Goals for Education

I have been pondering the goals that I have for Georgia and Theo's education. I say "my" goals, since they are too young to verbalize their own, and because I am directing this train...and wish to have an overarching goal(s) in sight.

1. To instill a love of learning, knowledge, and the pursuit of such endeavors
2. To travel and explore the world, customs, and culture
3. To use service of oneself as a lesson, and lead by example
4. To socialize the children to adapt and converse with anyone and in any situation
5. To open any and all doors through concrete skills and teachings, needed for mainstream society

These might not be "regular" school goals such as learning numbers, shapes, and colors...but I believe that our goals are bigger than the confines of regular education. I don't dismiss what regular education teaches, but their focus (in my opinion) seems to be lacking to no fault of teachers and schools. I think by short changing our expectations with only measurable skills we miss the life long attitudes and skills that are arguably much more critical in a shrinking world. Essentially, I believe that we should start with the 5 goals listed above and include measurable skills as needed. This is how I plan to proceed while educating our wee ones.

Video

SHG (Seattle Homeschool Group) is showing a video tonight called "Grown Without Schooling." Tentatively, Jon and I have made plans to attend in the hopes of meeting other families as well as researching and/or solidifying our homeschooling decision. This will be Jon's first event, so wish us luck!

Here is the summary from the video:

Accompany 10 grown homeschoolers from around the country, ranging in age from 19 to 31, as they explore and candidly discuss the lasting influence home education has had on their lives. Produced and edited for the homeschooling community by a lifelong homeschooler, this 107 minute documentary is a frank and often illuminating portrait of the triumphs and struggles homeschoolers face as children, teens and adults.

Learning Spirit

I find it perplexing that many of the adults in our life do not seem to have a "learning spirit." This is my new word, borrowed from a TV program that I was watching, but I feel it accurately describes the art of being willing to learn. I understand that many (if not most) adults are consumed, quite literally, by work and family~leaving them little time to take classes and search out new knowledge. With that taken into account, learning is always a choice.

A few months back I sent around an email for a 4 part series regarding toddler behaviors. I literally sent the info to at least 15-20 families. Not one took a bite. I get that toddler behavior classes aren't every one's cup of tea. I would much rather be sitting on the couch, blogging, or keeping up with housework. The difference is that I think these classes are essential. Yes, I knew most of what was taught...but Jon didn't and that made all the difference. I take parenting very seriously, like a skill, and I am open to learning.

This week I was talking to a friend about taking some love and logic parenting classes with us. She laughed me off and dismissed the idea. I felt dismayed by her response and wished she was more open to the idea of learning. Is it fear, cost, time? Why are those overridden by potential knowledge?

A learning spirit doesn't have to take the form of classes on parenting. It includes all types of growth. Jon and I once took a rock climbing class because we knew nothing about it. We are in the process of seeking out a spiritual connection~which is causing us some growing pains and adjustments. Our new church is "different" and thus, requires more patience and open mindedness on our part. I think this is fantastic and Jon thinks it is difficult. We are learning. I am taking up knitting and teaching myself about bread baking.

The attitudes of adults regarding learning stumps me at times. I wonder if it is inherent, or the interest of learning has been raised out of them. Is this due to their familial attitudes or to negative schooling experiences? It is complex and sad in the same breath.

I was raised with a learning spirit and thus find an easier time with change and difference. I hope to instill this philosophy in my own children. In the meantime, we are signing up for the second round of parenting classes and insuring that our kids will get our best attempts at parenting and learning the art of being willing to learn.

Curriculum

There are all types of homeschooling possible. Some people subscribe to premade curriculum and run it every day, like a classroom inside your home. Some people subscribe to the unschooling method which involves letting children learn when and how they see fit. I fall somewhere in the middle. My husband would prefer the more confined ideal of having "school" at a set time every day with desks, a chalkboard, and possibly a bell (just kidding...but maybe he isn't).

Overall I am an orderly person and thus expect to fall into a rhythm of routine and predictability. Something like wake, breakfast, showers, excursion, and then quiet and home time. Our kids are still young, requiring naps and highchairs, that our days are more defined in some ways then they will be in a few years.

Currently our daily schedule is wake, breakfast, shower, excursion, naps, art or puzzle time, dinner and bed. For our toddler/preschool curriculum I have been incorporating baking (bread and brownies are favorites), art (scissor use is big for our toddler), and city walks (talking about all of the business's and what they do is a big topic on these excursions). We tried to make our own play-doh but that turned into a big soupy mess.

In a nutshell, I am not buying any preplanned curriculum at this time. I have numerous books for art and activities amongst the preschool set, time on our hands, and lots of possibilities within walking distance (library, zoo, parks, dance and karate studios, etc).

Why?

We aren't religious, conservative, or over protective~why would we homeschool? In fact, I think we are quite "normal." My husband wouldn't agree, since he doesn't think that homeschooling is normal. To be honest, he is right...but of course I would rather he say we aren't typical rather than normal. All the difference is in the language :)

Why should we homeschool? I am not pleased with public school. Coming from a public school teacher I feel somewhat like a fraud or at least a disloyal or disenfranchised former employee. I don't mean to be negative but public school doesn't make a lot of sense to me. To begin with, kids are grouped by age rather than skill level. This very grouping sets kids up to either be bored, behind, or lost in the middle. I buy into the Montessori method of grouping based on age (traditionally a three year span) AND skill levels. However, most of the Montessori methods are not present in your average public school classroom.

