Shared in Homeschooling
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As a homeschooler, I've been soothed by countless stories from other parent teachers. More often than not, homeschoolers excel their public/private school peers. They have grades that soar! They're far ahead of others their age. Many times, they even complete their education before others they know! Bravo for homeschooling! However, I have failed. I am guilty for having skipped around in my early years of schooling, never certain which curriculum would suit us best. In addition, through countless trials in our family, and many health emergencies, I've been challenged to keep the children going at an even speed through their curricula. My oldest two children are at a math level far below their peers. But I made myself feel better, for years, by telling myself how far ahead they were in other areas. The past two years have found me especially diligent to get them to where I thought they should be. I've been careful not to move around from one curriculum to the next. We've stuck with Rod and Staff and Christian Light for some time, and I appreciate their materials. I do not "skip" school days as I once needed to. Mathematics is such an important, basic teaching. All of our children will need math in the "real world", when they mature and grow out of our homes. Will they be able to multiply and divide favorite recipes as needed? Will they be able to mentally do large addition in their head when considering a shopping cart of purchases? Will they be able to balance their checkbook and keep from going into "the red"? How about measuring? Will that come easily? Both our sons and daughters will find this vital. I taught my children the basics. But I failed to do more. It made all further work in their present texts impossible and frustrating for them. I had to face the fact that we had to go backward and learn what I failed to teach them. It was humbling for them... and for me. This morning, when I came face to face with a concept in their math books that I knew we could not do, I slipped into denial; I tried to teach it to them, anyway, but they were absolutely confused. I called someone for advice. I sat with a couple homeschool catalogs, paging through them. And, finally, I breathed a prayer heavenward. And, as always, the Lord helped me. I humbly took the 11 year old's math text off the shelf and began flipping through it to see what concepts were taught at the very end of that particular year. Then, I took down the teachers' text, and found precisely where we needed to begin with the girls. They were mortified when I called them down, as they saw what textbook I was holding. The fourteen year old protested, but I was firm. We had a good, long lesson in math this morning. They learned certain computations of fractions that I skipped once upon a time, and we made it through three chapters, together. There were smiles before we were through, and the girls actually enjoyed the new challenge. It was a challenge they could reach! Most of our work was done orally, and on the wipe-board. But there was definite progress. I am confident that we can move forward in a speedy (and thorough) fashion. We have hope again. If you presently notice that one (or more) of your children are behind in a certain area due to a failure on your part, go back! Don't fool yourself into thinking that "it doesn't matter". Someday, you just might find it will. Please take advice from someone who knows better, now. Health problems happen. New babies come. Moves occur. A hundred different family emergencies can crop up requiring a scheduled time off. But, be prepared to double-up on work for a while until goals are reached. Thankfully, our home-education days aren't over until our children no longer reside in the "nest". We can teach and cultivate the love of learning for as long as our youngsters are with us. What joy! |
Thoughts
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Shared by
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Shared by
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Shared by
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Shared by
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