Education

All parents think about it... education.  How can we give the best possible education to our child?  Are the schools in the area up to the task?  Etc.

Well, I admit, the second question isn't one I really concern myself with at this point.  Why, you ask?  Because from the time that I was in High School, I had determined that I would home school my kids.  I was educated in the public school system for most of my young life.  I enjoyed the structure and I had good teachers, overall.  That is, until I got to High School.  Suddenly, I found myself in a world gone mad.  It wasn't about learning anymore.  It was about popularity, extracurricular activities, and just making it through the mountain of homework I always seemed to have.  Needless to say, I was frustrated.

After struggling with many issues during my Freshman year, it was decided that the best route would be to enroll in a correspondence style High School instead.  I cannot tell you how much of a difference it made for my education!  Suddenly, I had the freedom to work on my "homework" when I was at my best - which was not in the morning hours.  I had to make up all of the credits from my Freshman year, but was able to do that in the 3 short years I had remaining, and managed to graduate in the same year as my class.  I was a believer in self directed learning and the world of home school.

Fast forward 10 years, now I stand on the precipice of having 2 children of my own.  Will I send my kids to the local public school?  Nope.  Will they be horribly stunted in their socialization?  Not if I have anything to say about it.  Will they get a quality education?  Heck yes.

Being a History major in college, it is pretty easy to understand that I have the tendency to research things a lot.  Such is the case with home school curriculum.  Until just the other day, I had no idea what format I wanted to take as I moved forward with home school.  Now, I have discovered the perfect fit for my personality and teaching style... Classical Education.  This method is very rigorous, and required even more of the teacher than of the student.  It is a multidisciplinary approach based on History, taught in chronological order.  Each section of History is taught 3 times over the course of grades 1-12.  The focus is on original sources, critical thinking and logic.  What a concept!  I am in love.

The book that best explains this method of teaching is called The Well-Trained Mind, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise.  It is now on my Amazon wish list, and will be one of the first things I buy to prepare for my home schooling adventures.  Until then, I will continue to research and find great materials to supplement my babies' education.