My Reflections on Schooling

Zara

I thought it was about time for me to reflect on my home schooling years. Since I can now 'talk' from both sides of the fence!

I'm not for or against homeschooling or schooling. I have no conviction either way. I have seen both options done badly. Instead I believe in learning academics (to the needs of the child obviously) and parental involvement regardless of what method you choose! Whether you choose to take the teaching responsibility upon yourself or whether you 'contract' teaching out to a Christian School you SHOULD be involved in ALL areas of your child's education. Your chosen method of teaching is NOT a guaranteed way of salvation either way. My personal preference is Christian Schooling.

I've got lots to say on the subject, I'm sure that surprises you (NOT). I thought that I would start with some positive things about homeschooling and some of the things that I have learned. 

I had never really looked into the fact that there are different teaching methods i.e. Classical, Charlotte Mason etc. My (our) main reason for choosing Sonlight was that it was a complete curriculum with high academic standards and extremely organised. Sonlight has not let me down in those areas. It has a more expensive start up cost than a lot of other curriculum. Once you have a few cores (years) then the cost would reduce significantly. I have bought two cores each year, the older two do one core and the younger two do one core with their own Language Arts (reading, writing, oral, spelling and grammar) and maths program. I've been VERY impressed by the comprehensive coverage of Sonlight's core subjects, history and language arts.

For those of you who don't know much about Sonlight versus other curriculum, Sonlight focuses on learning through books as opposed to learning straight facts. I can see a lot of resemblance between what Albert is doing at Seminary and what the girls are doing. In a nutshell, Albert listens to lectures, reads books and then writes papers on what he has heard (lectures) and read (books). The girl's history in particular (and science also to a lesser extend) is almost solely book based. The girls read books around the subject from various viewpoints and then get asked questions on what they have read. Quite often in their written component of Language Arts they will be asked to 'tease out' what they have learnt. The older girls in particular, although Kate is learning some basics as well, get guided step by step on how to find the information in the book, think outside the square and then write a report on it. Since Sonlight requires HUGE amounts of reading including reading aloud by the parent (although I only do the younger girls read aloud) this curriculum wouldn't be for you if your child struggles to read.

I LOVE Sonlight's emphasis on Missions. We have read some excellent books on missionaries. Almost daily in the schedule we are encouraged to pray for specific countries. It has broadened my worldview and I've been awed by God's work through so many of HIS people! The assigned bible reading every day is also a HUGE plus, again forced structure for me has been great! The assigned CD with their memory verse in song is also a great asset. The girls know sooo many songs which are pure scripture that when ever we get to a passage they they have learned through a song, they know the words and where it came from immediately. 

Sonlight's science curriculum uses mainly Usborne (secular) science books which is fascinating since there are great science home school books out there from a Christian perspective. Sonlight's main argument for this is that they want the child to be able to reason and defend their Christianity from a young age. I like it. It would not however be a deal breaker for me as whether or not to buy the curriculum. 

While the older girls in particular LOVE English and History, Maths is not quite as popular in our house. I've put a reward system in place in order for them to do their Maths everyday. The treats that they get everyday for doing a set number of homeschooling requirements has been VERY effective. They have to do Maths, devotions, typing instructor, a free online math program and spelling. We use Teaching Textbooks for Match which is a computer based program, it is self taught. One of the downsides of this curriculum is that if your child is a Maths whiz, it will be too easy, so PERFECT for my older girls! :). Kate loves Maths and since she has older sisters and I have all the 'next' CD's, she is racing through her curriculum!

I have really enjoyed the read alouds, we have read some great books, well written, well constructed and just plain great stories. I LOVE the true stories in particular but also some of the English classics that I have never read. I have enjoyed learning about history, first American History and we are now finishing World History with the little girls. 

Ok those were most of the positives and instead of giving a huge list of all the negatives (which really is not very up building and loving) I thought I would negate some myths that I have heard said about both the homeschooling aspect and the schooling aspect. 

Myths about Home Schooling

• It makes you a better parent. This is one of my favorites, REALLY? I think I have been more angry/frustrated and apologized more than when my girls went to school. Maybe it's just me.
• Anyone can do it! A close second to number 1. I am sorry to say but this is a real myth. English is my second language and I really struggle with the technical English Language. (Albert corrects my blog posts) The older girls curriculum requires them to do HUGE amounts of writing, grammar and reports that are beyond my ability. Albert took over this area for me until a couple of weeks ago when one of the seminary student's wife who is a gifted teacher took over that responsibility! The main problem is that is no answer guide, whereas Maths even if you don't understand it or are not good at it, there is an answer key! 
• Anyone can Teach! Well maybe but to be able to teach is a gift, you either have it or you don't. (That is not to say you can't home school, there are ways and means.)
• I could NEVER home school. Oh really? How about for $US20,000 a year? This is one of our major reasons for homeschooling in the USA as Christian schooling is VERY expensive.
• What about socialization? Well if this is important to you, again there are ways and means. I don't think my girls suffer from being anti social. In fact over the summer in Wellandport, I introduced our family to many many people. I had people say, oh I've already met Zara. Unbeknownst to us she had been shaking hands with people on her own behalf! LOL! 

Myths about Schooling

• Peer Pressure. Well I sympathize BUT I have seen the positive peer pressure of school, the competitiveness of peers being extremely positive. Let's face it unless your children live in a cocoon there are going to be bad influences (I'm sure my girls are sometimes). How you deal with those is more important. I do not however believe in sending my girls into a low decile school as missionaries. Let's use this opportunity of positive peer pressure to teach our children to love EVERYONE regardless of background, believes or abilities. 
• They don't learn as much. Well yes and no. I'm sure that I can do all the school work with even the older girls in a shorter period of time than they would if they spent all day at school. BUT the life skills that they learn at school are second to none! Simple things like obeying authority (other than Mum or Dad), waiting in line, helping/looking out for peers (sorry siblings don't count) and competitiveness are real benefits of school. I'm NOT saying you can't achieve that while you home school but it's not as simple.

A couple of last thoughts on homeschooling. I do really miss the social aspect of school. My commitment/calling at this stage in life is schooling the girls at home (or at least supervising to make sure they do their work) and so my social life takes a backseat. Swimming has been great and I've enjoyed very much attending the ladies bible study at night. Our weekly home school meeting has been a blessing also.  

Either option is not a PERFECT solution, I fully understand that and I have seen both options both done badly but also VERY well. It's not about the option (although I have plenty to say about it.) It is about loving and accepting the options that we all make as parents with lots of research, advice and prayer. We do WANT the best for our children where they are at. We want to get to the heart of the child! 

Random May 2014

Here are some more random photo's from May 2014, enjoy!

Our new homeschool books for the year!

Putting the Instructor Guides together

Look at those lovely piles of books.
(PS notice who is sitting on the couch reading?)

Kate is VERY excited to 'graduate' to
doing maths on the computer

Good Neighbor parade
(The police, fire engines were SOOO loud, the girls are plugging their ears!)

I hosted (not organised) a baby shower for
our lovely upstairs neighbor, Jeni. A yogurt bar!
(Another Sem wife made the lovely labels :) )

Lots of yummy toppings with home made yogurt!

Zara enjoying the neighbors sprinkler system!

Priceless!

YEP! Remember when it was cold? 

This is what girls do when it rains outside, beading!

James and Jeni Roosema! (our upstairs neighbors!)
We are going to miss them very much!
James graduated from MARS this year!

Selfie with one of the graduates

Michaela having a go at Chinese writing

The new school year came with a Chinese writing kit.
The girls thought that was VERY cool!

Michaela's effort

Grace's effort

Country girls playing with drainage pipes!
(the pretended that the pipes were horses!)

Sister Fun!

Home Front Update 26/10

Feeling Blessed with Sonlight curriculum
(This is 2 years worth, look at all
those wonderful books)

It's been awhile since I updated you all :). Life has been going on with nothing special to report from this side of the world. On a good note the homeschooling is going well with Zara finishing Kindergarten (year 1 in NZ) and she is now doing Grade 1. She know the alphabet with the sounds and is learning how to read. This is a learning curve for the both of us and it is really only by the grace of God (and Sonlight) that we are both doing well (in our learning!!). As any mother knows who teaches a little one to read that it is time consuming. So at the moment I'm happy if I do school with all the girls and we eat and have clean clothes on. A lot of the other chores haven taken a back seat, like my junk draw (it now lives up to it's name!!), changing over the summer to winter clothes, shop for extra winter gear and sadly my account reconciliation (I'm blaming the junkdraw as I'm sure it has eaten some of my receipts!!)

I have however added extra exercise for me, PE time for the girls and catching up with Seminary Wives all in one morning! The ladies and I run/walk, girls bike/run and we catch up at the same time. The girls get to play on the playground, surely that is part of homeschooling somehow. 

Another change that has happened is that our homeschool co-op has switched to the afternoon and so that makes it easier for me (it's all about me ;) ) to finish homeschooling in the morning, instead of being out all morning and then having to get into the swing of things in the afternoon, not one of my strong points. 

