Comments on: Educational Philosophies Defined, Part II

By: Jennifer H.

Jennifer H. — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:00:58 +0000

The Workbox method definitely appeals to me. My kids are 2 1/2 and 1, so I don’t know them and myself well enough to know which particular philosophy(ies) we’ll end up using, but as far as a methodology, I definitely see myself employing a workbox type of thing to organize their schooling day.
This really resonates with me, since in my college educational classes, Harry Wong’s “The First Days of School” was required reading, and it helped me a lot during my student teaching and my brief time spent in the classroom since then.

By: Christyl Austin

Christyl Austin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 05:13:44 +0000

First, I want to say “thank you” for the very informative posts. I’m completely new to the thought of home-schooling but a few things in our family’s life has brought us to discovering the world of home-schooling. Oh, it is overwhelming! I am a mom to an inquisitive 5-yr. old boy and a super sweet 3-yr. old girl. With kindergarten right around the bend I’m forced to think about my schooling-and today’s public schools. Yikes!

I want to teach my children. I’m excited at the thought of tailoring their education to their personalities and their interests. The freedom and flexiblity of homeschooling is a wonderful thought as well. But I’m scared to death to take on my chilrens’ education, but I’m not ready to GIVE-IN to my fears either. But I’m afraid that I’ve started this venture a little late (to say the least). It never occured to me that there would be sooooo much information and materials on homeschooling.

As a child I hated school….hated it. Not that I didn’t like to learn but that I didn’t like the enviroment. I truely felt stifled as a child. I would do terrible on day-to-day tasks but would come out on top of the class during testing. I plainly remember sitting in class,on many occasions, bored to tears. I already see so many of my childhood characteristics in my son. I don’t want to stifle his love of learning by doing what “everyone else” does. So I’m trying to make up for “lost time”. I now realize that this is something I should have thought much more about. But I cannot reverse time and I need help. I need someone to help me and point me in a good direction. Everything that I’m seeing is religion based. I’m looking for an educational method/materials that leave that out. Something outdoorsey, hands-on, great reading books, flexible. Can anyone help me with where to start? Also I’m wondering if anyone can tell me how I tell the public school system that I’m homeschooling. Do my kids have to submit tests showing that they are being educated? I recently found out that there are co-op groups for homeschoolers. Can someone please tell me what exactly a co-op for homeschoolers is? How often should they go? Do you do a lot of community based sports/programs to get your children socialized? Etc. Etc. Etc.

I have a million and one questions and I can’t keep bombarting my cousin 4 states away with all these crazy questions that keep popping into my head. Someone please help.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:06:43 +0000

Thank you for these summaries! I love the idea of homeschooling but get so overwhelmed when looking at all the options, ideas, and philosophies out there. Homeschooling just became legal where I now live, and I’m still not sure where we will go with it.

By: Lego Party, SLC

Lego Party, SLC — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:03:58 +0000

It’s so fun to read everyone’s approach to homeschool. We got started on homeschooling with Leadership Education and use it to shape everything we do. But Classical and others have definitely come into our education. It’s been a great journey – taking us places we never dreamed we’d be going and having a great experience all along the way.

By: beth aka confusedhomemaker

beth aka confusedhomemaker — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:13:01 +0000

I’ll have to look for those follow-ups, the sound great.

As for transitioning from homeschool to college…I’d say from my experience teaching homeschool children at the college level & looking at the sociological data that they do pretty well. I mean it’s not without some challenges, like college offers for everyone, but in general it seems most homeschool students are better at completing independent work & being more industrious at addressing their needs. Probably this is a result from homeschool offering more opportunity for self-direction & seeking out different avenues to meet needs than traditional school settings.
.-= beth aka confusedhomemaker’s last blog: I’m A Mad Housewife =-.

By: Angelina

Angelina — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:29:55 +0000

Thank you for posting this wonderful article. I’m a mom of 2 who will be embarking on the homeschooling journey this Fall. I could say I fall under the category of eclectic homeschooling as I’m inspired by the philosophies of Waldorf, Enki, Reggio Emilia and Montessori. I’m at a crossroad as to how to combine all these different philosophies into a cohesive method. Would love to hear from homeschooling parents on their challenges and benefits of combining different educational philosophies.

By: Teri

Teri — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:46:03 +0000

I love many of the concepts that you’ve highlighted, but adhere mainly to Leadership Education principles. I have used them to home educate for 20 years. The beautiful thing is that the DeMilles have laid out simple phases and keys that can be applied to any life venue. It’s so freeing to know that it’s a more “organic” approach, in that whatever works within the phases and keys for your family still produces an end result of thinking, responsible individuals that can lead even in less than ideal circumstances.
Partnering with the philosophy has produced well rounded, responsible, critical thinking young adults in our home…so far, at least! ;0) Having 5 boys I have a ways to go…so far so good!

By: Simple Homeschool~Jamie

Simple Homeschool~Jamie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:45:56 +0000

Hi Nicole. The basis for Sonlight is definitely literature, but they also have offer many other add-ons for subjects like Science, Language Arts, Math, etc.

Many families buy the core Sonlight program for History/Geography/Literature but use other curriculums for other subjects. Really it’s just about finding what works for you!

Jamie
.-= Simple Homeschool~Jamie’s last blog: New on Simple Organic: Green Goal-Setting, Part 2: Home Life =-.

By: Simple Homeschool~Jamie

Simple Homeschool~Jamie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:43:11 +0000

Hi Emily–it’s always wonderful to meet someone else who has discovered the wonders of Leadership Education–love it!

Jamie
.-= Simple Homeschool~Jamie’s last blog: New on Simple Organic: Green Goal-Setting, Part 2: Home Life =-.

By: Simple Homeschool~Jamie

Simple Homeschool~Jamie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:42:24 +0000

Great ideas, Mallory–we’ll be covering many of these in the weeks and months ahead!

Jamie
.-= Simple Homeschool~Jamie’s last blog: New on Simple Organic: Green Goal-Setting, Part 2: Home Life =-.