Public Speaking

Our children are involved in a homeschool group called Classical Conversations where every week each child is expected to give a 2-3 minute presentation in front of the class. This is our second year with CC so my children have thus far given approximately 45 presentations. They are getting quite comfortable speaking in front of a group.

This week their training was put to the test. They were asked to present a short skit in church. They did a great job! Here area a few shots:

Receiving some final instructions

I bet I'll be more nervous than they on Tuesday when we have to give our family presentations!

I have catalogs!!

I have the new Sonlight catalog! 10 boxes of them! Does anyone need one now? Let me know and for a small bag of dark choc...errr...well...if you really can't wait for yours to arrive in the mail, we can arrange for you to get a copy! Or if you have a friend who may like one, let me know! You can email me at: sdelcharco@sonlight.com.

Off to find a quiet spot....

~Sheila

Educational Philosophies--Charlotte Mason

When talking to first-time homeschoolers I often will advise them to develop a philosophy of education for their homeschool. It helps to know the different philosophies out there and deciding which one(s) you agree with.

Here are two more books that deal with homeschooling. They both address the Charlotte Mason educational philosophy. I was attracted to this philosophy because of the emphasis on living books. I devoured these books early on in my homeschooling years and they gave me a good foundation on which to build my own philosophy of education. I specifically like that she believes that children should have something or someone to love, something to do and something to think about and that "education is a science of relations." From the first book I gleaned the idea of narration and the importance of copywork. I have incorporated both of these ideas into our homeschool.

A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola is a great introduction to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education. She was an 1800’s educator who believed that children are “real persons.” She stresses using real books, “living books” as opposed to textbooks. She also encourages narration – telling a story back to you in his own words and short lessons which helps a student to “retain their inborn curiosity.” And finally, she believes that a child doesn’t need homework but rather free afternoons to be able to pursue interests such as music, handicrafts, gardening, or playing. Karen Andreola shares her own journey of homeschooling the Charlotte Mason way with humor and touching accounts.

Pocketful of Pinecones is another book by Karen Andreola, this time emphasizing nature study. It is written as a fictitious story but is full of ideas for ways to incorporate nature study in your school day. I found it sweet and it inspired me to look for teachable moments throughout my day.

Books About Homeschooling

Are you new to homeschooling or maybe are contemplating it? If you are at all like me you might like to do a little research and read up on the subject. I thought about some of my favorite homeschooling books and they can be divided into two categories: inspirational stories and “how-to.” Let me share some of my favorites. Now I realize that this list of books might date me. Remember, I’ve been homeschooling for 9 years now and many of these I read 9+ years ago so they may seem old-fashioned or fuddy-duddy to some of you. But in looking online I see that the only one that seems to be out of print is the Susan Richman book. Most of the other books have been updated. A disclaimer: many of these I read for fun-to-read-not-necessarily- how-I’d-do-it although all of them have left their mark on my educational philosophy.

Hard Times in Paradise by David and Micki Colfax is an incredible story of one family's adventure back when homeschooling was unheard of and still illegal. When I think I'm having a bad homeschool day I just think back to the Colfaxes and what they went through. It makes my day look like a pretty spring morning. Inspiring. Head-shaking good. Not the way I do things, by a long shot, but it helps me to relax when I start getting uptight about the curriculum.

The 3 R’s at Home by Howard and Susan Richman is in some ways similar to the Colfaxes book. It is also the story of one family's homeschooling experience when it was illegal to homeschool. This mother has a very relaxed approach to homeschooling, which like the Colfaxes book, helps me to lighten up when I start getting obsessive about my box-checking. Also not the way I do it, but still inspiring to read.

Now, The Three R's by Dr. Ruth Beechick is more of a how-to book. It does not recount a family's story, but rather it gives a parent advice for teaching reading, writing and arithmetic in the early grades in a very natural way. The reading section explains phonics and comprehension skills. The language section teaches writing skills in a similar way children learn spoken language. Finally, the arithmetic section focuses on understanding math concepts, not just rote memorization. I consider this a "must-have" on my reference shelf and have referred to it time and time again. My copies (it used to be sold as 3 small booklets) are highlighted and a little battered, but still quite valuable.

That's all for now. I do have more favorites but I'll save them for another rainy day. Hope you find some good reading ideas here!

Come visit me at the following homeschooling conventions:

South East Homeschool Convention
March 20-22, 2014
Greenville, SC

North Carolinians for Home Education Book Fair
May 22-24, 2014
Winston-Salem, NC

Georgia Home Education Association Conference and Curriculum Fair
June 5-7, 2014
Atlanta, GA

Begin Your Adventure!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” --Mark Twain

I remember my fears when I first considered embarking on this adventure. Can I really do this? Will I be able to teach math? Will my kids get into college? Will I be too weird? Will my kids turn out weird? Am I going to ruin them? What about me? Will *I* have a life?... Perhaps you have similar fears.

That first year we had kindergartner, a 2-year-old and a baby. We discovered Sonlight Curriculum and enjoyed reading interesting books and learning new things together. We solidified our relationships by being together. I kept thinking how grateful I was that I didn't have to wake my son up early, pack his lunch and send him off to school. He was able to play with his siblings and be under my watchful eye so that I could continue to instruct and mold long after we had "finished school!"

One year followed the next, with siblings joining us as they were able. Twelve years have gone by and our lives are so rich from this experience. No, it hasn't always been easy, but parenting isn't either and I love that job as well! Oh, and for the record, I don't think we're weird!

If you would like some help in choosing curriculum or just someone to share your fears with, I'd be happy to help! It is my passion to help parents cast off their bowlines and head out into new waters. I happy to share my experience with you!

Ready to begin the adventure? Let's go!

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