We started homeschooling in 1997 when our oldest child started Kindergarten at the age of 4. In 2000, we switched from traditional homeschooling to a Virtual Charter School. Last year (2005 - 2006) we returned to traditional homeschooling.
I have always been interested in the writings of Miss Charlotte Mason, a Victorian educator, regarding the principles of education. When we decided to leave the charter school, I began re-reading Miss Mason's works and realized that this language-based system would be an ideal fit for our family.
I was fortunate to find a web-site written by an advisory board of parents who follow Charlotte Mason's ideas for home education. They have put together lists of books and schedules that they have used and offered suggestions for incorporating Miss Mason's techniques into homeschools today. You may find more information about this at
2006-2007 School Year
BIG CHANGES for us this year! The kids are GOING TO SCHOOL for the first time in their lives! They will be attending the Warren County Christian School.
This is something we never thought would happen, but the Lord made it clear to us that this is what we're supposed to do at this point in our lives. Now that the idea has sunk in, we're all getting excited about it. : )
On the first day of school, I'll be 2 months from giving birth to #7 and can't imagine teaching 4 children, 3 grades while entertaining a 1 year old and a 3 year old and being just weeks away from birthing another! (While also keeping up with meals, housekeeping and farming!) We feel like the school is a good option and have several friends who are extremely happy having their children there and this will allow us to spend more quality time with the younger ones who often got left out while the others "did school".
We don't know if this is a temporary or permanent situation, but we are ever prayerful that God will make His will known to us and we will do what He asks of us.
