Spirits To Be Kindled

Like virtually all parents, I have been home educating my children since birth. Since my oldest daughter turned seven, this year marked the first time I am required to declare my intentions to the state, and, in turn, to everyone else that we are officially homeschooling. I attended two homeschool conventions before my daughters were even born, so I have spent a fair amount of time researching methods and programs. For many reasons, I chose classical education with a Charlotte Mason approach. The primary specific program I'm using is called "Tapestry of Grace" (TOG) and was developed by Marcia Somerville, wife of the founder of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

It is absurd to hold that a man should be ashamed of an inability to defend himself with his limbs, but not ashamed of an inability to defend himself with speech and reason; for the use of rational speech is more distinctive of a human being than the use of his limbs. -Aristotle, Rhetoric

To summarize, classical education is an ancient approach to learning that is based on the trivium, a three-part process of training the mind. The first stage is called the "grammar stage" (approximately kindergarten through fourth grade)- which is not to imply that only English grammar is studied, but rather that the building blocks for learning are laid during these years. Facts are easily absorbed during this time. TOG has updated this concept to reflect more current research which emphasizes that, in addition, children at this level can also begin to analyze, which was previously reserved for the next stage: the "logic" or "dialectic" stage (approximately fifth through eighth grade). During these years, cause and effect is stressed and fitting information into a logical framework. The last stage, the "rhetoric stage" (high school), focuses on critical thinking and the ability to express ideas.

All things from eternity are of like forms and come round in a circle. -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.14

During each four year stage, human history is taught in it's entirety. Generally, the first year the ancients are studied, then the medieval period, followed by the late Renaissance and finally modern times. During a twelve year course of study, history is taught a total of three times. Corresponding literature, science, art, music, philosophy, theology, etc. of the time period being studied are covered, giving the student a context for learning. Timelines are an important component for older children. True classical education also includes the study of Latin, which is usually started in the third grade. Most homeschoolers using this method also use one of the many math programs available and a strong phonics based approach to teach reading. Classical education is considered primarily language focused and, whenever possible, uses whole books and first-hand sources as opposed to textbooks.

...children are thinking, feeling, human beings, as spirits to be kindled and not as vessels to be filled. -Charlotte Mason, Home Education

Charlotte Mason was a 19th century educator in England whose book, Home Education was revolotionary in it's educational perspective. The approach is complimentary to classical education in that it stresses the importance of "living books" and the inherent enthusiasm children have to discover, self education and to learn in context. Narration, which is simply having the student tell a story back to the teacher in her own words, is the method of assessing reading comprehension. Lectures and homework are not stressed in this approach, although free time is often spent reading quality books. Copy work of meaningful passages is used to practice writing skills. Nature walks and sketchbooks, character development, finding real life "teachable moments" and religious education are also prominent features. Education is seen as a science of relations: to God, others, the universe and self (in terms of self-examination as opposed to simply introspection). There are scheduled times of structured learning balanced with space for children to explore and reflect. Children are to have something/someone to love, something to do and something to think about.

We just completed Unit 1 in the TOG program, which consisted of studying the ancient peoples of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Among other things we: Made a salt map of the Nile River and discussed the importance of rivers to civilizations (the children had a lot of fun studying the pharaohs, pyramids, and mummies); made a sarcophagus, a death mask and a ziggurat; made snakes out of wooden spoons and played an ancient Egyptian children's game; learned the importance of the invention of writing to civilization and wrote our names in hieroglyphics; and learned the importance of rivers in the development of the first civilizations. The unit concluded with the study of Old Testament accounts of the children of Israel and their escape from bondage in Egypt. During these weeks made a High Priest breastplate and learned about the various festivals and feasts of Israel. TOG has a unique product called a "lapbook" which contains various activities for the student to display their new found knowledge. TOG also offers a CDs with a "Pop Quiz" for each unit that gives dads a quick overview of the week's learning as well as dinnertime discussion topics that we enjoyed. The next unit we will study the Indus Valley, ancient China, the Mayans and the early Greeks.

No wonder I'm tired!

Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body. -Richard Steele, The Tatler

Various books are used on a daily basis to add variety. Our favorites were an adaptation of Gilgamesh, The True Story of Noah's Ark, The Hardest Word (about the Day of Atonement) and Tirzah (a fictional account of the life of a young Hebrew girl living during the Exodus from Egypt). The Illustrated Children's Bible and the Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia of the Ancient World are other very helpful books. There were many other quality books too numerous to list here that were recommended by TOG. We also found other resources such as a 3-D Bible in which we could actually "walk through" Noah's ark and the Tabernacle- virtually speaking! We embrace the use of technology in our homeschool!

Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern. -A.N. Whitehead

Homeschooling gives children freedom choose topics of interest. Abby has had a fascination with Amelia Earhart (she even keeps her framed picture in her room and continues to be interested in books about her). We also use a math program called "On the Level" (emphazises ongoing practice of concepts versus quantity of problems) and are continuing to work through "Phonics Pathways". We studied some foreign language last year, but due to schedule issues regarding my husband who has been very ill, we hope to resume study next semester. Abby also takes violin, ballet and has appeared in three musical theater productions. My younger daughter, Sarah, learns differently than Abby, and homeschooling has offered her the opportunity through her learning style to use more manipulatives like blocks, toys and art. We also spend time outside, and the children have been learning a lot from taking care of our chickens! Living in Maine also affords us many educational resources such as Acadia National Park.

Homeschooling is a great choice for our family. We have had to adapt to our particular family and situation. For instance, Karen Andreola in A Charlotte Mason Companion describes a wonderful concept called "Mother Culture" which encourages mothers (typically the primary homeschool teachers) to continue their own quest for knowledge and personal growth. She might not have envisioned a homeschool mom like myself who plays jazz for recuperation, but it works for me! My children are exposed (whether they like it sometimes or not!) to my practice routine to study jazz improvisation and write/arrange music. We turn on the amp and plug in the microphones and sing and dance- we have a blast!

They say a man is mighty,
He governs land and sea,
He wields a mighty sceptor
O'er lesser powers that be;
But a mightier power and stronger
Man from his throne is hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

-William Ross Wallace

We find homeschooling to be very efficient since one to one tutoring occurs daily. My daughters are developing unique relationships with me, their dad and each other that are, frankly, priceless. We're avoiding a lot of negative issues such as having the right clothes and shoes to "fit in" with peers. When we hang out with other children (almost daily), it's always with different ages so the girls learn to interact with people of different levels. It's always kind of funny when people ask, "what about socialization?"- implying they're not being socialized in a homeschool environment (kind of like feral children I guess??) One regret I have is not incorporating more service to others into our homeschool. Due to my husband's illness, this has been difficult, but we hope to remedy this in the future. I don't want to idealize it too much- my house isn't as clean as I'd like, I'm very busy, and I need a little more time to myself. Integral to our homeschool is the freedom to include matters of faith, prayer, patriotism and other topics of our choice. Despite the challenges and hard work, our family is truly blessed by this lifestyle and are so thankful we have the freedom to homeschool.

My husband traveled the globe for over twenty years while serving in the military and I coveted many of the places he was able to visit (when he wasn't getting shot at, that is). But I've realized that with books and a little imagination, you can have an adventure right from your own kitchen table.