We've also been pretty busy with hospitality and have really enjoyed having some of the new Seminary students over and getting to know their families! Also it's been wonderful to have another NZ couple in our midst and we are enjoying them very much. The girls in particular are awed by Hannah's art talent and Hannah to her credit has been kind enough to help them draw their favourite characters! 

Our church has started a woman's biblestudy that runs at night which I'm attending and really enjoying getting to know the other  ladies as well as having to be disciplined to do my 'homework'. We are studying "The Lamb of God" by Nancy Guthrie. I'm enjoying it so far. One thing I find very helpful is that the author has recorded her book on video, so instead of reading the chapter, I've been watching it. 

I've also purchased a few other books with Amazon gifts cards that I earned through Swagbucks as I didn't think it was fair (I know life is not fair but just leave me in my little world!) that Albert has a whole book case full and I have none. Also I figure that you can never read/or prepare enough for life ahead (ie ministry). Currently on my bookshelf to be read are: 

• "The Pastor's Family" by Brian & Cara Croft. I follow Brian's blog "Practical Shepherding" which I enjoy. 
• Also on my list is a book written to the Pastor's Wives called "Letters to Pastors' Wives edited by Catherine Stewart. This book has about 18 letters from well known Pastor's Wives, Mary Beeke, Betty Jane Adams, "Sissy" Floyd Pippa, Margy Tripp to name a few. It covers a wide range of topics that those ladies think new Pastor's Wives need to know. 
• The Church Planter's Wife by Christine Hoover. I have this book both on my kindle and in hard cover and haven't finished it yet. I do however love her blog very much. 

Weather. I've got to talk at least a little about this change in our lives. It didn't feel that long ago when our air conditioner was working over time, struggling to keep our house to about 74f (23.3C) to dropping to 55F (12.7C) and having to put on our heat. I was hoping from a frugal perspective to have at least a month (like we had last year) of no air or heat to save on costs but it was not to be. We tried not switching the heat on for a couple of days but the house finally lost it's heat and so we were getting cold. Thankfully though, compared to NZ the heating/cooling costs are very reasonable and are only a small part of our overall costs :). I read in the paper the other day that this kind of weather is normally expected at the end of November not the end of October, oh well, more chance of snow, lots of it I hope! I think only the Flinns and us are looking forward to snow ;). 

To sign off I thought I would share a few of the books that I've been reading with Kate and Zara that we thoroughly enjoyed. That is what I LOVE about Sonlight, their reading material undergoes pretty tough criteria and so I'm almost guaranteed an excellent book! I love reading 'true life' life stories in particular. 

• Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat. I especially enjoyed the part that the pet owl brought home a dead skunk into the dining room! 
• The books by Clyde Robert Bulla (more boyish books but the girls enjoyed them too), the ones we have read are "The Sword in the Tree", "The Secret Valley" (about the California gold rush) and "Riding the Pony Express" (about the Pony mail delivery across the States)
• "See how it's made" a DK book. Kate is doing this for science, what a cool book! Do you know how pencils are made? I didn't!! (This is the same girl that didn't know that cream rose to the top of milk or that cows need to have babies in order to give milk until I visited my good friends farm and she enlighten me!!)
• "Missionary Stories with the Millers" by Mildred A Martin. True stories about missionaries. We haven't finished it yet but my favourite 'Providence' story so far is about a Jack McGuckin a pilot with the Wycliffe Bible Translator's Jungle Aviation Service. The chapter is entitled "The Tiger is Loose" (in a plane). God works in mysterious ways! 
• "Leading Little Ones to God" by Marian M Schoolland. This is a devotion I have just started this school year with Kate and Zara. I had heard of this book before but never read it. It's been good so far. The girls are enjoying this. 
• Songs by the Harrow Family. OK it's not a book but one HUGE bonus of homeschooling is that Sonlight has introduced us to the Harrow Family Music. All of the girls memory verses are put to song straight from the NASB bible. An excellent resource of helping us to 'hide God's word in our heart'! The girls favourite 'song' is Prov 28: 18-19! Even after reading Proverbs daily for years, I didn't realise this proverb was in there! The song is catchy though and true to the text! 

What are your favourite books? and what are you reading that your think others could benefit from?

Bullet Point Update 12/10/12

Oh dear, the Earl Grey is running out (blue packet)
 I will have to start drinking breakfast blend instead (brown packet)

This makes me happy at US$0.29 a pound.
(remember my wedding for those that were there?)

Here is another bullet point update from me, it's been a while, I'll tell you why in a minute. I've got some photo posts in the making I won't give them to you all at once but rather spread them out over a couple of weeks.

