Starting Strong

Back to school. For many of us the desire for a return to structure competes with a deep fear of, "Can I really do this?" So many home schoolers begin the new year wondering if they are making the best choice for their children--or hopelessly failing them. The worst part is that we won't know which for about 20 years. By then it will be too late to fix it.

Is there a proven way to start strong? Yes.

Begin with a plan. Sounds simple--sure. But, too often it's a step we skip. As we troll the curriculum fairs, consult fellow home schoolers, and surf the web for ideas--we often go straight to trying to find the "right" curriculum. The one that will do it all for us. The one that replaces us with an expert.

You are the expert on your children. God made it so. When He designed you in your mother's womb, he included the elements you need to parent--disciple--train up the children He would send. Of course you're not perfect, but you are designed for this job. A curriculum can help you. It cannot replace you.

So . . .first, get on your knees and ask God, "Lord, what is Your plan for this year?" Take an afternoon of quiet to consult God on His goals for your children. It can help to create a chart listing each child's learning style, personality style, and personal desires. (Some great books to guide this effort are The Way They Learn and Different Children, Different Needs.) Once you regain an appreciation for each child and where he or she is right now, you can ask, "God, how do You want me to use this year to minister to the family as a whole and to each individual?"

For some children--this simply needs to be a year where reading skills are firmly established. Sure--you will throw in a little math and some hands-on experiments, but the reading must come and this is the year to do it. For others, their budding musical talent means hours of practice on the violin, a place in the local orchestra, and baseline academics on the side. Still others need a year of challenge as they pull all the subjects together to gain a holistic view of God's world. Each year is different. What is God's design for this year?

Develop a plan. What steps will it take to achieve the larger goals? Put those down.

Break your goals into specific steps that are both measurable and achievable. If math skills are a focus--you might focus on multiplication tables in the morning, word problems in the afternoon, and fun, math-oriented computer games each Friday. Measure progress by setting a timeline for achievement--multiplication facts up to 5's down pat by November 1. Achieving that goal means you have a plan that is working. Even if you don't--the timeline causes you to consider how the plan is going. Either, the plan is working but time expectations need adjustment, or you need a different approach to finish the year. Specific measuring points allow you to keep the larger goals in mind as the dayliness of life unfolds.

Once the plan is in place, it's easier to pick curriculum. You can compare curriculum options to find the best fit for overall goals. Even if you already have your curriculum--look at it with a focus on how it will serve your plan. Don't worry about doing every assignment the author lists. Rather, focus on how this material can serve the larger picture.

Put the plan into a schedule. For me--this step both discourages and ensures a more productive year. Once I start writing out when we will do what for each child, I tend to find I have about 15 hours of school to do each day. Then, I go back to the goals.

The first schedule typically includes "The Goals" plus whatever else my friends and the co-op are doing--just in case. I return to the goals God dictated for the year--and fit those into a workable schedule that also includes buffer. When I focus just on God's goals--the time works. Sometimes that includes the co-op classes as a huge tool in our endeavor. Other years, we are more on our own. Each year, however, fits when I focus on the guidance God has given in our time together. The plan for our family.

Since my husband's stroke, life has been amazingly hard. Schedules have given way to hospital trips, rehab, and a myriad of other appointments. Yet, in the middle of all this--I simply stuck to the plan God has given each fall for our schooling. Last year, I was amazed when in late-March my son brought his math book and noted, "Mom, I'm almost done." We have rarely finished the math books by June. How could this have happened? I looked at our science, language, and other subjects. By and large--all the kids were on track to be completely done by end of April. I had just kept plodding along on each subject without fully realizing how far we were going. Obviously, God was at work--multiplying the time, easing the load, accomplishing His plan.

Can we be sure of a strong start? Yes. Ask God for His plan for your year. Make your curriculum and your time serve His plan. He will not only guide you to minister to your children in all the ways they need--He will build fruit into every effort.

Tess Worrell writes and speaks to groups regarding issues of family life and living as a Godly woman. She and husband, Mike Worrell, live in Madison, Indiana, where they are in their 14th year of home schooling. She would love to hear your insights. Comment here or email her at tess@YourFamilyMatterstous.com. If you would like Tess to speak to your home school or church group, you can learn more about her speaking at YourFamilyMatterstous.com.