What is it that seems to be missing when you sit alone, in the perfect home or museum? Nothing stirs. We see the achievement of what we yearn for most days, yet something unsettling stirs in our gut, reminding us that it is not the way. While there may be quiet, still and order, something is missing.
What is it that brings peace and joy on the noisy and dangerous banks of a raging ocean? We know the risks and the churning never ceases. Yet it fills our souls, we relax, and light up inside.
Life.
I suspect when God, in his perfection and in bringing order from chaos, leaned down to his masterpiece, Man, to breathe that first breath of Life into him, the thing he knew he forever gave in exchange for this creation he loved was perfection. Into that muddy, dirt- shapened being, the Creator of all things chose to breathe Holy Spirit thus bringing Life into Man and so the churning of life began as the quiet of perfection ceased.
I cannot say we have escaped another year of life without markings of its presence. The Abundant Life often comes with amazing views from lofty heights and sharp drops into dark valleys. It is for the presence of the Lord and His nearness that we do not succumb to sickness and bitterness in response to the events of Life. As beautiful as the high spots have been, so dark and unfriendly the low spots. As we look over the year, we see our Faithful Father with us, never leaving us alone. Always there. In the mess. In the blessing. In the gut wrenching pain. In the chest filling joy.
And that is the point. He was there in the beginning. The author and creator of Life. He breathed the first, He gave up a part then the all, for everlasting Life. And He is with us always, even to the end of the age.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Moving Up- Homeschool Parent's Role in the Adolescent Years
When we started home educating our kids, we were often asked how long we would continue. It's a natural question. The next questions always had to do with the high school years. I always said by faith that I would, we would, figure it out. No, I didn't have a plan. I didn't have a clue. I knew God had a plan for my kids and for our family. A decade later we had heard about ACE Huskins - it had come and gone. So much for my excitement about "online high school" for my oldest! Then we heard about College and Career Promise or Dual Enrollment. I didn't know if it would be a good fit for us- but approaching his 16th birthday, it became clear to us that he was ready for a new challenge. Unsure still what it would mean and if it would be the transition he needed, we met with the CCP adviser, he took the Accuplacer and the past year has been not only the challenge he needed but a sensational rollercoaster that keeps pushing him higher into what God has for him next. That educational choice to add CCP to our homeschool has increased the abundance in our lives.
Education is a core part of our design. We are curious and question. We really want to know truth and find wisdom. We desire meaningful work and purpose. Our identity comes from our Father in Heaven and He is the great Teacher. The knowledge he gives us, it can be used to glorify Him, bring mercy to those among us, and build character within us. We are to grow in wisdom- knowledge is a step in that process. Finding the right path to education is important. As a parent, you are the child's first and best teacher. When a time comes to walk with them as a coach and encourager, know that you are still the one God chose to help them navigate the path of learning in life. When homeschooling younger children, it may be clear how they need you to pass information and knowledge. As they grow, it can be less clear but there is still a great need for a parent to guide and coach adolescent children through their changing learning methods and styles- no matter what choices you make for high school.
I'd like to share a few practical things I have discovered in my short path. Here are some steps I have realized we each must make- formally or informally- if we are to support our children in their educational choices as they transition from children to adults.
What is the goal? Dream.
As a homeschool parent in North Carolina, you are the administrator of your school. You decide what counts as credit, what is needed for graduation and when your student is ready to graduate. We are given very much freedom with this and must wisely use the freedom as it best serves our children. If the student is considering higher education, you must tailor the coursework to fit the requirements of the institution which they will be seeking enrollment. Many parents begin to model their homeschool in high school after the standard course credits issued by Department of Public Instruction and follow the "College Track" set forth by the University of North Carolina System. This choice gives parents a peace of mind that their children are getting a broad academic coverage in the high school years and are adequately prepared should they choose college education after graduation. This is the track and preparation that a student interested in Dual Enrollment or College and Career Promise for the last 2 years of high school may be following.
*Find the NC Department of Public Instruction High School guidelines here.
*Find the Homeschool High School Graduation Requirements from NCHE here and from NDNPE here.
If college is not the goal, and you are confident in that, take time to decide with your student what skills and courses are most logical over the next few years before you issue their diploma. Since this will be the end of their formal learning time, you will want to focus on good self learning skills and good communication skills, teamwork, as well as time management, home management, "life skills", interviews, business, etc- it will be as varied as the goal. Soft skills are essential for everyone! This is the time to start some general lists, write some methods of how to meet those goals and then define the curriculum, coursework, internships, etc. that the student will complete to meet the goals for each course.
*For more on trade school and apprenticeships from HSLDA, click here
What does my student need to meet this goal? Brainstorm and plan.
If your kid is like my oldest, a social learner who was eager to move on to college but not yet old enough to go out on his own, then something like College and Career Promise may be for your family! If not, there are many online services for courses as well as dual enrollment. There are also box sets, DVD curriculum and as homeschool grows, the choices grow. Freedom can be overwhelming in this area. It is often a good idea to think about how your child learns best and limit your choices at first by some guideline or another to filter the sheer volume of options. Develop a plan- even if in pencil. I used a print out of the UNC system guidelines and a pencil on notebook paper to make notes. I then used a word document template of a transcript that I could edit and penciled in ideas over the 4 years. Boy, has it changed! The structure helped us create a vision and helped my child not be overwhelmed by the whole picture. We could see one semester or year at a time while keeping an eye on the goal. We could also look back and celebrate how much was accomplished when the pencil turned to ink!
