Written by Claudia Orgill
Barry Schwartz explained beautifully why what we need most is practical wisdom and why the most important thing kids need to learn is character - both of which, I feel, we are able to focus much upon, to the extent which we feel is necessary in today's world, in our homeschooling life.
Barry Schwartzs' talk.
.
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Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Because it allows us more time to spend together.
Written by Claudia
When I see the continually developing interests my kids genuinely have (Karate, language learning, harp, gymnastics, ASL) I realize how little time we'd have with them if they spent most of the day at school and also went to extra classes to help them learn these things. Considering that they'd want to play with friends as well - we'd have very little time to spend with them and it makes me grateful that we have been led down this uncommon path.
The longer we home school and the more comfortable I become with it the more beautiful and miraculous I seem to find it.
My new motto, once it comes to our homeschooling life, is derived from the book Laddie. Little Sister's mother is speaking as to how they (mostly her husband) educated their children. (I've changed the words in parentheses to make it apply to myself.)
She says, "(I schooled my children) by educating myself before their coming, and with them afterward. Self-control, study, work, joy of life, satisfaction with what we have had, never-ending strife to go higher, and to do better...
From the start (I) have rigorously guarded (my) speech and actions before them. From the first tiny baby (I) have taught them all to read, write and cipher some...We are always watching, observing, studying: the earth, the stars, growing things...seeing things that we have or will study out for all of us.
There never has been one day in our home on which we did not read a new interesting article from book or paper; work out a big problem, or discuss some phase of politics, religion, or war. Sometimes there has been a little of all of it in one day, always reading, spelling, and memory exercises at night.
(I) have been a schoolmaster, (my) home (my) schoolroom, (my) children, (husband) and helpers (my) pupils; the common things of life as (I) meet them every day, the books from which we learn...and for each of them we have added at least two years of college, music school, or whatever the peculiar bent of the child seemed to demand."
Such a home environment is lovely and marvelous to me - it is the kind of environment I intend to do my best to create.
When I see the continually developing interests my kids genuinely have (Karate, language learning, harp, gymnastics, ASL) I realize how little time we'd have with them if they spent most of the day at school and also went to extra classes to help them learn these things. Considering that they'd want to play with friends as well - we'd have very little time to spend with them and it makes me grateful that we have been led down this uncommon path.
The longer we home school and the more comfortable I become with it the more beautiful and miraculous I seem to find it.
My new motto, once it comes to our homeschooling life, is derived from the book Laddie. Little Sister's mother is speaking as to how they (mostly her husband) educated their children. (I've changed the words in parentheses to make it apply to myself.)
She says, "(I schooled my children) by educating myself before their coming, and with them afterward. Self-control, study, work, joy of life, satisfaction with what we have had, never-ending strife to go higher, and to do better...
From the start (I) have rigorously guarded (my) speech and actions before them. From the first tiny baby (I) have taught them all to read, write and cipher some...We are always watching, observing, studying: the earth, the stars, growing things...seeing things that we have or will study out for all of us.
There never has been one day in our home on which we did not read a new interesting article from book or paper; work out a big problem, or discuss some phase of politics, religion, or war. Sometimes there has been a little of all of it in one day, always reading, spelling, and memory exercises at night.
(I) have been a schoolmaster, (my) home (my) schoolroom, (my) children, (husband) and helpers (my) pupils; the common things of life as (I) meet them every day, the books from which we learn...and for each of them we have added at least two years of college, music school, or whatever the peculiar bent of the child seemed to demand."
Such a home environment is lovely and marvelous to me - it is the kind of environment I intend to do my best to create.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Because, "They're converting our children, we're not converting them."
Written by Claudia
Repeatedly, throughout my life, I've heard people teach something similar to- "The recent generations, the ones which are coming now and will come from henceforth, are (unlike the pioneers who toiled physically and emotionally) in a spiritual war. Their temptations will mostly be those that affect their spiritual well being."
And so, as I read/listened to the quotes I have listed below, it struck me how real and true that war is (even though the messages were given from people who are of a faith other than my own) and it made me feel even more empowered in the decision we made to homeschool our children.
"They're converting our children, we're not converting them."
