Parent to Parent Workshop

 “While You Were Sleeping”

Are you aware of the issues plaguing our government schools?

Are you a concerned parent or citizen who would like to better understand these issues and know how to counter them?

Would you like to know your educational options?
(There are more out there than you may realize!)

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then this workshop is for you!

Parents and families will be informed about the current state of our schools as well as be empowered with educational options to best meet the needs of their children. 

This workshop is excellent for grandparents, too!

Choose from any of the times below.
(Same material will be presented at each workshop.)

Thursday, July 21- 5 pm

Friday, July 22 - 10 am

Friday, August 12 - 10 am

Thursday, August 18 - 6:30 pm

Sunday, August 21 - 2 pm

This workshop is in Fort Worth. 

Contact me to

 RSVP for the day you've selected and 

to receive the location information.

Reclaiming Our Children's Education

The Lord put it on my heart back in 2016 to be a resource to students and families who are considering homeschooling for their children's education. I re-read my first post (simply titled "Welcome") when I created this blog and as I read the three points listed in that post, it really struck me how the call I felt back then is exactly the same I still feel today. I was surprised that this is still my focus and my passion even after so much time as passed.

So I thought I'd start by first posting those three points again and then will give a bit of clarification on a couple points. I think it helps to know where my heart lies before I start sharing information and ideas about homeschooling.

Here are the points from that original blog post:

• Help guide and educate families on the wealth of educational opportunities (other than public school*) that are out there, specifically in the Dallas / Fort Worth area.
  
  
• To share what I've learned over the years from being in both public school and now having been a home educator for 4+ years (updated: now that's 9+ years!).
  
  
• Share my story with as many families as I can. I tolerated and even worked in a broken system for years in hopes of change. I finally came to the realization that the system will not change but families can**. 

*It may sound like I'm omitting public school as an option for parents and families and that's not my intent here. Let me clarify. Public school is an option for families but many families already have a knowledge of their local public schools and the educational and extracurricular opportunities they offer. So, my time and focus is spent on those educational opportunities you may not know about - those like co-ops, university model schools, Thomas Jefferson Education, classical education, support groups, field trip groups, homeschool classes, traveling homeschool groups, and so much more!

**Families can change. By this I mean that families can change their ideas of what education is and what education is supposed to look like. When I taught in public school, education looked like desks in rows (kids trying to sit still and listen), kids reading textbooks and working on either worksheets or workbooks, walking in lines to and from other classes, classes grouped by age categories and, me, as their teacher trying to impart some knowledge from my mind (based on the curriculum guides) to the students. This type of educational model is not effective and it does not foster a love of learning. That's where the freedom and benefits of homeschooling come in! But it starts with a change in the family's definition of education and realizing up front that education at home will not look anything like that in a traditional school setting (and that's a great thing!).

There are a few foundational ideas that we, as parents and families, would do well to claim and believe once again. (This is the start of the change in our thinking that I mentioned earlier.)

1. You have choices in your child's education.
   If what you try one year doesn't work, try something else. Do not feel obligated to stick with a system just because that's what you're used to or what you feel you're supposed to do. Change it up! You have a choice.
   
   
2. As the parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher.
   No one can take the place of being your child's advocate in their education no matter what educational environment you choose to put your child in (public school, charter school, private school, etc.). Parents MUST be involved and any school that is not supportive of parents and 100% transparent with them is not a school you want to be involved in. I was sharing this idea with a friend and they said, "If I was going to have to be THAT involved, I'd just homeschool my children." She made my point for me. We need to have this mindset that we HAVE TO be involved and be in constant communication with the school.
   
   Personally, I was that parent. I was very involved when my kids were in public school and, unfortunately, for us it wasn't enough. (Read our story here.)
   
   
3. Homeschooling is not about you having to impart some knowledge from your brain to your child's brain. Homeschooling is about learning TOGETHER. When I don't have the answers, we look it up together. We learn together. I didn't know how to teach calculus but guess what? I can either learn it with my daughter, find a tutor or enroll her in a homeschool class. Together we find the resources so we can learn how to learn. I don't have to have all the knowledge in the world. I just have to be willing to find it with and for my child.
   
   
4. You are not alone on this journey.
   Don't try to do it all by yourself. That's a sure-fire way to burn yourself out and guarantee you'll throw in the towel on homeschooling. Life is not meant to be lived in isolation and neither is homeschooling. We need a group willing to go through it with us. That's why co-ops, play groups, homeschool groups and clubs are so important. 
   
