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This is Why We Homeschool

It is no secret I am a HUGE homeschooling advocate.

Our family decided to have the courage to be different eight years ago, and we have never looked back.

We just couldn't sacrifice our children for the ideal of public school. We abandoned public schooling and it has been one of the single best parenting decisions we have made. 

Friends, I am going to be honest and maybe even brutal with you today. 

I've been sitting back quietly, (at least here on my blog -- but if you know me you know I haven't been quiet in real life) watching the events of the past few months, and I want to share some thoughts with you today.

It is IMPERATIVE that we raise thinking, discerning children - citizens who will not blindly accept what others tell them, but who will listen and weigh what they are hearing against their own internal sense of truth - their own moral compass.

I have never been more convicted in our decision to homeschool than I have been recently. Parents...we are in a WAR against culture. We have to FIGHT for our kids' hearts and minds.

What we have witnessed in this generation is a large segment of young people whose truth shifts depending on the social media they see and what the mainstream media tells them it is.

I am optimistic for the future and ready to keep on fighting the good fight! I just heard the upcoming generation referred to as "the builders".

I sure hope so. I have had enough of the whiners!

This is Why We Homeschool - why it is important to fight for your kids

Why We Homeschool

We homeschool because we believe it is important for our children to be exposed to our family's values and traditions.

We homeschool because we believe in beautiful literature, music, and art.

We homeschool because we believe our children should have a chance to grapple with BIG ideas from BIG thinkers of the past and come to their own conclusions about BIG societal issues.

We homeschool because we believe the FAMILY should be a child's primary influence, not their peers or a government school.

We homeschool because we want our children to be PROPERLY socialized.

We homeschool because we believe all education is inspired by God and is for HIS glory. 

We homeschool because we have seen the village, and we don't want it raising our children. 

Why We Homeschool - It is important to FIGHT for our kids!

We homeschool because we want our children to see BOTH sides of an argument and evaluate them equally. 

We homeschool because we believe in giving our children a chance to be their own people - and to not always follow the crowd.

We homeschool because we want to cultivate compassion, quiet contemplation, and thoughtfulness for those around us.

We homeschool because the indoctrination in the public schools is rearing its ugly head and we want NO PART OF IT.

 

Are you getting the point? 

We homeschool because we are fighting for our kids hearts and minds. 

It's important - so very important.

It is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do as a parent. 

The Courage to Homeschool

I know homeschooling can be intimidating. I know it can be a financial and emotional challenge.

I have been there with all of this.

And remember, I am a former public school educator, with a Masters Degree in Education - I used to BELIEVE in public schools. (I also acknowledge there are some children who ONLY have the public schools as their only choice... this is something that needs to change, too!)

I want to encourage you in this journey - have courage - have faith - have resolve! Homeschooling is THE hardest job I have ever had, but now that my children are middle and high school I am seeing astounding results - the kind of results that allow me to sit back and smile at the young people in front of me. 

Why I Homeschool: Fighting for Our Kids Hearts and Minds

I've had to FIGHT for my kids. Homeschooling requires a personal sacrifice of time, money, and in some cases relationships with those who aren't supportive. 

Many times I have to fight for opportunities for my children because they aren't part of the mainstream school environment. 

These fights are IMPORTANT.  They are WORTHWHILE.  They MEAN SOMETHING.

We have to fight for the hearts and minds of our kids, because if we don't win, our CULTURE will.

I believe you CAN homeschool --> and if you need a shot in the arm or just a push in general, might I suggest my free book, You Can Homeschool: Encouragement for the Journey. 

Resources for Homeschooling

If you've landed upon this post and need more information about homeschooling - or just a shot in your homeschooling arm, I've written posts over the years to encourage you:

You're A Homeschool Mom?  You're Building Something Amazing

Having the Courage to Be Different: No Fear Homeschooling

Why in the World Would You Homeschool Your Children?

10 Reasons to Homeschool Your Children

Homeschool Requires Courage  (an audio blog)

 

Now more than ever we are at a crossroads in our history.

Do we raise children who have the strength and courage to stand up and articulate their beliefs, or do we raise children whose beliefs shift as quickly as they can Tweet them out? 

 

Why do YOU homeschool?

 If You Don't Homeschool, What is Holding You Back?

 

This is Why We Homeschool: Why it is important to fight for your kids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for Latin in Challenge A

Challenge A is such a WONDERFUL year in the life of a Classical Conversations student. 

