Homeschool Resources
October 11, 2006
I've been tagged by Samantha over at Education Is An Atmosphere to list some of my useful things and even some of my most unuseful things.
When we started thinking about how we were going to go about this thing called homeschooling, Lily was a toddler. I was blessed to have stumbled across Charlotte Mason's ideas before I had to actually apply them to our "lessons". I remember checking out a big three-ring binder from the library that had page-protected page after page of homeschooling resources. The library didn't have very many homeschooling books twelve years ago and I was anxious to read whatever I could. I don't know who put together this binder, but I don't remember finding much of interest in it. Well, there was that one odd page with a somewhat plump, Victorian lady on it that I couldn't quite figure out. She was dressed all in black, it seemed, and could have been Queen Victoria herself for all I knew. I think the page may have been about some sort of conference that had long since passed. Whatever it was about, they weren't really saying.
When I went to a meeting of a small group of homeschooling moms shortly thereafter, I was handed a newsprint catalog of homeschooling books and resources from the Elijah Company. I went home feeling like a six-year-old who just found the Sears Christmas Wishbook. Sadly, both of these catalogs are now extinct. The nicest thing about the Elijah Company Catalog wasn't necessarily what they were selling, though. The catalog had a section about homeschooling and the different methods that were being used by homeschoolers. I had always thought that I would be an "unschooler" and that we would all just read great books together and go for long, nature walks and talk about the things we learned. I used to teach in a Montessori school before I had my girls, so I encorporated some of Maria Montessori's methods in our everyday life already. I didn't agree with all of her ideas, however.
While I carefully read through the different approaches listed in the Elijah Company catalog, I came upon the section describing the "Living Books" approach. It sounded just like what I already had percolating in my head. I wanted to read more. And so, I did. I bought For The Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay and the set of Charlotte Mason's books, The Original Homeschooling Series. By the time Lily was four, I knew what we were doing. I knew who that Victorian lady in the dark dress was. She was my new, best friend.
1) ONE HOMESCHOOLING BOOK YOU HAVE ENJOYED:
For The Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay. This was the first real, homeschooling book I read and it was a wonderful stepping stone into Charlotte Mason's actual writings.
2) ONE RESOURCE YOU WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT:
My camera. Documenting our life together includes many "homeschooling" moments. I cherish these as my children get older. Not only does it provide me with a record to look back upon, but it is also a source of comfort to me when I start doubting myself.
3) ONE RESOURCE YOU WISH YOU HAD NEVER BOUGHT:
I wish I didn't have to answer this question. Unfortunately, I must. A few years ago, I had a long-term illness that left me physically weak and emotionally drained. People voiced their concern that I might not be able to continue homeschooling. This frightened me even though I knew that God intended for us to homeschool. It made me feel threatened.
In my heart, I believe that homeschooling isn't about acquiring a set body of knowledge. It is not keeping up with anyone else's curriculum. It is about God's desire for your family. I have always believed this.
In a moment of weakness, though, I decided to purchase a math curriculum from a very popular, homeschool curriculum publisher. Everyone on the planet seemed to use this curriculum for all of their subjects. I knew that we had gotten a bit "behind" in our math during the year I was sick, so I was easily coaxed into trying out this more traditional, math curriculum.
I'm not sorry to say that it was a total waste of our time and money. It was, as I had surmised earlier in our homeschooling journey, not a good fit for our family.
If you ever have a time where you are not accomplishing your goals, try to remember that God may have different goals in mind for you and your family. In the year I was sick, my children learned more about compassion than I could have ever taught them by myself. They also learned to become quite independent in the kitchen and one of my daughters found she had quite a love of cooking. I saw my childen draw closer to each other; and I saw that my husband did, indeed, have a very sweet, nurturing side. As long as you are going to God in prayer and staying in his Word, don't doubt that his unfailing hands are in every part of your life.
4) ONE RESOURCE YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS YEAR:
Lily and I are using the Latin Road to English Grammar program for grammar, Latin, and vocabulary. We are having so much fun doing this together. The teacher and the student each have their own text and keep a binder for their work. I thought the program would be overly choreographed and I usually prefer for my children to work more independently, but this program has really brought the two of us closer together. I am finding that we have reached a point where we are truly learning together and it is extremely enjoyable.
5) ONE RESOURCE YOU WILL BE USING NEXT YEAR:
I think Lily and I may work through Christian Light's Home Economics course next year. My mother was an excellent cook, loved to can and freeze produce from her garden, and could sew. Unfortunately, she never taught these things to me. I am looking forward to working through this course with Lily and, eventually, with Clara, too.
6) ONE RESOURCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY:
It's pretty sad when you can't think of a single thing you would like to buy as a homeschooling mom, but here I sit. I think that, as time goes by, I realize just how much I don't need out of all those pretty catalogs that come through my door. So, I suppose, it is not a sad thing afterall.
7) ONE RESOURCE YOU WISH EXISTED:
A clone of me who doesn't mind doing the housework and cooking.
8) ONE HOMESCHOOLING CATALOGUE YOU ENJOY READING:
Well, you have already read of my devotion to the Elijah Company catalog. Since it no longer exists, though, I would have to say that I don't really have a favorite catalog that I enjoy reading anymore. I used to like to peruse Lifetime Books and Gifts' Always Incomplete Resource Guide, but it is no longer being published. I tend to buy my necessary odds and ends through Rainbow Resource. Their catalog is not something that I really feel comfortable curling up with, though. It is as big as a major city's phone book and has just about anything pertaining to homeschooling. That means it has a great deal of things that I am not interested in at all. If you know what you are looking for, however, their catalog generally has some of the best prices.
9) ONE HOMESCHOOLING WEBSITE YOU USE REGULARLY:
10) TAG 5 PEOPLE:
Queen Shenaynay of The Beehive
Tim's Mom of Bona Vita Rusticanda Est
The Headmistress of The Common Room
Mama Squirrel of Dewey's Treehouse
Krakovianka of U Krakovianki
(If any of you have already done this, please leave a permalink in my comments so I can come see!)
If you would like to read other homeschoolers' posts, check out the Carnival of Homeschooling hosted this week at Homeschool Hacks.
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Comments:
I've already done this one, but thanks for inviting me! http://deweystreehouse.blogspot.com/2006/08/ooh-ooh-ill-play.html
Posted by: Mama Squirrel at October 12, 2006 8:24 AM
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