What God Is Teaching Me About Educating My Kids

Why do we parents who are educating our children at home, hold up government schools as the gold standard to be copied? I am speaking about a different thing than following your states requirements. I mean why do we try to copy their way of teaching or their class offerings?

I learned recently that the higher math and sciences that most people struggle with were added to the curriculum in the 50's and 60's when the United States was competing with the then Soviet Union in the space race. Before that they weren't a regular part of the public school curriculum. I am not saying that it is bad for kids to be challenged in education, but just that we need to free ourselves from their pattern and see what works for our own kids and where they are headed.

The most important thing in educating our children is to teach them to love to learn. We do not need to fret over what curriculum to use - we need to seek the Lord for each child and ask Him to show us who each child is and what they need. He created them, He will show you.

You may have a student headed for college, but don't limit them to the government norms. Let them find their niche. You may have students who are not headed for college and this is where you can truly be creative with their education! What are they interested in? What passions do they have? This is your chance to let them take their interests as far as they want!

The most important thing to accomplish during this time is to walk along side them and disciple them in the things of the Lord and encourage them to walk with God themselves.

Freedom is what I found this year after 15 years of homeschooling!

More Christmas Schooling Ideas

This time of year always leads us to doing baking, crafting, sewing, knitting - all great Home Economics projects!

I found a great resource from Doorposts - The Ruby Doll!

This great kit gives you all the materials for making Ruby - a Proverbs 31 woman and her family! They give enough material for Ruby, her husband, 5 kids and a baby! Having 6 children myself, let me tell you most doll sets only include 1 boy and 1 girl! This is great for the larger family!

This kit also comes with lessons on sewing, stitching, baking...so there are lots of possibilities for fun as well as real skills to learn! I really like this idea for Christmas learning - not only do your children end up with dolls they can play with over and over (these would make great church dolls) but the lessons can be used during the holiday season for learning. Who needs to do regular math when you are learning measuring, who needs to do language arts when you are studying Proverbs 31? Bible? Of course! You can find this kit here.

I love to do some different kinds of learning during the holidays - it helps make it a special time for us all. We have plenty of time during the winter months to "hit the books." Break out and try something different!

It may just ease the stress of the season for you all!

I'd love to hear from you about what kinds of things you like to do during the holidays, to make learning fun!

Today was a Blast!

O.k. people. Many of you who are reading this do not know me personally. Those of you who do...know that I have a silly streak. I try in certain situations to keep it under control...today was not one of those...and IT WAS FUN!!!!

I have about 38 students in the 4-6th grade music class. They are awesome kids! The boys are rambunctious sometimes but they are all so dear!

Today was the first day back to co-op for the Spring Semester. I pulled out all of the stops and made a perfect fool of myself for their sake. They reacted so well and have asked for this to continue next week. I hope that I am up to a repeat performance. It required a costume, acting, coordination of various musical selections and a silly storyline.

If you could have just seen their laughter and enthusiasm...ahhhh...I could have been a teacher! Wait! I am a teacher. How many times do I lose the enthusiasm here at home but get excited about the new and different at co-op. Sigh...

Oh well, we have had a great week of school here, as well. I am very thankful for the opportunity both to homeschool and to be with others that are like minded through our co-op.

Blessings,
Becky K.

Jonathan and Math

This has been an interesting year for Jonathan and his new Math program. We are using Teaching Textbooks (link) and he is doing the 7th grade level. I am not telling him how much above the last level he worked at this is...so far, so good.

The interesting thing about Jonathan's Math disorder is that some days it seems clear for him. Others, he struggles so much. Yesterday after school we were in the car and Jonathan said..."This was a good math day. Sometimes the answers just come to me and other days I cannot remember a thing." I have noticed this, but it was interesting to hear him commment on it out of the blue on a good day. He was thrilled.

He is working on his math in the next room, as I type now. He came over a couple of minutes ago and said, "It must be another good math day. Look at this problem I just did." I am happy for his good days. They build his overall confidence. So far this year he has far surpassed his progress any year to date.

One major compensation I am allowing him this year is the ability to use a multiplication chart when he is doing division. I want him to be able to understand the division process without having to attempt to remember the multiplication facts that so elude him. He said, "I have tried every year to learn them, I really wish I could. They just won't stay in my head." I know this to be true and so am allowing this compensation in order for him to not be stopped at this level another year.

What have you done to assist your children through learning disabilities? Anything you would like to share?

P.s. Jonathan just burst into the room saying,, "Oh yes! Oh yes! I just..." and proceeded to brag on his accomplishment in long division. He walked me through the problem and how he solved it!
If you knew all of the time and tears, tutors, vision therapy and effort it has taken to get to this point you would be on your feet doing a jig with me right now!

Blessings on these special children!