   
5. Re-imagine what education can look like.
   Don't set up your living room with desks in rows and workbooks on the shelf. Homeschooling allows for much more freedom, creativity and uniqueness than that. It's a hard mold to break, I know. I'm a product of public school and I taught in public school for 6 years and it took me years of homeschooling to break out of this mindset. Education, to me, now looks like: field trips to the nature center, doing nature drawings, staying up late to look at the stars through a telescope in the night sky, going to an event to see an eclipse (I did this with my kids), reading books out loud as a family, writing pen pal letters to far-away friends, listening to books on audio, discussing great books, putting on plays, playing music and so much more!

Now on to the resources and educational options! That's why you've read down this far in this post, isn't it? I've created a Database of Resources page and if you'd like, you can jump in and take a look at all the different options out there (the different options I've compiled at least). **Please note: all resources are Christ centered and most are in the Fort Worth or surrounding areas unless otherwise noted.

However, it might be best to take a short inventory of your families' wants and needs that will help whittle down the options. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• Does my schedule allow for the kids to be home a couple days during the week? If I'm not available, is there a friend, family member, or grandparent who can help out a couple days during the week? If so, the options below might be a good fit for you.
  
  
• University model school: In this model, students attend class two or three days a week (depending on the program) and then they do the work at home on the other days. Your in charge of helping them with their work at home. Examples: Christian Life Prepatory School, Legacy Christian Academy, The Oaks Tutorials, Coram Deo Academy (Collin County, Dallas, Flower Mound) and Pinnacle Christian School, Mosaic Academ, Matthew Road Academy, and an online university model option - Christian Cottage Prep. For high school, Worldview Studies is an excellent program that meets once a week.
  
  
• Co-ops: Co-ops generally meet once-a-week and each participating parent usually teaches a class (class topics and ages vary). Examples: WACHE (Westside Area Christian Home Educators), LIFT Schoolhouse, Arlington Liber Academy, Gracewood Academy, Northpoint Christian Academy
  
  
• Another option is Classical Conversations. This option has a reasonable tuition cost and they are more structured than most co-ops. They offer a full pre-set curriculum that parents follow and most CC communities meet once-a-week. The student follows their guide at home and it spells out the work they need to complete each day. They pay their class instructors / mentors. The CC model is very clear that parents are their child's first and most important teacher. Many parents sign up to teach the classes to help offset the tuition cost. They give you all the curriculum, training and guidance.
  
  
• Do I need at least a 4 days-a-week schooling option? Is there a friend, family member or grandparent that I can ask to help out one day a week? If so, these options may work for you:
• Cooper Christian Academy is in Crowley and they meet Monday through Thursday. Cost is very reasonable.
• Pinnacle Christian Academy
• Legacy Christian Academy of Granbury (they offer up to 4 days a week; Tuesday through Friday)
  
  
• Do I simply want to outsource a few classes or enrich my homeschooling with extracurricular activities? These options may be just the fit! These options can very easily become 2 to 4 days a week worth of schooling, too!
  
  
• Center for Home Education: In addition to offering classes for PreK - high school, they also support for homeschooling parents and have an onsite cafe / bookstore.
• Travis Academy of Fine Arts and Science Etc. - both offer a wide variety of classes.

Please reach out to me if you need help, suggestions or just want guidance in this search. I want to be a resource to you and your family!

I hope you can hear my heart for your family and children! Each child is so unique and their education should be as well. We personally found out that a one-size-fits-all idea of school did not work for us and it's because of what we went through and learned that I want to share, encourage, support and resource families who are just venturing out and dipping their toes into this amazing adventure of home educating!

Here's to reclaiming our children's education!

High School Speech Club is Coming!

High School Students:

Overcome your fear of speaking in public!

Build confidence through interactive (and fun!) speaking opportunities in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Register Here

You'll have several speaking opportunities during the year (Ice Breaker, Object Speech, Impromptu, Table Topics Questions, MC, Evaluator, etc.). You will also take part in various activities to help you conquer your fear of speaking in front of a group and build confidence as you do!

When: We will meet for four classes in the fall and four classes in the spring from 7 pm until 8:30 pm.

Fall:

October 6

October 20

November 17

December 15

Spring: January 26 February 23 March 23 April 27

Where: West Fort Worth (contact me directly for location address)

Cost: $80 for the year ($40 for each semester; payment due at the time of registration)

Contact: support@nexusfamilyministries.com or beckc@rocketmail.com

Get signed up today!

REGISTER HERE

High School Christian Worldview Class is Coming!