Obviously not all children are being converted to...let's say secularism. But as I observe the developing people coming out of the school system - I can't help but believe that more and more students are coming away being "converted" to societies lack of values and lack of dedicated faith in God.
"What can theistic sunday school, meeting for an hour once a week do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanstic teaching?" Charles Francis Potter
Because I believe the current trial(s) for most people are spiritual in nature...it feels right, to me, to give our children more spiritual (and family) time.
"We've been in a long 60/80 year cultural and spiritual war for the soul of the nation and if the christian church today will educate their children according to biblical commands we believe the Lord will have mercy on us and we can begin to reverse the spiritual immoral and cultural slide and perhaps we will see revival in our times." E. Ray Moore Th.M.
I love the scripture found in D&C 43:15 "Again I say...ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit." It puts into perspective how important it is to teach my growing ones. I feel, the things that I teach them which are most important (especially in these sinful times) are those things which will aid in bringing them back to Heavenly Father.
"The left knows that whoever controls the children owns the future...if you control the schools you control the future."
This quote reminds me of when Adolf Hitler said, "Let me control the textbooks, and I will control the state." I'll admit, although I don't think there is some crazy conspiracy going on within our school system, considering that public schools are government owned and operated "businesses", it would be so easy for such to happen... Although, to a degree, considering the amount of atheism which has been gaining the upper hand, I feel the government already has over stepped their bounds. (Expelled helps put this into perspective.)
"It's time for us to make some sacrifices ... why should we leave the public schools when our forefathers fought, marched, bled, and sometimes even died, so that we can have the right to attend those schools? My answer is quite simple. Our forefathers marched, bled and even died so that we would not have to accept the kind of inferior education that is currently inflicted on many minority students. If you ask me, we need to march some more and the first place we need to march is right out the front door of those Christ dis-honoring, academically inferior, soul killing, indoctrinating centers." Voddie Bauchman, Jr. D.Min.
I think the schools are doing a good job teaching academics to our children. The only reason, at this point, I find the education in the public school system to be inferior is that is leaves God and the Spirit out of its teachings far too much. (Read this post for more.)
Some of these quotes are a little extreme. A little cheesy. A little dramatic. Yet, they contain some, what I think to be, valid and thought provoking points.
.
Repeatedly, throughout my life, I've heard people teach something similar to- "The recent generations, the ones which are coming now and will come from henceforth, are (unlike the pioneers who toiled physically and emotionally) in a spiritual war. Their temptations will mostly be those that affect their spiritual well being."
And so, as I read/listened to the quotes I have listed below, it struck me how real and true that war is (even though the messages were given from people who are of a faith other than my own) and it made me feel even more empowered in the decision we made to homeschool our children.
"They're converting our children, we're not converting them."
Obviously not all children are being converted to...let's say secularism. But as I observe the developing people coming out of the school system - I can't help but believe that more and more students are coming away being "converted" to societies lack of values and lack of dedicated faith in God.
"What can theistic sunday school, meeting for an hour once a week do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanstic teaching?" Charles Francis Potter
Because I believe the current trial(s) for most people are spiritual in nature...it feels right, to me, to give our children more spiritual (and family) time.
"We've been in a long 60/80 year cultural and spiritual war for the soul of the nation and if the christian church today will educate their children according to biblical commands we believe the Lord will have mercy on us and we can begin to reverse the spiritual immoral and cultural slide and perhaps we will see revival in our times." E. Ray Moore Th.M.
I love the scripture found in D&C 43:15 "Again I say...ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit." It puts into perspective how important it is to teach my growing ones. I feel, the things that I teach them which are most important (especially in these sinful times) are those things which will aid in bringing them back to Heavenly Father.
"The left knows that whoever controls the children owns the future...if you control the schools you control the future."
This quote reminds me of when Adolf Hitler said, "Let me control the textbooks, and I will control the state." I'll admit, although I don't think there is some crazy conspiracy going on within our school system, considering that public schools are government owned and operated "businesses", it would be so easy for such to happen... Although, to a degree, considering the amount of atheism which has been gaining the upper hand, I feel the government already has over stepped their bounds. (Expelled helps put this into perspective.)
