Principle Approach is a Philosophy

This is the first of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.

What do you think of when you hear the word philosophy? I used to picture Plato and professors, Rodin’s sculpture of The Thinker and monks living tucked away in the mountains. Then I heard philosophy means the love of wisdom and realized I am an aspiring philosopher. I want answers to questions raised by the syncretism of my faith and my education.

During high school, my history class focused on the atrocities of mankind. The dates of wars, the horrors of slavery, and, strangely to me, the rock musicians of the 1960s. I wondered why these subjects were chosen. Were these just random events erupting here and there? Why did they happen? Why were we studying them?

Why is a philosophical question. According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, philosophy delves into the reason for things looking for cause and effect. And it has two purposes:

1. Philosophy endeavors to use knowledge in a practical way to bring life and hope.
2. Philosophy is supposed to enlarge our views of God and his works.

Is life found in a dry list of events on a time line? Is hope found in simply recounting the evils of mankind without seeing how those evils have been and are being overcome? If God is never even mentioned, how does that effect a student’s view of Him?

Please read the rest of my article at The Curriculum Choice…

Projects, Projects, Projects

Project #1

Brenda Sain asked me to write for a site she was launching about homeschool philosophies and curricula. I’ve been trying to cut back on my commitments online, but she said the right words: Principle Approach.

I said, “Yes,” and offered to help get the site set up on WordPress. My work is nothing like Darcy’s, who put all the color over there, but my cyberprints are in the backend.

You’ll see my posts there shortly, but there are a lot of helpful reviews up already. The Curriculum Choice is worth checking out!

Project #2

In conjunction with my writing at Curriculum Choice, I started a group at Our Lifestyle of Learning to discuss Principle Approach. You don’t have to use Principle Approach to be a part. I hope we can all encourage each other as we seek God’s heart for our children and endeavor to put his Word at the center of our lives.

I hope you’ll consider joining us there. If you do, please drop me a note at my lifestyle page. I’ll be looking for you.

Project #3

I mentioned earlier I would be doing some blog housekeeping. There are a few changes here. The most obvious is a bright new theme. Other additions are a contact form and threaded comments. More ways to connect with you. More ways to be blessed.

Thank you for your grace to me. You’ve made this such a pleasant place to share my heart.

Project #4

To be determined by the dust bunnies…

What We Need To Do In A Day

My eleven-year-old son and I think about the minutes and hours that swing into days, months, and years. Adding time on paper. Whispered groans from him followed by sinking sighs from me. The protest continues. This lesson is for both of us.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

We look up the meaning of wisdom in Webster’s 1828 and summarize it: getting and using knowledge for good.

“How do we gain wisdom?,” I ask. Bug is thoughtful, quiet for a moment, “Wisdom comes from God, so we should pray.”

Yes, first and foremost, ask, pray. Conversation continues while we do the work of a scribe. Bug watches astonished while my hand scrawls out calligraphy learned decades ago.

I dig, “How does numbering our days help us gain wisdom?” He reasons, “It helps us know how to spend our time.”

He begins to copy. Blue letters take shape. Our efforts to create beauty reward with a daily reminder. This is our math lesson. Adding. Counting. Considering.

“What do we really need to do in a day?”

A question of purpose. A question of goals. A question I’ve been trying to answer in my journal for months. My pursuit for focus and balance finally compiled in a declaration, a family motto of sorts, and a daily to do list.

Love Deeply, Learn Always, Live Joyfully, Honor God

Day by Day
Commune: pray, listen
Reflect: wonder, create
Grow: study, practice
Bless: love, serve

Bug has his own conclusions. They sound like the heart of my own: love and learn, work and play. Balanced and simple. I should have asked him weeks ago.

I Choose to Live

The duties of motherhood overuse the multitasking part of my brain. Thinking cells grow numb by constant decisions. Once in awhile, they need to awake. My husband happily sends me to education conferences to recharge and add to my notebook collection.

For years, I rattled nonstop to Julie upon my return. This year, the teachings happened the same time as Julie’s visit.

I cannot recall all the challenging ideas in one post, but one question echoes in my conscious.

Does this bring life?

The question does not appear anywhere in my notes, but it was asked while Miss Katherine Dang discussed The Will of God Concerning Men. She simply reasoned through Scripture. The theme of life resounds from the creation of man:

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

To the words of Jesus:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Miss Dang frequently prints verses on one side of the paper with empty lines on the other. The empty spaces on those particular pages remain mostly empty. My brain reached for the practical applications.

It’s something I have pondered. I want our lessons to be full of life, nurturing and purposeful. It took me six months to come up with my blog title, but it is taking years to fully understand the meaning. Education is about all of life; nothing is excluded.

I still tend to think of school as only academics. But life is so much more: thoughts, actions, relationships. Am I giving life or breeding death?

• Does the food I eat bring life to my body?
• Do I feed my soul the nourishing bread of the Word?
• Do my words give strength to the hearer?

Dusty clay was brought to life with a puff of love. The breath of God created with a purpose, to give a gift. A gift,

Abundant -plentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply. In scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with. (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

Life abundant, overflowing, in great supply. The choice is up to me.

The breath of Heaven still blows on dusty hearts.

Noteworthy Links: Spring is Coming Edition

My children and I lounge in the backyard soaking in the sun. The next day we pile under blankets and pretend to hibernate. In East Texas, the weather bounces between spring and winter buffeting my emotions.

February is a month I press through. Like the dandelion, I want to burst out of the cold and smile cheery yellow. Instead, I stretch or hide depending on the cloud cover.

Looking over the articles I noted this week, the tug is revealed.

If I can’t be outside, may the outside creep in.

Holy Experience: A Nature Table Gathering -Lovely display of nature’s beauty

Homeschooling Ideas: Homeschool Nature Table -More ideas to display the wonder of nature indoors

Under His Construction: For the Love of Birds -An entire month of lessons about the winged creatures I gaze at through the window

Texas Parks and Wildlife: Learn About Texas Books -Free books to discover more about birds, insects, fish and more

While inside, I listen, read, watch.

PrincipledMom: A Few New Resources -Some free Principle Approach media to water my thirsty soul

Living Life Between the Trees: The Quest for Primary Readers -An online library to peruse

The Thinking Mother: Books Owned Reveal Past Plans Unfulfilled -If you already have too many books and plans and goals and ideas…

I hope your weekend is warmed by the promise of spring.

More Noteworthy Links

Tags: Homeschool Links