*For more on grade level curriculum choices, Cathy Duffy reviews can be found here
*HSLDA has created a well organized database of resources for homeschool parents of adolescents too! Click here.
Meet your team! Move forward
When you have a plan ready and the time is approaching, make contact with the person/persons you will need to begin a relationship with for the next phase. For us, that was the College and Career Adviser. We met with her in March before the Fall he would enroll. To our surprise, he was eligible to test immediately and enroll that month in a late start class. He chose to wait until June to enroll, and had 3 classes completed before my anticipated start date! You will need to think about this phase as 'sharing the reins' unless you are graduating your child or transferring them into a different school. Dual enrolled students are still enrolled in your homeschool. As the administrator, you are still responsible for some home coursework and progress, as well as record keeping, college success coaching, general encouragement and some overall (some days challenging) parenting roles. It is important to communicate professionally with the advisor and any instructors (only if necessary) and remember that your role is the administrator of the school, not their mom! A little something I learned about higher education is a privacy law called FERPA. Under this law, instructors at a college level do not speak to parents about students. They will however communicate to other schools for the sake of a student. It's helpful to keep this in mind.
Figuring out your team may not be as easy if you are pursuing a different path. It may involve multiple parents if you strictly homeschool high school but cooperatively share classes. It may involve professionals or organizations in the community if your child wants to learn through volunteering or assisting. It may involve online schools and people you never meet face to face if you choose distance learning programs, or companies with DVD programs. It could also include tutors for subjects which you do not want to be totally responsible.
Stay fluid.
The time goes quickly so even though it's an extremely busy season, enjoy the view. The men and women you see emerging before your eyes will make you proud so many days. They will not become adults overnight and many days will be a challenge for everyone. Don't be afraid to erase or rewrite a plan (preaching to myself). God has this under control. It helps to update the transcripts as you go and make notes in a file or document (Google Docs is lovely) of what book, co-op or online course your student used. You can learn more about transcripts and credits here.
I have not completed this journey and would love to hear more from the veteran homeschool parents who have walked further than I have down the path. I answer these questions and more regularly in discussions with other parents. If you have more, just leave a comment or message me. Over time, I am sure to edit and add to this entry. Until then....
God Bless you on your journey!
Crystal
Links for this article:
http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/academic-programs/career-college-promise
https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/student/practice
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/curriculum/home/graduationrequirements.pdf
http://www.nche.com/high-school/coursework
https://ncadmin.nc.gov/citizens/home-school/home-school-faqs#diplomas-&-graduation
https://www.thebalance.com/what-are-soft-skills-2060852
https://hslda.org/highschool/vocation.asp
https://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/grade-level-packages-and-courses/high-school
https://hslda.org/highschool/resources.asp
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
https://hslda.org/highschool/Newsletters/2016/november.asp
Education is a core part of our design. We are curious and question. We really want to know truth and find wisdom. We desire meaningful work and purpose. Our identity comes from our Father in Heaven and He is the great Teacher. The knowledge he gives us, it can be used to glorify Him, bring mercy to those among us, and build character within us. We are to grow in wisdom- knowledge is a step in that process. Finding the right path to education is important. As a parent, you are the child's first and best teacher. When a time comes to walk with them as a coach and encourager, know that you are still the one God chose to help them navigate the path of learning in life. When homeschooling younger children, it may be clear how they need you to pass information and knowledge. As they grow, it can be less clear but there is still a great need for a parent to guide and coach adolescent children through their changing learning methods and styles- no matter what choices you make for high school.
I'd like to share a few practical things I have discovered in my short path. Here are some steps I have realized we each must make- formally or informally- if we are to support our children in their educational choices as they transition from children to adults.
What is the goal? Dream.
As a homeschool parent in North Carolina, you are the administrator of your school. You decide what counts as credit, what is needed for graduation and when your student is ready to graduate. We are given very much freedom with this and must wisely use the freedom as it best serves our children. If the student is considering higher education, you must tailor the coursework to fit the requirements of the institution which they will be seeking enrollment. Many parents begin to model their homeschool in high school after the standard course credits issued by Department of Public Instruction and follow the "College Track" set forth by the University of North Carolina System. This choice gives parents a peace of mind that their children are getting a broad academic coverage in the high school years and are adequately prepared should they choose college education after graduation. This is the track and preparation that a student interested in Dual Enrollment or College and Career Promise for the last 2 years of high school may be following.
*Find the NC Department of Public Instruction High School guidelines here.
*Find the Homeschool High School Graduation Requirements from NCHE here and from NDNPE here.
