Key #1 - Classics, Not Textbooks

The idea behind the first key, classics - not textbooks, is to expose a child to classic works in all fields. Oliver Demille stated:

'No one can deny the value of a great idea well-communicated. The inspiration, innovation and ingenuity inherent in great ideas elevate those who study them. Great ideas are most effectively learned directly from the greatest thinkers, historians, artists, philosophers and prophets, and their original works. Great works inspire greatness, just as mediocre or poor works usually inspire mediocre and poor achievement. The great accomplishments of humanity are the key to quality education. This first key means that in pursuit of a transformational education, in preference to second- or third-generation interpretations we study original sources—the intellectual and creative works of the world’s great thinkers, artists, scientists, etc., in the form they were produced (Demille, The Seven Keys of Great Teaching).'

The concept of classics, not textbooks was a critical component in our decision to homeschool. Having the opportunity to expose our children to greatness throughout the ages instead of the watered down, often times politically slanted version they were getting was tremendously exciting.

How will we be implementing this in our home?

Books, books and more books. Each aspect of our foundation will be literature based - even our math and science. For example, when Madi and I are studying Europe in geography this year, we will spend a great deal of time reading European age appropriate classics such as fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, or the magical stories of Hans Christan Anderson. As John explores the Northeastern United States we will spend time with The Courage of Sarah Noble, when he explores the Southwest we will spend time with Sing Down the Moon.

We will be exploring American History almost exclusively through classic children's literature as well as both the Childhood of Famous Americans series and The American Girl series. In math and science we will be exploring the lives of those who created the classics in those fields - Pythagoras, Newton, Einstein. (We're not quite ready to read their classic works yet!)

Classics certainly aren't limited to literature. There are fabulous, age appropriate resources to help explore the art and music of the masters, not to mention all of the great museums and concerts we have at our fingertips here.

This is probably the key that I am most excited to implement. Because, let's be honest here, my favorite thing in the world is to read to my children. And the thought of having the opportunity to put aside the textbooks and read classic children's literature to them even more, well, that is just down right lovely.

A Thomas Jefferson Education

In the early part of the year Corey and I found ourselves more and more disenchanted with what was happening in regards to our children's education. We had fought tooth and nail to get them into one of the best schools in the district, and yet some of the same problems we had encountered in our previous school were beginning to show again. We began to feel more and more unsettled. As we began to attempt to problem solve the various issues, homeschooling was not even a blip on our radar. We began looking at charter schools in the med center, we even met with an administrator and toured the school we thought would best meet the needs of our children. I was expecting/hoping to walk away thrilled at the prospect of my children attending that particular school. As much as we wanted to be, Corey and I just weren't. For all of it's accolades and ratings, it just didn't seem all that different from where our kids were. It certainly wasn't worth uprooting our entire family to a completely different part of town. I began meeting with the kids teachers again to try and work through some issues, but the unsettled feeling continued to grow.

I had heard through the grapevine that a woman I greatly admired in our ward was homeschooling her daughter, who happens to be John's age. One night I had the impression to find out more about what she was doing, more specifically the method she was using. She was very generous and went out of her way explain her methodology, Thomas Jefferson Education, which I was unfamiliar with. I asked her if I could borrow some of her literature on the subject. Within 24 hours I had read both of the books she had lent me. The best way I can describe the experience was that the material resonated with me. It just made sense. I knew, within a matter of days, that this was what my children needed. After much searching, we felt grounded and settled with our decision to bring our children home.

A Thomas Jefferson Education has many facets. Here I will be outlining those we have chosen to most closely follow. A Thomas Jefferson Education isn't a methodology in and of itself, it really is a series of principles that can be readily applied to almost any homeschool method. Over the next few days I will be writing about 'The Seven Keys of Teaching' found in a Thomas Jefferson Education (known as TJed) and how we will be applying them in our home.

Methodology

I have spent the last several months studying in-depth various homeschooling methods, trying to decide which would be most beneficial to my children. In the end, we have decided to use our own hybrid of sorts. We will be using a unique combination of the Classical Method, following Thomas Jefferson Education principles with a little Charlotte Mason mixed in. For those of you well versed in homeschooling methods, our hybrid may seem somewhat contradictory. However, the beauty of homeschooling is that you can tailor each individual child's education to what will best suit their needs.

We feel that our children need to have a solid foundation in the basics; reading, writing, grammar, math, logic, history, science and the arts (Classical Method). However, we also feel it is imperative that they experience self-directed, self-guided forays into areas that peak their curiosity (Thomas Jefferson Education). And just as essential for our children is daily, meaningful experiences in nature (Charlotte Mason). How will we meld these seemingly contradictory ideologies?

Each day our children will have learning in their foundational areas - assembling the tools in their tool box if you will. We feel that a strong foundation will enhance their ability to explore their own interests, they will have the tools in hand that will allow them to better understand what awakens their curiosity. Following our foundational time each day the children will be given structured time to follow their own interests. Whether this be John studying every creature from the Pleistocene age as he is want to do, or Madi studying various versions of Hansel and Gretel - it will be their choice, their interest. During this time I will be able to be used in whatever capacity they wish, functioning more as a mentor than a professor. Following our foundational time, structured time and lunch we will venture out into nature, exploring, experiencing and documenting in our nature journals.

We have, in a sense, created our own unique method. Lucky for you, you will get to see whether or not it works!

Welcome!

Where to begin...

First, let me welcome you on our expedition! We are happy that you have chosen to walk a mile or two with us. The terrain is uncertain. There are bound to be bumps, detours, and the occasional wrong turn along the way but, hopefully, a whole lot of fun as well!

The format for this blog will be a little different from our family blog. This blog will be both a way to share what we are doing and function as a sort of education journal for me. You will probably, over time, find more here then you ever wanted to know about the ins and outs of our days. Glean from it what you will, we're just glad you're interested in our new adventure.

And thus begins the who, what, where and how of our little academy. Welcome!