Day Three: Meeting Up With Miracles At The Convention

I met up with a real-life, present-day miracle this afternoon. I could tell by her countenance that there was a change that would be obvious to anyone who'd seen her a year ago or less. A few of us who knew her story--her marriage-in-crisis story--were praying fervently, even fasting for her and her family. She explained to me that things were so much better, not perfect, but better. To know the angst and despair of this floundering, precious soul would amaze you at the words of wisdom, godly sorrow and a softness for even more change that were flowing from her mouth today.

 

I praised God. I praised Him as I have done time and again as I've watched other friends spin around in a 180 degree turn and receive the Lord's redemptive plan for their lives. I've experienced it in my own and I'll forever be grateful. Don't ever think Christians are exempt of failing miserably in this life. Don't ever believe homeschool families don't suffer division and brokenness. Most of all, don't ever doubt the Creator and Sustainer of the universe can save us all.

On this final convention day I learned how to write a highschool transcript for Meg, I was reminded  that the love of a parent trumps the expertise of teachers (even though I am a certified teacher, I share this with my friends to encourage them), and I was challenged to create more opportunities for science for my kids. Monday, here we come!

Day Two: Homeschool Conventions As Inspiration to Keep Going

Nine years of homeschool conventions have taught me that I don't want to miss one. They've also revealed that I don't attend for the same reasons I may have years ago. I now own enough curricula to support a few families for several years and I can rattle off the basics of home education to any newbie who might have questions in the exhibit hall. However, it's the camaraderie of all of us who are in this challenging, yet rewarding, journey that keeps us home with those we've borne and (hopefully) educating them well. 

Sitting amongst hundreds of parents this morning in the auditorium for the opening session meant I am a part of something greater than the decision I made to keep my children home; I am connected to the body of believers who are intentionally and prayerfully pouring into their children hour by hour, day by day. My friends who send their children to school are not exempt from this definition, but there is something so comforting and familiar about this large group we call home educators. We laughed together, tears brimmed over tough choices concerning children with academic struggles, we attended seminars and encouraged one another to purchase a particular book or program due to experience and longevity. 

Many years of homeschooling have also taught me that I don't always use what I buy at a convention. Therefore, I stand at a particular vendor's table and quietly consider each child, the time I have to teach, and whether or not the book will work for our family. I'm not always right, but I have two sisters with seven kids between them who will benefit if I'm wrong  :) Here are some choices I could not pass up today:

 This is simply adorable and very old-school. I may have used it as a child myself. As I flipped through it, I knew immediately Oliver would enjoy it. It's aimed at grades 2/3.

 I bought 3 levels of this cursive writing/art appreciation book. I love how the kids can do a sentence or a whole page depending on time, and I love how it's connected to observations about art.

I can't seem to stop the read-alouds for our Africa study. Here is a game we will enjoy that teaches the names of the African countries (which we already know) and their placement on the continent (for which we need more practice). The above books were advised by the vendor and since I've trusted her before and been blessed, I listened again :) The convention prepares us for the following school year but also helps us to gain inspiration and energy to wrap up the present year well.

Day Twenty-Seven: Homeschooling Highschoolers

I sat shoulder to shoulder with other eager parents as the keynote speaker for Homeschool Legal Defense contended for carrying our children through their highschool years at home. I'll never forget how he challenged us to think about why we would place our child into the school system just because they enter grade nine. Who made that grade disassociated from grade eight and what makes us suddenly abide by a standard we've been ignoring up to this point? What makes those children abruptly profit less from home education? Learning is still learning and how you arrive at the knowledge and skills your child needs is a decision each family makes. Whatever level that child is at is the level you continue to teach, regardless of the credit system being something the general population adheres to. I wrestled in my mind as to whether or not I could handle teaching highschool. Then I realized I had already trained my girl to become an independent learner and she has been mostly working on her own for about three years.

My Homie

 

I slipped off my shoes when I walked through my front door and mulled over what I had learned. I began boiling a pot for the potatoes when my husband entered the house. I shared all the nuggets of wisdom I'd gained that day and he agreed there was no other way for our family but to simply continue what we were doing with our oldest. "Highschool" would just be the name of the next step, not a daunting idea or an overwhelming change, but just another grade.

Plastering Daddy with a concocted yogurt facial while he's watching the game?--priceless :)

 

However, fear did begin to grip me as I later rifled through websites looking for answers for curriculum choices and advice. The more I read, the more I became confused. When we sat down with our daughter and told her we felt she should stay home the following September, she was quiet. She shared that she had been hoping to attend the Christian highschool where her cousins went but only part-time. She still wanted to be at home but take a course or two there. We thought about the possibility and concluded that schooling the other kids and running her back and forth for classes in another city wouldn't be feasible. She responded well. I asked her what her desire was for curriculum, promised her a laptop for grade eight graduation, and planned what we'd be involved in for her grade nine year so she could look forward to it.

 

Now second semester is quickly approaching and Meghan is tracking her hours and credits. She strongly desires to have everything she does quantified and so we looked up the Ontario requirements and do our best to stay close to them. Our friends and family have opted to use highschool resources that do not require tests and exams and will decide what to do about transcripts at the end of grade eleven. Since many homeschooled kids have entered university by being placed in school in their senior year or by taking correspondence or online courses for their transcript, it is a viable choice. Thankfully, in Canada, homeschooling is legal in every province. But each family and student must make their own decisions based on how it works best for them.

selfie

 

As we journey, I'll be better able to give wisdom on the subject of homeschooling through highschool but at this point, we know that our daughter enjoys the extra time for her competitive dance and to connect with her friends and family and we love having her around! The more families we encounter who homeschool through highschool, the more kids we see who are simultaneously planning their futures while using their schoolwork to achieve an early acquisition of this objective . Some of them already have small businesses! Many are aware of what career path they want to take and are streamlining their subjects toward that goal and even taking university courses concurrently with highschool. The possibilities are wide open for these kids. Our daughter has known for a long time that she would like to open her own Christian dance studio with nutrition and wellness as a large component. You go, Girl!

 

For more information and support, you can click here for the Home Scholar and here  for the Homeschool Mom and here for Homeschool Legal Defense and here  for Ontario Homeschool.

 

If you're planning on joining us in the journey of highschool at home, may God bless you as you do!