A couple of housekeeping things. If you like to subscribe to the blog via e-mail ie every time I post a new blog it will be e-mailed to your account. You can do this by putting in your e-mail in the "Received the blog via e-mail" box on the right hand side of the blog. Also if you are not familiar with links here is what it means. If a word in my blog is in red writing, you can click on that word and it will take you to another internet link related to that word. 

• Sonlight - I'm very impressed by Sonlight so far. The instructor guides are VERY helpful, I basically don't do any planning at all, it is all done for me. One thing that is a bit more work is that I'm teaching two different levels with their own bible, history, science etc. I have talked to other mums and most of them teach all those subjects the same and adapt them to the different ages. I have opted so far to stick to the 'letter' to the curriculum as I'm still in the infancy of homeschooling. For Maths Michaela and Grace are using Teaching Textbooks which is very nice as they do that they selves without just about no input from me. For their bible memory verses each level comes with it's own music CD! It is so 'catchy' that before I've been going to sleep all I can hear in my head is "Oh Lord our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth" Ps8. A great way to learn the bible!
  There is a LOT of reading that is required in the curriculum (hence all the books!) but that has not been a negative, instead it has 'fed' my readaholics so far! There are more photo's etc to come - be patient!
• Parenting - Well homeschooling is the easy bit, parenting the hardest! I haven't found it easy to balance schoolwork with parenting, washing, ironing, cooking/baking and grocery shopping ie the general household chores! I'm sure with time it will get better and we might have to have a catch-up occasionally. 
• Time - Well that's a fascinating subject isn't it! Frankly there isn't much of it. This is NOT a complaint but a fact and we are blocking time out for the important things, family time, couple time and some exercise time!
• Swimming - Kate and Zara are continuing to do very well. They are being taught quite a different method to what I'm used to. I would be happy to teach them myself but the question lies, where? I have found no cheap public pools (if there are, tell me!)
• Masters Swimming - My swimming is improving every week, I'm up to about 2800 yards (2.5km) a session with about 3 sessions a week. Getting up at 4.30am is not easy but again if I don't make time to have some exercise when would you fit it in?
• Weather - It is cooling. This kind of scares me as it has already dropped to below 0 during the night and it is only the beginning of October, what more is there to come? The house is very warm and we have only put the heater on to test it! Apart from that Albert has been reliving his student days by studying in his sleeping bag during early morning starts at the office! (Secretly I think he has been enjoying this experience!)
• Snow clothing! - We are looking forward to snow and as we discovered in Wanganui that it is not much fun being in the snow if you are not prepared for it. So yesterday we went off to the local Salvation Army thrift store. (It is huge!) and managed to find just about everything we needed! We bought snowpants for just about everyone, snowboats for everyone and some gloves! We will still need to buy some more gloves and a pair of snow pants for Albert. We had already bought snowjackets in the heat of summer when the same store had 50% of their snowjackets!
• Outings - We have been on a few which I will share more on with my photo posts. Here is a teaser: School Fair, The beach on the lake, A friends backyard pool. 
• Lou Priol.o - We went to hear him last week Friday and Saturday night. We were challenged and encouraged to hear/listen to him. He spoke about his book "Teach Them Diligently". A book well worth buying. We might buy another copy here as our copy is in the container at home. His book is about applying scriptures to your children (heart) something we definitely don't do enough off. (Does anyone?) 
• MARS Community - We continue to be blessed by the seminary community, from the interactions and encouragement with other seminary families to Seminary Wives meetings and having our First year student get togethers! Continue to keep the seminary in your prayers also! 
• Couponing - I'm continuing to learn in this department and have managed to get a lot of things VERY cheap including many toiletries, especially razors. We also get the neighbours coupons form the paper, very helpful to have double coupons!
• Freebies - I also subscribe to several websites that offer trail/samples of their products and so the girls and I during a homeschool break eagerly check my google reader to see what is 'free' today! These freebies go very fast and so you need to be on the ball! So far I've managed to 'score' samples of shampoo/conditioner (very handy to take to the pool!), chocolate drinks, coffee drinks, dishwashing tablets, washing powder etc. 
• Work - I'm still doing ironing for the neighbour which is a huge blessings. Also the neighbours are going away for two weeks so I'll be their dogsitter! 

Box day and our first 'school' day!

Here are some photo's of our curriculum arriving and unpacking, plus some firsts :). I haven't got much time this week with all this homeschooling and ironing so just a couple of photo blogs!

Three boxes of Sonlight
(We had been looking out for the Fedex Truck)

It's like Christmas!

Albert is checking the books against the invoice, no small feat!

Books keep coming out of the box

That's it! An entire year of school for all four girls even
down to the pegs needed for the science experiments! 