Can you imagine the shake up~a school district reorganizing an entire district and eliminating traditional grades? Think of the testing and expense. Think of the parent frustrations. It would be chaos, learning would fall apart, and heaven forbid~the kids would not pass their state testing mandates. Schools would be fined and teaching positions would be cut. It is much better to follow the status quo and keep on trucking in an antiquated system.

I digress, this was about why we are choosing homeschooling and not a bash towards public educational systems. I cringe at the idea of my children in a classroom of 25-30 children. I know first hand that unless you are the loudest, most funny, smartest, or laziest in the class...you may be missed on any given day. It is a sure numbers game and it stinks, but it is what it is. No one human can personally touch, connect, and teach over 150 students a day. It isn't fair or realistic to expect otherwise. Of course this is just my opinion, some may argue with me, but this has been my experience.

As a family we contemplated private school, with our favorites being either a Waldorf or Montessori education, but soon realized that cost is prohibitive to us at this time. The economy has made our sole income in real estate a bit smaller and thus, less dispensable.

Arriving at homeschooling I see all the possibility; travel as our "classroom." Day trips to the zoo, aquarium, or mountain trails. Weekly trips that involve Amtrak rides, ferry boats, and tents. Monthly excursions of service that will eventually involve passports...the adventure's are endless. A philosophy of learning that takes place throughout our daily lives and doesn't end at the 3:00 pm school bell is a blessing in disguise. I don't want to raise video game kids and drama queens. I wish to raise kids who are open to possibility, who don't crave the latest designer labels, who read magazines about photography or travel instead of Teen Cosmo. Eliminating social pressures (but not isolating them) is a very big draw to our homeschooling lifestyle.

We have stars in our eyes over the possibility of who our kids may become and how this will all pan out. I expect bumps along the way, self doubt, and frustrations. In the end, we are making the right decision for our family right now.

Journey

Indeed, why? Many people have different reasons; alot of them centering around religion or values. These aren't necessarily the case with us. I have come to homeschooling by the ways of a very curvy path. The route that has gotten us here was proceeded by very distinct events proceeded by casual observations. Let me begin...

Twelve years ago I witnessed what the possibility of education could be when I enrolled our oldest child in a preschool Montessori program. Never before had I experienced a school where children were joyful, disciplined, and encouraged to grow amongst nature and with pride. The children learned sign language, attained skills at their own pace, played at recess on grass and under apple trees. It was joyful and magical and I thought to myself that this is how school should be.

Seven years ago I became a public school teacher. The memories of the Montessori school were a dream to what public school was. Concrete and limited resources were the norm. State testing and new philosophy's every other year were the expectations. Teacher burnout was high, violence and frustration were everywhere.

Ten months ago I lay in our bed with our youngest, Theo, recovering from my c-section and reading Mothering magazine. I became fascinated about an article about the success and benefits of homeschooling. I saved that issue (May 2008) and reread it when alone and pondered the possibility. Was it possible?

Throughout the past ten months, I have bought and borrowed books about homeschooling. I have subscribed to a homeschooling newsletter, and attended a support group/parent meeting for homeschooling families.

What I have learned is that homeschooling is the best choice for our family at this time. I reserve the right to examine our choice at periodic intervals and determine if this is the course we should be on. We will take it day by day, week by week, and month by month. Nothing is guaranteed and isn't that the way life is supposed to be?

Homeschooling Perceptions

Since beginning this adventure, I have come across quite a few "negative" responses. For instance, comments such as, "Your kids won't be socialized" or that of our teenage daughter's response, "homeschooled kids dress weird." If these are the comments people say aloud~I can only imagine what they must think.

My secret suspicions are that their comments are not very positive and border on wondering if we are religious sect members or if I am a crazed and overprotective mom. Let me set the record straight in saying that neither of these are the case.

I agonize a bit over my grammar and writing style now that I have declared us to be a homeschooling family. God forbid I misspell a word or write incorrect grammar to feel like people will deem me unacceptable as an educator for our children. Never mind that I previously taught 150 kids a year in the public school circuit...

Anyway, I realize that homeschooling requires lots of justifications and clarifications. I get that and respect all of you. I don't deny that it is atypical. Some (including myself) might think it "weird." It is what it is and I don't apologize for our choice, but defiantly embrace it for all of its oddity and adventure!

Welcome!

Here we are, creating a new blog surrounding homeschooling! I am surprised (and not so surprised) at my enthusiasm for homeschooling.

Let me introduce our family; Kate who is a 9th grader and attends public school, Georgia who is a 28 month old soon to be homeschooled preschooler, and Theo who is 10 months old and currently along for the ride.

I am a former middle school teacher turned stay at home mom turned homeschooling facilitator. My husband is a real estate managing broker turned cautiously supportive homeschooling dad.