Once Ty and I definitely decided to change course with our homeschooling curriculum, I felt the burden of the decision lift from my shoulders, only to have another burden fall into its place. The burden of deciding where to go next. I spent many late nights scouring catalogs, websites, and my own bookshelves searching for the key that would unlock next year’s homeschool.
In my search, I became intrigued by a classical curriculum that did a wonderful job of framing discussions from a Biblical point of view; however it had cons…why are there always cons…
Classical homeschooling has always appealed to me. The chronological order, the reading of living books, the intellectually meaty discussions…all so beautiful. But, this curriculum had another side. A side our family has chosen to avoid. The side that allows for nudity in the form of art and fantasy in the form of witchcraft.
Now, I know I kind of threw that incredibly hot topic out there in the middle of everything and proper etiquette would require that I now expound on it, but I’m not going to. This post isn’t about the specifics, it’s about the big picture.
Late one night, after hours of pouring over sample pages and catalogs, weighing the pros and cons of everything I was reading, I decided to rest my weary brain from it all. As I slipped into the bitterly cold sheets of my side of the bed, next to a husband who had been there for hours, I begged God to make it crystal clear what we should do. Could the pros of the classical curriculum outweigh the cons? Could I find a way to avoid those topics which oppose our family’s worldview? What was the answer?
I asked.
The next morning, it was given.
Blake and I were sitting in the living room the next morning discussing homeschooling for next year as I was anxious to introduce him to some of the things I had been mulling over. In our usual conversational tone, I told him of the things I saw potential in as well as the things I was concerned about, when suddenly, he stopped me and said,
Mom, I don’t think those things are good.
And my heart and mind became quiet.
I looked him straight in the eye and asked him to tell me more.
I listened as he told me about a book he had seen in the library. He said he saw one page of inappropriate things, but figured it was just one page and he would avoid it. So, he brought it home. However, once home, he found there were more pages he had not seen in that one glance at the library. The book had to be taken back. But the damage was done.
My answer came from the profound and discerning thoughts of a 13 year old boy.
Ask.
It shall be given.
And so we move on.
{I wanted to publicly thank all of you who have been so understanding as well as those of you who are offering suggestions. Even if it is not something I go with, I know other readers are interested in what you have to say! Thank you!}
Billie Jean says
We do our homeschooling through Christian Liberty Academy – both for the curriculumn selection (Christian Viewpoint as well as chosen based on the child’s testing scores) and that they keep all the records and issue report cards so when we’re ready to apply to college, we have someone we were accountable to.
http://www.homeschools.org/index.html
Just a thought. Good Luck!
Sara says
Hi there! So our curriculum has not been working for me either….for different reasons. I just feel that it is sort of babyish. I’ve looked at many other kinds of curriculum, but I’d have to buy a large mix of things to actually get JUST what I want to teach. So hubby and I decided just yesterday, actually, that I’ll just make my own this year. I’ve got 6 months to make up the lesson plans for all of next year, and I’m actually REALLY excited!!! 😀
It is so wonderful to see that you are sticking to your heart on this one! 😀 I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for you!!! :D–S
Amy says
I really hope you will check out http://www.heartofdakota.com I’m not sure if you already have but it sounds like it is much more what you would want. Very Christ centered, charlotte masony. We have used it from the begining and I think the guides keep getting better and better. She truly has came out with a new guide each year so it will grow with your family.
Amy says
Checking it out tonight with my husband. 🙂
Jennifer says
My favorite curriculum for “Christ-centered” and “intellectually meaty” is the Noah Plan, from FACE (Foundation for Christian Education). I’m not sure it would be considered classical, but it is biblically conservative. What a blessing that your son is showing such wisdom at an early age!
Ann says
I have to say Heart of Dakota! She just announced she will be writing guides for high school also. This curriculum is “Christ-centered”. I never worry about something inappropriate being in the books. It is very easy to use, just open the book and go!