If college is not the goal, and you are confident in that, take time to decide with your student what skills and courses are most logical over the next few years before you issue their diploma. Since this will be the end of their formal learning time, you will want to focus on good self learning skills and good communication skills, teamwork, as well as time management, home management, "life skills", interviews, business, etc- it will be as varied as the goal. Soft skills are essential for everyone! This is the time to start some general lists, write some methods of how to meet those goals and then define the curriculum, coursework, internships, etc. that the student will complete to meet the goals for each course.
*For more on trade school and apprenticeships from HSLDA, click here
What does my student need to meet this goal? Brainstorm and plan.
If your kid is like my oldest, a social learner who was eager to move on to college but not yet old enough to go out on his own, then something like College and Career Promise may be for your family! If not, there are many online services for courses as well as dual enrollment. There are also box sets, DVD curriculum and as homeschool grows, the choices grow. Freedom can be overwhelming in this area. It is often a good idea to think about how your child learns best and limit your choices at first by some guideline or another to filter the sheer volume of options. Develop a plan- even if in pencil. I used a print out of the UNC system guidelines and a pencil on notebook paper to make notes. I then used a word document template of a transcript that I could edit and penciled in ideas over the 4 years. Boy, has it changed! The structure helped us create a vision and helped my child not be overwhelmed by the whole picture. We could see one semester or year at a time while keeping an eye on the goal. We could also look back and celebrate how much was accomplished when the pencil turned to ink!
*For more on grade level curriculum choices, Cathy Duffy reviews can be found here
*HSLDA has created a well organized database of resources for homeschool parents of adolescents too! Click here.
Meet your team! Move forward
When you have a plan ready and the time is approaching, make contact with the person/persons you will need to begin a relationship with for the next phase. For us, that was the College and Career Adviser. We met with her in March before the Fall he would enroll. To our surprise, he was eligible to test immediately and enroll that month in a late start class. He chose to wait until June to enroll, and had 3 classes completed before my anticipated start date! You will need to think about this phase as 'sharing the reins' unless you are graduating your child or transferring them into a different school. Dual enrolled students are still enrolled in your homeschool. As the administrator, you are still responsible for some home coursework and progress, as well as record keeping, college success coaching, general encouragement and some overall (some days challenging) parenting roles. It is important to communicate professionally with the advisor and any instructors (only if necessary) and remember that your role is the administrator of the school, not their mom! A little something I learned about higher education is a privacy law called FERPA. Under this law, instructors at a college level do not speak to parents about students. They will however communicate to other schools for the sake of a student. It's helpful to keep this in mind.
Figuring out your team may not be as easy if you are pursuing a different path. It may involve multiple parents if you strictly homeschool high school but cooperatively share classes. It may involve professionals or organizations in the community if your child wants to learn through volunteering or assisting. It may involve online schools and people you never meet face to face if you choose distance learning programs, or companies with DVD programs. It could also include tutors for subjects which you do not want to be totally responsible.
Stay fluid.
The time goes quickly so even though it's an extremely busy season, enjoy the view. The men and women you see emerging before your eyes will make you proud so many days. They will not become adults overnight and many days will be a challenge for everyone. Don't be afraid to erase or rewrite a plan (preaching to myself). God has this under control. It helps to update the transcripts as you go and make notes in a file or document (Google Docs is lovely) of what book, co-op or online course your student used. You can learn more about transcripts and credits here.
I have not completed this journey and would love to hear more from the veteran homeschool parents who have walked further than I have down the path. I answer these questions and more regularly in discussions with other parents. If you have more, just leave a comment or message me. Over time, I am sure to edit and add to this entry. Until then....
God Bless you on your journey!
Crystal
Links for this article:
http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/academic-programs/career-college-promise
https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/student/practice
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/curriculum/home/graduationrequirements.pdf
http://www.nche.com/high-school/coursework
https://ncadmin.nc.gov/citizens/home-school/home-school-faqs#diplomas-&-graduation
https://www.thebalance.com/what-are-soft-skills-2060852
https://hslda.org/highschool/vocation.asp
https://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/grade-level-packages-and-courses/high-school
https://hslda.org/highschool/resources.asp
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
https://hslda.org/highschool/Newsletters/2016/november.asp
Thursday, September 3, 2015
All Things
I can do all things in Him, by Him, through Him
In Him I live and move and have my being
My very being.
I can manage and strive and coach and teach and lead and cheer
and grieve alongside a friend,
in Him for He is faithful.
This one thing I know, that He is always on His throne,
That the world may fade, may pass, may shake and toss
and turn wildly.
He remains.
I can do all things.
-Crystal Akers 9/13/2015
In Him I live and move and have my being
My very being.
I can manage and strive and coach and teach and lead and cheer
and grieve alongside a friend,
in Him for He is faithful.
This one thing I know, that He is always on His throne,
That the world may fade, may pass, may shake and toss
and turn wildly.
He remains.
I can do all things.
-Crystal Akers 9/13/2015
Thursday, August 6, 2015
FREE for the taking! Homeschool resources that are completely free!
Home education can be costly, but it doesn't have to be. Depending on educational style and choices, there are many free resources you can find. Most are online, some are available by mail or in your community,
Stating the obvious, you can always start at your local library. Not only do most libraries have books, media, resources, maps, etc., they also have educational programming. If you live near a national park, state recreation area or museum, many free educational programs are also available. Do a little digging into your community and see what you can find! (Post in the comments if you find something to share.)
