This
is part of a series on preparing to school at home.
The idea of taking a perfectly
innocent child and shaping them into whatever product I choose is a terrifying
and huge undertaking. To move forward
with that process without having a strong purpose or desired outcome is not
only irresponsible, it is damaging to the child and society as a whole.
Add
on the knowledge that each child was given a charge or divinely appointed
mission to fulfill while in this earth and their education is the preparation for
their success, and that whatever intelligence they obtain to in this life will
give them that much advantage in the next; it seems a perfectly daunting
task. So in understanding that the
public school system is producing and pursuing a goal contrary to my own, I’ve
had to look to other sources for guidance and direction.
Some
of those sources have been to look to the past.
Who, throughout time, had accomplished what I want for my child. The best model I’ve found is Leadership
Education as taught by Dr. Oliver DeMille (TJEd.org). This philosophy focuses on how leaders and/or
great men and women have become that way by the education they obtained. The principles and environments, the mentors
and influences, the phases and structure that were common among leaders are
completely different than our public school system so it produces a different
result.
With
the condition and direction our society is headed, preparing for a leader is
essential. However, leadership education
seems to be similar for all Greatness both good (Thomas Jefferson, Gandhi, Socrates)
and bad (Machiavelli, Karl Marx, John Dewey).
So along with learning how to be a great leader and a thinker, their
education has to include moral and spiritual training.
And what influence could be greater than
Jesus Christ himself and through the enlightenment that comes by responding to
his spirit.
One of my favorite sources for including the spirit is ‘Celestial Education’ by Michelle Stone. Through her studies and experiences, she contrasts the differences between the purposes, methods, and outcomes of the three levels of education - Telestial (our current public system), Terestial (Classical or great education), and Celestial (great education made perfect through Jesus Christ).
Another invaluable source is the
Kimber Academy (http://glennjkimberacademy.com). His incorporating of the intrinsic values, or
spiritual talents, into the curriculum; principle based learning; and student made
textbooks was the next step to applying and combining the spirit with secular
education.
Identify
WHAT
IS TRUTH?
That’s
my philosophy.
In
order to identify truth it is essential to have the spirit-of-truth (the Holy
Ghost) be a part of all our learning.
One of the purposes of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth. The language of the spirit is light, peace, assurance, edification, pure
intelligence, line upon line, a little here and a little there. And if the spirit is not involved, both teaching
and learning struggle.
Dr.
DeMille identified seven keys of great teaching. I have taken those keys and found some
corresponding scriptures so that the focus is on incorporating the spirit into
great teaching.
Keys Scripture FA Points
1. Classics, not textbooks D&C 88:118 Seek only out of the best books
…except he be a man of God
3. Inspire, not require Moroni 7:13 Inspired learning through the spirit
4.
Structure Time, not content D&C 58:26-28 Anxiously Engaged
5.
Quality, not conformity D&C
18:38 By their works, ye shall know them 6. Simplicity, not complexity Alma 37:6 By Small and Simple Things, great
things shall come to pass
7. You, not them D& C 11:21 Seek not to declare my word,
but first Seek to obtain my word.
Now,
on to what to study. The Savior’s early
education lacks details but gives direction.
“And
Jesus increased in Wisdom (true application of knowledge), and
Stature
(physical
growth and care), and in favour with God (righteousness)
and Man (respected socially - moral)” -Luke 2:52
In
prophecy to help us become prepared, the Lord has outlined the curriculum or
subjects to be taught.
“Teach
ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be
instructed
more perfectly in theory (math & science),
in principle, in
doctrine,
in the law of the gospel (religion), in all things
that pertain
unto
the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
earth (geology); things which have been (history); things which are (current
events), things which must shortly come to pass (cycles, cause & effect); things
which are at home (current affairs), things which are abroad (world news);
the wars and perplexities of the nations (politics), and the judgments which
are on the land (prophecy); and a knowledge also of countries and kingdoms
(geography).
“That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify
the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have
commissioned you.” -Doctrine & Covenants 88:78-80
Our
education involves a lot of projects and hands on experiences (Be ye doers of
the word and not hearers only).
The
intrinsic values to incorporate into both studies and projects so that we can
serve God, family and country are:
General: Identify Correct Principles
Devotional: Apply Truth
Testify
Patriotism
Mathematics: Internal Government
Language Arts: Service
Journal
Prayer
Family History
Science: Search the scriptures
History: Ponder
Respond to the spirit
Repent (the art of surrendering)
Even though the family learns together, like the one room red school house, and we don’t do grade levels, there are different stages, depending on the age and development of the child. Each stage has an acronym for their foundation and focus.
Stage
1 F – faith in God, faith in the plan, and in prayer
(ages
0-8) A – America, Articles of FaithM – Music, morals
I – Industry, inquiry, inspiration through stories
L – Love, Light
Y – Young, Youth
Stage
2 F – Foundation, Fasting, Forgiveness
(ages
8-12) A – Accountability, Accounting of lifeI – Increase intellect, identity
T – Testimony, turning from the world
H – Happiness, broken Heart
Stage
3 F – Fellowship, Family history
(ages
12 – 18) R – ReflectionsI – Identity independence, interaction
E – Enthusiasm, Entrusted, Example, Education
N – Nobility
D – Divine Purpose, Developing Talents
S – Service, Scriptorian, Study