Hillary says
I know just what you mean about the ‘other’ side of classical curriculum. There are things we just should not allow into our homes/children’s lives. This line drawn will look different for each family, but we need to know where it is and not cross it. 🙂 For a Charlotte Mason approach, geared toward multiple learners of various ages, I love Simply Charlotte Mason. If I could buy and use whatever I wanted, that would be it. Since I have essentially no budget–whatever I can skim from the grocery money–I use what I can borrow or buy used/cheap. We have been using Mystery of History and Apologia Elem. Science–with a lot of library books. My eldest is only 4th grade level, so this works-for now. We haven’t finished a history cycle/rotation yet, so I still don’t know if I want to do a 4yr or 6 yr cycle. Our state requirements are very easy to work with, so my only consideration is letting my children dig in as deep as they want while still moving forward.
HTH…someone. 😀
Michelle says
Another vote for Heart of Dakota! Carrie the author is also a homeschooling mama like us, and she is very discerning about the types of literature that she chooses for her programs.
The programs are so easy to use, and I have seen much spiritual ‘fruit’ from my kids when we used HOD. They also have a great message board ( which Carrie frequents) so if you have any questions you can ask her personally.
Erica Miller says
I like My Father’s World. They also just came out with high school curriculum. I have tried Heart of Dakota as well and it’s similar to MFW.
Angie says
I second a Charlotte Mason style education, although there are many wonderful options out there. Ambleside Online is a FREE curriculum designed by moms who believe in this kind of education. The emphasis is on exploring God’s creation, reading living books to learn the different subjects and on encouraging a love of beauty in the fine arts (music, art, poetry, etc). AO also has several active Yahoo groups that offer wonderful support for using the curriculum… Best wishes on your journey!
Tonya says
Thanks for posting your journey here. I just quit homeschooling this week. Sort of. 🙂 I don’t want to send my kids to school, but school was becoming a total PAIN. After a few days of reflection, I realize that it really was just the curriculum we were using! We were using My Father’s World. Which I LOVE. BUT, we were using one of the years that is geared for 4th-8th graders. I have 3 that are younger than that and attempting to read for an hour to an hour and a half, out loud, with 3 kids not really into it (and some days 4), was driving me absolutely crazy. So we are going to have to start looking around again. We’ve used Sonlight, My Father’s World, classical/eclectic mix … So I’m thrilled you are getting suggestions here!!! 🙂
Amy Y says
Check out Weaver by AOP. Very similar to My Father’s World. It begins with the Bible and “weaves” the rest of the subjects through that lesson. It can be used for 1st-6th then up through HS with supplements. I love how you can easily make the lessons fit your family’s needs.
Suanna says
Good to know what your son thought about it. Glad to know that you mentioned it to him and he has a strong background to say that it’s not in the best interest of the family. Praise God!
Danielle says
I know that everyone has some suggestion to offer, but instead of giving any advice on what curriculum you should use (especially since I’m just a newbie at this!) I just wanted to encourage you to not get in a hurry in deciding.
Maybe this is a time period that God wants you to be waiting. Perhaps no amount of extra hours spent searching will reveal the answer you want, only the right time frame that God has seen fit to provide. And maybe this is a time for prayer and fasting.
It’s easy to focus on prayer, but when there’s a pivotal point in our lives, such as this time in your family’s educational and spiritual life, it usually takes both prayer and fasting together to clear the “spiritual air” enough to hear God’s voice. Maybe reading through Mark 9 will help a little.
I know you’re nursing, so a true no-food-at-all fast may not be feasible, but you could still do a liquid only fast or maybe just give up something that means a lot to you for whatever time frame God lays on your heart.
I really hope this doesn’t come across wrong- I don’t mean it judgemental or “holier than thou” at all. I just know from some recent struggles in my own life that I only heard God’s answer and direction when I added fasting into my prayer life.
Anyway, I love your blog and your encouraging spirit, and I will be lifting in you prayer everytime you come to my mind. May God’s answer and purpose be clearly revealed to you as you continue to be faithful.