The internet is a treasure trove of resources. Endless media is available to be pulled together at Wikipedia, YouTube, and more. I enjoy some things as supplemental, but when I am thinking "quality, grade level, course credits, skill based", I want something more than surfing every day to find something new. Having said that, if I need to fix the sink, I am going to be surfing the Google wave to find some instructions! Using a search engine can be a great learning tool. (Parental guidance suggested.)
Here is my growing list of online resources for FREE education!
1) Khan Academy
www.khanacademy.com
Learn about anything! Particularly math. Prep for SATs, learn some languages or computer science too. Free for now, accepts donations, you get quality content for learning.
2) Easy Peasy Homeschool
www.allinonehomeschool.com and www.allinonehighschool.com
Parent contributed content, eclectic mix of styles. Free to use, accepts donations. Content changes at times but we never saw it change during the school year. I noticed some courses are linked to free virtual education in states that do not require enrollment in public school to use the classes.
3) Discovery K12
http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/
I just was introduced to this recently and have yet to explore it. Reading the fine print, it is intended for use by home schoolers for home schooling. I checked it in 2022 and the student accounts are still FREE! It is the parent accounts with tracking and documentation that are paid portion. Post a comment if you find out more or you've used this one.
4) Starfall: Learn to Read
http://www.starfall.com/
I would like to take credit for my kids learning to read, but I think that Leap Frog videos and Starfall had alot to do with it. I did take them to the library and read relentlessly to them when they were young! Starfall has a free and paid option, it also has curriculum you can purchase to go along with it. We only used the free stuff. All 4 kids have learned to read at and above grade level. The 7 year old sat reading a 7th grade science book yesterday without problem. I guess something worked!
5) Spelling City
https://www.spellingcity.com/
Free and paid options here too, but I have only used the free ones! I incorporated books we read or science and history into spelling word lists here for them to play games to learn and test on. I have kids who seem to be natural spellers but this was great. The only other formal spelling I did for Spelling Power (which I love and they aren't sure about).
6) Ambleside Online
Stating the obvious, you can always start at your local library. Not only do most libraries have books, media, resources, maps, etc., they also have educational programming. If you live near a national park, state recreation area or museum, many free educational programs are also available. Do a little digging into your community and see what you can find! (Post in the comments if you find something to share.)
The internet is a treasure trove of resources. Endless media is available to be pulled together at Wikipedia, YouTube, and more. I enjoy some things as supplemental, but when I am thinking "quality, grade level, course credits, skill based", I want something more than surfing every day to find something new. Having said that, if I need to fix the sink, I am going to be surfing the Google wave to find some instructions! Using a search engine can be a great learning tool. (Parental guidance suggested.)
Here is my growing list of online resources for FREE education!
1) Khan Academy
www.khanacademy.com
Learn about anything! Particularly math. Prep for SATs, learn some languages or computer science too. Free for now, accepts donations, you get quality content for learning.
2) Easy Peasy Homeschool
www.allinonehomeschool.com and www.allinonehighschool.com
Parent contributed content, eclectic mix of styles. Free to use, accepts donations. Content changes at times but we never saw it change during the school year. I noticed some courses are linked to free virtual education in states that do not require enrollment in public school to use the classes.
3) Discovery K12
http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/
I just was introduced to this recently and have yet to explore it. Reading the fine print, it is intended for use by home schoolers for home schooling. I checked it in 2022 and the student accounts are still FREE! It is the parent accounts with tracking and documentation that are paid portion. Post a comment if you find out more or you've used this one.
4) Starfall: Learn to Read
http://www.starfall.com/
I would like to take credit for my kids learning to read, but I think that Leap Frog videos and Starfall had alot to do with it. I did take them to the library and read relentlessly to them when they were young! Starfall has a free and paid option, it also has curriculum you can purchase to go along with it. We only used the free stuff. All 4 kids have learned to read at and above grade level. The 7 year old sat reading a 7th grade science book yesterday without problem. I guess something worked!
5) Spelling City
https://www.spellingcity.com/
Free and paid options here too, but I have only used the free ones! I incorporated books we read or science and history into spelling word lists here for them to play games to learn and test on. I have kids who seem to be natural spellers but this was great. The only other formal spelling I did for Spelling Power (which I love and they aren't sure about).
6) Ambleside Online
This is a Charlotte Mason community. There is a plethora of lesson plans and reading lists as well as links to books, groups and more about how to be a Charlotte Mason homeschooler without the cost of joining a formal program. This page has been around forever and is well maintained!
That's all for today! What FREE or INEXPENSIVE resources do you use?
That's all for today! What FREE or INEXPENSIVE resources do you use?
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Choices in Education, Choices in Home Education
Choices. We all love them! Home education is a wonderful choice from the educational options available, but it is also extremely diverse within itself, within each state, within each family and even in any given season. The flexibility and diversity can be both beautiful and overwhelming! The rise of options within other educational choices can add to the confusion.
