Abriana says...

"Jesus will heal my big big bleeding boo boo."

Why We Homeschool

Monday we go for our first home school evaluation. Growing up, I was a big perfectionist with my grades, so, I am hoping my first grader will get all A’s. Homeschool joke—they don’t give a grade at evaluations. We’ve been homeschooling for a year-and-a-half now, and, believe me, I’m no expert. I do not have a handle on all the methods, philosophies and curriculum choices out there. But what I have discovered is that I need to know why we are homeschooling. I need something to go back to on days when my 2-year-old is yelling the ABCs over and over, my 5-year-old suddenly knows the sounds the letters make but not their names, and my 7-year-old is adding like she sustained a concussion in the night. For what it’s worth, I present to you 5 important reasons the Sagar family is homeschooling (It was a top 10 list, but for the sake of space I will save the other 5 reasons for another time). Maybe it will help others on those “down” days.

Reason number one: Homeschooling is simple and flexible. Mornings are more peaceful and relaxed, and chores can actually get done and the violin practiced. We can eat eggs and make a fort before school. We can go help friends who need it or visit a nursing home. We can flip-flop our schedule and go ice skating in the morning and do more structured learning in the afternoon. I love this flexibility.

Reason number two: Homeschooling allows our children to develop a worldview based on truth. If they are besieged with social pressures before they have even developed a worldview (a way of making sense of the world), then they are forced to make snap decisions that they are not ready for. How do I treat this person? What are possible results of this decision? How does this fit with my goals? These are things we want to build into them using a solid, truth-based foundation, as we protect them from too much peer pressure too early. Education, worldview and character are wrapped up together—the Bible says to teach your children “when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut. 11:19).

Reason number three: Homeschooling gives us as parents greater control over what our kids learn, and when. There are plenty of “classics” and quality materials available without having to compromise our values or our children’s “innocent years.” I remember being terrified and sickened while reading the short story “The Lottery” in 5^th grade. I was a sensitive kid, and the story was too violent for me.

Reason number four: We feel we can give our kids the best education at home. Private, customized tutoring. One-on-one attention (student/teacher ratio of 3:1). The best books (Thank you, Licking County and surrounding libraries!).  Excellent musical theory from their musician dad. Relevant field trips. In-depth learning. We can tailor our kids’ education to their interests, learning styles, and maturity level, while relying on plenty of wholesome “living” books written by people passionate about a subject, not just dry textbooks. We want them to love learning, and be lifelong learners, not go through the motions for the grade or the test.

This brings me to my next reason, number five: Homeschooling is efficient. As schools are considering adding more and more hours to the day and days to the year, know that increased “allocated school time” does not automatically translate into an increase in “academic learning time.” According to a 2007 study, “a great deal of classroom time is lost to startup routines, unnecessary interruptions, test preparation and poor classroom management” (“On the Clock,” www.educationsector.org). This is no one’s fault in particular—there are just too many kids and too many learning styles and honestly, a lot of distractions for the kids. It is amazing how quickly I can teach a concept to my children in the ease and comfort of our own home, or as we go about simple errands or volunteering. There are many avenues for natural learning as we live our lives, bake in the kitchen, and shop at the store.

Don’t get me wrong—our kids still fight and some days seem like we are (unintentionally) reenacting the Battle of Waterloo, and I am Napoleon (Haha, another homeschool joke). But although homeschooling takes commitment and patience, we wouldn’t trade it for anything, not even all A’s for our first grader. Besides, we already gave her all A’s.

Additional links:  The Article  |  Comments  |  Other Article by Bekah

Glasses For Charlie

Charlie slipped on his first (and maybe last) pair of prescription glasses today. The doctor said that he was a bit more farsighted than the "normal" farsightedness that children experience - and that its likely that he will grow out of it. He picked out the orange and black frames himself, and looks rather dashing in them.

Valentine's Day - Family Meal

We may be starting a new tradition with our family for Valentine's Day.  The plan is to simply prepare a wonderful Sagar-style meal (roast, potatoes, veggies, etc.) and spend the evening, the five of us, enjoying and blessing one another in the candlelight and by the fireside.

