It is no surprise to me that many modern homesteading families also make the decision to home school.  We have the do-it-yourself spirit.  We strive to live self-sufficiently, which also includes educating our own children. 

We know that our ancestors, who grew up with the responsibilities of collecting eggs, weeding the garden, and milking the family cow, grew up to be men and women in every sense of the word.  They were competent.  They were responsible.  They knew the keys to survival.

Living on a modern homestead is not much different.  As a family, we strive to grow our own organic produce.  We raise our own pastured eggs and chickens.  We milk dairy goats.  Homesteading provides ample opportunities to learn invaluable skills.  It is only natural for my children to stay home and learn 24-7.

My husband and I made the decision to home school our children eight years ago.  We now have five children ranging from the ages of 14 to 2.  We have four very energetic boys and one precious daughter.  A family of seven living on one income is not always easy.  There are times when we have to tighten our belts, especially in these tough economic times. 

 Home schooling does not have to be an expensive endeavor.  You do not need a brand new computer, the latest book releases, or shelves of textbooks.  

 We study the Bible together as a family.  I read classic literature to my children.  Each older child reads great literature on his/her reading level.  They also copy passages of poetry or Bible verses for handwriting practice.  I then dictate the passages later in the week after the child has studied the spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

 We study nature using Creation Journals.  They are just inexpensive composition notebooks.  We include drawings of what we observe seasonally in nature.  We include any information that we have learned about the particular subject.  In addition, we copy any verse or stanza that pertains to the drawing in our neatest handwriting. 

 Often our Creation Journal acts as a springboard into deeper research and/or study.  The library is a great resource.  Once a week I take my children to the local library.  I allow them to check out as many books as they want.  If we have been observing deer in the woods, then they will usually want a few books about deer.  We read them and discuss what new information we have learned.  Then I encourage my children to include this information in their journals. 

 My children have many interests, which include cooking, art, playing musical instruments, and horses.  My husband and I try our hardest to provide opportunities to further their knowledge in these areas.  My oldest son and daughter are completely competent in the kitchen at the ages of 14 and 11 respectively.  I trained and taught them in the art of cooking as we prepared meals together. 

 My 9 year old son has an unparalleled passion for horses.  He watches Clinton Anderson from Downunder Horsemanship train both horses and riders.  He applies what he learns from Mr. Anderson on his own horse.  Most of his friends are older.  They all share an interest in horses.  Therefore, they teach him.  He also likes to share his knowledge and write.  He owns and writes for his own website, Cross Creek Horsemanship.

My husband and I consider all of these activities an important part of their education.  Our children love to learn because they have the freedom to explore their own delights and interests.  As a homeschooling family, we completely enjoy this freedom. 

 Many parents, who are considering educating their children at home, are concerned that they are not qualified.  Even though I was once a certified public school teacher, I ask, “Why would you not be qualified?”  You love your children more than anyone else.  You know your children better than anyone else.  God put them in your life for a reason, and with Him all things are possible. 

 The best thing that a parent can do is keep learning.  Read books for yourself.  Write essays about what you learned.  Study and learn to do something new.  Discuss your newly acquired knowledge with your children.  They will see your passion.  They will watch you grow.  They will want to emulate you.  You are their role model.  Be a good one. 

 The biggest concern most people have has to do with socialization.  How are your children going to learn how to behave with other people?  Will they be able to communicate and work well with others?  Regardless of where your children are, they learn how to behave by what and who is in their environment. 

 Most homesteading families know a thing or two about chickens.  Chicks today are usually purchased from a hatchery.  They are no longer raised by hens.  As a result, many adult hens have lost their ability to mother.  Environment has altered what some would consider an innate skill. 

 Therefore if you want to raise chicks to be good hens, then you allow the hens to raise the chicks.  Similarly, raising baby chicks with only other baby chicks produces very few hens that will become broody and mother properly.  A home-schooling mother once said that “if God wanted children to grow up with only children of a similar age, then He would have given us litters.”  I think that this is an astute observation.

 From the beginning of my journey into motherhood, I knew that I wanted to raise godly men and women.  I did not want to raise overgrown, irresponsible boys and girls.  Therefore, my husband and I wanted our children to spend time around godly men and women.  We want them to have good, responsible role models. 

 When a group of children get together, it is common to see the different ages split up.  The older ones have nothing to do with the younger.  It is completely different when a group of home-schooled children meet.  All the children play together.  The older ones include the younger ones in their play.  It is something to see. 

 One could easy argue that home-schooled children are therefore better socialized.  However, my intent is not to pit public school versus home school.  I strongly believe in one’s freedom of choice.  You can choose either road.  In these times, the road less traveled leads to an education at home. 

 With five children, I would be lying through my teeth if I said that my children always got along.  They don’t.  In tight quarters and sharing bedrooms, our children get cross and annoyed with their siblings.  It is only natural. 

 However it is also evident that because they spend so much time together, they are really getting to know each other.  They take care of each other.  My heart soars when I see one of my older children stop to read to a younger one.  I am just as proud when I see an older child stop what they are doing to correct a little one’s wrong behavior.  Raising a houseful of children who truly love one another is a by-product of homeschooling that I did not expect. 

 My family loves our lifestyle.  We enjoy living on our homestead.  We also enjoy the freedom that comes with homeschooling our children.  If you are considering educating your children, pray about it.  Then check with your state for its rules and regulations.  Next, educate yourself about homeschooling.  My two favorite books on the subject are: The Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola and The Heart of Wisdom by Robin Sampson.  You might want to check out my “Top Ten Reasons I Home School.”

 To home school or not is a question that many homesteading families are facing today.  It is possible.  It is natural.  As rewarding as raising your own food is, home schooling your children is exponentially more rewarding.  After all, you are raising the leaders of the future.  You are affecting the lives of your future grandchildren by raising capable, intelligent, and responsible children of your own.  Home-schooling is a choice that can potentially change the course of the future.  In the meantime, your sense of accomplishment is absolutely indescribable.  I promise.

Tags: Creation Journals, home school on the homestead, home schooling, homeschooling on a dime, inexpensive homeschooling, Karen Andreola, reasons to home school, Robin Sampson, socialization, the road less traveled

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 at 12:33 pm and is filed under Homeschooling, Homesteading. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.