The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers
May 19th, 2007
It's amazing how God always provides for the needs of his children. This past weekend as Mashell pondered the cost of homeschooling, the Lord laid it on many of your hearts to write in with advice and "been there, done that" wit.
 
It's always such a blessing to know others have experienced the valleys we face and are waiting and able to be an encouragement when we need it the most. Thank you for being a part of God's way as Mashell takes the Lord's hand of provision on her road of homeschooling.  
 
Learning As You Go
Dear Mashell,

When I first started homeschooling I didn't even know you could buy curriculum--so I wrote my own! Thank the Lord my child was only three years old! I wasn't at all convinced that I could teach anyone to read. But I knew my Jesus, and I was sure that this whole homeschool thing was His calling to me. I spent a lot
of time on my knees, took a deep breath and got started. I did many things that professional educators would call "grave errors." I taught things out of order, had no clue as to the proper methods of the day, stubbornly taught Creation instead of Evolution, but somehow we survived. 
 
Since then I've studied education theory and teaching methods--and still do things my own way. But the proof is in the pudding. Today my child is doing very well indeed. Her academics are well ahead of her
"grade level," and she functions beautifully whether among peers or adults. She is active in church and AWANA club; she does some voice work for the radio station and is one of the principle dancers at the classical ballet school she attends.  (The cost for THAT was a miracle from God.) So, you see, if you throw yourself and your school at the feet of the Master, everything will be fine. 

I would suggest that this summer you don't try to buy a complete curriculum. Instead buy only part of the core curriculum that you will need when you finally
begin schooling full-time. For instance, start with Bible, phonics, reading, and spelling or math.  I might suggest an easy to read Children's Bible, ABEKA's "Phonics Handbook", Adams-Gordon's "Power Spelling", and a trip to your local used bookstore for some age-appropriate stories to read (Shop carefully;  you are screening for content.) 
 
In this fashion you could "get your feet wet", gain
confidence, and spend less than 100 bucks. By Fall, you will be ready to begin, and you will have this part of your curriculum already paid for.  I am sure that once you begin, and see the relief among your kids, and catch a vision of what is possible that you and your husband will become "dyed in the wool" home schoolers.  

Happy, healthy, blessed schooling!

In His grip,

Lee, a homeschool mom 
Something Special
Spring Promo Banner 120 x 240
 
Lifting It Up to the Lord
Dear Mashell,

My first suggestion is to go to your local library and check out a copy of The Big
Home of Home Learning by Mary Pride.  This book is chocked full of information
about curriculum, cost, and advantages and disadvantages to each individual
curriculum. I refer to it again and again each spring and summer when deciding on
supplies for the next year.  

I agree, you and your husband should be in total agreement when it comes to this
issue. When my husband and I first married, I was adamant that I would not stay
home with my children when they were born. Members of his family were concerned
with my attitude, but he simply said to wait and when the Lord was ready he would
change my mind. The Lord not only changed my mind in regard to staying home, he
also gave me the desire to homeschool. I believe He can do the same for you.

A friend of mine has been wanting to homeschool her children for some time and her
husband has been against it. God has actually placed people in this friend's
husband's job on a daily basis that have touted the advantages of homeschooling. 
The friend's husband is now completely "smitten" with the idea of homeschooling. 
Prayer works wonders; don't give up.

Remember, the first few years might be a little more expensive when it comes to
supplies than later on.  As time goes on, you'll be able to reuse many items for
your younger children as they get older. But also, don't forget the wonderful
advantages of the public library. There are so many resources there - classic
novels, short stories, computer access - that can help you get a head start on your
needs.

Also, if you have a homeschool group nearby, check with them about getting started. 
They are more than happy to assist you and may even be able to help you find some
sweet deals on homeschool supplies.

Last but not least, no mom of 6 children can be completely unorganized!  Use those
skills that you use to organize your days with your kids and apply them to your
homeschool efforts. You might be surprised how together you really are.  

May the Lord bless your endeavors as you start on this awesome journey!
 
Tammy, a homeschool mom
 
Trusting the Lord
Dear Mashell,
 
I think your husband and you are definitely going about this decision-making process the right way--prayer and research was what ultimately led our family to homeschool for the first time this year after having our 4 kids in Christian schools since 1997. Even after we made the commitment to begin & withdrew our children at the end of the school year, it still felt like diving off of a high dive--heady, scary, & breathtaking.
 
A quick remark on home-education: How strange it is that we rise to the challenges of raising healthy children with strong bodies, teaching them manners and social skills, enabling them to use their imaginations and creativity, yet we draw back from doing the very thing that we are most able to manage & do--educate them!
 
You can homeschool your children and spend lots of money trying to "keep up" (actually homeschoolers achieve far more!!!) with traditionally-schooled children, or you can spend practically nothing and use the wonderful, free resources around you--your church, the woods, your farm, a local library, youth sports, local plays, clubs, museums, and homeschool groups. Take advantage of local businesses and arrange for free field trips to places like the vet, the post office, a restaurant, & a bakery. Use the Internet, book sales and even second-hand shops (like I do!) to find bargains and tools to equip your kids for a mindset of learning through every life experience. Isn't that, after all,  one of our goals as parents?
 
