We are in our 12th year of home schooling our children, and would like to be encouragers to others who are going this route with their own children.

What we do--basics

I realise this looks like a lot of "basics", but these are all essential subjects for us:

What we do--extras

These are some of the things that we have really enjoyed doing, and have from time to time been a very important part of our school.  (Though in 2003-04, we phased out unit studies in the way we had done them, but continued our lower level science and social studies in unit study fashion).  Upper level studies are getting too complicated to be able to devote an entire week to one topic.

Almost everything we do as a family is educational.  We also borrow educational videos from our local library, and have a small collection ourselves, as well as the usual books galore you find in any home school :)

Sample schedule

Of course, one of the best things about homeschooling is FLEXIBILITY!  Each day differs from every other, even on our schedule.  But it's good to have a plan ("You should make plans, expecting God to direct you").

What to do with babies / toddlers?  This is a good question, and one that I am often asked.  My encouragement is to be flexible, creative, and not try to emulate anyone else.  You need to find what works for you and your children.  Before the twins came home, I kept my babies / toddlers on my lap during school time, but that proved impossible with two!  The year they were one was *very* difficult, when they were two and three, they played mostly happily in the "centers" I set up for them in our school area (puzzles, blocks, art).  They joined in with the rest of us whenever we read, watched videos, went on field trips, did projects, etc.  Cherish those morning naps!

Our philosophy

Firstly, our motto describes much of our school philosophy . . .

• Excellence--in whatever we do, we want to do our very best.

  • "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)  

• Virtue--boldness, compassion, creativity, dependability, determination, diligence, endurance, enthusiasm, fairness, forgiveness, gratefulness, honesty, humility, initiative, patience, perseverance, responsibility, self-control, sincerity, thoroughness, tolerance, truthfulness and any others I've left off this list :)

  • "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25)

• Relationship--with God, each other, others.

  • "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

In addition, here are important components of the way we do "school" . . .

• Reading, Reading, Reading (aloud, silently, together, apart, any which way, every day!)

• Enjoying the Great Outdoors (it is very important for general health of body, soul, and spirit, to spend time outdoors each day in God's beautiful creation--this goes for students and teachers!)

• Moving Along (each child progresses at his or her own rate, which may be similar to or drastically different from what "the norm" is supposed to be; this preserves the joy of learning for one and all :))

• Learning Together (wherever possible, we learn together, sometimes as a family, and sometimes by combining two or more children--this works especially well for Bible study, social studies, science, and foreign languages; this is not contradictory to allowing kids to progress at individual rates--though we study the same subject area, each child may have individualized materials)

• Balancing Act (doing too much or too little of something isn't beneficial--we try to find just the right amount for each child, and balance study, chores, activities, and play each day; having a written schedule helps everyone to know what to expect when and avoids misunderstandings)

• Running the Distance (pace yourself; make sure you, the teacher, are well taken care of in body, soul, and spirit; avoid burnout for you and your children; schedule in fun times each day, each week, each year; make sure everyone has time for themselves each day; break from the schedule spontaneously at times; be creative!)

• Planning Ahead (planning is mostly completed before the school year begins--this takes the stress off the day-to-day running of our school, and gives us a clear idea of where we're heading in each subject area; it also frees us up to enjoy the journey more--there will always be unforeseen circumstances!)

Home Schooling ~~ a series of marathons!

• Learn from the ultimate expert
  • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” (Proverbs 9:10 – 11)
• Get in shape (take care of yourself)
  • “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)
• Prepare the right equipment (for you)
  • “May the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing his will” (Hebrews 13:20 – 21)
• Wear the outfit you like (be creative)
• Break in your shoes and clothes before each race (use time-tested ideas)
  • “Teach the older women . . . to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women . . .” (Titus 2:3 – 4)
• Practice on a variety of courses (be flexible)
  • “Be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2)
• Train with your team
  • “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16)
• Before each race, do a “carb dump” (make sure you’ll have enough energy to run the race)
  • “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:9 – 11)
• Don’t forget to warm up & stretch before each race (ease into it)
• Check your motivation
  • “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
• Wait for the starting signal (God’s timing)
  • “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
• Run with your running mate (spouse)
  • “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! . . . For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (Psalm 133:1 – 3)
• Follow a “pacer” (get wisdom from others who are seasoned)
  • “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20)
• Enjoy the camaraderie of the others in your “running pack” (connect with others)
  • “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall . . . Our God will fight for us!"” (Nehemiah 4:19 – 20)
• Run with confidence (remember God’s promises)
  • “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:6 – 8)
  • “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13 – 14)
• Follow the training schedule God has put you on
  • “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” (Lamentations 3:22 – 26)
• Keep your eyes on the goal (don’t be easily distracted)
  • “A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)
• Don’t make “winning” your goal, but try to run well
  • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23 – 24)
• Let the applause of the cheer squad encourage you
  • “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.” (Hebrews 3:13)
• Realize that in the world’s eyes, it’s a foolish race to run (Popular T-shirt: “This is the last marathon I’m ever running & this time I mean it!”)
  • “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
• When you stumble, take a breath and keep going
  • “If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23 – 24)
• Sometimes it will be all you can do to put one foot in front of the other
  • “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21)
• Apply lotion wherever skin chafing occurs (let go of offenses, be slow to anger & quick to forgive)
  • “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
  • “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” (Proverbs 12:16)
  • “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:13 – 14)
• Manage your time wisely
  • “Go to the ant . . . consider its ways and be wise!  It . . . stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6 – 8)
• If you get off course, let the race officials direct you back to the right path
  • “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20)
• Know that you will “hit the wall”, so pray, pray, pray, and fill your mind with God’s word
  • “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
  • “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
• Get refreshment when it’s available (you need to be constantly refreshed; safe places, still times, special friends)
  • “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25)
  • “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1 – 3)
• Enjoy the scenery!
  • “It is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18 – 20)
• After each race, replenish everything you’ve just lost (receive life from God & others; weekly Sabbath; annual reflection)
  • “Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:28 – 31)

Cool home school links

Here are some links that pertain to a range of subject areas . . .

• A great site to find info about anything under the sun (with parental supervision, of course!) is wikipedia for schools

• Quia quizzes and activites -- many subject areas!

• Interact free learning activities

• FunBrain games galore

• Study Guides and Strategies

• James Madison High School -- distance learning

• Teach with Movies

• Buy stamps for projects (beautiful pictures!)

• Start Something (foundation that donates money to kids 8 - 17 who have a dream!  Sponsored by Target and Tiger Woods)

• SAT question of the day

Homeschooling organizations and support groups

My favorite education-related websites

My favorite homeschooling suppliers

Georgia homeschooling connections

 Best of the best homeschooling web sites:

The Homeschool Channel

Homeschool Central

Homeschool World

Eclectic Homeschool Online

visitors since 4/23/03