Great Homeschooling Quote

I saw this quote on another blog and thought it was worth sharing:

"In not mentioning God, my public school teachers preached a thundering sermon every day. By implication, they taught that God is not relevant to most areas of life...with every lesson, in every class period, all day every day for twelve years, I was being taught to think like an atheist in the academic realm. And I didn't even know that I was being indoctrinated."

My Father's World

This is our first official year homeschooling. I did preschool with Miss Priss last year, but nothing consistent or really organized. This year, though, we are using (and LOVING) My Father's World. We started Miss Priss a year early according to the public school's standards, but so far she has been keeping up wonderfully! We are having fun doing it and she actually looks forward to "school time" each day. Each lesson in MFW is about God and His creation; that is the main reason I chose it. I couldn't be more impressed with the biblical concepts my kids are learning. George is even learning just by overhearing lessons here and there. Since each week focuses on a different letter and bible lesson, there are many opportunities during the week for the children to ask questions about what they're learning. By the end of the week, they have such a wealth of knowledge about the subject that was taught! We started with a 2-week study of creation and made a creation timeline. A couple of weeks later, we reviewed creation (while studying the moon) and made a mobile of the things created on day 4. Here's how ours turned out:

This past week, we have been studying the letter L and leaves. The kids ended their week by painting leaves. Because of the mess that goes along with painting, we don't do it very often. On this particular day, however, we just moved our school time until right before baths. It worked out perfectly and the change in routine was so exciting for the kids. The pictures actually turned out really cute!

Now being as committed as we are to education, we wanted to be sure that everyone learned something from the moment. So, what can a 16 month old learn while we all paint leaves? Maybe what leaves feel like? Maybe how to use a paint brush? Maybe discover paint with water? In the end, she learned all of that plus the fact that when you dip a paint brush in water and then rub it on the colorful page, it makes the paintbrush taste really good! Plus, you can drink the "rainbow" water!
Needless to say, Little Bit's class dismissed early. :)

I'm sure I'll have much more to share as our school year continues!

I'm Not That Kind of Girl

I know you formed an opinion of me as soon as I uttered these 2 little words: "We homeschool." I know what kind of woman you are picturing because it's the same woman I would have pictured just 2 years ago if I heard the word "homeschool." Correct me if I'm wrong here. You're picturing a woman with hair all the way down her back, no make-up on, very soft spoken, in a dress she made herself. Her children are in a line behind her not moving, speaking, or thinking any bad thoughts. They are all in homemade clothes as well and are munching on their homegrown veggies for lunch. Her family watches no t.v. except for the occassional family viewing of "The Sound of Music." Am I right?






Don't get me wrong--there is nothing, let me repeat, NOTHING wrong with women who do that. Let me just say it again, though--I'm NOT that kind of girl! I'm just an average, run of the mill gal who loves her kids and wants to provide the best life I can for them. In fact, I may homeschool, but I've compiled a list of things that seem to be common amongst many homeschoolers that I just don't see myself doing....ever:


1. I can not and do not want to sew or make clothes. I prefer rummage sales!


2. I do not can food, nor do I have the desire to learn how.


3. I could not make it a week without the t.v. and cable (the DVR is a huge plus)





Having said that, however, I have also realized that there are a few things we do that may let the mouse out of the bag that we are homeschoolers:


1. My kids are rarely found with shoes on (unless we're going to church or the grocery).


2. We have started gardening.


3. I recently made the switch to cloth diapers for my youngest.





So, maybe you could have picked me out and labeled me early on as one of those crazy homeschool moms, but I doubt it. I'm just an average woman trying to obey the command in Deutoronomy 6: 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."



I believe God has called me to homeschool my children and I am being obedient. It's that simple. At just the mention of the word "homeschooling," most people immediately become experts and advocates of public school. It's as if they are truly concerned for my children and their "socialization." Those who know me well, however, know that I would never do anything except that which I think is best for my children. So, having said that, don't expect me to try to win a debate with you on homeschooling vs. public school. Believe me, I could go on and on, but I won't. I am simply doing that which God has called me to do. Period.