Home Education

 Helpful links:

Homeschool Laws In Your State

Home School Legal Defense Association




  People homeschool for a million reasons. Back when my mom taught us at home in the late 80's and early 90's, it was still illegal to homeschool in Michigan, so whoever did it must have some pretty serious reasons to do so. Twenty years later and we are in a whole new world when it comes to who homeschools and why. Since I was quite young I determined that I would homeschool my children, but didn't come up with the 'why' part until about ten years ago when my friend introduced me to people like Voddie Baucham and Israel Wayne. These guys really opened my eyes to the 'why' and so here are my reasons:

1. The Bible points to parents as the main educators of their children in all areas (education, religion, character, ect.)
2. Government schools are currently formatted to create conformists to a system, and a very ungodly one at that. 
3. I love living together as a family all the time. Home is such a wonderful place to be! 

   Now that you know my why's, here are my how's.  We would get to help pick out our curriculum growing up, to some extent, especially toward high school years. It has alwys been exciting to go 'pick out curriculum" and this excitement has never really left me growing older. During my internships I would look at curriculum in the classrooms I was teaching in and plan for my own little homeschool some day.  I watched my friends with kids pick out reading and math books and that also gave me ideas for the future. But more than any curriculum could do, the most important part of a young child's education is: play. And play they have, from too early in the morning to too late at night!

   Our first year was super simple, as pre school usually is. We did a fun art book, we did some Bible lessons, and I started my 'reader' on an actual reading book. But something happened, I can't quite remember what, and by the new year our school year died a sorry death. Oh, ha, I remember, I got pregnant. That'll do it!! And get this, my reader really didn't like the reading curriculum. So we stopped. Don't start too early, lesson learned!

  The next year we tried again. My cousin gave me some great advice. She told me her experience of meaning to do school the first year, but only getting in a fraction of what she intended to do done. The next year was better, she stuck to it and the following year was even better. She told me to not be discouraged and just keep trying, it will get better. And it did get better, the official kindergarten year we stuck to it and accomplished our goals. Both girls learned to read, both can write their numbers and letters, and both have a good math foundation. Not sure about the manners program...we're still working on that. ;) 

   Lastly, I want to address curriculum: Pick whatever you actually want to teach. If you have small kids, keep it simple. If you have older kids, let them choose some of their books so internal motivation is at play. Pick your own style, because there are a million books out there and not a perfect textbook is among them. And really enjoy this time. This is a time when you get to see first hand the love of learning grow in your children's hearts. Learn to foster that. Don't make it about having to learn, it's about getting to learn. God is the author of knowledge. He created everything good and it is part of that wonder of His creation that makes us naturally want to learn more.  And finally, learn with your kids, it really is so much fun!