This blog may soon go one of two ways. It may totally take-off, as in I actually start writing again. This would be born out of necessity as I strive and think through things and try to keep somewhat of a record to be referred back to down the road in hopes of doing more schooling-wise for my 3rd kid than what I've done baby book-wise (haven't even bought one :-/). Or, it may become absolutely obsolete, as in I don't even post the occasional pictures.
As my first grader has been studying increasingly real and academic topics, my brain has been exploding with ideas of how I want to teach those topics and methods or activities that would really inspire him. The how I would do it is nagging at my heart and refuses to stay swept under the rug. In theory, I should be able to use the beautiful private school 2 days a week, complete their prescribed lessons at home 3 days, and still be able to do all of my own wonderful, in-depth things those 3 days. In reality, while there may technically be time for both and we do do a little of my stuff, my brain simply is not going to take on that WORK & responsibility unless I do ALL. Plus, if I'm going to take on that work and responsibility, I might as well just do it and help our budget out a bit too. There are cons to this train of thought. I do love the heart of the beautiful private school and the other adults that are speaking into my kids' hearts those 2 days. I love most of their friendships. And, most importantly, I do LOVE dropping them off sometimes & not being with them 27-7 non-stop, and I do think of my own sanity. Those cons are significant and real. Yet, my heart will not let me ignore the tug to really go for this thing. After all, it was my dream over two years ago when I started considering kindergarten for my oldest. I now believe I must return to the dream (albeit, the dream-like quality has faded) and at least give it a shot. If the sanity and exhaustion issues can be negotiated, I do fully believe I can give my children the best possible education. I know, in theory anyways, what I want to do and how to do it and how to inspire these young prodigies to their ultimate potential.
An additional complication is that we are most likely moving into our 500 square foot barn and I am going crazy with my inspirations of turning home into classroom.... Ok, I already am crazy to even consider homeschooling with this move on the horizon. This will (hopefully) be a short-term issue, with a barn-addition also in the near future. Another separate but related issue is that I was looking for a small and preferably telecommute job to help out the budget; I suppose I would still be interested in the PERFECT job but the definition of perfect has been narrowed considerably and I have ceased actively looking, as I am more than aware that the undertaking I am considering would be a full-time job. If I am to take this on, it will not be to settle for mediocrity.
I have just finished re-reading A Thomas Jefferson Education for the umpteenth time and am currently reviewing my Charlotte Mason series, more for inspiration than information.
Come fall, it is likely I will be taking full charge of a kinder and second grader. When my heart and mind are fully at good hard work and engaged and alive, writing seems to be part of the equation; this blog will either be testament to such, or it will disappear. My emotions range from fear and doubt to excitement and a sense of destiny and fulfillment but there's enough of a real conviction mixed in to compel me forward.
Showing posts with label pros cons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pros cons. Show all posts
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Friday, October 7, 2011
Pros & Cons
PROS:
1) I know my kids better than anyone else. I know their strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and biggest motivators and can meet their needs at a much better ratio than the 25:1 of a classroom.
2) Who they're with - Socialization and learning benefit by mixed age groups. I play a big part in who is an influence or role model.
3) DO what we're studying - hands-on, nature, community, museums, etc.
4) Implement methods, curriculum, philosophies I am excited about and believe will work best for our family. I have been inspired by some pretty amazing educators, writers, and homeschooling parents. I want to attempt to put all of this inspiration into action and not settle for less than what could maybe be the best! (Upcoming posts to address some of these to help me figure out exactly what putting it all into action might look like!)
5) Reading Gatto has turned me off of traditional schools for a variety of reasons. (Pink Floyd now playing in the background, "we don't need no education . . . . all in all you're just another brick in the wall.")
6) Lack of schooling options near our home that excite me, drive and money to do anything else.
CONS:
1) It's already really hard work and I haven't technically even started yet.
2) Kid feels like he's missing out on something. I would love for him to get certain parts of school and as he gets older I will definitely need to cover some subjects through either outside classes or tutoring/mentoring. For the time being and through the primary years, I suppose we'll do outside enrichment classes, but I wish they were all grouped together and included some play time.
3) It is very possible that I will actually go crazy . . . . pretty much with my kids all the time!?!? But how can I not at least try if I think I have a shot at giving them an advantage in their education? And, I do have to do something productive with my time, day in and day out, right? In a lot of ways pouring into my own kids seems like it has the potential to be a lot more rewarding than working some 9-5 job.
4) Very limited space in our house. The vision I have of homeschooling would definitely be easier to carry-out with a room for all the school stuff, spreading out projects, desks, etc, etc . . . . no idea what's going to happen with this one.
There they are, my pros and cons reduced to the simplest possible form in my mind. If you haven't read my "Disclaimer" post, you may want to.
Taking on my children's education is a huge responsibility; the weight of it overwhelms me. I do not doubt that I can give them a decent education. I want to give them the best possible education. I want to do the best I can in my part to help them live up to their God-given potentials and walk-out whatever grand callings and purposes He has for their little lives. If homeschooling is the plan, then with Christ all things are possible and I will be equipped as an educator and they will be equipped for their lives. So I guess it's not really doubts I fear but rather just the hard work!
1) I know my kids better than anyone else. I know their strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and biggest motivators and can meet their needs at a much better ratio than the 25:1 of a classroom.
2) Who they're with - Socialization and learning benefit by mixed age groups. I play a big part in who is an influence or role model.
3) DO what we're studying - hands-on, nature, community, museums, etc.
4) Implement methods, curriculum, philosophies I am excited about and believe will work best for our family. I have been inspired by some pretty amazing educators, writers, and homeschooling parents. I want to attempt to put all of this inspiration into action and not settle for less than what could maybe be the best! (Upcoming posts to address some of these to help me figure out exactly what putting it all into action might look like!)
