Espino Family Homeschool

Finding that right fit for each child can be difficult and quite frankly, can take years.  Some of the kids have been quite easy to get settled in, while others need the constant jiggling, switching, and starting over. 

In our home, most of our children are strong in language but struggle with arithmetic.  While they may struggle, I find most of it is simply attitude and dislike for numbers.  Meanwhile, they score well on their assignments all the while kicking and screaming their way to the text or workbook.  

Lately, I have struggled with the idea that we force higher math education on our children when they may not ever use it.  Yet the basics found in pre-algebra are important for learning geometry.  

Let's face it, we force a lot on our children today and I have to wonder why.  Our children have likes and dislikes when it comes to what they put into their minds and I know from experience that most of those dreaded subjects are not retained.  If a child hates math, I can almost guarantee they will not go into a field that will require them to do math on a daily basis, or at least complex math like algebra, or trigonometry. The same is true for any other subject which brings me back to the question, why do we force subjects on our children?  Are we living our lives through them?  Are we forcing our ideals on them and not allowing them to learn as they need to or want to? I no longer believe in forcing children to learn things they don't need or enjoy, but I also don't believe in holding them back from those things they wish to learn.  

As the teacher, I also need to incorporate new concepts and ideas in order to offer them a chance to "taste" subjects like history or science, arts, music, etc..  In our homeschool, I don't put the focus on those subjects and allow them to move at their own pace.  Our history moves quite slowly because we only do it two times a week and because a lot of time we just plain, run out of time.  And that's okay!  Like I said, if a child love history, they will incorporate it in their personal reading and study time.  If a child loves science, they will look around them for things that interest them and ask questions, whether about plants, animals, or how things work.  It is our job to make sure they have those resources available IF they want them.  

So what do we do?  

Math and language are a must!  But how much of it is too much?  Very rarely do I use algebra in my life and I have only used geometry on occasion.  If I were to choose between the two, basic geometry is far more important than algebra.  With language arts, basic writing skills, grammar, spelling, and even vocabulary are of importance, but how important is it to write the perfect essay or research paper?  Can you imagine if every author in the world wrote their books the same style? 

BORING.  

I think perhaps the high school years are the most difficult, yet easy.  The child is old enough to lead him/herself through the lessons without much help from the teacher.  Yet, it is hard because you don't want to just settle with their education.  By this I mean you don't want to cheat them with just the basics when a world of learning can be opened up to them by providing other subjects and electives.  It is our job as parents to know what our children are interested in and do our best to offer that to them.  

That leads me to what we are doing this year.  

Alexandra - 9th year 

• Math - Horizon's Pre-Algebra, Ku-mon Geometry
• Language Arts - Abeka Themes in Literature
• Science - Apologia General Science
• History - The Good and The Beautiful - History 1 & 2
• Bible - Foundations Press: Foundations of Torah
• Typing 1 - adapted for visual disability
• Sexual Reproduction - The Good and The Beautiful

Abigail - 7th year

• Math - The Good and The Beautiful - Level 4 (followed by 5)
• Language Arts - The Good and The Beautiful - Level 5 (followed by 6)
• Science - Apologia Exploring Creation with Swimming Creatures
• History - The Good and The Beautiful - History 1 and 2
• Handwriting - The Good and The Beautiful
• Bible - Foundations Press: Foundations of Torah

Hannah - 5th year

• Math - The Good and The Beautiful - Level 4 (followed by 5)
• Language Arts - The Good and The Beautiful - Level 4
• Science - Apologia Exploring Creation with Land Animals
• History - The Good and The Beautiful - History 1 and 2
• Handwriting - The Good and The Beautiful
• Bible - Foundations Press: Foundations of Torah

Caleb - 3rd year

• Math - The Good and The Beautiful - Level 3
• Language Arts - The Good and The Beautiful - Level 3
• Science - Abeka - Enjoying God's World Level 2 
• Science - God's Design for Science - Life 
• History - The Good and The Beautiful - History 1 and 2
• Handwriting - The Good and The Beautiful

After the kids finish their books, they move onto the next book in line for them.  This means they are each at varying pages and lessons in their books.  It makes no sense to me that they have to miss out on some lessons simply because they have met a certain number of days of school.  

One of the things I really like about The Good and The Beautiful curriculum is there are 120 lessons, not the traditional 160-180.  This leaves more flexibility during the year.