Before we get started with our “Back to School” series, we really should take a moment and look to the future.
Yes, even before we start deciding which grammar and spelling curriculum to use next fall.
Think of this time as a great opportunity – it’s like the New Year Resolutions for homeschoolers. We’re out with the old and in with the new. And with that always comes a time of reflection, of celebrating being done, and also making resolutions/goals for the upcoming year.
And this is really a perfect time to sit down with your spouse and “Define Your Homeschooling Mission.”
Defining your purpose and vision (see, there goes my “Coaching” voice again) can be life-changing. I know that going through this process each year (outside of homeschooling), truly helped me clarify the driving priorities and purposes in my life. Step-by-step, I began to evolve into who I am, and closer to whom I’m meant to be.
And oh, isn’t that what we want for our families? For our homeschool? For our children?
So as a personal challenge this week, sit down with the hubby, a cup of coffee (or chocolate ice cream, whichever makes the discussion go down better), and really just talk about these questions. Perhaps you might want to email him the link to this article ahead of time, giving him time to come up with his list of answers, and then you both can compare notes.
And just since we’re already going there, I want to point out this article that I read. WOW. Powerful stuff. But really, has the “homeschooling” become the driving force in all that you do in your home? Sadly, I’ve seen several “discussions” online that give me pause. (P.S. Yes, I know this is a faith-based article, but still awesome nonetheless.)
And once we, as individuals, as parents and as a family, able to truly envision that “better us” that is ever developing, we can start to use that as our guideline.
How does that information define your choices?
- Does it affect particular curriculum choices?
- How do you keep homeschooling within its proper order of priority in your family?
- What things might need to be reviewed and adjusted from last year?
- What can you simplify in your family to make it all work out in hopefully a less chaotic, calmer manner?
- How are you teaching “living in priority” to your children? Are they learning from your life or only your words?
Yes, these are the things I’m contemplating right now – you might notice it yourself when reviewing various homeschool curriculum. Yes, here is Choice A, which everyone says is SO amazing, but they also say it’s very time-consuming. Choice B is also good, but needs a shorter time period for each day. Which one fits with my “simplifying, calming, and loving/nurturing” atmosphere I long to create? Perhaps it’s worth it to use the longer time-intensive program and make cuts somewhere else. Or, do I really need all those extra curriculum enhancement programs I’ve found online? When is too much? Or when is the extra just so much fun you don’t want to stop?
I guess what I’m saying is, this is a perfect time to figure out where your lines seem to be drawn in the sand. Obviously, you might not figure out all the answers before you begin your homeschool year, but having our family mission statement and priorities organized will make those decisions much easier and quicker.
I thought I’d actually share with you what Hubby and I have created as our Homeschool Mission Statement. (We review and update this each year.)
Our Homeschool Mission Statement
Our Goal:
That our children become well-rounded, well-educated, interested individuals – who have the ability to investigate their own interests and be productive, independent, discerning, successful adults (however success is defined by them). We want our children to have strong Christian hearts and spiritual knowledge, as well as being emotionally and spiritually healthy.
“Our mission isn’t simply to pursue knowledge, but to pursue God’s wisdom and prepare our children to become God’s effective servants. We want our daughters to grow confident in Christ and the unique role that God created them for to fulfill His greater glory.” (quote that I loved enough to steal to use for ourselves.)
Verses That We Base Our Homeschool Plans On
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. — Proverbs 22:6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? — Mark 8:36
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. — Deuteronomy 6:4-9
What Are Our Non-Negotiables?
- They must be challenged and be on a “college-ready” path, whether they go or not.
- College itself is flexible, advanced training or education of some sort is not.
How Do We Evaluate Our Efforts and Results?
- Their joy in learning. Learning can and should be fun, and more is retained when they enjoy what they are doing.
- Their curiosity and desire. Education should serve as a vehicle to whet their appetite for more knowledge, and give them the vehicle to further that knowledge.
- Successfully learning, retaining lessons. Not regurgitating information but truly understanding it.
- Personal relationship with and love for Christ. Deepening knowledge and understanding of the Bible, exploration of applying that understanding to their own lives, and sharing that love with others.
What We Look For in Curriculum
- Christian-based education.
- Encouraging independence in learning as they mature, though learning together when possible.
- Should encourage the love and joy of learning, delight-directed learning whenever possible.
- Flexibility of time and curriculum and interests.
- Ease of program on the teacher. Minimal preparation needed. No personal need to reinvent the wheel.
- Spending time with girls and as a family.
- Building social and emotional skills as well as the development of character. Growing as engaged, resilient, joyful adults.
Have you created a Family Mission Statement, or a Homeschool Mission Statement/Plan? I’d love for you to share it with us if you have!
This article was adapted from an older post on my previous blog: Becoming a Modern Proverbs 31 Woman.
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