her teachers. Sarah WANTS to stretch her mind and intellect, and her favorite teachers at public school encouraged that. However, at the end of each day, Sarah was left feeling…empty, dirty, and disillusioned. Some of Sarah’s reasons were academic. Sarah wants to learn about the kingdoms of Israel, from a Bibilical perspective. She wants to know the difference between the Northern and Southern kingdoms, and wants to “see” how God has protected them, stood by them, and ultimately will renew the country of Israel. Sarah wants to spend time daily in the Scriptures, learning, questioning, growing.
So, after Christmas, Sarah and I went to her high school, returned his laptop, her books, her ID. We signed all the legal papers, making me ultimately responsible for her education. And together we are building her curriculum, based on what SHE wants to learn. It’s still a work in progress, and we are still waiting for her Bible curriculum to arrive in the mail. Each day that brings a new box is like Christmas time around here! We try and guess what’s inside, and then we rip it open and exclaim with excitement at what lays inside the box. We are both excited, enthusiastic, and wishing we had done this years ago. But it’s all in God’s time. And we are happy with that. Two years ago, when Sarah first REALLY began talking about this, it would have been impossible for us to do this. But today, as I look over next week’s lessons plans, I am thanking God for His provisions, and His blessings that allow me to stay at home full time, and become a major player in Sarah’s education.
This semester Sarah has a pretty heavy load. Perhaps we’ve been a bit ambitious…and then perhaps not. Chemistry is getting us both down. She took her second test yesterday….and received a failing grade. It’s not as bad as it sounds though. She is struggling with the math computations. She understands the concept, but is having trouble in how she is expressing her answers. She is so close…for instance, if the answer is 12.04, Sarah’s answer is 12.036987. So, next week we are backing up, looking at the second chapter again, and trying to figure out how the curriculum wants her to express her answers. Please, pray that we can figure this out. We are not alone in this, however. Chris, a dear friend and the Education Minister from our church, holds a degree in Chemistry. Coincidence? No, I believe it’s God providing for our needs in a manner than only He can manage. So, as soon as Chris finishes up a little project he’s working on (actually he’s writing his thesis, and it’s NOT a little project!!) he will begin working with her weekly. I don’t know who’s more relieved that January is coming to a close….Chris because he’ll be finished with his thesis, or me, because it means he’ll have the time to help us on a weekly basis!
Sarah’s math class is actually going well. She is doing Geometry, again. We both felt she needed a repeat, to help build the foundation stronger. She really does struggle with Math, so she saw the benefit in repeating Geometry, too.
English is interesting. And the curriculum that Sarah chose is awesome! One day this week Sarah had every Bible we own in the house spread out in front of her. I wondered what in the world she was doing….and her response was “English”. She just needed different translations to understand the etymology behind certain words. I hope she found what she needed, cause we’re out of translations. We may need to raid Chris’ office for reference books, if this continues!
Sarah’s History and Geography class in interesting, too. It is exactly what she wanted to study. She is beginning at the Creation, and working her way through to the Persian empire. This is a totally Scripture based curriculum, so there will be no Darwin influence, and no theory of evolution to muddy the waters. She is loving this one!
We are currently looking for an elective that she is interested in. She thinks she want to learn to knit…. which is all good, as long as I don’t have to help her. I have no patience for things like that. And if I get a knot in my yarn…my solution is to cut it out, mend the hole, and start again. Which makes for some very “knotty” creations. Perhaps there’s a “Dummies Guide to Knitting”…. hmmm… now there’s an idea.
Sarah’s days are full. She is thrilled beyond words. She helped choose her curriculums, her input was considered, and the subjects she chose reflect her personal interests. How much better could it be? Yeah, well, we’ll find out next year where her science class calls for disecting a fetal pig. Gulp….I can do this. I can do this. I can do this….
For those who have asked, we chose our curriculum based on several different factors. Obviously, we have to teach the Core subjects that are required for all school aged children to learn. English, Math, Geography, Science…. but the beauty of homeschooling is that WE control what is actually encompassed on those subjects. We are using a mixture of different curriculums. For the most part we settled on Alpha and Omega publisher’s “LifePac” curriculums. This is PERFECT for a first time homeschool experience. The lessons are already planned. They arrive on your doorstep pre-packaged, printed, and ready for use. Each subject contains ten books. These books are consumable, containing both the text and the pre-tests, self-tests, etc. The Instructors guide contains additional text, and the tests and answer keys. What that means for me is that, since I already have a lesson plan, I can focus on each day’s assignment and classwork. I am so thrilled with this curriculum and would recommend it to anyone! For Chemistry, we are using Apologia’s “Exploring Creation through Chemistry”. And I really like this one too. It’s not quite as structured, but the test is easily readable, very easy to follow and understand, and there are built in checkpoints that allow Sarah to KNOW if she is struggling, or if she is mastering, the subject at hand. Currently she is struggling…but we are hoping to change that! Next week she and I together are going to review her most recent chapter, and see if we can figure out some of the math problems she is facing.
Who knew I would ever homeschool one of my children? Not me, certainly. But God does some pretty amazing things. Like, using me to help mold, guide and educate Sarah. Who in the world would have ever thought?!?! Isn’t He amazing? And yes, we have considered the benefits of homeschooling the other children. Jacob is not interested. Period. He play football, and if that means he must go to public school, then go to public school he will. And that’s OK with us. Jonah is still benefitting from the Special Education services he receives through the public school system. So he, too, will remain there as long as it is beneficial for him. Levi….hmmm….he’s the question. I can already see the negative effects from public school in him. But he is so young….Can I really teach him the “basics” that he needs to know to be an independent learner? I just don’t know. So for now, he too remains in public school. With the very real possibility of coming home in the future to finish his education. He would love it. I am certain of that. But I’m just not certain that it is the correct time for him, yet.
Overall, we are loving our foray into homeschooling. Currently Sarah is at a friend’s house. She spent the night last night, and is spending today just hanging out. She enjoys the company of her peers at church on both Sundays and Wednesdays every week. Plus all the additional activities that are thrown in the mix. She has had two girlfriends over to spend the night with her. So for those who have questioned whether her socialization needs will be met here at home….let me just say that yes, Sarah’s need for friends is being met. In a big way. And in case you’ve never seen Sarah in the company of adults, teens, children, seniors….I don’t really worry about that aspect anyway. Sarah’s personality is fully developed. And what a delightful personality it is!
So, anyone else out there reading who has tackled homeschooling? What curriculums do you use? Why? Any tips for a new homeschooling family?