"It's time for us to make some sacrifices ... why should we leave the public schools when our forefathers fought, marched, bled, and sometimes even died, so that we can have the right to attend those schools? My answer is quite simple. Our forefathers marched, bled and even died so that we would not have to accept the kind of inferior education that is currently inflicted on many minority students. If you ask me, we need to march some more and the first place we need to march is right out the front door of those Christ dis-honoring, academically inferior, soul killing, indoctrinating centers." Voddie Bauchman, Jr. D.Min.
I think the schools are doing a good job teaching academics to our children. The only reason, at this point, I find the education in the public school system to be inferior is that is leaves God and the Spirit out of its teachings far too much. (Read this post for more.)
Some of these quotes are a little extreme. A little cheesy. A little dramatic. Yet, they contain some, what I think to be, valid and thought provoking points.
.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Because I love seeing it work!
Written by Claudia Orgill
I have to admit, quite often (and I love these times) I am surprised at the fact that homeschooling works! For whatever reason I just assumed people need to be pushed and told what to learn in order to progress intellectually and educationally. But, especially lately, I step back and see where the kids are heading and am amazed.
For instance Tyra is naturally interested in: German, playing the harp, playing the piano, embroidery, art, sign language, serving others, and writing stories. Ethan is interested in: China, Chinese, karate, inventions, workbooks, science, and most recently, audio book novels. I just find it amazing! There's so much to work with and it's...exciting.
I love being able to tap into so many resources to help these natural interests blossom and I love that it gives us even more excuses to turn to the Lord and ask for his assistance in their progression.
So often I excitedly think of them having all these interests fully developed and am in awe at what kind of people they will have become and who all they can benefit with the developing qualities they naturally came down to earth with.
I love focusing on these things the most and make efforts to mentor them in learning, as I set an example of learning myself, but I also like to make myself feel like the whole picture is well rounded by including the classics, other academic subjects, and outside experiences in their life as well.
I have to admit, quite often (and I love these times) I am surprised at the fact that homeschooling works! For whatever reason I just assumed people need to be pushed and told what to learn in order to progress intellectually and educationally. But, especially lately, I step back and see where the kids are heading and am amazed.
For instance Tyra is naturally interested in: German, playing the harp, playing the piano, embroidery, art, sign language, serving others, and writing stories. Ethan is interested in: China, Chinese, karate, inventions, workbooks, science, and most recently, audio book novels. I just find it amazing! There's so much to work with and it's...exciting.
I love being able to tap into so many resources to help these natural interests blossom and I love that it gives us even more excuses to turn to the Lord and ask for his assistance in their progression.
So often I excitedly think of them having all these interests fully developed and am in awe at what kind of people they will have become and who all they can benefit with the developing qualities they naturally came down to earth with.
I love focusing on these things the most and make efforts to mentor them in learning, as I set an example of learning myself, but I also like to make myself feel like the whole picture is well rounded by including the classics, other academic subjects, and outside experiences in their life as well.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Because we are raising a hero generation.
Written by Claudia
There is something called the Millenial Generation. This is the generation that Neil Howe and William Strauss have identified as a Hero Generation. The Millennials have a very specific mission. They come of age during a crisis. They must have the wisdom, courage, diplomacy and virtue needed to lead us through it safely.
I believe there needs to be much more time and attention given to these virtues as I raise my children and I believe that if John and I sent them to school it wouldn't allow us the time, we feel is necessary, to instill these crucial virtues in them .
Some ways we instill these virtues in our children is by reading and discussing the classics, asking questions such as, "what would you do? or what do you think he/she should do?" We also study influential people lives and experiences, people such as Einstein, Florence Nightingale, George Washington, Leonardo da Vinci, or Helen Keller.
These people led amazing lives and one reason why they are remembered even today is because, keeping the above mentioned virtues in tact, they overcame serious obstacles.
As we keep an eye on what is happening in the world around us, (especially) in America, within our own state, and within our own neighborhood, we discuss these happenings, asking our children why they think people are reacting in such a way, why our economy would be doing such a thing, etc.
When the children are young we believe they are in a stage called "core phase". This stage is where they learn best what is good and bad. Therefore we focus on good, bad. Right, wrong. True, false.
We use the extra time we have together in studying the gospel in our morning devotionals, as we recognize and study what is good and what isn't. As we study the gospel, we also focus on recognizing the cycles people go through and what it is they do/turn to/ don't do, which brings different kinds of destruction to their people.
America is heading toward an ugly point in one of the four cycles which takes place within society. (Read the Fourth Turning) Because of this (and other factors) I feel that the things, which are most important, that my children will need to learn, which will help them become the best kind of people, are best taught in the home.
There is something called the Millenial Generation. This is the generation that Neil Howe and William Strauss have identified as a Hero Generation. The Millennials have a very specific mission. They come of age during a crisis. They must have the wisdom, courage, diplomacy and virtue needed to lead us through it safely.
I believe there needs to be much more time and attention given to these virtues as I raise my children and I believe that if John and I sent them to school it wouldn't allow us the time, we feel is necessary, to instill these crucial virtues in them .
Some ways we instill these virtues in our children is by reading and discussing the classics, asking questions such as, "what would you do? or what do you think he/she should do?" We also study influential people lives and experiences, people such as Einstein, Florence Nightingale, George Washington, Leonardo da Vinci, or Helen Keller.
These people led amazing lives and one reason why they are remembered even today is because, keeping the above mentioned virtues in tact, they overcame serious obstacles.
As we keep an eye on what is happening in the world around us, (especially) in America, within our own state, and within our own neighborhood, we discuss these happenings, asking our children why they think people are reacting in such a way, why our economy would be doing such a thing, etc.
When the children are young we believe they are in a stage called "core phase". This stage is where they learn best what is good and bad. Therefore we focus on good, bad. Right, wrong. True, false.
We use the extra time we have together in studying the gospel in our morning devotionals, as we recognize and study what is good and what isn't. As we study the gospel, we also focus on recognizing the cycles people go through and what it is they do/turn to/ don't do, which brings different kinds of destruction to their people.
America is heading toward an ugly point in one of the four cycles which takes place within society. (Read the Fourth Turning) Because of this (and other factors) I feel that the things, which are most important, that my children will need to learn, which will help them become the best kind of people, are best taught in the home.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Because God Wants Us To
Written by Claudia
As mentioned in the "Our Aim" section of this blog. One main reason convinced us to catapult into the life of a homeschooling family. That reason was because, quite simply, God wants us to.
For those of you new to this blog here's my summary:
I clearly remember worrying about where to send my child to school. She was only 6 months old. Although I recognize it was the spirit now, back then I wasn't quite sure why I felt this way. Why I had this unsettled feeling. I wanted to protect my child. I felt the school system couldn't protect her like I could.
I considered and looked into everything but homeschooling. (I couldn't possibly do something as extreme as that - nor did I feel capable.) A few years later I was still in constant turmoil as to what I felt would be best for my children. I had considered public school, private school and charter school. And I had just placed my oldest in pre-school.
I now had 2 children and one in the womb and was in the car in between running some errands when I happend to chance upon a speech on the radio given by David McCullough. I remember vividly sitting in a craft store parking lot unable to move. I was transfixed to what David McCullough was saying and listened as he finished his speech.
I felt as though my eyes were opened and I wept. For the first time I cared about historical facts. For the first time I felt sincere gratitude to our forefathers. For the first time I felt patriotism for our country. For the first time I felt a love for America! For the first time I realized that the spirit can be and should be present in the teaching and learning of things outside of normal gospel topics.
Not only did I weep for that reason but I wept because I knew that I had just gained more from this speech than I had gained in 12 years of history lessons. I realized that if I did choose to homeschool and only had this one speech to give to my children as their history lesson(s) they would be better off than I ever was.
Although this incident gave me some confidence with choosing to homeschool, I was still wary and unable to make the decision to do so. It just so happend that I spoke to a homeschooling friend of mine that day. When she began to tell me about the Thomas Jefferson Education the spirit poured over me letting me know that this is a good thing. And I wept again.
Making a decision such as this isn't an easy one. I still needed convincing. I began to read books other homeschooling friends of mine recommended to me. And agreed with all that was being said and written. I hesitantly joined a book club made up of homeschooling mothers and listened to what they had to say. It was intimidating but pushed me to greater heights than I've ever dreamed for myself and my family.
