I get a lot of calls from new homeschoolers. And those are some of my favourite conversations. Not because I have such a vast compendium of knowledge on the subject that I’m eager to share, but because they make me re-evaluate why we educate our children at home, and what our educational mission is. Those talks are, for me, like a day of reflection, a mini retreat.
I thought I’d share some of the ideas I’ve relayed over the years, in a post.
One of the biggest concerns for new homeschoolers is curriculum. Lots and lots to delve into there. There are so many approaches, and infinite combinations of those approaches.
“So what do you use?”
I have used, over the years, lots of different approaches. I’ve purchased pre-packaged curricula, utilized online resources, designed my own. Homeschooling seems to have been a lot of trial and error for the first 15 years.
I am most drawn to Classical, Charlotte Mason, and Waldorf. But there is so much to love about Montessori and Unit Studies as well. I avoid the term “eclectic” because it sounds very disorganized to me. The only approach that really doesn’t fit our family – very much to my surprise initially – is “school at home”.
Ingredients for a well-rounded home education a la Gadbois:
Saints * and scholars. Don't these little peggies look like they're chatting at a conference or in the narthex after Mass?
A home that is filled to brimming with good books for everyone from wee ones right on through adult. Books you can sink your teeth into, books that are springboards for further exploration. Picture books for small ones and good, classic literature for those a little bit older. Books to read aloud, scholarly works, and books on faith.
Sacramentals and sacred art. You can’t have too many, but have an eye to tastefulness in accord with your decor. That can be tricky because there is so much beautiful sacred art to be had. I tend to have widely varied taste when it comes to art. My answer to the obvious visual clutter problem is to group types of art into different rooms – some very Victorian, others more primitive, soft colours, bold colours… It helps it make sense and imparts a kind of visual harmony.
Good quality natural art and craft supplies. What’s the big deal about natural? You certainly can use other art and craft materials. But for us, the natural supplies – beeswax crayons and modeling blocks coloured with natural pigments, real wool felt and natural fibre fabrics and yarns, wooden forms – not only feel more authentic and ‘in touch’ with God Who created the raw material, but also offer endless opportunities for learning. Where did this wool come from? What dye was used to make it? What colour does this or that plant make? What kind of a tree did this block come from? Create, create, create. Model it, draw it, paint it, make it. I love main lesson books. They are such precious records of childhood discovery. And they can easily be combined with copywork and beautiful illustrations.
Music is so important to me, personally. I like almost everything. Classical and sacred pieces are good bookends to the day, and during quiet study times. We like to rock out to more modern music, ethnic pieces, and show tunes at chore times. And there are children’s songs and lovely pieces to dance to as well. Get a mix you like and pop it into a portable player. I really feel that music animates the mind, not to mention its excellent affects on the soul. Music inspires discussions and explorations of cultures and eras, as well as maths, science, theory and so much more.
We get so much use from our collection of Great Books.
Primary resources, especially for high-school aged children. The Great Books series as well as the Harvard Classics library have primary sources from philosophers, theologians, scientists, mathematicians, historians, poets, playwrites, and novelists. They are scholarly, and often conversational. There are one or two dry titles here and there, but that may be just a matter of taste.
Wellie boots and woolly jumpers. Get outside and explore. God is evident in his creation. Nowhere else can we marvel at His handiwork as readily or profoundly.
People. Don’t be afraid to approach someone who is occupied in some task that interests you. Encourage your children to ask questions of even those engaged in seemingly mundane activities. It uplifts the worker and enlightens the inquirer. We are created to be relational and every opportunity to connect with another person is an occasion of grace.
Transportation. Doesn’t matter what type. Get a new perspective in a new place – 10 minutes or 10 hours away. Explore your own or nearby community and take a lot of field trips. Visit churches and talk to clergy, visit art and science museums, public parks, colleges, businesses, zoos, and farms. Find a playground or nature preserve near you to meet up with other homeschool families, or to just cut loose and play in.
Homeschool support group. Online, or real life, or both. I have been involved in online homeschooling groups right from the beginning of our home education career. I haven’t had much luck in the past with local groups, usually because our schedule conflicted. But there are wonderful ones that offer all kinds of free or inexpensive opportunities for enrichment and fellowship for parents and children alike.
Local library. Hopefully yours is part of an inter-library loan system, and is as homeschool-friendly as ours has been. The one in our new hometown also has a natural history museum inside. That’s really neat! There you can pick up books and magazines for review, or in lieu of amassing your own home library, which can be costly to establish and maintain. Beware that most libraries don’t seem to circulate Great Books, Harvard Classics, or reference materials. Ask your librarian to subscribe to various homeschooling magazines, give him or her some titles you’d like to see. It’s also a great idea to request special borrowing privileges for homeschoolers – especially if there is a policy for local school teachers in place.
Computer. Perhaps you already have one, or possibly you use one at your local library. They can also be a huge expense up-front and in maintenance. I have seen them on Freecycle lists, along with other educational materials and furniture. It might be worth checking out, especially if you live near a college town.
But the greatest homeschool resource is a curious, enthusiastic, loving, faith-filled parent.
Poor old Aquinas. He's loved an awful lot. This wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I said "books you can sink your teeth into."
{There are thousands of books here. And they are loved by the entire family. They are taken down, toted around, and sometimes left in the most interesting places – the basement workshop, the loo, and out-of-doors. With seven of the eight old enough to help themselves, it can be awfully easy to lose track of a volume or two. So, we have re-implemented the library check-out system we had several years ago. You can download and print a copyof our library form for your house.}
*These sweet peggies are available from Catholic Folk Toys. If you have favourite saints, just ask Tammy, she made all of ours specially for us.
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