Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Help Homeschooling Multiple Children

Do you home school multiple grade levels at one time?  I do.

Do you want to make sure your children are learning enough?  I do.

Do you want them to love learning?  I do.

Do you want them to be able work independently?  I do.

Do you want them to learn a Christian worldview and develop a personal relationship with God?  I do.

Do you have the magic answer to make certain all of these things happen. I don't.

I wish I did, I would share it with you. I would shout it from my rooftop, although, you probably wouldn't hear me. I would shout it anyway! Since I don't have the answer, I have a question for you (please keep reading).

This is how we like to school.


We have been home schooling for ten years now and I still question my methods. I still wonder if my children are learning enough, or if I am teaching them what will prepare them for their adult lives.

One thing I know for certain is that God is faithful. He will equip them for any work that He calls them to. He is my saving grace, He is my guarantee. I believe with all my heart that if I am faithful to teach them His word and all about Him as well as give them a basic education that He will fill in any gaps.

Now, having said that, I plan to go with more of a curriculum approach next year. I believe that some of my children will actually thrive with that kind of learning. My children will be in grades 11, 10, 8 and 6 next year. We have always done a relaxed, eclectic or unit study approach but it is time to change. I love living history books and learning through stories as opposed to textbooks and I hope to find a curriculum that follows that approach. I also need something that assignments are already planned out but can easily be adapted if necessary. I want most of the subjects to be included, although we love the math we are using now. 

Math -U-See

My question for you is this, do you know of a curriculum that sounds like what I described? Do you know one that would fit those requirements?  What curriculum do you use and love? What have you used but hated and why?  I cannot wait to hear your responses!

Blessings,
Rashel


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4 comments:

  1. I use (and adapt) Sonlight for these very reasons. When my kids were all younger, it worked well to keep them grouped together and just tweaking the individual readers via the library to fit their reading levels. Now that they are so far apart (oldest homeschooler is in 11th, youngest is PreK) that's not an option, but boy ... It sure was easier when it was! Lol

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    1. Thank you for sharing what works for you!! I started looking into Sonlight yesterday. It does look like something we would like but I do worry about how much work there is and following the schedule. I know they say to pick what you want to use and to adapt it, but I'm not sure how easy that is to actually do. I would love to hear your thoughts on that. How many hours a day are you schooling?
      Thanks so much,
      Rashel

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  2. First, I want to say how wonderful it was to stubble on your blog today :) I found you through a recipe for THM. I haven't started it officially yet, but hope to this week or next. As for the curriculum, I am very eclectic in what we use. I also get sucked into "keeping up with the Jones" when it comes to academics, and that is almost like suicide for me, because my oldest (a 9th grader) has special needs. My friend uses My Father's World, and I am looking into it too, but it is pricey. I have a big gap between my children a 9th grader and a 2nd grader. Both are boys and were gifts from God through adoption. I enjoyed reading about modesty on your site today, the friend I mentioned is very modest and even wears a head coveriing. I did go to the thrift store today and got 3 skirts to add to my wardrobe. I need to spend more time with the Lord on this issue. I am so very glad to ready your blog, you are a breath of fresh air! I wish I lived near you :)

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    1. I'm so glad you found me! I hope you enjoy THM, it can seem overwhelming at first but once you get the principles down it really isn't that hard. If you get overwhelmed, just step back and introduce one new thing at a time.
      I think it is easy for all of us to get caught up in "keeping up with the Jones" and it definitely not healthy for us. God has an individual plan for each of us, but sometimes that is hard to remember. I think it is awesome you adopted two blessings!!
      I encourage you to seek the Lord's will in the modesty area and speak to your husband about it. Don't just follow your friend or even my blog, seek the Lord's will for you. Then follow his leading.
      Thank you so much for your sweet words about me and my blog, you blessed my heart tremendously!
      Blessings to you!

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