This class will give high school students a deeper understanding on how biblical principles apply to all areas of life. Beginning with an evaluation of the student's worldview, instructors will guide and teach what the Bible has to say about such issues as theology, philosophy, politics, law, economics, history and more. Students will have the opportunity to discuss current event topics to practice evaluating the worldviews of modern culture and develop their own ideas based on the Word of God. This will give them confidence in defending their faith.

Target Student Ages: 
High School
14 - 18 year olds

Location:
West Fort Worth
(contact me directly for location address)

We will have an online option available (via Webex) for out of town students (a link will also be given to any student who primarily attends in person but is out due to illness).

Day / Time:

Two Tuesdays each month (Sept - Dec)
1 pm until 3 pm
See schedule below.

Course Cost:
$120 per semester ($15 per class)
8 classes in the fall and 8 classes in the spring

Required Text:
Thinking Like a Christian by Dr. David Noebel. A used copy will suffice. The accompanying CD-ROM is not required for this class. (A used copy should be around $20 or less.)

Coursework:
Students will be expected to read the assigned chapter from the book prior to attending each class.
They may also be asked to bring in an article on a current cultural topic.
 

What to Bring to Class:
Bible
Notebook (or loose leaf paper)
Pen

Fall 2020 Schedule	Spring 2021 Schedule
September 15	January 5
September 22	January 19
October 13	February 2
October 27	February 16
November 10	March 2
November 17	March 9
December 1	March 23
December 15	April 6

Ready to Register?

Follow these easy steps:

• Fill out the Registration Form (Google Form) here.
  
  
• The instructor will contact you directly for payment. Fall payment ($120) is due prior to the first class on September 15. Payment options: check or PayPal.
  
  
• Purchase the book Thinking Like a Christian by Dr. David Noebel. A used copy will suffice. The accompanying CD-ROM is not required for this class. (A used copy should be around $20 or less.) Your student will need to read Chapter 1 prior to class on September 15.

Meet Your Instructors

Paul Carby

Paul Carby has spent over eleven years in youth and college ministry. The Texas native spent his school years in Mississippi and eventually Alabama where he and his wife, Sammi, welcomed their daughter Cate in 2009. Prior to attending seminary, Paul pursued a major in Poetry and Film at the University of Southern Mississippi before moving to Fort Worth in 2015 to finish a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in Philosophy and Apologetics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently working on a Ph.D in Philosophy (minor Patristics) at SWBTS, with his research in the works of Boethius on Divine Timelessness. Paul has a desire and calling to enter into an academic setting to teach and equip Christians to engage worldviews and defend their faith in real and practical ways. He now serves on staff at Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth as the Minister to College and Young Adults and director of the Trellis Collegiate Ministry. When he has free time, Paul enjoys archery, writing, discussing philosophy and comics and playing board games with his family.

Mr. Carby will be teaching the fall classes.

-------------------------------

Christi Beck

Christi Beck is a graduate of Texas Christian University where she received her degree in Education. She is a certified teacher in Texas who taught in the public school system for six years before staying home to raise her family and home educate her two children. In May of 2020, Christi received her commissioning as a Colson Fellow, an intensive 10 month Christian worldview training program. Her goal is to help educate students and families in understanding what a Christian worldview is and how we, as Christians, need to live it out in all areas of our lives.

Mrs. Beck will be teaching the worldview topics of biology, psychology, ethics and sociology.

------------------------

Jeff Kurland

Jeff Kurland is a licensed CPA and earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota. He is currently the Director of Research Finance at Cook Children’s Hospital. While at the University of MN, he participated with a campus Christian ministry to disciple and train students, including internationals, in the Word of God and in a Christian worldview. As a home-educator, Jeff and his wife are lead-learners and influencers to their active and joyful children.

Mr. Kurland will be teaching the worldview topics of law, politics, and economics.

Testimony from Past Family 

After class my daughter would share with me what she learned and then couldn't wait to speak with her father when he made it home concerning the class. In her speech class she picked the topic of apologetics to discuss and this class was just the icing on the cake. Mr. Carby was able to engage the kids in an in-depth conversation about the Lord and other topics that pulled the teens into the study. Kayla is often quiet in class but he was able to make her comfortable enough to communicate her views. I like that he would ask them to bring an actual Bible to class instead of just using their phones. This approach teaches them to find scripture and learn where the books of the Bible are. She already had some knowledge about the Bible but this class took her faith to another level. If you want your teen to have a deeper understanding of the scripture and real life topics, I would advise you to join this class.

Danielle Hudson

Unsure About the 2020 - 2021 School Year?

We are living in such a different world right now ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. When schools closed, parents were thrown into the world of helping finish out their child's school year from home. Whereas many people said they were now homeschooling, I called it 'crisis schooling' and it's WAY harder than actual homeschooling. Trust me.

It was hard enough on me and my family when we chose to leave public school to home educate, but the thought of having to figure it out in the span of a couple weeks (some only a couple of days) must have seemed very daunting and overwhelming for many families, teachers and staff. My hats go off to all these parents!

School is just now finishing up for many students (whew!) but now families are already faced with the question about what school will look like in the fall. Based on a variety of articles (like this one from WFAA) and the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control, school will not look like school any more I'm afraid. (See the Texas Education Agency's ideas in this Powerpoint presentation for the upcoming school year calendar.)

When I first read the CDC's recommendations, about the 2020 - 2021 school year, my heart sank both for the teachers and the students. How can schools implement such recommendations without completely changing what makes school, school?

I remember the school days of eating lunch with my friends in the cafeteria, playing outside at recess, playing dodge ball in PE, talking in the hall with friends around my locker, being in classes with different people and having a variety of different teachers. According to their recommendations, none of those things can happen. Maybe it will only be for a year but the likelihood of it ever going back 'to the way it was' is very slim.

This image I found on Facebook sums up what the CDC is recommending:

This type of environment may seem "safe", depending on your definition of the word, but is this really a healthy learning environment for our children?

Now more than ever, families need to know they have choices in how educate their children in a healthy and individualized way. And, it may look very different (but in a good way!) than what you think.

When I first starting teaching public school, I thought the only choices in education were private school or public school. Then when public school didn't work out for us (you can read our full story here) and we couldn't afford private school, I realized there had to be other options. And guess what? There are! There are a ton of options! And, you as the parent get to find the option that best fits your child. It's an individualized education just for them. 

Does it take some work? Yes! Does it take creativity and 'outside the box' thinking to make it work? Yes! It is all worth it and so are your kids!

I've come up with a few suggestions if you're interested in at least dipping your toe in to see what's out there:

• There are a lot of myths out there about homeschooling (like homeschoolers don't socialize, they don't learn as much as public school children, they don't go to college, parents are qualified to teach, etc.). I encourage you to do research about the facts of homeschooling and don't buy into these myths. A short but informative article that addresses some of these myths can be found here.
  
  Another article that I thought was insightful helps us realize that the 'crisis schooling' that many parents have had to do is not the same as homeschooling. It's actually much more difficult. Read the article here.
• Read the book So You're Thinking About Homeschooling Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It by Lisa Whelchel. This book was a huge help for me to see that homeschooling takes on many different shapes and forms. She tells of families who travel and learn together, of a family who schools in the evening when the parents get home (the kids are with their grandparents during the day), some families that educate by attending their local co-op, etc.
• Read The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool by David and Kim d'Escoto. This is a quick and easy read written by a former public school teacher on the benefits that homeschooling has on the mind, body and soul.
• Look through the Database of Resources I've put together. Don't spend too much time there yet. I just want you to get a feel that there are a lot of places (online and in-person) where you can get support and find encouragement if you choose to school in a different way.
• Ask me questions! I'd be happy to help you and talk with you as you decide what educational path will work best for you and your children.

Just so you know: I do not receive any type of compensation for the book recommendations. These books are just ones that have helped me over the years and think they would be beneficial for you, too.

I hope that no matter what educational path you choose, you feel you had a choice in the matter. And, just because you chose one way this year, doesn't mean you are stuck with it forever. Every year of our homeschooling looked and felt different because my children were different, their needs were growing and changing so our education matched where they were each year.

Best wishes to you and your family on your educational journey!

-Christi

Back to Home

We are back to our studies once again looking forward to a fun year of learning, exploring, discussing, pondering and discovering! It's hard to believe that this will be our 5th year homeschooling and sometimes I feel like I have it figured out but more often than not, I feel like I don't. 

Do you ever feel that way? I think one thing this year that is different for me from the previous years is the realization that I don't have to be perfect, have the "perfect" curriculum (by the way, it doesn't exist), have the "perfect" schedule or anything else - I just need God's grace and His direction and trust that "He's got this!" I need to wake up every day and get my "marching orders" from Him. And that sometimes the distractions of our day (or things I think are distractions) are just what was planned all along. I've known this in my head for years but I've finally let it sink into my heart.

A book that has helped me come to this realization is called Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie. I started this book earlier this summer and this handy little book has helped me SO much! Whether you're new to home school or have been homeschooling for years, this is a must-read book. Mackenzie gives so much insight and truth about why we are homeschooling (raising Christ followers), who we are living and homeschooling for (Christ alone), and how we can do all that from a state of rest (Yes! It is possible with God).

So, every morning I seek Him. Every morning I surrender my plans, my agenda, my "to do" list to Him. Some days I cross off items on my list, some days (actually many days), I don't. Many days there are distractions and that's OK. I'm resting in His plan. His direction. 

So, we are back to home once again. Embarking on a new year of learning, growing and seeking. I know we'll have set backs and troubles along the way but with and through Christ we are going to have the best "Back to Home" year yet!

I wish you all the best on your Back to Home journeys! And, if you would like to start your own Back to Home educational journey, there are a ton of resources on my Database of Resources page to help get you started. It's the most rewarding, challenging and beneficial journey you'll ever take! 

Home School Benefits - Sharing My Faith

Even though sharing and teaching my faith with my children wasn't my main reason for homeschooling when we started, it sure has become my main reason for keeping them home. 

I'm thrilled with so many resources that incorporate Biblical truths into our studies - everything from our math to our history to our science curriculum and more. It was so refreshing when we were studying ancient Egypt history that the stories from the Bible were included (like Moses leading the people out of Egypt). 

I attended public school and growing up it seemed to me that I had two different sides of myself - the one at school and the one at home/church. Not that I led two completely different lives, mind you, but I learned the Bible at church and all the other subjects at school. Never did the two worlds truly meet. How sad.

Now I feel like I can share with my children the wonders all around them and discuss together how all subjects are created by our Creator God. I feel like we can live it out and talk about God in all areas of our life and learning.

I love the scripture verses from Deuteronomy 6:6-8 that say, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

And, being at home with the kids, we do just that. The hours of time that I can "impress them on my children" at home is invaluable. I just think of the many hours of time that would be lost if they were away every day, all day at any other school. What a blessing to have them home so I can share my faith and beliefs with them - 24/7!

Happy homeschooling,
Christi

Welcome!

Welcome to Education Resources DFW! I started this blog as a resource for families in the Dallas / Fort Worth who are looking for alternative ideas to public schooling.

Not only do I list a ton of resources on the "Database of Resources" tab, I'm also here as a resource to support you on your family's educational journey. 

A public school teacher turned homeschooling mom and advocate - that's me. 

I was a public school teacher. My kids were in the public school. I could not have imagined the freedom and flexibility we found in homeschooling! My only regret is that we didn't homeschool from the start.

It might help to read about our family's educational journey on the "My Story" section of this blog.

My Calling is To:

• Help guide and educate families on the wealth of educational opportunities (other than public school) that are out there, specifically in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and specifically about homeschooling.
  
• To share what I've learned over the years from both being in the public school and now having been a home educator for 4+ years.
  
• Share my story with as many families as I can. I tolerated and even worked in a broken system for years in hopes of change. I finally came to the realization that the system will not change but families can.

You have a choice in your child's education. Don't just accept the notion that public school is all there is.

There's a whole host of support and resources out there awaiting you and your family! And, I hope I am one of them.

It's time to take back the education of our children!


Email me, leave a comment, let me know if I can help direct your family to the education option that works best for you. 

If you have additional resources you'd like to see added to the database list, please contact me.

Here's to a new direction in education for your children!

-Christi

You Have Choices in the Education of Your Children

My kids were in part-time childcare when they were in preschool. We loved our little school - such loving and caring teachers and staff, a great big outdoor area for the kids to explore, lots of hands-on learning and creativity, and it was Christ based with God's word being taught. We couldn't have been happier.

I had always had in my head that once those few years were over, my kids would be attending public school. I had mistakenly thought that public school would be similar to the childcare center they were enjoying. (Boy was I wrong.) The plan was for me to go back to teaching wherever they attended. So, I asked a few friends where their kids attended and if they would recommend any schools in the area. I did very little research into the schools in my area but never really investigated all my options (and I have since learned that there are a lot of them out there).

As I look back, I realize I never took the time to really investigate ALL my education options out there (I honestly didn't even know I had options). I just looked at schools. I focused mainly on public schools in my area never realizing there were so many more options available to me and my family. And, any time a friend recommended a private school, I blew it off knowing that the cost would be too much (without diving deeper to find if financial aid was available).

Now I'm wondering, how many other parents approach the school years the same way? We make a short, quick attempt to find out the "best" schools in the district or the "best" districts in our area but never really uncover ALL our choices. Did you know you have a choice? A ton of choices, actually.

Just a Couple Thoughts to Consider: 

• Be open to a new way of thinking about education. Don't simply enroll your children in public school because that's "just the way it's always been". And the argument, "I attended public school and I turned out ok." has no weight here. Public school nowadays and the issues families are experiencing is no where near what it was when I was in school in the 80's and early 90's.
  
  
• Consider your definition of "education". How do you define it? What does "education" look like to you? How about "learning"? Is "learning" the same thing as "education"? We, as parents, need to define these terms and then line up our definition with the education option that fits best.
  
  
• You owe it to yourself and your family to really investigate all your options.
  
  
• If you try something for a year (or sometimes even for a semester) and it doesn't seem to be a good fit for your family, try something else. Don't just suffer through it. You are not locked into one education option. This applies to whether you're not pleased with your public school and would like to switch to something else or whether you are home educating and you'd like to change curriculum or any other education choices you're trying to make.

Here are the choices I'm covering in today's post:

• Home Educating (even under the 'home educating' umbrella are a whole host of different education options)
• Public school at home
• Private schools
• Charter schools

Home Educating
By far, my number one recommended option is to home educate. Now, let me make the point clear - being "at home" doesn't actually mean you have to be at home, solely with your children all day every day, teaching all the subjects yourself. Far from it! 

There are many wonderful resources that you can turn to for curriculum ideas, support groups, and classes. Our family is a part of several home school groups in our area and through the field trips, parties, sports activities, support groups and different clubs, we have a rich education. Beyond what I ever thought was possible when I first brought my kids home.

Resources:

• Center for Home Education in Watuaga
  If I had to pick just one place on my list of resources to recommend, the Center for Home Education is it!
  
  They offer classes, a bookstore full of curriculum and other home educating resources, a coffee shop, kids and teen events, summer camps, theater productions, family support groups and more!
  
  Both my kids have taken classes and summer camps at CHE and loved it. My son even took a dissection class there as well as a General Science class (they did a ton of experiments). Science is not my favorite subject so taking the classes at CHE was great!
  
  If you have questions about homeschooling in general, they are more than happy to help. CHE was (and still is) my "go to" place when we first started and I am so grateful for their guidance.

• University Model Schools
  Want a two-day or three-day a week program? That's where university model schools fit in. Students attend the program and then complete the teacher-prepared assignments on the other days at home under the guidance of the parent or sometimes even grandparents.
  
  The National Ministry Dedicated to University Model Schools and Families has an entire directory of schools listed by state. See what your state has to offer.
  
  Mosaic Academy is a private part-time school for home educators and many of our friends attend there and love it.
  
• Additional Options
  Be sure to take a list of the part-time and full-time class options on the Database of Resources page for even more options to fit your family. Even if you work full-time, there are places to meet your needs.
  

Many parents think that since they work full-time, they can't home educate. That is simply not true. One family I recently heard about at a conference I attended had a college-aged friend who was with the kids during the day and the parents did the schooling with the children at night. One of the speakers at the same conference is a work-from-home single mom who home schools her 4 children. If you have grandparents willing to help out, ask them. With so many options, there's sure to be a fit for you and your family.

It can be done!

Public School at Home

If you are unsure about home educating yourself, you can always give public school at home a try. This is how we started our 'at home' journey. 

We chose the Texas Virtual Academy / K12 program. All the books and curriculum were shipped directly to me, my son did his work and then logged in the time online. He had an online teacher and online classes he was required to attend.

Even though you don't get a choice about the curriculum, being at home gave us flexibility and freedom. Flexibility about when my son completed his work (and what order) and freedom for us to continue to teach our faith alongside his academics.

A few drawbacks: 

• It was difficult for me to have two kids in public school online. Each child had their own set of textbooks, topics, tests, and online classes to attend and all I did all day long was flip flop between the two of them. I was doing so much work yet I had no choice in what they were learning, when they were learning it or how they were learning it.
  
• Students still need to take the state required test (STAR test).
  
• No choice in curriculum and schedule. Textbooks are dry and boring and it was hard to really go deeper into any topics simply because we had to keep up with the schedule and check things off the list every day.

Because of these reasons, after a year of doing public school online, we decided to take the plunge and home educate 100%. Now, we get to choose which topics we want to learn more about and which topics we just read about and move on. We have the flexibility to travel when we'd like, take classes when and where we like, and set our own schedule that works for our family.

Private Schools

There are so many private schools in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Many of them provide scholarships and financial assistance. When I first started looking at school options, I dismissed many private schools based on cost alone and didn't consider asking about financial assistance.

One school I'd like to make mention of is Wedgwood Academy. They are a non-profit school for children with learning differences and ADHD (and, may I add, they are way more affordable than I'd originally thought). Had I known about them sooner, we might have made this choice for my son.

Do a search for private schools in your area and make some phone calls. You might be surprised what you find!

Charter Schools

Charter schools seem to be popping up quite a bit these days and I was curious about how they operate. In her book, They're Your Kids by Mrs. Sam Sorbo, charter schools are called the "Trojan Horse" of school reform. She continues:

"But looking more closely at the charter system, we see the government handing out money to people (that charter's board) who have no standard of accountability. Currently they'rs no requirement for elected boards for charter schools. That's called taxation without representation."

Charter schools are still also bound to state testing.

As with any option you choose, do your homework. Ask lots of questions. If you're currently considering a charter school, ask about funding and who is on the school board (and how were they selected to be on the board).

Because of the close similarities with public schooling, I felt this wasn't a good option for our family.

I hope today's post, if nothing else, has helped you to see the variety of choices open to you and your family! Public school isn't the only option any more! Thank goodness for choices!!

Happy Homeschooling,

Christi

Are You OK With That? Question #2 - Common Core

Being a Christian in a non-Christian institution is just the tip of the iceberg of problems that families face when it comes to public schools. Common Core, standardized testing, worksheets, political agendas - these all play into the lives of the children in public schools as well. (And, I haven't even touched on a whole host of other issues that face our children as they get older such as teen pregnancy, sex, drugs, peer pressure, etc.)

But, I digress. Today's "Are You OK With That?" question is about Common Core.

What is Common Core? According to her book, They're Your Kids, Mrs. Sam Sorbo defines it this way: "Common Core is the name of the new standard, and although proponents insist it is not a curriculum, it imposes conformity on curricula while promising improved learning and more standardized materials."

Mrs. Sam Sorbo also goes on to relate some interesting facts about Common Core:

• It was primarily designed by non-educators.
• It's the biggest overhaul of the education system ever.
• Forty-five states adopted it before it was written because of the money promised by the federal Race to the Top funding program. The standards were not tested first because it was adopted before they were even written.
  
  Would you pay a contractor before he completes the work you've hired him to do? What about paying him before he even submits a bid? That's just nonsense.
• Common Core also involves changing the way in which topics are taught.
  
  Mrs. Sorbo goes on to share in her book that, "Common Core insists on teaching young children very complicated ways to solve multiplication problems that older generations performed with the simpler standard algorithm." My friend shared her son's math paper on Facebook asking for someone to help her figure out the problems. I wish I could say that I was able to help her but I couldn't figure it out myself.
• With Common Core's expected level of standardization, students who move from one community to another may expect the same education - the same subjects, covering the same materials, taught the same way. 
  
  Is all this "sameness" a good thing? Just think about it. Do all kids learn at the same rate at the same time in the same way? I should think not.

Follow the Money Trail:

I recently read an article titled "When Education is All About the Money, Not the Kids" and it confirmed for me that Common Core is all about corporations making money. Follow the money trail and you'll find the real reason behind why states adopted this program before it was even published. The states were not only promised federal money (aka our tax dollars), the corporations selling the materials were making tons of money - a "$9 billion dollar revenue stream" according to the article. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was one of Common Core's key financier. They have "millions of dollars at stake in Common Core testing technology and computers".

The article also mentioned an undercover video where journalist James O'Keefe interviews a prominent publishing executive from Houghton-Mifflin who claims to "hate kids" and declaring that Common Core to be a moneymaking scheme.

This is the actual video that was published in January 2016:

James O'Keefe was also interviewed on the Alex Jones Channel. He brings up very points that all of us, as parents, need to be aware of.

I bring up these "Are You OK with That?" questions simply because families need to be informed. I know they are hard to answer because I really struggled with all these issues when we decided to take my own children out of public schools. Answering these questions may also leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure about what your choices are when it comes to your children's education. 

What Can YOU Do?
That's where I come in! You have MANY choices and you can find support, direction and encouragement throughout your education journey (it's not only your child's journey, it's yours as the parent, as well and that's exciting!).

I've begun the "Database of Resources" section of my blog to help you get started. Think outside the box a bit and realize that learning doesn't always happen 8 am until 3 pm Monday through Friday. I know of one homeschooling family whose children stay with a friend during the day since both parents work and then they school in the evening. I've also met a single mom who works from home and is homeschooling her 4 boys. There are many Christian private university model schools where the children attend two or three days a week and then they complete the work at home with the parent, friend or family member.

It's not so much what you know. It's what you're willing to do on behalf of your child. 

• Be informed.
• Research your educational options and choices.
• Be open to new ways of thinking about learning. 
• Choose a better education for your children (whether that be home school, private school, university model schools, and everything in between!)
• You can do it!

If you'd like to know more about Common Core and what you can do to stop it, read more on the Home School Legal Defense website here.

Your desire for change must be greater than your desire to stay the same. ~Unknown

Happy Homeschooling,
-Christi

Home School Benefits - Socialization

"What about socialization?" This is by far the #1 question I get asked by well-meaning parents when I tell them that we home school.

I think this question comes from simply not knowing what life is like for a homeschooling family. The word "homeschooling" has the connotation that we are home all day, every day. However, between church activities, home school PE classes, horseback riding lessons, time with friends, YMCA sports and other activities, we are out and about "socializing" with a wide variety of people. Many of the families that we get together with have many children of all ages and my kids learn how to get along with the toddler, the teenager and their parents. 

I also ask these parents to consider this question: "When in your life are you only surrounded by people your same age?" That usually gets a response of "Hmm. Good point." It's true. When you're at work, are you only surrounded by people your same age? Why, then, has socialization come to mean being surrounded by your same-age classmates?

I want to share a couple experiences that I think will bring home the point.

I was with my children at the Apple Store one afternoon trying to get my phone repaired. The kids asked if they could hang out over by the headphones while I was getting my phone issue taken care of and I told them they could. After about 15 minutes, my phone issue was complete and I started to make my way over to the headphones section. There was my son, talking to an adult and I stood back, watched and listened in to what was going on. I heard the woman say, "You're hired! Thank you so much for helping me."

At that point, I walked up and asked what he was hired for and she promptly told me how helpful my son was to help get her phone synced with the wireless headphones. She went on to say that he was very polite and well spoken and she recommended that he get a job at Apple. He was 12 at the time.

Now, I guess some might think that my son is simply outgoing and just naturally talks to people. That might be part of it. However, if he wasn't given the opportunity to be around a variety of adults (and people of all ages) on a consistent basis, I don't think he would be as willing and open to just strike up a conversation with someone or ask if they needed help.

Another experience was during our home school PE class. 

Our PE classes include children of all ages from 4-year-olds to 17-year-olds. The group does the warm-up and cool-down part of the class together. During the activity time, they are divided up in to two groups: "olders" and "youngers". My daughter is technically in the "olders" group. However, she loves to play and help with the younger group. So now, she helps lead the younger kids group and loves it. She's getting her workout for sure and she's getting an education in socializing with younger kids. I love that!

If she were in public school, would she be able to work with the younger kids during their PE time? Maybe, but highly unlikely.

According to Oliver DeMille, author of A Thomas Jefferson Education, "The actual curriculum of the public school system is about 75% social and 25% skills." So, it's no wonder that I get that question quite often. 

Let's consider the same question but at a deeper level.  DeMille offers this definition of socialization (page 28): "The highest level of socialization, the ideal, means the ability to effectively work with people of all backgrounds, stations, and positions, of really caring about them and being able to build and maintain long term, nurturing relationships." 

That's the definition I want to work and live by. How can that be accomplished when children are grouped by age and they spend all day in an environment run by adults that require respect and unfailing obedience?

This past Saturday, I attended the first Tarrant County Home School Symposium and one of the presentations, "Home School Myths Busted, given by Tricia Rosas addressed socialization. She began to list all the ways that as homeschoolers we socialize our children:

• Sports (horseback riding, gymnastics and football in our house!)
• Logic Clubs
• American Heritage Girls
• PE classes
• Home school co-ops
• Church activities
• Boy Scouts
• Horseback riding lessons
• Volunteering in the community
• Chess clubs
• Lego clubs
• Choirs
• Theater 
• Music lessons
• Field trips
• Time with family and friends
• Vacations
• And so much more!

I'm sure I'll still be asked many times "So what about socialization?" and I'm OK with that. I see it as an opportunity to share my stories and talk about all that homeschooling has to offer our family with socializing just being one of the many benefits.

If I can raise Christian communicators and leaders by achieving the goal that DeMille writes about (page 30), then I will feel our home school has been a success!

"Homeschool is natural to socializing future leaders who don't feel compelled to follow the crowd or bend to social pressure, but who do feel at ease with others and work well in society."

Happy Homeschooling!
-Christi