We have walked the Challenge A road once before with my oldest child. It was a GOOD year, but it was also year of great growth, struggle, change, and revelation. 

After a couple of years in the Challenge program it became very clear that when my youngest was approaching Challenge A I would definitely prepare more for Latin in the year preceding Challenge A.

Yes, the memory work in Foundations is helpful.  Yes, having a firm grasp of English Grammar (through the Essentials Program) is extremely beneficial. And yes, our students will repeat the Latin they learn in Challenge A again in Challenge B.

I firmly believe, however, we can set our rising Challenge A students up for success so the Latin doesn't flatten and discourage them. 

Preparing for Latin in Challenge A - how to get a jump start on the Latin BEFORE you begin Challenge!

About the Latin in Challenge A

The Latin text used in Challenge A is Henle Latin. 

In my opinion, Henle isn't exciting. There are no bells and whistles - nothing that overly excites the student. It is simply HARD WORK and DILIGENCE.  

This is a GOOD thing. 

“Students start at the beginning of Henle First Year Latin. Class usually begins with a review of an English grammar concept, and then students discover how that concept is treated in Latin. Together, students and the tutor practice translating sentences that contain the day’s concept. There is an emphasis on memorization of vocabulary and word endings. Students gain skills for learning any language through this systematic approach.”
— Classical Conversations

Many people feel Henle is superior because it has less vocabulary  (a little more than 500 words) than the competing Latin texts, which allows students to learn the concepts of Latin without being bogged down with excessive memorization of vocabulary.

As students get older and begin to translate, this makes things easier for them. 

(For a nice review of Henle, read this review at Homeschool Christian.)

Preparing for Latin in Challenge A

In this last year before Challenge A, we are doing a few things to prepare for the difficult Latin that is to come next year. 

Know Your Memory Work

Having a firm grasp on the Latin memory work in Foundations is extremely helpful. 

We plan to review all three cycles of memory work this summer in preparation for Challenge A.

Specifically, knowing the NOUN DECLENSIONS before beginning Challenge A is a good idea. 

I love the Latin Noun Declension worksheets from Family Style Schooling. The lightbulb REALLY went off when my son started working on these sheets!  (good stuff)

Everything to do with Latin at Family Style Schooling is extremely helpful - take some time to explore the resources there.  One of my favorite articles is all about Latin nouns and what exactly a declension is. 

Getting Started With Latin

During our Morning Time, we are using a FABULOUS book, Getting Started With Latin. 

This book, which is a beginning Latin book for students of all ages, incorporates much of the Latin memory work from Foundations. It also begins to teach students the basics of learning Latin, and will prepare them for Henle Latin in Challenge A.

Having gone through Henle Latin with my oldest, I can see directly how using Getting Started With Latin benefits my son moving into Challenge A. 

I love it when we sit around the table during morning time and Anna says, "Ooooh Grant, this is going to help you SO MUCH in Latin next year!"

Flash Cards

We are beginning to learn the Latin vocabulary in Henle Latin using flashcards from Antiquated Notions. 

While I am 100% in favor of students making their own Latin flashcards for Challenge A, having them available to print and review easily has been extremely helpful.

Once in Challenge A I imagine we will be using Quizlet to make and review Latin flashcards. This proved to be very helpful for my oldest. 

I hear so many people question the validity of learning Latin, the fast pace of the Latin in Challenge A, and the dryness of the Henle Latin text. 

Yes, those are all valid concerns - and concerns I have had at one time.  Now, however, they are no longer concerns.  

Being in Challenge for nearly four years has taught our whole family that sometimes the best things are worth WORKING and WAITING FOR.  It has taught us that patience, perseverance, and doing hard things is WORTH IT.

 

Here is what I DO KNOW about the study of Latin in Challenge:

  • It leads to a tremendous understanding of English Grammar.
  • Students gain a greater understanding of word origins.
  • Studying Latin promotes great discipline and perseverance.
  • Parsing a Latin sentence and taking the time to STRUGGLE through translations builds confidence - a confidence that transfers to many other academic areas.
  • Sticking with something for many years (like the study of Latin) teaches our students that anything worth doing is worth doing well and over an extended period of time.  

I wish you all the best in your study of Latin!

Are you preparing for Latin in Challenge A?  Tell me about it in the comments below! 

Preparing for Latin in Challenge A - how to get a jump start BEFORE you get to Challenge!