Homeschool is extremely popular now. So popular that I believe I can readily state all children in the USA are presently being schooled at home! But back in 1989, when I began homeschooling, its widespread popularity was not the case. My husband and I opened Cherith Christian School, using the Calvert School curriculum, during a time when many families were actively partitioning our state legislatures in order to obtain state approval for legal homeschooling under the Department of Non-Public Education. We, fellow homemeschoolers, considered ourselves pioneers in this movement and we very much needed each other. It was wonderful and new, and we took it all very seriously. Most of us felt called by God to teach our children at home, to educate them in all core subjects. To me this was a source of strength providing the greatest level of needed grace as I undertook this task of schooling my children. I knew the Lord would provide for me to do this tremendous job and He would be my help. He never failed me. I have seen many changes in homeschooling over the years. It is highly acceptable in my state and the opportunities are wide and deep for any family who desires to homeschool their children for any reason. Added to that I must say all homeschools look differently and the opportunities, helps, and resources are continually expanding.
Our homeschool philosophy has always been one that is Christian and Biblically based. The foundation is the Holy Scriptures from which everything stems from and is founded upon in our home. The main methods used to teach all subjects are a close combination of classical and Charlotte Mason. The years prior to eighth grade no written grades are given, other than pass, master or needs more work and since our state requires that each homeschooling student take a standardized test every year that provides a good measure. My goal has always been for my children to love to learn and realize education is lifelong. By having grades recorded, but not counted, in the eighth grade my student would learned what was required for future transcripts, graduation and college admission. When the student reached high school, ninth through twelfth grade, a transcript was kept of all courses studied and a grade issued for each course on a comparative grade scale. I also keep a notebook for each year noting the course descriptions, materials and texts used, and with pockets of all papers written and tests taken.
Charlotte is now finishing her eleventh grade year. When we were preparing for her coursework back last summer we looked carefully at what she was interested in and what might complement what she intended to pursue in college.
English/Literature- I do not mind teaching writing to my children, however, I have the wisdom to know that my children do so much better if I do not teach this subject. Since writing in high school is intertwined with literature for the most part, I hired an excellent experienced teacher(IEW certified, former homeschool teacher, Classical Conversation director) to come to my house every Friday morning from 9-10:30 to teach Charlotte. It was perfect!
Geometry- Teaching Textbooks
Anatomy- Apologia Advanced Biology
PE/Health- Dance(Classical Ballet training) and Running/biking for PE. I found a wonderful Health Class source here to be the framework for her health program.
Art survey/Music Survey-I wrote these courses, 1/2 semester for each subject. The art survey course included a brief overview of the history of art, every week at least one or two artists were studied and one piece from each artist analyzed. We also visited our State Art Museum recognizing the various period movements in western art. She was required to keep a notebook with a timeline for a grade including a fun project of creating a "Living Art" display of one of the studied artist's works. The music survey course involved studying a modern composer each week. She listened to several pieces of music and wrote a brief biography on each composer. Her final grade came from this notebook and a test that involved listening and recognizing the musical pieces. We also attended several symphony concerts during the year.
Fine Arts- Music is big in our house, and it plays a very important part in Charlotte's education. She takes weekly private lessons in both piano and violin. That means at least 45 minutes a day of practicing each instrument. She is also our church pianist which involves practicing the weekly music and sometimes special music. Her youth orchestra meets three hours a week for rehearsals with added concerts. All this time and practice deserves a credit hour.
American History- Using as a textbook, A Concise History of the American Republic and Memoria Press accompanying material, we began in the second half of this book with the Industrial Age working toward toward the present. I have found that we have covered Early American History in detail in the elementary and junior high years, I truly wanted her to have a more in depth study of modern US history. With the addition to the text and schoolbook, we watched Youtube and Khan Academy videos including a large arena of historical events.
Latin-This subject has been a regular part of our homeschool since the very beginning. She successfully completed all four forms of Memoria Press and Henle I and II by the first semester. She is done with Latin😊.
Charlotte chose a lovely painting of Berthe Morisot, The Mozart Sonata, for her "Living Art" display.
She engaged the help of her friend, Lydia, to be the cousin pianist while she was the artist's daughter, Julie, the violinist.
