All learned from the brilliant ladies at the 4 Real Learning board.
Brilliant ideas all, I love lists!
********************************* *
God is in control of our family’s home education. *
Home education is a portion of my full vocation as wife and mother. Keep it proportionate.
Home education, when done from love and humility, is a steady path to sanctity and heaven. Home education is primarily a way of life, not an alternative to school.
My husband is objectively the spiritual head of our household, the spiritual director of our home education. *
All home education decisions are prudential between husband, wife, and God. Leave the neighbors out of it. *
Homeschooling is mostly joyful and right. It is also hard work worth doing and involves purposeful suffering. *
Anxiety and worry are not an inevitable part of home education or an outward sign of hard work. They are signs to re-group. *
Burn-out is preventable. *
There is no perfect curriculum (self-designed or prepackaged.)
Perfect is the enemy of the good.
Be content with good enough. (Good enough does not justify sloth which is not good enough. Know when to realize that any additional effort toward improvement would result in a negligible improvement, especially in comparison to the effort required to gain it.) *
Plan primarily based on the truth about Mom, playing to my strengths, secondarily on the needs of the family as a whole, thirdly on the individual needs of each child, playing to their strengths. Emphasize character formation for all, especially formation that increases family harmony and independent decision-making. *
Academic achievement is over-rated. *
Focus on today. *
Progress is not linear and best gauged over time. *
We’re never behind. We’re exactly where God wants us. We entrust the past to God’s Divine Mercy and the future to His Divine Providence. *
Saints do not compare themselves to their neighbors because they keep their eyes fixed upon God. *
Delegate out of humility. *
Know when to take a break to refresh and renew. *
Know what I need to feel comfortable in my home.
Prioritize maintaining a basic level of order. *
Discussion counts as an invaluable learning and teaching tool. *
Mastery takes time, for student and educator. *
Laughter is good, even when it needs to be redirected. *
Academic standards are arbitrary. *
Time spent on curriculum planning is time not spent on other things. *
Money spent on curriculum is money not spent on other things. *
A sense of humor lightens our load. *
Enthusiasm is contagious. *
Enthusiasm enhances motivation and engagement. *
Engagement and practice increases retention.
When I take proper care of myself, I am taking care of my family.
Formation is more important than information.
My principle for this year is Simple is better.
The lesson I took away is that since I TRULY believe that different types of homeschooling will result in happy, educated, God-loving children, than I also believe that for my own house.
Another thought is "use the library and get to know the librarians" ... saves time, money and building a relationship with the librarians helps get really good books on the shelves!
Don't be afraid that you're using the wrong curriculum.
Don't be afraid you're not doing what's best for your child/family.
Don't be afraid if you can't do the lesson today...etc.
BE NOT AFRAID! It sounds so simple, yet once that fear creeps in....you and your family CAN'T be happy!
Research, do initial planning, then discuss with dh to get his input.
Keep communicating throughout the year to get feedback and his balanced view. **
Don't overanalyze. Simplicity is key, and makes everyone happy.
Don't keep rethinking and entertain other things once the plan is set. Stay the course.
Our Motto and Guiding Principle for the Next Year of Learning
Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
An article:
http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Education/Education_001.htm7 Undeniable Truths of Homeschooling
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/7_und_trs_hsing.php10 Ways to Simplify Homeschooling
http://wonder.riverwillow.com.au/home_education/ten_ways_to_simplify.htm& 50 Reasons Whay I could Never homeschool:
http://guiltfreehomeschooling.org/blog/2006/04/50-reasons-why-i-could-never.html
.jpg)
