What Type of HS Are You?

I have been doing a lot of reading about different homeschooling methods. There are a lot of diverse approaches out there. A couple of the primary ones include the Charlotte Mason approach which advocates the use of "living books" and nature journals, the "unschooling method" which is a less structured, more child directed mode of learning and the Classical approach which is based on a"cycle" that breaks learning down into 3 different levels - the logic, grammar and rhetoric stages.

All of these methods have a lot of appealing aspects but I can't say that one single approach is right for us. If I had to describe the method that appeals to me the most I'd have to say its a mixture of a number of methods...I'd call it the Classical Eclectic approach. I read the Susan Wise Bauer book called A Well Trained Mind which advocates the Classical Method but being a slave to the method seems limiting to me however I did drawn alot of great ideas from it. I like the idea of using real works of great literature. I like the idea of teaching history chronologically as opposed to an ad hoc approach. I think its important to teach children a whole world view....not just geography and history of the state they live in. I think its vital to give my children both a religious and a liberal arts education. To encourage my children to think for themselves and think outside of the square.

So I have the bones of an educational approach to start with. Next step is to start picking out curriculum...this might take a while!

Getting the Government Involved

There was a lot of conjecture at the conference about the role the government plays in homeschooling. The traditional homeschoolers do it all on their own...so governemtn assistance or funding. Recently, the government, no doubt as a response to the increasing popularity of HS have started offering financial assistance to HS families in exchange for some review of their methods and progress.
In my area, a program called Spokane Valley Learning Academy is available to HS families. This provides classes one day a week and financial support of up to $330 per child per year but in exchange HS have to provide reporting on programing, progress and submit to testing and monthly meetings.
The traditional HSers are vehemently opposed to this kind of intervention and see it as the thin edge of the wedge. Others see it as a way to get some support and keep them focused and on track. At the moment I am uncommitted about the degree to which I want the kind of government assistance offered. Maybe as fall approaches I will figure out whether it will be a good fit for us or not.

One Among Many

The HS conference was GREAT. I was amazed to see so many like minded families attending. I would have to say there were hundreds of families. And the main thing that I noticed that although they were all doing the HS thing EVERYONE did it differently. That's actually heartening to know that there isn't one way to HS. Everyone does what is best for them.
Its was really reassuring to see so many people that have come to the smae conclusion as we have about their child's education. At the conference I was made aware of a new much smaller Catholic co-op starting up in my area that sounds just like my speed. some of the co-op members invited me to come for a visit so I'll definitely be doing that. It's nice to have options!

More resources!

Ok...so that title might be getting a bit overused BUT..being a newbie on the homeschool scene I am only just becoming aware the what an extensive support network is out there for homeschoolers.
Last week I discovered a new homeschool bookstore we have here in town. It's run by a Mom who homeschools her own children on the premises. She has been a fountain of information for me but the biggest plus is having somewhere to go where I can sit and page through all the text books.
My local co-op also have their annual homeschool conference this weekend. They have a host of wonderful guest speakers, workshops and informational events planned. There will also be a vendor hall and a used book sale....so I'm really looking forward to going and being able to glean some wisdom from more experienced homeschoolers.