..well almost.
We are still several days away from our actual first day of school but I am so excited about the new course of study for the year I had a 'practice' run. I'm going to do a few more of these and try a few different presentations in order to be sure we are maximizing instruction time. Our school time runs parallel to hours of operation at our little scrapbook store. To avoid frustrating my little student (or being unavailable for classes and customers) a well choreographed plan needs to be chosen. Switching curriculum often causes me a bit of concern as I work out my own management bumps. I will need to stay on top of this course better than the ones of previous years that have had the benefit of work sheet pages for fill in time. Besides my curriculum change, we added piano lessons in this summer and will continue to do so during the school year. (I guess momma better get up earlier!). I'm confident a pattern of ease will soon settle the unsteady feet that waits to begin another year of school.
As I do so, I reflect upon an article I read many years ago (reference/link pending) which set in me an even greater resolve to never shirk, neglect or take for granted the truth that God implanted deep into my soul a desire protect the childhood, youth (and education) of the children placed in my care. This article wrote of the days in the early Church and the efforts the Brethern took to see that LDS schools were established. Obviously they did not survive and I believe the children of the church today suffer the consequences of the choices of the saints at that time. While I do not judge them, for surely their path was a difficult one. One, I have great respect and gratitude for. Yet, I wonder how would the lives of our children been different had there always been schools that were primarily for those who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Oliver DeMille said, ""Education can’t be fixed as long as we believe this basic myth. The myth is that it is possible for one human being to educate another. The fact is that the only person who can fix education is the student." This ideaology has been the basis for my home instruction since the genesis of our home school days. My objective is to try to instill a love of learning in spite of multiplication, fractions, essays and sentence diagrams. I know even in the frustration of the task a sense of value can be felt. I know the more the child believes in what they are doing the more likely they will find desire to learn. The easier it will be for them to accept the bumps on the road to acquiring an education and the less they will personalize the crack or crevice they might encounter along the way. All of this will add up to them teaching themselves and this is where true learning happens.
Each year, my journey in education also continues. A side benefit of being a home school mom is a constant opportunity to channel my purpose with my methods and strive for a result that draws us closer as a family, closer to the Savior and more learned. This year I am particularly grateful for this blessing. As I read about the goings-on in the world around me and realize how serious the attack on the family is becomming I am feeling more concern for my children's children. As secret combinations rally to take the rights of parents away and to compel public education to lesson the indoctrination of parents to children I am even more keenly aware of the intent of the Adversary. Nevertheless, aware I am and as often as prudence warrents I teach, warn, and caution my children. As I present the reasons and purpose for us to be peculiar ('of our own) and to protect our rights to be so I testify that if they are true and faithful to who they are as home schooled children and why they are such, it will arise in them in time the desire, the intent and the ability they will need to defend and protect their rights as parents.
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