Our first year home educating, my husband and I attended a state convention complete with a stadium of curriculum vendors. Armed with curiosity and determination, despite being gripped by fear at the sight of the sea of people and media, we meandered through the vendor hall. I had hoped to make a decision, buy our curriculum for the year and start our homeschool journey with a clear direction of what best works for our family. Instead, I left with nothing except a couple of cool toys for our sons and a great deal of insight into the choices actually available to homeschoolers.
Fast forward 10 years and I have seen those choices explode at an exponential rate! If you add nation wide acceptance of home education, the internet and tech savvy families, public schools expanding their means and method of offering services, schools both public, charter and private competing for students and dollars, and families who want to navigate their own path, the sum is overwheming choice. We cannot possibly keep up!
If you are like me, you might be trying to orient yourself to your family's changing needs. If you are new to homeschooling, you might be trying to get your bearings and not sure what it all means. Maybe you are just looking to see what is available to you. Nonetheless, you are here so let's begin with clarification of which choices we have in education today.
Educational Choices:
1) Public school aka government school
Depending on the state, your choices in education may be broad or narrow, but you likely have some choice if you are in the United States. In North Carolina, we have traditional public school, early college and alternative schools as well as a range of class levels for high school within that setting. New this year is NC Connections Academy, a great new choice,in public school education. It is set up as a virtual charter school yet students login from home to 'attend' class. The public schools have had distance learning options for some schools and students within NC for several years, available to those who attend their local public school and accessible from the school itself. NC Connections Academy may be revolutionary because while not homeschooling as defined by law, it is indeed a home based education choice for families.
2) Private school aka tuition based schools
Most areas do indeed have private schools. They may be religious schools, church based, classical or subject focused. However, one common thread is the tuition associated with the school. Private schools are a great choice in education but may be difficult to afford by many families and some may have requirements for enrollment that prevent some students from entering. This is another great option in education as it allows more autonomy in the administration of the school as well as the opportunity for more parental involvement.
3)Homeschooling aka private home education
In North Carolina, home schoolers are PRIVATE schools! The parents are the administrators of independent private schools. It varies from state to state how home schools are governed, but many states give the seat of authority to parents for homeschooling. This is an important concept when weighing choices in your child's education vs choices in homeschooling. The seat of authority or administration determines your schedule, responsibility, curriculum, course of study and requirements. While many are led to believe that homeschooling simply implies the location of education (e.g., home), it actually implies much more legally. Besides, who is staying home all the time for homeschooling now anyhow? The world is the classroom when you home school and I hope you are taking advantage of that!
The blurring of lines between homeschooling, private school enrichment classes and home based public education has been something worth considering. at least in North Carolina, and the it is wise to understand what you want for your children and family when evaluating the various choices available to you regarding their education. Our state support organization, North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) recently published an excellent article to help discern the lines between some of these choices. (Click here for article)
So, what is it you want for your kids? Which educational choice is the best fit for your family?
If you said, home schooling, then keep on reading!
Choices in Home Education:
If you have chosen the path of home education, then the choices become astronomical.
Educational method: Are you structured or laid back? Want a blend of both? Do you want school at home or no defined school spaces? You can be an unschooler, eclectic homeschooler, use unit studies, classical method, Charlotte Mason, Montesorri, school at home, mulitple intelligences and more. You don't have to decide which path to choose but it is helpful to read about the different styles and see how you and your children naturally fit. For example, we like classical education in theory but tend to be more eclectic in our administration of school. Read more about homeschool approach here.
Materials and resources: Books, DVD, distance learning, paid services, free services, new book vendors, used book vendors, and more await you in choosing what materials you will use. Thankfully, many reviews exist on these materials. You can read real life reviews on amazon.com of many of these resources, join Facebook groups with other homeschoolers to ask around or email the other parents in your local support group to get their opinion. One resource I love for filtering through it all and to keep with what's available is Cathy Duffy Homeschool Curriculum Reviews. You can find her work online and you'll find descriptions, ratings, links to purchase, cost comparisons, and more.
Groups and support: In North Carolina, you can homeschool independently but there are also many support groups and co-ops available across the state. You can belong to virtual groups for support from other mom's through social media. You can follow homeschool pages online or subscribe to publications such as Practical Homeschooling. There may be seasons you need to be part of a group and seasons of needing to be independent. The ebb and flow of life continues through our homeschool years and the choices change as we all grow and change. Walking in community is a Godly concept and one that is wisely applied in the groups we find ourselves a part.
The choices we have are remarkable. The freedoms hard fought and treasured dearly. May God supply all your needs in your journey of educating your children and may we thank Him daily for the freedom to homeschool!
*Look for an article about free homeschool resources to be posted soon!*
Our first year home educating, my husband and I attended a state convention complete with a stadium of curriculum vendors. Armed with curiosity and determination, despite being gripped by fear at the sight of the sea of people and media, we meandered through the vendor hall. I had hoped to make a decision, buy our curriculum for the year and start our homeschool journey with a clear direction of what best works for our family. Instead, I left with nothing except a couple of cool toys for our sons and a great deal of insight into the choices actually available to homeschoolers.