I made the decision to homeschool somewhere during those times. Pulling our oldest out of pre-school. But even then it's been a trying journey. At one point, during a darker time in my life, I was at one of these book club meetings and was outside of their view of things. I remember thinking, "They're seeing things in a strange way. It's weird and they're weird." (Mind you these were women that I had come to love and cherish.)
I didn't even want to go to that book club meeting that day. But, fortunately, I had to because it was being held at my house! During our meeting one of those dear ladies spoke of our children's potential through being homeschooled and the rest I don't remember for the spirit poured itself upon me to the extent that I could do nothing but stare at these ladies and wonder how it was that they could go on in conversation in such a normal way, as if nothing was happening. I couldn't understand how a feeling so strong could affect only one person in that room. It wasn't a short flooding of the spirit it was a long washing which I've looked back upon and gained strength from on my weakest days.
Although fear was the first prodding that led me to gaze in the homeschooling direction. My view has progressed beyond that. Some say that homeschooling our children to protect them is a plausible thing. I haven't given that side of it much thought. I do it for other reasons.
And those reasons are what make up the contents of this blog.
As mentioned in the "Our Aim" section of this blog. One main reason convinced us to catapult into the life of a homeschooling family. That reason was because, quite simply, God wants us to.
For those of you new to this blog here's my summary:
I clearly remember worrying about where to send my child to school. She was only 6 months old. Although I recognize it was the spirit now, back then I wasn't quite sure why I felt this way. Why I had this unsettled feeling. I wanted to protect my child. I felt the school system couldn't protect her like I could.
I considered and looked into everything but homeschooling. (I couldn't possibly do something as extreme as that - nor did I feel capable.) A few years later I was still in constant turmoil as to what I felt would be best for my children. I had considered public school, private school and charter school. And I had just placed my oldest in pre-school.
I now had 2 children and one in the womb and was in the car in between running some errands when I happend to chance upon a speech on the radio given by David McCullough. I remember vividly sitting in a craft store parking lot unable to move. I was transfixed to what David McCullough was saying and listened as he finished his speech.
I felt as though my eyes were opened and I wept. For the first time I cared about historical facts. For the first time I felt sincere gratitude to our forefathers. For the first time I felt patriotism for our country. For the first time I felt a love for America! For the first time I realized that the spirit can be and should be present in the teaching and learning of things outside of normal gospel topics.
Not only did I weep for that reason but I wept because I knew that I had just gained more from this speech than I had gained in 12 years of history lessons. I realized that if I did choose to homeschool and only had this one speech to give to my children as their history lesson(s) they would be better off than I ever was.
Although this incident gave me some confidence with choosing to homeschool, I was still wary and unable to make the decision to do so. It just so happend that I spoke to a homeschooling friend of mine that day. When she began to tell me about the Thomas Jefferson Education the spirit poured over me letting me know that this is a good thing. And I wept again.
Making a decision such as this isn't an easy one. I still needed convincing. I began to read books other homeschooling friends of mine recommended to me. And agreed with all that was being said and written. I hesitantly joined a book club made up of homeschooling mothers and listened to what they had to say. It was intimidating but pushed me to greater heights than I've ever dreamed for myself and my family.
I made the decision to homeschool somewhere during those times. Pulling our oldest out of pre-school. But even then it's been a trying journey. At one point, during a darker time in my life, I was at one of these book club meetings and was outside of their view of things. I remember thinking, "They're seeing things in a strange way. It's weird and they're weird." (Mind you these were women that I had come to love and cherish.)
I didn't even want to go to that book club meeting that day. But, fortunately, I had to because it was being held at my house! During our meeting one of those dear ladies spoke of our children's potential through being homeschooled and the rest I don't remember for the spirit poured itself upon me to the extent that I could do nothing but stare at these ladies and wonder how it was that they could go on in conversation in such a normal way, as if nothing was happening. I couldn't understand how a feeling so strong could affect only one person in that room. It wasn't a short flooding of the spirit it was a long washing which I've looked back upon and gained strength from on my weakest days.
Although fear was the first prodding that led me to gaze in the homeschooling direction. My view has progressed beyond that. Some say that homeschooling our children to protect them is a plausible thing. I haven't given that side of it much thought. I do it for other reasons.
And those reasons are what make up the contents of this blog.
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