Considering ideas different methods (questions from 100 Top Picks, chapter 2)

*How do you think learning should happen?
I would like to incorporate good literature instead of some textbooks, as well as hands on learning. Program/curriculum needs to be flexible to meet individual needs and desires.

*How do you want to teach or "run your school"?
1. Do you want to try to teach most of all of your children together, at least for some subjects?
Absolutely! To make the most of my time I would like to at least teach history, literature, science, and foreign languages together.
2. How much of the time do you want (or are you able ) to work directly with your children?
All morning most likely, with some time in the afternoon maybe.
3. How much of the time do you expect your children to work independently?
Currently, none to very, very little. Each year more and more so that by highschool the majority of their work may be independent.
4. Do you want to use real books (biographies, historical novels, books written about particular science topics, etc.) as part of your curriculum?
YES!
5. Do you want to include field trips? What type of field trips?
Yes! Visiting places that relate to what we are learning about and educational family vacations (such as learning USA geography by visiting all lower 48 states. Visiting historical and scientific locations).
6. Do you like to "make up" curriculum as you go, adapting to the needs and interests of your children, or do you prefer things well planned out in advance?
Some of each. A suggested guideline might be nice with flexibility to add and change what I wish.
7. Do you need a set schedule to get things done, or would you prefer more flexibility?
A fairly set schedule to provide consistency, but flexibility to deal with life's surprises.
8. Do you prefer a curriculum that is thoroughly laid out with lesson plans that tell you what to do when or do you prefer just an outline to follow?
A general outline would work well as I will probably change and adapt some as we go.
9. Any additional thoughts about how you want to operate?
I would like to "do school" year-round. I'd also like to take advantage of "outside" classes for some subjects and sports.

OK, so now how does this fit with the different educational methods? Well, Cathy Duffy, in her book, has a chart that helps you evaluate how your philosophy compares to the different methods. Here are my scores:
Traditional - 3 points =27%
Charlotte Mason - 11.5 points = 74%
Classical - 11 points = 75%
Unit Study - 12.5 point = 73%
Unschooling - 10 points = 59%
Independent Study - 5 points = 42%
Eclectic - 11 points = 61%
Umbrella Program - 4 points = 36%
(for explanations of methods please see Cathy Duffy's book, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum.)

As you can see Charlotte Mason, Classical, and Unit Study basically tied for me. I like the literature based approach and narration of Charlotte Mason. Of the Classical method, I like the emphasis on critical thinking, communication skills, and the three stages of learning (the Trivium). And I would love to incorporate Unit Studies in teaching history, literature, and science for all three of our children.

Based on all this I have quite a list of curriculum that Cathy reviewed in her book, that I would like to explore further.

Visit www.cathyduffyreviews.com for curriculum reviews in addition to her book.

Educational goals for my children

I want my children to:
*have a strong sense of God's reality in all aspects of their education and to honor Him in all things.
*love to learn so they will become life-long self-educators.
*have an excellent knowledge of Scripture.
*have a strong Biblical worldview.
*develop excellent reading skills.
*develop excellent language and communication skills.
*develop excellent critical thinking skills.
*develop good people skills.
*develop good work and study habits.
*develop a heart to serve others.
*have a broad education that will prepare them for college and give them many possibilities for their future.
*have exposure to the arts.
*read widely from both classic and good books.
*be physically fit.
*be equipped to succeed in our modern world.

100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy

As I was researching different methods of homeschooling, I came across this book by Cathy Duffy. The purpose of this book is to help parents discover what methods of teaching (ie: classical, Charlotte Mason, tradition, unschooling, etc.) best suite them, and what curriculum choices best suite their style of teaching and their children's style of learning. It has saved me a lot of time, by narrowing my choices down so I don't have to spend time researching methods that I don't agree with. I highly recommend it to any new-to-homeschooling parent, and I'm sure it would even benefit those who have been homeschooling for some time. This book also causes you to stop and really think through what you want for your children; so if you borrow the book from the library, or you don't want to write directly in the book itself, make sure that you have a notebook handy to write things down in. In the next few posts I will give my answers to the questions in chapter two that help to evaluate which method(s) are right for me.