Fast forward 10 years and I have seen those choices explode at an exponential rate! If you add nation wide acceptance of home education, the internet and tech savvy families, public schools expanding their means and method of offering services, schools both public, charter and private competing for students and dollars, and families who want to navigate their own path, the sum is overwheming choice. We cannot possibly keep up!
If you are like me, you might be trying to orient yourself to your family's changing needs. If you are new to homeschooling, you might be trying to get your bearings and not sure what it all means. Maybe you are just looking to see what is available to you. Nonetheless, you are here so let's begin with clarification of which choices we have in education today.
Educational Choices:
1) Public school aka government school
Depending on the state, your choices in education may be broad or narrow, but you likely have some choice if you are in the United States. In North Carolina, we have traditional public school, early college and alternative schools as well as a range of class levels for high school within that setting. New this year is NC Connections Academy, a great new choice,in public school education. It is set up as a virtual charter school yet students login from home to 'attend' class. The public schools have had distance learning options for some schools and students within NC for several years, available to those who attend their local public school and accessible from the school itself. NC Connections Academy may be revolutionary because while not homeschooling as defined by law, it is indeed a home based education choice for families.
2) Private school aka tuition based schools
Most areas do indeed have private schools. They may be religious schools, church based, classical or subject focused. However, one common thread is the tuition associated with the school. Private schools are a great choice in education but may be difficult to afford by many families and some may have requirements for enrollment that prevent some students from entering. This is another great option in education as it allows more autonomy in the administration of the school as well as the opportunity for more parental involvement.
3)Homeschooling aka private home education
In North Carolina, home schoolers are PRIVATE schools! The parents are the administrators of independent private schools. It varies from state to state how home schools are governed, but many states give the seat of authority to parents for homeschooling. This is an important concept when weighing choices in your child's education vs choices in homeschooling. The seat of authority or administration determines your schedule, responsibility, curriculum, course of study and requirements. While many are led to believe that homeschooling simply implies the location of education (e.g., home), it actually implies much more legally. Besides, who is staying home all the time for homeschooling now anyhow? The world is the classroom when you home school and I hope you are taking advantage of that!
The blurring of lines between homeschooling, private school enrichment classes and home based public education has been something worth considering. at least in North Carolina, and the it is wise to understand what you want for your children and family when evaluating the various choices available to you regarding their education. Our state support organization, North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) recently published an excellent article to help discern the lines between some of these choices. (Click here for article)
So, what is it you want for your kids? Which educational choice is the best fit for your family?
If you said, home schooling, then keep on reading!
Choices in Home Education:
If you have chosen the path of home education, then the choices become astronomical.
Educational method: Are you structured or laid back? Want a blend of both? Do you want school at home or no defined school spaces? You can be an unschooler, eclectic homeschooler, use unit studies, classical method, Charlotte Mason, Montesorri, school at home, mulitple intelligences and more. You don't have to decide which path to choose but it is helpful to read about the different styles and see how you and your children naturally fit. For example, we like classical education in theory but tend to be more eclectic in our administration of school. Read more about homeschool approach here.
Materials and resources: Books, DVD, distance learning, paid services, free services, new book vendors, used book vendors, and more await you in choosing what materials you will use. Thankfully, many reviews exist on these materials. You can read real life reviews on amazon.com of many of these resources, join Facebook groups with other homeschoolers to ask around or email the other parents in your local support group to get their opinion. One resource I love for filtering through it all and to keep with what's available is Cathy Duffy Homeschool Curriculum Reviews. You can find her work online and you'll find descriptions, ratings, links to purchase, cost comparisons, and more.
Groups and support: In North Carolina, you can homeschool independently but there are also many support groups and co-ops available across the state. You can belong to virtual groups for support from other mom's through social media. You can follow homeschool pages online or subscribe to publications such as Practical Homeschooling. There may be seasons you need to be part of a group and seasons of needing to be independent. The ebb and flow of life continues through our homeschool years and the choices change as we all grow and change. Walking in community is a Godly concept and one that is wisely applied in the groups we find ourselves a part.
The choices we have are remarkable. The freedoms hard fought and treasured dearly. May God supply all your needs in your journey of educating your children and may we thank Him daily for the freedom to homeschool!
*Look for an article about free homeschool resources to be posted soon!*
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Fields of Grace
Some days you just need a new view. The desire to get away and be refreshed is overwhelming as the demands of daily living continue to exact their pressure with rigid regularity. Like an assembly line, you are the laundry team, the dish team, the school teacher, the referee, the mentor, the meal team, back to the laundry. And then it happens, something that shatters the routine, and you just want the routine back again.
In this strange land, you certainly have a new view, new perspective. You wonder, "How do I get back? " Look to the left and the right, those are the fields of grace. Those expanses and valleys of nothing over miles may look desolate but look closer, the fields of grace. That's the passage. The best way forward. There in the fields of grace, God has renewal. He has rest and hope and peace and restoration. Do you see the table He set for you, there in the presence of your enemy? It feels like war, and you are ready for battle but it's time to recline. The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.