Otter Creek Wilderness

A fun-filled time in the Otter Creek Wilderness with the boys - for this years pseudo-winter backpacking trip.

Harlem Gospel Choir

And yet, another concert.  Front row seats at the Rife Center (downtown Columbus) for the Harlem Gospel Choir.  It's awesome to have the opportunity to see professional musicians such as these.  (Not to mention the Napolean Dynamite-like dancer from the audience, who made it on stage...   oh!  if the video camera had just been charged...)

GTLO

Bekah and I saw the legendary "Get The Led Out," a tribute band to the legendary "Led Zepplin," here in Newark at the Midland Theatre.  Wow!  What a good show.

Christmas Party

We enjoyed a fun-filled evening with the Shannons and Dishons (11 kiddos including ours) at our house for a Christmas party of sorts.  It was a chili feast - after which the kids performed their version of The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker

What fun! Charlie and Clarissa got to see BalletMet's "The Nutcracker" with us at the Ohio Theatre for the first time.  What joy - to see the wonder and fancination on their faces.

Candlelight Tour

Chilly, but super-fun night at the Granville Candlight Walking Tour.  The Praise Team played under the tent and the kids got to visit with Santa.

Anniversary

Celebrated our 9th Anniversary!

High Adventure

Bekah just finished a weekend of high adventure outdoors with the SHBC Womens Adventure Group (WAG).

Tennessee Vacation

We just returned from a fun-filled Tennessee wedding/vacation. Bekah's cousin, Zack Crane, and his fiance, Shannon, were wed on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 in Jackson, TN. While in western Tennessee, our family, and many of the Cranes stayed in Chickasaw State Park. Then on Sunday, we traveled to eastern Tennessee for a several-day visit with the proud Crane parents (including a day in the Smoky Mountains). The kids got a lot of experience playing in lakes, rivers and streams. :)

Hot Summer Night - Concert on the Lawn

Our church had a 4th of July concert on the lawn and, indeed, it was a hot summer night. I was a lot of fun; fun to sing and play great music together. Bekah and I were blessed to be able to also share three songs that we had written. Happy 4th!

Robert's 40th Birthday

Thanks, everyone, for an awesome party celebrating Robert's 40th Birthday!! You did great job keeping the secret from the gray goat! It was a great time, and he appreciated all your birthday wishes. You all are a lot of fun! He did get to shoot off 3 rockets this evening, so he's content. But he's taking it easy after a big day, you know, he's not as young as he used to be. :)

First Broken Bone

It's official--Abriana has a broken first metatarsal in her foot. (She tripped and her foot folded under from the toes.) She'll have to wear a "boot" for 4 weeks (24-7 the 1st week), and then they will re-X-ray it. The doctor said it was a pretty big fracture, that she "must have gotten it good." Robert and I have never had a broken bone (nor have Clarissa or Charlie), so we are pretty surprised! Especially since she has had it the past 2 days with no swelling or bruising.

Homeschool Co-op Recital

Clarissa sang "Your Hands" by J.J. Heller at our co-op end-of-the-year recital, and I could barely listen or I would lose my place on the guitar. So sweet. Her first time singing into a microphone--whew! Charlie did a great job with his preschool choir too!!

Clarissa's New Kitty

As a reward for finishing Kindergarten, Clarissa got to pick out a pet for herself - with a little guidance from Mom and Dad. Her new kitty's name is Marli; a little, female tiger stripe. GREAT job Clarissa!!

Clarissa Wins Local Coloring Contest

A local bookstore, the Bookworm, held a coloring contest for their grand opening. Clarissa and Charlie both entered the contest, and Clarissa won for her age group! She will be awarded an Art Kit on May 7, 2011 at their grand opening day. Aaaaannndddd... when Bekah was in Kindergarten, SHE won a local coloring contest and was awarded an Art Kit!! (No lie.) AAANNNDDDD... both Clarissa and Bekah have hair like Kit Kittredge!!! (No lie.) ...Guess it runs in the family.

Midwest Homeschool Convention

Right about now, Bekah should be having a good ol' time at the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati - one of the largest homeschool events in the country. (This also marks the first time that all three kiddos have spent an entire day being watched and cared for by someone other than us.)