Looking at the Future
Gazing down the path of homeschooling, I see only 1/4 mile ahead. The road bends and twists through the mountains and plains. I’m not sure what to expect when I turn the corner.
Another student begins formal lessons this year. Sunshine yearns to read. This change seems simple enough. Teach Sunshine phonics, give Bug more independent work, and keep Sweet Pea busy. Yet I wonder, is this really how I want to proceed?
Preparing lessons for one child allowed me to rely heavily on curriculum. At the beginning of the school year, I cried out for grace to use curriculum as a reference rather than the method of education. Now I want to act on that plea. I want to research, plan, and create my own lessons.
My children need different instruction in certain subjects, but some learning can be combined. Some learning has to be combined. I cannot add another pile of textbooks and finish them with joy and peace.
A hint of life around the corner appeared last month as we studied the life of Johann Sebastian Bach. I read while my kids ate lunch. Then the kitchen filled with dancing as we listened to minuets and gavottes. The reading was simple for Bug, but we researched German castles, discussed Bach’s character, and marveled at God’s providence. Bach, The Boy from Thuringia delighted all my children. May our future studies do the same.
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Love your thoughts (as usual!) It is with apprehension that I lay out any plans for what I want to see in the future. After all, I don’t want it to be about me.
Reading a good book aloud stimulates all kinds of learning opportunities. My oldest LOVES Beethoven because of the story “Beethoven lives upstairs”.
Dana,
Thanks. You’re right, it’s not about me either. And the Lord has a way of changing my plans. I think it’s referred to as “directing our steps.” :)
Heather,
We have that book, too. I want to get the other books in the Zeezok series I mentioned. I think there are four of them including Mozart, Beethoven, and Hayden.
“I see only 1/4 mile ahead.” Oh, so true! I can attempt to lay out some plans and be wise, but still hold everything loosely.
I understand the trepidation of planning your own lessons. But it really is rewarding. I am working on a study of architecture now. It’s exciting to see how it’s coming together.
I also understand your (and Dana’s) concern about laying out future plans. It really is easy to make it all about us at times. I am working at overcoming my fear about teaching my kids myself (with all its emotional baggage) by keeping my eyes on Jesus and my plans kid-minded. This seems to help me. Because it really is all about them, I’m only the facilitator. Maybe this requires a blog post. I’ll get busy with that right after I plan this week’s lessns…
Beautiful. I just love when it all comes together, as your lesson on Bach did. I believe God guides these journeys, and if we place ourselves in His hands, He will take care of the planning for us.
Thanks for sharing!!
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Great post! I like that idea of curriculum as a reference. :] I like to follow the curriculum pretty closely, personally, but don’t like to be bound by the idea that I *must*.
I like the new look of your blog. I found it liberating to be able to plan my own curriculum. It is time and labor intensive and there are days that I wished that I could have pulled a back up curriculum out of a box.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jennifer,
Right. I need to some plans, some guidance, but I don’t my plans to interfere with the work of the Holy Spirit.
Anna-Marie,
I look forward to hearing more about your study.
I’m slowly realizing that as much as I like having the next lesson laid out for me, there are important benefits of planning my own. I enjoy it a lot more, which, of course, excites my children. My love of learning will transfer to them.
Alicia,
It is nice to know that I’m not traveling this road alone. The Holy Spirit teaches me what my children need to know.
Mrs. C,
I’ve killed a lot of learning by relying on curriculum. I have excellent curriculum, but life comes from the Holy Spirit breathing on our hearts.
Hadias,
Thank you for your compliment and for sharing your story. I look forward to our increasing independence, even if it means more work for me.
What a lovely post. Thanks for sharing that. I must admit, none of my favorite homeschool memories involve curriculum…..
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