As you pass through the fields of grace, take time to rest, to linger, to absorb the sunlight and breathe in the freshness. As you take another step and another, you realize the pace is quite different than the routine from which you were so abruptly taken. The timing is terrible, the situation difficult, but inside of it, just for you, there is a place. Rest in Him, recline at His table, lay your burdens down and just breathe, that freshness that only comes with His grace.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may find mercy and grace in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
In this strange land, you certainly have a new view, new perspective. You wonder, "How do I get back? " Look to the left and the right, those are the fields of grace. Those expanses and valleys of nothing over miles may look desolate but look closer, the fields of grace. That's the passage. The best way forward. There in the fields of grace, God has renewal. He has rest and hope and peace and restoration. Do you see the table He set for you, there in the presence of your enemy? It feels like war, and you are ready for battle but it's time to recline. The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.
As you pass through the fields of grace, take time to rest, to linger, to absorb the sunlight and breathe in the freshness. As you take another step and another, you realize the pace is quite different than the routine from which you were so abruptly taken. The timing is terrible, the situation difficult, but inside of it, just for you, there is a place. Rest in Him, recline at His table, lay your burdens down and just breathe, that freshness that only comes with His grace.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may find mercy and grace in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Homeschooling.... All In.
I woke this morning with one thought in my head. "Only 3 more years!" I heard. As I moved through my usual routine, I couldn't shake it. Do I know what I am doing? Do I know what needs to be complete? How in the world am I going to.....? The only solution was to put pencil to paper and try and sort out the thoughts.
Homeschooling is a grand adventure, a worthy journey open to anyone who chooses. Many are called to it, many are refined by it. Yet, none are immune to the criticism that ensues, not only from the world and well meaning friends or family but the depths of your own mind. The doubt and questions can be irritating, distracting, downright debilitating. God has not given us a spirit of fear and He has a hope and future for me, for you and for our kids.
Homeschool is one thing, but am I smarter than a 5th grader? Probably not. What in the world am I going to do? That's what I am learning.
Veritas means truth. It's the name we used in our home school title and the one thing we seek. Truth in who God is, the truth about who He made us to be and the truth about each situation. For each fear or anxiety, I must ask, "Have I believed a lie?" If the answer is yes, I must ask, "Jesus, what's the truth?" It's my choice to submit it to God and to believe Him when he tells me the truth. Home education isn't about all the things I taught or forgot to teach or what the schools do and I avoid. It is the opportunity to learn with my children the truth about God, about the world He created, the truth about communication and discovery, self management and life, decisions and consequences. Truth awaits us at each turn, starting with 1+1=2 and moving into the wonders of the cosmos. Sometimes it is black and white and sometimes a little grey. Sometimes it is as brilliant as the rainbow, His reminder of promise.
As I move into high school level home education, I feel less capable to lead this charge. I am, however, following the One who created us, established this journey and has made available all resources necessary for success. Shall I follow well, trusting that His resources are endless?
It is of great comfort to know that I am not alone and many have gone before me. It is encouraging when I meet families along the way who know what lies ahead and can even point out the road signs and mile markers I may need. I am forever thankful to those who have laid down their lives for the sake of allowing their children home education and pay it forward to the rest of us coming along the way.
In the past few weeks, I have shared my heart with the Lord, my husband, my children, and my friends regarding homeschooling high school. I have also discovered some wonderful tools and resources available to any of us seeking guidance on this leg of the journey. Are you ready to join me in this part of the path?
1) Make the decision to start and equip yourself!
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a wealth of knowledge regarding not just home school law but also resources. I picked up some publications at the local curriculum sale from them and am pleased to see they offer information online as well. If you still are unsure of accepting the high school home education challenge, you might start with HSLDA "You can homeschool through high school" guide. There you will find encouragement for your journey. HSLDA "A guide for homeschooling through high school" is a valuable road map that gives a general overview, worksheets, and an in depth coverage of the nuts and bolts of homeschooling through high school.
2) Know the nitty gritty of what you need!
Your state can be helpful to give guidelines for what to expect. At the beginning of this past school year, I found and printed North Carolina's requirements for diploma. That has been a great spine to our high school planning. I can now decide how much to require each year, plan what needs to be done in which years and know if I am going to need help! Tutors and co-ops, dual enrollment and online courses can fill in the gaps.
3)Document, document, document!
As a Registered Nurse, I've lived by 'if it wasn't charted, it wasn't done' for many years. It applies to high school too, well sort of! To better manage our resources and plans, it is good to put pencil on paper and sketch an outline of your high school student's journey. Try a year and see how it goes, then fill in the next 3 years with some ideas of how to meet the requirements of your state for diploma. This is a good time to have the diploma requirements sheet printed and ready for reference! I found many easy to use forms online at All in One Homeschool that were downloadable, printable, editable, etc. It's making things easier as I manage through this climb to have some simple documentation on what we are doing, where we are going and what is left to work out.
4)Research resources!
Homeschooling high school still does not have to be 'school at home' yet I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to work at levels and through methods they would encounter in higher education and adult learning. In addition to parent-led sessions, I am assigning independent studies, participating in co-op classes, using a syllabus and taking advantage of online resources.