Amy says
Thank you, Danielle. I absolutely understand where you are coming from. 🙂
Kristen says
Thank you so much for sharing! We moved away from a curriculum because I felt more and more compelled to keep the focus on academics and Christ and not introduce worldy aspects we just weren’t sure of.
Not a curriculum, but Steve and Teri Maxwell’s Mangers of Their Schools (http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1110) brought me great peace and wisdom on choosing how to homeschool. Our school year this year has been incredibly fruitful and a great blessing after using some of the suggestions from the book. I recently felt the Lord prompting me to read through it again and pulled even more wisdom, which I wasn’t quite ready for last year 🙂
Peace to you as you together choose a new course for the family homeschool!
Amy says
Thank you for mentioning that book, Kristen! I’ve never read that particular one, but what I have read from the Maxwells has been spiritually sound advice. I’ll have to check that one out.
Grateful for Grace says
Am I the first to suggest this:
Write you own and market it. I think there is a market. A big one. Almost every blogger I frequently visit shares the same concerns you have (and I have), but we can’t find a fit without tons of work every year. I’m not really a big fan of tons of work every year just planning the school year, when I feel like I’m already working hard to just carry out the school year. KWIM?
So… you in?
It just needs to be ready by August. 😉
Amy says
Thanks for the laugh! 😉
Justine says
I know you are being inundated with suggestions, and I am just going to add to the flood. I admire that you are doing what is right for your family and the longer I do this the more I realize that each family is unique. It does not pay to do what is right for someone else unless it is truly right for you also. Therefore my biggest suggestion is just to pray and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (which you are obviously doing).
I do have two curriculum thoughts for you. I believe you mentioned that you were only using Sonlight for history. Truthquest History is WONDERFUL if you are comfortable doing some picking and choosing of books. You can use it with all ages. It is essentially a huge book list with commentary. The commentary is definitely from a Biblical world view. You pick and choose your books from the list (or just use what is available in your library) and read her commentary and discuss. That’s it. I love it.
http://www.truthquesthistory.com/
The other idea I thought you might be interested in from a “saturate them with the Word” perspective is Robin Sampson’s Heart of Wisdom. I have not used these personally (they are not a good fit for us right now) but I am VERY impressed by her outlook and philosophy.
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/
I admire you listening to and dialoguing with your son. That is wonderful and something I am getting better at.
Thank you!
Jenae says
Hi Amy, you may have already made your decision by now, but in case you haven’t I just wanted to add another recommendation for Heart of Dakota. We’ve been using it for two years now, and it’s simply wonderful! It’s truly an open and go curriculum so there is no planning involved…such a time saver for busy moms! I hope you can check it out!
Prudence Promise says
As a grandmother, I enjoy your blog! Your posts and the comments that follow give me greater insight into what my children face as they make their schooling choices for their families. Thank you!
Michelle W. says
I just left a lengthy review of Mystery of History on your blog post from Mar 30, 2011 (“Why We Are Changing Course”). It may be of benefit to the readers of this post.
Jamie ~ Alabama says
New to your blog… Was doing a Google search for classical christian education and your linked popped up. I have been doing the same thing like you for the past 2 days. Trying to decide which way to go for 1st grade. I have not read all of the comments so this may be already been given to you but I am looking at Veritas Press – http://www.VeritasPress.com.
Jamie ~ Alabama says
Me again… I did not finish my comment before I hit send. Just wanted to say that your post is a blessing to me. We have used Sonlight for 3 years now (those 1st 3 preschool + kindergarten cores) and my heart has been reluctant to jump into that 1st grade core for the exact same reason. I am not sure of the ages of your babies but I feel your heart on this and please know that I will be praying for your family as you make this decision.
Amy says
Thank you, Jamie. 🙂
Gretchen says
Hi! I am just looking into Classical Conversations and wondering if you have used that program and what your thoughts are about it. Thanks! Gretchen
Amy says
No, I’m sorry I have not.
Ruth More says
I wanted to encourage you to revisit classical education. My family is part of a Classical Conversations community where we combine biblical worldview and classical tools. Classical Conversations is a mission to know God and to make Him known.