An atmosphere that surrounds our thinking, a discipline that leads or days, and a life that happens as we share ideas and thoughts about so many worthy things.
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things. The things that you learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these; and the God of peace will be with you. Philipians 4:8, 9What has occurred to me lately is that the act of homeschooling is really just our way of life. It is the atmosphere that has grown inside our home and spread to our everyday activities. We don't have separate lives that we go off to each day and our learning is not confined to specific days and times.
And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.Deut. 6:7, 8Our time is spent in praiseworthy pursuits, those that fit our family. I have confidence that this way of educating our children, one that was sown in doubt, is one we now are reaping in confidence. Charlotte Mason was right. Every child is able to learn, to develop good character, and to speak and express themselves with words that are dignified.
- Poetry and Shakespeare gave us words to play with.
- Picture study gave us interesting things to look at and to enjoy, beauty to inspire
- Nature study gave us a sense of awe for our Creator.
- Great literature gave us things to think about and then talk about together.
- Chronological history gave us the big picture.
- Composer study delighted our ears.
- The Bible gave us our touchstone.
Education is no longer so much about the specifics but about the creating of a House of Education.
Here is a quote from a post I wrote a few years ago about "Education is a Life".
Some days I want to call for a "do over" and start from the very beginning again homeschooling my children, not because I regret the methods I used but rather because I want to savor each year again. Reading the books, sharing the minute details of each day, watching the light bulb moments, watching them grow spiritually, and sharing the adventure all over.I still feel that way. I hope you feel that way too when the time comes to look back and reflect on your children and their home education.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
9 comments:
Your picture of the apple buds bursting forth into glory is the perfect image for your House of Education. It's always heartening to see the fruit your home has reaped for those of us in the early years.
Richele
Thank you for that perspective! We are in the early years, too, and well... it's great to get that encouragement!
Love the scripture you used...Right thinking leads to a heart right towards the Lord. it's encouraging to read your post, as I'm at the beginning side of homeschooling. thank you!
Beautiful Barb! I can relate to sometimes wanting to turn back our homeschooling clock too. We had so many cherished moments together that we will always remember and be grateful... so true about the doubtful beginning too... Seems sill now... almost 11 years later... we have new blossoming happening in our teens... a love of music, composing and writing! I am one lucky witness in all of this...
Thank you for your " good words" today!
Deb
It doesn't matter where we are at whether we are at home, out and about, .... we always find something that captures our attention that we want to dig deeper in to. Education is a life for our home.
Seven years in to our journey, I would love to begin again so I could use Charlotte Mason's method through the entire journey. We weren't familiar with her teachings until a few years back, maybe three years back. Our homeschooling has been much more desirable since switching to her style of education.
Thank you! I needed this reminder and encouragement today!
It's so encouraging to read how you look back and want to do it again! My oldest is 7, so I don't have the same perspective on homeschooling, but I do long to see his cute little toddler face once again...in real life, not a photo!
It's so encouraging to read how fondly you look back on the early years. Hopefully I'll have the same experience someday!
Visiting from Richele's blog - I was encouraged by this post as I am still in the early stages of our home school journey and enjoying it very much!
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