5) Reading Gatto has turned me off of traditional schools for a variety of reasons. (Pink Floyd now playing in the background, "we don't need no education . . . . all in all you're just another brick in the wall.")
6) Lack of schooling options near our home that excite me, drive and money to do anything else.
CONS:
1) It's already really hard work and I haven't technically even started yet.
2) Kid feels like he's missing out on something. I would love for him to get certain parts of school and as he gets older I will definitely need to cover some subjects through either outside classes or tutoring/mentoring. For the time being and through the primary years, I suppose we'll do outside enrichment classes, but I wish they were all grouped together and included some play time.
3) It is very possible that I will actually go crazy . . . . pretty much with my kids all the time!?!? But how can I not at least try if I think I have a shot at giving them an advantage in their education? And, I do have to do something productive with my time, day in and day out, right? In a lot of ways pouring into my own kids seems like it has the potential to be a lot more rewarding than working some 9-5 job.
4) Very limited space in our house. The vision I have of homeschooling would definitely be easier to carry-out with a room for all the school stuff, spreading out projects, desks, etc, etc . . . . no idea what's going to happen with this one.
There they are, my pros and cons reduced to the simplest possible form in my mind. If you haven't read my "Disclaimer" post, you may want to.
Taking on my children's education is a huge responsibility; the weight of it overwhelms me. I do not doubt that I can give them a decent education. I want to give them the best possible education. I want to do the best I can in my part to help them live up to their God-given potentials and walk-out whatever grand callings and purposes He has for their little lives. If homeschooling is the plan, then with Christ all things are possible and I will be equipped as an educator and they will be equipped for their lives. So I guess it's not really doubts I fear but rather just the hard work!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Disclaimer
If I am to embark on this homeschooling journey, it will require all of my heart, mind, energy, and patience; especially patience. The hard work I foresee is daunting. Therefore, if it is to be, I must be absolutely convinced of the value of it and that it is the absolute best choice for my family. With this as my chief purpose, I will argue the benefits of homeschooling to myself; I will tout its superiority because I must be convinced that it is the best option for my family . . . . not necessarily for yours, and here is my disclaimer . . . . I am seeking to assure myself of this formidable path. I am also hoping to encourage any other parents who are or are considering homeschooling. I suppose I also want to somewhat present my reasoning to relatives and other secondary stakeholders who may think I'm crazy (and may be right). What I am not trying to do is say that homeschooling is what's best for every kid because I don't think it is. God created each child as a unique individual and placed them with the parents they are with purposefully. What's best for my family isn't necessarily what's best for yours; God didn't use cookie cutters.
I have the utmost respect for any parent who has seriously considered their child's education and made a conscious decision about what is best for that child, whatever it may be; as opposed to those parents who follow the path of least resistance with little or no thought and fail to recognize the immense stewardship entrusted to them. Furthermore, all any of us can hope to do is our best with what we've been given.
I have a deeper respect than ever for the homeschooling families I oversaw as an education specialist. It is not an easy thing to set-out to do what you believe is best for your family when it puts you and your kids in a minority. I am overwhelmed and struggling with whether or not this is what I am going to do and I have a professional life behind me and framed fancy pieces of paper on the wall in front of me that say this should be a walk in the park for me. I do not think these qualify me any more than anyone else who is seriously in pursuit of what's best for their kids but I would think (or wish) they'd give me some confidence! Why am I not more qualified? My own education, for the most part, taught me how to jump through hoops. It did not teach me any secret formulas for making schooling work. If anything it made me question trends and decide that there is no one way that works perfectly for everyone. Homeschooling parents who are sincere and willing to put in the hard work are qualified on the basis of knowing their child better than anyone else in the world and God giving that parent responsibility over that education (as He did every parent whether they choose to delegate or tackle it head-on).
So, next comes my list of pros and cons, which is looking something like this - Pros: great lofty hopes, subjective principles, research, beautiful sounding stuff. Cons: time, energy, patience, sanity, adequate space, nuts and bolts. Yikes! Both are important and other options I might consider would require both significant driving and significant money. Somehow this will all work out! Faithful is He who called and He also will bring it to pass!
I have the utmost respect for any parent who has seriously considered their child's education and made a conscious decision about what is best for that child, whatever it may be; as opposed to those parents who follow the path of least resistance with little or no thought and fail to recognize the immense stewardship entrusted to them. Furthermore, all any of us can hope to do is our best with what we've been given.
I have a deeper respect than ever for the homeschooling families I oversaw as an education specialist. It is not an easy thing to set-out to do what you believe is best for your family when it puts you and your kids in a minority. I am overwhelmed and struggling with whether or not this is what I am going to do and I have a professional life behind me and framed fancy pieces of paper on the wall in front of me that say this should be a walk in the park for me. I do not think these qualify me any more than anyone else who is seriously in pursuit of what's best for their kids but I would think (or wish) they'd give me some confidence! Why am I not more qualified? My own education, for the most part, taught me how to jump through hoops. It did not teach me any secret formulas for making schooling work. If anything it made me question trends and decide that there is no one way that works perfectly for everyone. Homeschooling parents who are sincere and willing to put in the hard work are qualified on the basis of knowing their child better than anyone else in the world and God giving that parent responsibility over that education (as He did every parent whether they choose to delegate or tackle it head-on).
So, next comes my list of pros and cons, which is looking something like this - Pros: great lofty hopes, subjective principles, research, beautiful sounding stuff. Cons: time, energy, patience, sanity, adequate space, nuts and bolts. Yikes! Both are important and other options I might consider would require both significant driving and significant money. Somehow this will all work out! Faithful is He who called and He also will bring it to pass!
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