Let's Begin...I Mean, Continue
Monday marks the beginning of Ella's Kindergarten school year. We will be studying:
Grammar
Writing
Math
The Body
Painting
Creative Movement (Dancing)
Nature
(not each subject every day, mind you!)
It has always seemed the right way of doing things in our family to share experiences and learn together. I can't tell you how much I have learned from Jesse since meeting him some 12 years ago. He is a wealth of knowledge and experience and is eager to teach young (and old, me!) apprentices. He is a patient and willing teacher.
Upon the happy arrival of our little bundles we felt led to have them alongside us to learn and grow. This path has led us to establish our home as a school for Ella this year. The only tough transition has been for me, mentally, to not get so serious about the formality of it all. Yes, we have curriculum and will have ordered school days. If you know me, you know structure is one of my dearest friends. And yet the natural learning process that we have established since Ella was so young is still in place and will continue to be. Every day, each event is an opportunity to learn, grow, answer questions, understand more fully, and be in awe of the Creator: us as His creations and this glorious Earth He has given us to enjoy.
Our focus is:
Psalm 119:14 "I will praise him, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well."
When I was just out of high school I toured a literacy agency. I was interested in volunteering my time to help people learn how to read. The timing was not right so I did not pursue that interest. I did not feel led to pursue teaching in college, so simply obtained an English Literature and Language degree. Along the way I was taught at my church how to teach young women, one on one, how to study the Bible for themselves and let God direct them thru their lives. As I look back at my path there is a sweet picture of continuity for me: my desire to teach the basics, God's gift of learning the Bible, and now teaching my own little ones to learn themselves.
Our decision to home school came just at the turn of last year. I am so grateful God doesn't spell out the details of our lives far in advance. If he did so it seems the gifts he wishes to give wouldn't be so special, but expected of Him. This time of teaching has been given to me, it is a gift. I am grateful to give the love of learning to my children.
To conclude, I believe even if God led us to put Ella in a school we would still have the same atmosphere in our home of learning and growing. Jesse and I have varying educational experiences, and yet I can pinpoint in both of our lives where we were "schooled at home" for some things we learned. I think that perspective puts a new twist on things, don't you? In any event, the transition is here, we are ready...let's go!
Grammar
Writing
Math
The Body
Painting
Creative Movement (Dancing)
Nature
(not each subject every day, mind you!)
It has always seemed the right way of doing things in our family to share experiences and learn together. I can't tell you how much I have learned from Jesse since meeting him some 12 years ago. He is a wealth of knowledge and experience and is eager to teach young (and old, me!) apprentices. He is a patient and willing teacher.
Upon the happy arrival of our little bundles we felt led to have them alongside us to learn and grow. This path has led us to establish our home as a school for Ella this year. The only tough transition has been for me, mentally, to not get so serious about the formality of it all. Yes, we have curriculum and will have ordered school days. If you know me, you know structure is one of my dearest friends. And yet the natural learning process that we have established since Ella was so young is still in place and will continue to be. Every day, each event is an opportunity to learn, grow, answer questions, understand more fully, and be in awe of the Creator: us as His creations and this glorious Earth He has given us to enjoy.
Our focus is:
Psalm 119:14 "I will praise him, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well."
When I was just out of high school I toured a literacy agency. I was interested in volunteering my time to help people learn how to read. The timing was not right so I did not pursue that interest. I did not feel led to pursue teaching in college, so simply obtained an English Literature and Language degree. Along the way I was taught at my church how to teach young women, one on one, how to study the Bible for themselves and let God direct them thru their lives. As I look back at my path there is a sweet picture of continuity for me: my desire to teach the basics, God's gift of learning the Bible, and now teaching my own little ones to learn themselves.
Our decision to home school came just at the turn of last year. I am so grateful God doesn't spell out the details of our lives far in advance. If he did so it seems the gifts he wishes to give wouldn't be so special, but expected of Him. This time of teaching has been given to me, it is a gift. I am grateful to give the love of learning to my children.
To conclude, I believe even if God led us to put Ella in a school we would still have the same atmosphere in our home of learning and growing. Jesse and I have varying educational experiences, and yet I can pinpoint in both of our lives where we were "schooled at home" for some things we learned. I think that perspective puts a new twist on things, don't you? In any event, the transition is here, we are ready...let's go!
Comments
We are almost ready for summer break. LOL. My poor kids....what a wonky life they lead with their free spirit mama.
I have my list ready for what I need to gather for the "new" school year. I just need this baby out of me to focus on anything else.
Have fun learning with your kids! It is amazing what they teach us as we teach them.
Love ya! Thinking about and praying for you and the bundles! (-: