I’ve long struggled to define where I land on the homeschooling spectrum- Eclectic? Charlotte Mason-ish? Classical? On any given day I could fall more towards one or the other- and on other days, I’m the school of trying-not-to-pull-my-hair-out-ish. You would think that being a second-generation homeschooler would make it easier for me to parse out what it is for my children, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.

One thing I do understand is that I must live and teach in the now, but I must also look forward in my children’s education. Where are we headed and why? I will eventually be teaching six children over the period of twenty years or so- how are we to walk this path? What makes sense? What doesn’t? That easily weeds out some aspects and complicates others, which is perhaps why I find myself a blend of three approaches. I appreciate the lovely-ness of Charlotte Mason, particularly in the early years, inspiring these young minds to the beautiful, gracious, and lovely through living books, nature, artist, and composer study. I appreciate the eclectic approach simply because I have so many different learning needs within my family, and what has worked for one child has not worked for the others. I follow most closely to the Classical approach insofar as how I approach history, geography, science, and grammar/language learning, because it makes the most sense in the long term for my family, but it still doesn’t quite answer what our little learning academy looks like.

Yesterday I happened to read  Saint Paul and Christian Classical Education- and let me tell you, I feel like I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. His post has given me such meaty and good things to think about. It is an excellent read. He took as his source text Phillipians 4:8-9, which I’d venture to say we’ve all heard a dozen times and thought of on one level, but may not have thought to apply to education. His thesis lies in the idea of what it might look like if we were to apply those standards set forth by Paul to how we educate, and it is in his thesis that I find the answer to what it is that I want to set forth as feast for my children- the true, the noble, the just, the pure and lovely, the commendable, that which is worthy of praise.

I find it more and more impressed upon my heart as the adventuress and teacher of these little souls that I must first be willing to do that which I am calling on my students to listen and hear, see and do. Tucker highlights very well that Paul was only asking the Phillipians that which he had already taught them to do, what they had experienced through their relationship with Paul. It starts at the heart level- my own; and then my children. Am I making sure that I am starting at the heart level each day, and asking these questions as I move forward through the day, week, and year? Am I dwelling upon the good, the noble, the true? Am I seeking these things first within my own life? Am I exhibiting the self-control? Do they find me in prayer? Do they know how heavily I depend on the grace of my Lord? If those questions can’t be answered, what learning does happen is missing the zest and vibrance that only the God-pursuit can bring. There is knowledge, and there is wisdom. Which is it that I desire more for my children? Which do I desire more for myself? What will the first fruits be?

For me, it is not about how I homeschool, but why I homeschool.

I leave with this:

Finally, and this may be the most important, they saw. Paul presented himself as an example. He lived what he taught. Or better yet, he embodied the logos. The Gospel, the message, the content that Paul taught, handed over, and spoke, was also visible in his life and actions. Paul could rightly say, “look at me.” The best teachers embody the logos.

-Tucker, Satellite Saint, August 23, 2011