Many of the courses at All in One High School are wonderful for elective credits and even to fulfill requirements. We assigned music and art appreciation this past year and were pleased with all that it covered. There are many other online resources including Currclick and Coursera which can be accessed online. I opted not to use Coursera at this point in our journey due to the rigorous nature of the college level courses it offers. In North Carolina, Dual Enrollment is offered through community colleges and many universities for older high school students. This program is to be gravely weighed as grades count not just for high school but on collegiate records. I am not sure yet if it will be part of our path but I am happy to know it is available to homeschoolers.
I am glad I am not alone on this journey. I am glad you are here with me. I am happy that God has made a way to home educate our children and am in awe of all He has done in them as a result. While we have been walking this path for several years, it seems each one brings new questions and new needs. How wonderful that His mercies are new every morning! I shall never want.
Homeschooling is a grand adventure, a worthy journey open to anyone who chooses. Many are called to it, many are refined by it. Yet, none are immune to the criticism that ensues, not only from the world and well meaning friends or family but the depths of your own mind. The doubt and questions can be irritating, distracting, downright debilitating. God has not given us a spirit of fear and He has a hope and future for me, for you and for our kids.
Homeschool is one thing, but am I smarter than a 5th grader? Probably not. What in the world am I going to do? That's what I am learning.
Veritas means truth. It's the name we used in our home school title and the one thing we seek. Truth in who God is, the truth about who He made us to be and the truth about each situation. For each fear or anxiety, I must ask, "Have I believed a lie?" If the answer is yes, I must ask, "Jesus, what's the truth?" It's my choice to submit it to God and to believe Him when he tells me the truth. Home education isn't about all the things I taught or forgot to teach or what the schools do and I avoid. It is the opportunity to learn with my children the truth about God, about the world He created, the truth about communication and discovery, self management and life, decisions and consequences. Truth awaits us at each turn, starting with 1+1=2 and moving into the wonders of the cosmos. Sometimes it is black and white and sometimes a little grey. Sometimes it is as brilliant as the rainbow, His reminder of promise.
As I move into high school level home education, I feel less capable to lead this charge. I am, however, following the One who created us, established this journey and has made available all resources necessary for success. Shall I follow well, trusting that His resources are endless?
It is of great comfort to know that I am not alone and many have gone before me. It is encouraging when I meet families along the way who know what lies ahead and can even point out the road signs and mile markers I may need. I am forever thankful to those who have laid down their lives for the sake of allowing their children home education and pay it forward to the rest of us coming along the way.
In the past few weeks, I have shared my heart with the Lord, my husband, my children, and my friends regarding homeschooling high school. I have also discovered some wonderful tools and resources available to any of us seeking guidance on this leg of the journey. Are you ready to join me in this part of the path?
1) Make the decision to start and equip yourself!
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a wealth of knowledge regarding not just home school law but also resources. I picked up some publications at the local curriculum sale from them and am pleased to see they offer information online as well. If you still are unsure of accepting the high school home education challenge, you might start with HSLDA "You can homeschool through high school" guide. There you will find encouragement for your journey. HSLDA "A guide for homeschooling through high school" is a valuable road map that gives a general overview, worksheets, and an in depth coverage of the nuts and bolts of homeschooling through high school.
2) Know the nitty gritty of what you need!
Your state can be helpful to give guidelines for what to expect. At the beginning of this past school year, I found and printed North Carolina's requirements for diploma. That has been a great spine to our high school planning. I can now decide how much to require each year, plan what needs to be done in which years and know if I am going to need help! Tutors and co-ops, dual enrollment and online courses can fill in the gaps.
3)Document, document, document!
As a Registered Nurse, I've lived by 'if it wasn't charted, it wasn't done' for many years. It applies to high school too, well sort of! To better manage our resources and plans, it is good to put pencil on paper and sketch an outline of your high school student's journey. Try a year and see how it goes, then fill in the next 3 years with some ideas of how to meet the requirements of your state for diploma. This is a good time to have the diploma requirements sheet printed and ready for reference! I found many easy to use forms online at All in One Homeschool that were downloadable, printable, editable, etc. It's making things easier as I manage through this climb to have some simple documentation on what we are doing, where we are going and what is left to work out.
4)Research resources!
Homeschooling high school still does not have to be 'school at home' yet I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to work at levels and through methods they would encounter in higher education and adult learning. In addition to parent-led sessions, I am assigning independent studies, participating in co-op classes, using a syllabus and taking advantage of online resources.
Many of the courses at All in One High School are wonderful for elective credits and even to fulfill requirements. We assigned music and art appreciation this past year and were pleased with all that it covered. There are many other online resources including Currclick and Coursera which can be accessed online. I opted not to use Coursera at this point in our journey due to the rigorous nature of the college level courses it offers. In North Carolina, Dual Enrollment is offered through community colleges and many universities for older high school students. This program is to be gravely weighed as grades count not just for high school but on collegiate records. I am not sure yet if it will be part of our path but I am happy to know it is available to homeschoolers.
I am glad I am not alone on this journey. I am glad you are here with me. I am happy that God has made a way to home educate our children and am in awe of all He has done in them as a result. While we have been walking this path for several years, it seems each one brings new questions and new needs. How wonderful that His mercies are new every morning! I shall never want.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)