January 5, 1998
"Happy New Year!"
by Diana Waring

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Dear Friends, Happy New Year! Can you believe it? 1998 is here... I love new beginnings - the first of a new year, the day after Labor Day (our traditional beginning of a new school year), the beginning of summer, the beginning of a new month, the beginning of a new week, the early morning of each day. For me, they seem to be an excellent time for making new plans, for instituting new ideas, for re-evaluating our children's schooling to make sure that it is accomplishing good things in them. It's an appropriate time to remember Lamentations 3:22-23: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." In the freshness of God's mercy, in the hope we have that He is raising our children through us, let's consider some points to ponder in our re-evaluation of this year's school experience: Are your children thriving? Has your school become sidetracked? Are you exhausted? Are you wondering whether or not this is worth the effort? Ready, set, re-evaluate! #1) Are your children thriving? Do they eagerly anticipate most of their studies? Or, are you too often hearing comments such as, "Mom, do we HAVE to do this?" "Mom, I'm bored!" "Mom, why do we have to do school?" - Every parent, every teacher, has probably heard this at some point this year. The real question becomes: is this a common theme running throughout the past several weeks or months of schooling? If so, then a re-evaluation of materials and methods is in order. Are the books being used by your students interesting, challenging, appropriate? If not, then it is critical to make changes now, before an entire school year is wasted. (If you're saying, "Oh, no! I spent all the money I had for school books already!", don't worry. The library is a tremendous resource for interesting books, fabulous "unit studies", literature books, classics, science, history, music, art, business, bookkeeping, and more! I speak, ahem, from personal experience. Many's the year I've tossed more than a salad.) - Perhaps the methods being used need to be re-evaluated. As I look back on my own schooling experience (in public school), it seems to me that what my teachers tried to do was peel back my scalp and stuff information into my brain! That was NOT an effective method!! I prefer the concept of "salting their oats" (to make them WANT to drink!). This means, creating an atmosphere where the student's interest is piqued... where a student's natural curiosity is used to draw them into a subject. Easier said than done? a. Try reading a fascinating book out loud about the subject your students are going to study, or watch a "classic" movie. (Studying the Renaissance? Watch "The Agony and the Ecstasy", which is about Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.) b. How about a round table discussion on geography - "Why do you think people made maps for sailors?" "Why do people keep on living beside active volcanoes instead of moving away?" c. What about a quick field trip to the closest zoo to make the subject of "zoology" come alive as your students see bears "up close and personal"; to the farm to stare into a cow's big glossy eyes; to the neighbor's hamster cage. d. Interview a person whose work uses the subject under consideration. For instance, interview a newspaper reporter for students studying journalism, grammar or creative writing. (Wouldn't that be a switch? Interviewing an interviewer??) #2) Has your school become sidetracked? Sometimes we get discouraged, or sick, or busy, and school gets shelved for a time. Or, perhaps your students become intrigued with learning about snow (for obvious reasons, if you live in New England), and all of the planned studies go out the window as your children go out the door! - Whatever the reason for being sidetracked, January is an excellent month for getting back on track. Look at your goals for this year. (Did you remember to write down yearly goals in September? If not, this is a good time to work out your objectives.) Evaluate what has been learned, and what remains. Then, with all of the enthusiasm God has given you, introduce to your children "what's great in '98!" #3) Are you exhausted? Are you or your students "overworked and underpaid"? Are your students spending eight hours a day just trying to finish their math problems? (I've met people who have reported just such a scenario to me.) - Consider your schedule. Ask yourself these questions: a. "What activities am I involved in, other than homeschooling and caring for our family's needs?" Teaching Sunday School, part-time work, talking on the phone(!), can all be significant drains on your time. You need to carefully, prayerfully discover exactly what God wants you to be doing, and then chuck the rest! Yes, you can. Go to those groups, those institutions, those committees and explain your need to simplify and to prioritize your obligations, and ask to be excused. I've had to do it. b. "Am I taking my children to lots of outside activities?" Too much of a good thing is still too much! Sports, music lessons, co-op classes, art lessons, support group activities, etc., can be a wonderful addition to your children's education. However, you must carefully, prayerfully discover (again!) exactly what God wants you to be doing, and chuck the rest!! Remember the K.I.S.S. rule - "Keep it simple, sweetie!" c. "Am I requiring more of my students than they are able to do?" It is very important to understand the unique needs and abilities of each of your students. Some ten year old students can sit down and rattle off a two-page paper with almost no effort, while other ten year olds are still struggling to write one complete sentence. Tailor the assignments to their abilities, always seeking to help them grow in skills. Eventually, if you keep the principle, "Here a little, there a little, precept upon precept", your students will master reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. d. "Am I available to my children while they are working on their own, or is that the time I catch up on all of the news (via the phone or computer)?" Children need us. Our children need us. Our homeschooling children need us. I'm not suggesting that you sit and hold their hands all day! However, don't be gone too long!! Stay available to them, checking up on their progress, monitoring their work... "Do you understand what this problem is asking, sweetie?"... "Are you getting tired? Would you like to take a five minute break for a glass of milk and an apple?"... "Stumped? Why don't you try telling me some of your ideas for a writing project, and then we can decide together."... #4) Are you wondering whether or not this is worth the effort? -Let me encourage you that homeschooling is not an instant fix, nor an instant success story. It is a day-in, day-out process. However, over the course of years you will see such wonderful results that will make the effort and sacrifice seem small in comparison. That has been our family's experience, though there were days when I wondered, "Why me, God?". I saw my friends sending their children off to school, then meeting other moms for lunch and shopping or pursuing a career or working in ministry. Now, years later, those same friends who sent their precious children off to school are struggling to establish relationships with their indifferent, rebellious teenagers. As I look on the faces of my precious, loving teenagers, I am so thankful that we stayed the course, that we continued homeschooling despite all of the struggles and failures. For now, you see, we are receiving the reward of loving relationships, articulate and interesting young people, family ministry, and great anticipation for the future. As Winston Churchill said, "Never give in! Never give in! Never give in!" Blessings to you all, Diana Return to the List of the BOTCW Columns

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