While I sorted out the books Kate made a
'Clifford and friends' train with the wrapping paper. 

The Instructors Guide - Oh How I love Thee!

Making Castles out of the boxes
 (they come pre-printed on the inside of the box!)

I suppose this is Zara's first day of school!
(Miss you Maree L!)

Michaela doing her Maths (Teaching Textbooks on  CD)

Reading one of the many books

Reading aloud with Dad!

M & G's Core D on the top shelf
Kate's Core A on the bottom shelf

Answer keys and Instructors Guides (blue folders)

All the homeschool stuff together
 plus Albert's books on the top shelf!

Bullet point update :)

Our house, we've got the basement and the ground floor,
a lovely newly wed couple is living upstairs.

Here is another summary post, there is just so much to share and so little time! I've managed to post photo's about most of the things we get up to. If there is something you would like to know about life over here or the way people do things, food etc just let me know and I'll try to write/take photo's about it. So here is the bulletin point summary in no particular order. 

• Sonlight Curriculum - It's ordered and hopefully here this week! This is the one area that I'm scared about so please keep me and the girls in prayer with regard to this. The girls are excited and are looking forward to school. 
• Kingdom Builders - This is a homeschooling co-op that I have joined. We went for the first time last week. It is very well organised and all the mums (expect me for now) do some teaching. It is good for the girls to see some other kids. Interestingly almost all of the moms/families are from the URC. 
• Swimming Lessons - Both Kate and Zara have started this week, and are doing very well. It is really a necessity here as the only pools the girls have been swimming in are private pools. Public pools are rare and if there are some they are very expensive. A few of our friends have allowed us the use of their backyard pools. This is very nice but they have no shallow end, so it is a bit of a problem for Zara as she can't stand. I managed to pick-up a lifejacket at a second-hand store to keep her safe. 
• Munster Masters Swimming Club - I've joined this club and have been swimming about 3 times a week with options to swim up to about 6 times a week. The pool is a private high school pool. It has a diving well and is an Olympic size pool (50 mtrs). As part of the club there is a coach who writes us a programme to do each session. I've gone from swimming 2000 yards three times a week to swimming 2600 yards three times a week. I've been able to finance this by doing some dogsitting and ironing for the neighbour! Sorry Trish and Brydie but swimming is a LOT better than running! :)
• Sunday School and Gems - The girls have started Sunday School this week which they thoroughly enjoyed! I went to the adult Sunday School (biblestudy) while the girls went to theirs. For the Wanganui/Palmerston Church readers, guess what book we are studying? Joseph and Judah! The girls have joined Gems but it hasn't started yet. 
• Church - I'm not sure if we have mentioned where we are going. We have joined Redeemer URC as a student members. Albert's mentor will be the pastor which is very nice. If you get the time to listen to some of Rev Roets sermons, you won't be disappointed. 
• Weather - I'm not sure you would like to know ;), it's still warm and still grateful for aircon!
• Seminary Wives - I went to my first meeting this week. A record number of wives turned up! WOW! There are 9 students in Albert's year with 8 married. I'm looking forward to getting to know the wives and their families a lot better over the years. Some of their stories are simply fascinating! I'm loving the contact and social side! 
• Jobs - Albert has started this week by cleaning the seminary! (Mum you can be proud of your son!). I'm doing some ironing for my neigbour and I have done some dogsitting as well for them. I'm also looking at putting some flyers around the neighbourhood to do some dogwalking/dogsitting for people. 
• Couponing - Well this almost deserves a post on it's own but a brief mention here :). I have got the paper delivered in order to get the coupons as this seems to be the way to shop especially for toiletries items and get some extras like chocolate. I have also subscribed to some blogs that are dedicated to finding the best deals with the coupons. We have been able to get A free donut, half price icecream sundae (for our anniversary dinner), some free toys, very cheap shampoo, milk etc. I could spend all day everyday on this and so have decided to buy everything that I can at Aldi's and the rest I'll get with coupons hopefully. I also sign up for as many free samples that come through to the blogs and so I've been able to get samples and more coupons in the mail. 
• Seminary Registration and Retreat - Albert wrote about this here and said in that post that I would give some of my thoughts, well here they are briefly! First of all, I'm very guilty of throwing the waterbaloon at Albert when he wasn't looking! I was able to go with Albert without the girls for both days. One of the other seminary wives looked after my girls the first day (I made her a meal) and then the second day Flo at the seminary organised a babysitter. I thoroughly enjoyed the days, meeting the professors (and their humor, Albert needs to up his game I think!), meeting the other students and their wives and being encouraged in our journey for the next three years.