Home Schooling Mom Continued...

As I mentioned before I have researched the subject of home schooling for the past 2.5 years.  I tell you that so that you understand that we did not just arrive at this decision overnight.  I also tell you this so that you can understand that arriving at this decision should be preceded by lots of research and consideration.  After gathering the info our decision was further solidified by a visit to the local campus for Classical Conversation.  I'll tell you more about Classical Conversation in depth and why we chose it's curriculum in a later post.  When I arrived I was greeted with friendly warm smiles.  There was clear structure and the children were so bright.  The class I sat in on was a class of 3rd and 4th grade boys.  They were reciting Latin, multiplying by 14, reciting times in history starting with the Crucifixion and doing class presentations.  Sounds like a lot of work?  Nope, it was short fun facets of the same class.  They were singing songs and acting out memory verses and all in a laid back setting.  Most importantly, they were having a blast!  I was have a blast as well.

The process is simple.  You get together once a week at the campus, usually a church.  There is an initial assembly to start, where learning is taking place.  Then you break up into groups.  The trained tutor conducts the class and introduces the information to you and your student.  You then take the resources acquired from Classical Conversation and put it with your own creative resources and teach you kids.  You have a support system, you have a network of other parents, and you have accountability.  Best of all, you have a child excited about learning!  The financial investment is minimal in comparison to the benefit.  It is God centered learning that teaches them the way they learn.  I am so pleased and look forward to beginning before years end.  I can not wait to see my children flourish as I teach them what God has led me to teach them.
I'll give you more info in a late post on Classical Conversations as a whole.

Home Schooling Mom

Well folks, I come to you today to speak on a subject that is taboo in some circles.  It's Home Schooling.  I for one NEVER thought I would even consider it.  I certainly didn't think I would actually be preparing to do it.  Yep, It's true.  After 2.5 years of research, and by research I mean looking for a good reason not to do it, I have found nothing but benefits. 

But first, a bit about my opinions of public school education:

I have an 8 year old son that has been in public school for 4 years.  He is and has always been a top notch student.  He works for it but in the end he achieves mostly A's and some B's. 
However, I have always picked up on a trend in his learning process through public education.  The curriculum seems to be geared towards a standardized way of learning.  They subscribe to the belief that there is this "On Best Way" approach to teaching.  There are some moving around and incorporation of additional schools of thought but the basic premise is the same.  There is a pattern of teaching that is taught so that it is measurable on a grand scale.  A formula, if you will, that when followed will produce a magic number by which a child, class, teacher, grade, school, or district can be quickly assessed for worthiness of resources.  The system expects a child to rearrange and conform to the expectations of it's stipulations.  Oh but my friends, I submit to you that it should be the other way around.  The system should be changed to better suit a child's needs.  But how can you with so many children to reach.  Let's be clear.  We are talking about students that make A's & B's that struggle taking a standardized test.  It's sad to see your child that was in love with math last week despise it this week.  The suggestion of ADD/ADHD is thrown around far to much since now the system is frustrating the very teachers it has set up to support.  They are often times looking for that one quick fix.  As I step down from my box of soap, I am relieved to have opened my heart and mind to the final answer.  Home Schooling.

Tune in again to hear the rest of the story.  Including more about Classical Conversations.