Above all, trust in the Lord. His mandate to believing parents is clearly set out in Deuteronomy 11:18-21. Trust Him to enable you and your husband to do all that is needed to train your little ones up in the way of the Lord.
 
Blessings to you!!
 
Betsy, Homeschooling mom of 4 (1st gr, 5th gr, 7th gr & a high schooler)
 
How I Downsized The Cost. . . .
Wow! What an incredible opportunity to confirm what God wants you to do! How about
doing a 1 month unit study on the country farm you just moved to? Have the older
kids do research on the plants, animals, trees, etc. on your property and surrounding
area. Have the little one's draw pictures of what they see around them. If you have a
large area, split it into a grid, draw maps, pictures, and make a scrapbook of your
new location. 
								~Kim
 
I know lots of Christian, homeschooling mothers who do not purchase any curriculum
at all and who do not attempt to micro-manage their many children. I suggest
reading Mary Hood's books, especially The Relaxed Homeschooler and The Joyful
Homeschooler.  She is a veteran homeschooler and a Christian who explains in logical
terms why homeschooling families do not need to purchase expensive curriculums or
ask their children to conform to a rigid daily schedule. The biggest expense with her
approach is books, most of which you can find in the library or cheap on Amazon. God bless!
								~Laura
3Moms.com offers the Curriculum-Fair In-A-Box. That might be an excellent way to
both test homeschooling, and to check different companies' products.  

I have homeschooled using Switched on Schoolhouse.  The program does most of the
planning of when to teach what, the teaching and the grading, and you can use it as
a base to work from and add additional projects, field trips, or reading for more in
depth learning. 
								~Martha

I went to a homeschool convention 2 years ago and for 2 kids, on NEW books, we spent 
$200-$300. You could spend about that much or less if you are able to borrow from a 
friend, buy used books, or buy workbooks at Sam's Club or Wal-Mart.  For younger "READ 
AND READ SOME MORE!!!" there are tons of websites that help you reinforce 
what you've read to your children, and you can do fun things to "act out" what 
you've read to make stories come alive. The libraries are free, and you can 
read a lot of books for no cost!! Homeschooling CAN be expensive, but it wasn't for me.

We can't afford expensive! I hope this helped, and you can glean a hint of help from it.
								~Misty


There are many excellent resources online for free or for a small subscription fee. 
We also use the library for all our science, history, and geography projects and reports. 
That $1100 you spend on hot lunches can buy a lot of books--not just text books, but 
also good "living books" as Charlotte Mason calls them.
 
As for the summer trial, I think I'd maybe do a unit study-perhaps a project that can
encompass all areas of study. Ancient Greece comes to mind. There are history, 
literature, language, science, art, and the list goes on.
								~Carol
 
My husband was unsure as well when we began our homeschooling adventure. I was 
not a Christian when we decided to homeschool but the Lord used that decision to draw
me and my family to Him. I joined our local homeschool support group and was drawn 
into the lives of some very Godly women. What I saw in them prompted me to ask what
was different about these women. I surrendered my heart to the Lord about 3 months 
after beginning homeschool. My husband is now 100% supportive of our decision while he
was trepidatious in the beginning. I think the change in me is at least one of the things 
that changed my husband's heart. He has also begun attending church with us and is 
beginning to re-dedicate his life to the Lord. 
Maybe your husband would agree to homeschooling on a trial basis.  That is how I
started. I pulled my oldest out of Kindergarten mid year and assured my husband we
would see how it goes a little at a time.  Last year, my husband wouldn't even admit
to people that we homeschooled and now I hear him tell people it's been the best
decision.  Now he's asking me what we do about a high school diploma and
transcripts.  He's such a planner, she's in first grade!  Praise the Lord, hearts
and minds can be changed!
								~Jenifer
 
Homeschool Resources

                            Steward's Homeschool Unit Studies Guide Everything You Need to Know About Homeschool Unit Studies by Jennifer Steward shows how to simplify teaching using living books and notebooks. Her book is very user friendly as she speaks "mom to mom" and explains how to work through academic subjects using connecting activities, reading aloud using lots of great books, scheduling your unit study day, teaching multi-level and much, much more. Subjects once thought to be dull like geography and history come to life! Soon your children will be following you around bubbling over with enthusiasm for learning about God's world. And it's easy. Read it and see for yourself!

 
Unit Study Resources
Go Outside and Play After a long winter, wouldn't you love to have someone tell YOU to go outside and PLAY?

Well, that's exactly what we are advising, and take along this unit study set to make the next eight weeks memorable AND fun.

This exclusive set includes the Gardens and Oceans Unit Studies from Amanda Bennett.

Go Outside and Play!  features two complete unit studies that will make school fun for all. The Gardens Unit Study requires no additional materials or preparation, and the Oceans Unit Study is packed full of adventure on the high seas and learning fun for your little mariner. Both resources are included in Go Outside and Play! for the low price of $19.90 PLUS free shipping when you order from The Old Schoolhouse Store. 
 
To view all the unit studies available click here.
Thank you for your encouraging words and helpful advice. All of the letters you sent us were also sent to Mashell to encourage her as she moves forward with her homeschooling plans. Please feel free to email us  with your own homeschooling questions. Remember when you email us you are giving us your permission to post your question or use it in a future newsletter.
 
Sincerely,
Paul and Gena Suarez, Publishers
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine