*There is more time for teachable moments throughout the day.
A theological question might come up as we are walking outside for gym time, or a question about the importance of drinking milk at lunch may lead into a discussion into osteoporosis and it's causes.
*I get the best of my children's time, attention, and mood, not the left-overs.
*More time to spend with the kids just hanging out.
I would miss them so much when they went to school last year, and would be waiting until the time the bus would bring them back home.
*Healthy, home-cooked meals cooked to our family's preferences at each meal.
*No long, hot bus rides.
*No homework in the evenings.
Evenings are spent preparing and eating dinner together, playing a game or maybe watching a TV show before bed.
*Freedom to change the schedule during the day (end early to go swimming, or work through break because they are on a roll).
*Siblings get more time to spend together to play and to help each other with school work.
I've enjoyed watching my daughters teach the youngest his letters, numbers, shapes and colors.
*We are able to spend extra time covering something until it is mastered, instead of rushing on to the next thing.
*More time to focus on strengths such as art, or even baking or sewing.
The girls can choose their own subject matters for papers and projects-- things that they really care about. They can study extra about subjects that interest them.
*Freedom to change the school schedule throughout the year.
We take off school for trips for visas, vacations mid-semester, or even to pick up our vehicle in Dar! Then, we can choose to work through Easter without a break if we want, or spread out school evenly so we only have a few weeks off for "summer" without disrupting the flow of school.
*Seeing that look in their eyes when they learn to read or figure out a Math problem, and knowing you were the one to teach them.
*Knowing what they are doing, who they are spending time with and what they are learning throughout the day.
*Letting them sleep in until they wake up, and knowing they are fully rested.
*Leisurely breakfasts, with hot food, and time to relax and talk.
*Making sure subjects such as cursive and art are taught.
*The kids have friends of all ages-- and they see families as "units" and not "individuals", and they are friends with the whole family.
*Making time to play outside.
Usually they play at least two hours a day outside, one hour during "school time", and the rest after school.
*Teaching my kids things like knitting, rug hooking, embroidery, and baking.
*More free time for the kids to just play and use their imagination.
*They are able to have snacks and drinks at their desk while they work, and we have a snack between breakfast and lunch.
I'm still not sure how Katrina got through school last year without any snack breaks!
*They can listen to music or the audio Bible during school.
*I can test them orally (by talking about the subject matter to see what they understand), or look over their worksheets to see if they need more review or if they have mastered it.
We do take tests, but not as often.
*We are able to go as slowly or quickly as my child needs through a lesson or chapter.
*Spelling and math games online count as school time.
*We can spend time in school memorizing Scripture, doing devotions, and praying.
*Negative attitudes and wrong behaviors can be corrected as they occur.
*Less illness, they don't catch every flu and cold.
*They are learning instruments not taught at school (piano and guitar).
*Jonathan (Pre school) can play most of the time, and learn at his own pace.
*Incorporating therapy into school is easy and we can do it everyday (we've done vision therapy, and Audiblox a dyslexia therapy).
*The kids learn to self-monitor their studies and learning.
*Being able to choose the curriculum that our family thinks is the best for each subject and for each child.
*Learning to get along and live with each other 24/7-- working through conflicts, frustrations and communications problems TOGETHER and then coming out closer because of it.
We can practice grace and patience every day!
*Focusing on the End Game-- raising happy, self-motivated adults who are able to function on their own and who follow Christ's call in their lives.
*Learning along with them!
My mom, who homeschooled me for K and 1st, will attest that I didn't want to learn Phonics. I just memorized the words. I was very interested when I homeschooled my kids to learn how Phonics worked! I learn so much in Science, History, and Math that I forgot or never knew.
*Since Bill's office is in the house they get a lot of time with Dad too.
*Pets in school!
We just got a pet hedgehog, cute huh?
*Getting to read or study in bed during school.
*Not having to study something just because it's in the curriculum- having a choice to skip it or teach it differently.
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