Education methods - Classical

Method - Classical
Source - The Well-Trained Mind : A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer.

Classical education is broken down into three parts - the pattern that is called the Trivium. The first is the Grammar stage. This is were the foundation for learning is laid. Instead of focusing on creative expression, the grammar stage student (approx. 1st though 4th grades) learns facts: rules of spelling, phonics, grammar, the facts of math, stories of history and literature, names and descriptions of plants and animals and human body, and the vocabulary of foreign languages. At this age the child's mind is a sponge ready to absorb information and even finds memorizing fun. "Your job, during the elementary years, is to supply the knowledge and skills that will allow your child to over flow with creativity as his mind matures."

The second stage is the Logic stage when a child's mind begins to think more analytically. The middle school age student wants to know why and can think more in abstract. Here the student learns how the facts learned in the Grammar stage fit together. For example, the child learned of the war of 1812 in the Grammar stage, now he uses those facts to learn why the war was fought. Now is the time for critical thinking.

The third stage is the Rhetoric stage. "The student of rhetoric applies the rules of logic learned in middle school to the foundations information learned in the early grades and expresses her conclusions in clear, forceful, elegant language." Now is the time for self-expression.

The authors also stress that a classical education is more than a pattern of learning. It is also language focused vs. image focused which causes the mind to be active vs. passive. Also, all knowledge is interrelated.

In summary: "The mind must first be supplied with facts and images, then given the logical tools for organization of those facts and images, and finally equipped to express conclusions."

The school years approach

As my oldest daughter approaches preschool age (she is three years old now), my attention has been turned to different types of education. It has been our desire since we were married to home-school our children. My husband was home-schooled from 6th grade on, and I was home-schooled from K-12th grade. Though there are some things that I would have prefered to have been different, we both had very positive experiences. There are many reasons for us choosing to home-school. First would be our desire for our children to have an education with a Biblical worldview where God and the Bible is the center or the foundation of learning. Second would be to provide a personalized education for each child at their level of learning, not someone else's. Thirdly, would be to teach our children to love learning, that they would be informed citizens and adults, capable of making wise choices based on facts, not feelings. Of course there are many other benefits of home-schooling: control of what our children are learning, flexibility with schedules, hands-on learning, growing as a family, just to name a few more.
Now as the time to begin approaches (though truthfully education begins at birth), I have been doing much research on different methods of home-schooling. I want my children to have critical thinking skills, to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, and to learn to love history and literature (even learn history through literature). Since my education classes in college (I majored in elementary education at Northland Baptist Bible College before getting married), I have been interested in the classical approach to education. Since then I have also been introduced to Charlotte Mason's style, and a friend recommended that I look into Montessori's methods. I have borrowed several books from the library, and will record what I learn so that maybe others can benefit as well as myself (I have found it to be quite helpful to be able to organize my thoughts on "paper").

Molding a Masterpiece by Ron Hamilton

Master Potter, why do You labor all day,
Giving such effort to rough, worthless pieces of clay?
Why such feeling in Your hands? Why such care in every touch?
Why all the struggle? Your creation is nothing but dust.

I'm molding a masterpiece, a work of great beauty.
I'm molding a masterpiece; My labor's not done.
A trophy, a treasure or worth beyond measure
I'm molding a masterpiece, a masterpiece of love.

Loving Jesus, why are the children all here,
Gathered around You and eagerly clinging so near?
Urgent matters clamor loudly, and the children interfere
Why do You hold them, and so tenderly dry every tear?

I'm molding a masterpiece, a work of great beauty.
I'm molding a masterpiece; My labor's not done.
A trophy, a treasure or worth beyond measure
I'm molding a masterpiece, a masterpiece of love.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I question Your way:
Why do You ask me to mold simple pieces of clay?
Give me eyes to see the future, though it's hidden from my view;
Give me compassion as I'm molding a treasure for You.

I'm molding a masterpiece, a work of great beauty.
I'm molding a masterpiece; My labor's not done.
A trophy, a treasure or worth beyond measure
I'm molding a masterpiece, a masterpiece of love.