Views on Homeschool

You would think our children would be enough to dispel the myth of inadequate socialization in homeschooling. According to J.Michael Smith's December article in the The Washington Times, Socialization [is] Not a Problem, we now have the studies to prove it. Research cited higher levels of social engagement, income, happiness and feelings of preparedness for life.

Stereotypes and lack of social skills are sadly found in The Economist's article Homeschooling: Classes Apart and follow-up comments.

Mother Culture Meets the Act of Knowing Part 1

Kelly, Stephanie and my sister Michele at the monthly meeting of Homes with Heart and CM, a Central Iowa mothers' group supporting those who use Charlotte Mason's methods.

One of my favorite Charlotte Mason moments this school year took place without the children. Please tell me, my busy home school friends and mothers, that you haven't forgotten about Mother Culture - that time of necessary refreshing and revitalization which Miss Mason herself encouraged us to take.

While visiting the Midwest, I attended a meeting of the homeschool group to which my sister belongs and enjoyed mother culture at its finest. Using Catherine Levison's A Charlotte Mason Education as the framework one mom hosts while another presents on the subject for that month. This particular meeting Michele -- my personal CM mentor & sister -- presented on the art of narrating.

My sister gifted each of us with a homemade narration cube and key. It's narration fun for the whole family and you can make your own by visiting Penny Gardner's practical site.

A roll of our narration cube has come up with the heart so I'll relate a few of my favorite parts of the evening.

Michele opened with sentiments from the psalmists relating to the act of knowing. I loved "My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." Psalm 45:1

The narration of Bible passages was also discussed and we were given a stunning example from Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschool Series of the power of narration. Other than bits and pieces, I haven't read Volume 6 and was struck by the response of a 13-year-old to the examination question:

"The people sat in darkness" . . . "I am the Light of the World." Shew as far as you can the meaning of these statements. She was not asked to write in verse, and was she not taught by a beautiful instinct to recognise that the phrases she had to deal with were essential poetry and that she could best express herself in verse?

The people sat in darkness––all was dim,
No light had yet come unto them from Him,
No hope as yet of Heaven after life,
A peaceful haven far from war and strife.
Some warriors to Valhalla's halls might go
And fight all day, and die. At evening, lo!

They'd wake again, and drink in the great hall.
Some men would sleep for ever at their fall;
Or with their fickle Gods for ever be:
So all was dark and dim. Poor heathens, see!
The Light ahead, the clouds that roll away,
The golden, glorious, dawning of the Day;
And in the birds, the flowers, the sunshine, see
The might of Him who calls, "Come unto Me.'"

-Vol. 6 Section I The Knowledge of God pg. 168

continued...

Mother Culture Meets the Act of Knowing Part 2

Maria, Heather and Julia enjoying a Charlotte Mason moment.

Another roll of the narration cube has me telling you about "Character." Though I have no hard statistical data, Iowa may have the most CM-users per capita in the US. There were about thirty very cool members of the CM-sisterhood in attendance sharing good food, tips of the trade, troubles and encouragement. A big surprise was meeting some blog friends (Eeww, how the word "blog" squishes in my mouth. I have a friend who thinks we should call our virtual journals "Soulocasting"). You can meet them as well and see why Maria is a Very Blessed Mommy, or get craft inspiration from Julia at WanderingKnits. If I've missed any soulocasts, do let me know so I can share.

Michele closed the topic of narration with this word of encouragement, "One of the best ways to begin in this whole endeavor is to listen attentively yourself when your toddler, preschooler, child, young adult, even your husband wants to 'tell.' They are more likely to keep telling and to enjoy speaking to you.

The children assured us they had it all under control while the moms went out to play.

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." Psalm 26:7

Sick Days

Max and Luca storyboarding their latest animated films.

This is the first day of homeschool I have missed due to teacher illness. Usually I battle it through but today I am laid out in bed so thought I'd let you know what we're up to.

What I'm Thankful For The fruit of all that habit-training. The boys got up, dressed, fixed themselves breakfast and brushed their teeth without a word from me. They don't like to be too far away though and have made a clubhouse in our bedroom closet as well as choreographed a sword fight for my entertainment.

What I'm Listening To Sounds from a Russian-dubbed Japanese cartoon coming from the other room - Miyazaki's "Big Panda, Little Panda." The iPod doesn't come out unless I'm home alone.

What I'm Reading Julie Ferwerda's new book One Million Arrows. I was sent this challenging and encouraging book about raising our children to change the world for review and can't wait to share it with you. Wait we will though...until March 1. If you would like a sneak peak or to take part in the blog tour, head over to One Million Arrows.

Oops, it looks like my laptop is about out of juice and so am I.

Smooth and Easy Days

Those generous folks over at Simply Charlotte Mason are giving away Sonya Shafer's new e-book Smooth and Easy Days to download and enjoy for free. I've said this before about Sonya's writing: Don't even bother getting out your hi-lighter or you will end up with completely yellow pages.

This book is bursting with Charlotte Mason's thoughts, living examples, encouragement and motivation on one of the greatest gifts you can give your children: habits that build their character, all in an easily digestible (and printable) 45-pages.

Please don't be discouraged if you, like me, have allowed bad habits to creep in or you realize you are dealing with a strong sin-nature. How about taking one habit at a time? We took (S)CM's advice at the beginning of the summer and started with the habit of kindness. For Term 1 we added the habits of prayer and thankfulness. You may remember my struggle with accuracy and thoroughness which I have focused on overcoming this school year. These few habits have helped gain much smoother days here.


Sonya tells us of an even greater goal of habit cultivation than smooth and easy days, "Good habits instilled now will equip our children well for their futures." She continues, "That's a goal worth hanging on the galleries of our minds. Can you picture the rewarding scenes?"

Do Homeschoolers Have Snow Days?

Well, after four days straight of heavy snowfall we still don't have to worry about being able to make it downstairs.

Our "snow days" beckon us to the classroom outside though, to revel in the funny habits of the snowbird, study the snowflakes on brother's eyelashes or build Stonehenge out of frozen snow - which I think should count nicely as a History narration.

One Year Bible

Wanna come along for the ride?

I'll be reading through the Bible this year using the schedule from One year Bible (download for free). I chose it because it has a daily selection from the Psalms and Proverbs as well as the Old and New Testaments. It's mom's turn to follow Charlotte Mason's advice and read with attention, know what I have read, recollect it and justly apply my reading as I seek the Spirit and the word of life.

What about you? Let me know if you would like to join me or tell me about your yearly reading...

Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works!