My school plan, part 1

When I started to homeschool I focused mostly on theory. I am sort of a theory girl. I need to know the ins and outs and for sure the whys behind most things. After that I can focus on the practical. Most of you that homeschool know that there are many theories and they are not short and pithy little statements. They come in volumes, ie. a Charlotte Mason Education, or packed with emotion like Jon Holt. There is classical, which takes much cerebral energy only because of the brainiacs that are writing about it. There are more theories, big and little, personal or cultural that just need to be thought through. And then, every time I meet a new homeschooler I quiz them on some of the theories they are working through. Then there are convictions to be worked out. There are more of those than theories, I think. Everyone has different convictions as to why homeschooling is the best option. Personally, our convictions have changed somewhat since we started. We have moved from being more idealistic to more practical. And certainly our growth in understanding of the Gospel has changed things as well.
So, now all the being said, I have always leaned, well, all over the place. Charlotte Mason is just dreamy to think about, especially me being a gal who loves books and movies from the Victorian era. Classical seems very practical, after all it has survived or resurfaced after centuries. And Jon Holt just gives you alot to think about. To some up our convictions, we have wanted to be the primary educators and influence in our children's life.
I will talk about how all this looks practically for this year and the curriculum we are currently using and creating in another post.

School 7.0

This is the technically the seventh year that we have been homeschooling. I am still working hard at figuring out how to do it "all". More importantly, trying to discern what God wants me to do. I usually follow the pendulum approach. You know, starting out as a laid back homeschooler then freaking out that my children don't know all that they should and making them do things they probably don't need to do, then burning out and going to the extreme of much too laid back home schooling. I didn't say it was healthy, that just seems to be how it works out. I hear way too much homeschool guilt out there and always say It won't happen to me, but it does. Now that my oldest is in 6th grade, I really feel the need to get things together so they are prepared for the work that lies ahead for them. So in a sense, I do feel like our homeschooling is changing. I don't feel like I can be so wishy washy about what we are learning or always count a day at the park as science. I do need to be much more intentional and, here is the key folks, good at follow through. Ouch. I said it. So this year I am putting it on paper, writing out goals and ways to measure them. I know that I don't do this alone, my husband has much to say about their education and holds me accountable to see that they can read and write, but much of the content he leaves up to me. He is sort of the superintendent of the operation. I pray much about what God would have me teach my children and definitely follow His leading. But now since a grumpy three year old has just entered the room, I will write about those such things in the next post.

number one

Two nights before I officially declare that school is in session and I choose to procrastinate by starting a blog. I think this year is going to go well.