A Philosophy with a Purpose

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. 

    

 And so in an attempt to combine and connect the facets of truth I’ve found in these sources, I’m creating my own version of my educational philosophy. Here it is.  Are you ready?

 

Identify WHAT IS TRUTH? 

 

That’s my philosophy. 

 I'm aware that question has been asked since the beginning of time, but with both the fullness of the gospel and Satan's greatest deceptions competing for our allegiance, it becomes paramount that we first identify, and then choose where our allegiance lies.

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

2.    Mentors, not professors        Mosiah 23:14  Trust no one to be your teacher
                                                                                  …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;

 

 

          “Of things both in heaven (astronomy) and in the earth, and under the
            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 Faith
                            M – 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 life
                            I – Increase intellect, identity
                            T – Testimony, turning from the world
                            H – Happiness, broken Heart

 

Stage 3                 F – Fellowship, Family history

(ages 12 – 18)      R – Reflections
                             I – Identity independence, interaction
                             E – Enthusiasm, Entrusted, Example, Education
                             N – Nobility
                             D – Divine Purpose, Developing Talents
                             S – Service, Scriptorian, Study

I used to think spiritual training on Sunday and secular knowledge the rest of the week.  However, I'm convinced that the establishment of Zion will require more preparation than 3 hours a week.  It is a commitment of not only our time, but also of our hearts.  The understanding that all things are spiritual and all subjects are one subject - truth, requires our entire lifetime of preparation.  This thumbnail sketch of my educational philosophy is working toward that purpose.  If we build it, it will come. 

 

"Why" do I Homeschool

This is part of a series on Preparing for School at Home.

First a little history.  My older sister homeschooled her eight children… and the idea intrigued me.  When I had my first child, a woman in my church was homeschooling her children.  The idea intrigued me.  Then when my husband got a job which required him to travel…frequently, and we could choose to travel with him, I simply decided to give homeschooling a try.  Without any type of training (other than my own fourteen years of education) or any idea how or what to teach, I set up shop and started teaching the A B C’s. 

About half way through the year, I was overcome with fear that I was damaging my children’s chance of success.  With my lack of experience and know-how, she was missing out and getting behind which might scar her for life.  In desperation for her success and for release from the almost tangible fear for me, I cried out in prayer for guidance what I should do.  There have been very few times in my life that I’ve received a heavenly answer so powerfully and forcefully as I did in this case.  In no uncertain terms, I knew that I was supposed to home school my children – a calling from above, a purpose to fulfill.

 
Now, do I think everyone should be homeschooled.  Absolutely not!  But I do fully believe that every parent should receive revelation as to what type of education is best for their children.  I had a friend who had decided to homeschool and had already purchased curriculum and was getting quite excited about it.  Then she realized she had not prayed about the decision.  So she quickly prayed, assuming the Lord would, of course, condone such a noble sacrifice on her part.  She was shocked to discover that she was impressed to put them in public school.  Another witness that Heavenly Father is guiding the purpose for which each of us were intended.

I know a lot of homeschoolers and they may have begun the journey from a multiple of reasons, but I think the only thing that gives one the power to continue homeschooling, is the assurance that it is what is right and best for the child.  I also know a lot of families that put their children in public school without thought or reason as to if that is the best option for their child – maybe not even aware that there are other options, or simply don’t want the hassle involved in private, charter, home, mentors, or tutors.    

Back to “Why” Homeschool.  Once a friend of mine was asked why she homeschooled.  She said, “I started homeschooling for a few reasons, but now I have thousands.”  I thought that was a fitting response for myself as well.  So instead of going into too much detail, I’m going to list a few of the thousands of reasons why I homeschool. 

*Probably the most recent reason is the implementation of ‘Common Core’.  A system of

education that has removed the parent’s and local administrator’s voice out of the equation completely is a bad idea.  Reduced academic standards, child data collection, and more federal meddling is not a formula for freedom.  However, it is a sure step toward controlling the thinking of the next generation and to create more 'useful idiots'.

 

 

               *Conveyor belt education.  The idea that one size fits all is contrary to the nature of man.  Each child is unique and has strengths and interests and purposes that vary from what the state (now Fed) dictates.  The focus is on what to think to pass the test, rather than how to think and analyze information to impact society.   

 

               *Textbooks vs. relationships.  Textbooks, and now informational reading, are the driest and most boring form of obtaining information (well, maybe a boring lecture might compete).  Education should be inspiring and edifying and exciting.  The student should create a personal relationship with the information because they are using it in their everyday life, or they are learning it through a story that they are invested in or from a person that is passionate about it  – not so they can pass a test and get a grade. 

                *Socialization.  The number one concern that non-homeschoolers have seems to be about

socialization – not academics.  So I analyzed what socialization actually takes place in the public school and found it wasn’t really all that desirable.  A class system where the popular kids (considered the winners) ostracize both the gifted as well as the delayed and anyone else not chosen to be the elite (considered the losers); conformity to values contrary to the families; peer focus rather than family focus; bullying; and loss of academic self-esteem if not able to keep up with the class, to name a few.  More and more children are coming home because they just don’t want to be in that dysfunctional system. 

                *Job training.  It has always bothered me that the only purpose in life seems to be to go to

school so you can get into college, so you can get a better job, so you can make a lot of money and acquire things, so you can retire and be completely absorbed with self.  I want a higher purpose for obtaining knowledge.  To identify Truth, to know and implement correct principles, to improve society in a positive and meaningful way through service and mission, and of course, to bring about Zion. 

                *A Godless institution.  When I first began choosing curriculum, I was completely uncomfortable with text that tried to include religion into every subject matter – everything from PE to penmanship, History, science, literature, and even Math.  It took a long time to realize that it is really the purpose of education to lay that foundation of faith in all aspects of life.  And that my own schooling had stripped God out of the equation and compartmentalized information rather than uniting all things into one great whole of truth.  The founding fathers defined education to be three-fold: religion / morals / knowledge.  Our schools today only teach knowledge and the products they produce show the imbalance.  In only 20 short years, American education went from the top of the world to the bottom, and the difference was the removal of Religion, Civics, and a mother’s influence from the schools.  http://vimeo.com/22089587

                *Education is the battleground for freedom.  Both in American Freedom as well as the

continuation of the war waged in heaven before the world began.  We chose to come to earth so that we would have agency.  And through the dumbing down of the mind through detached and hate of learning (not necessarily taught but definitely the product of schools), we are losing the battle here.  I want my children to be fully educated so that their freedoms and agency are preserved for future generations. 

                *It’s right.  When I learned that its part of human nature to have confidence in what is most familiar, even if it is wrong, I wanted to question everything.  Everything from our traditions and habits to why we do things the way we do.  Is it right or is it based on a tradition without choice.  It was quite a journey to realize how much of our actions are based on the influence of others. 

                *Goals.  The public school has definite goals and purposes for the approach they take to educate.  And they are very successful at obtaining those goals.  It just so happens that those goals are not the same as my goals for my children.  The Family is the system that the Lord had established for educating of children – and that stewardship is still in force today. 

I’m sure if I thought about it long enough, I could find many more reasons to educate at home.  And this is only the tip of the iceberg in these categories.  Ultimately, for me, the assurance from God that he wants me to teach my children at home, is the biggest and most sustaining reason.

Preparing for School at Home

I love reading other homeschooler blogs.  I love seeing how they prepare and engage in their children’s learning.  And I love the planning stage of learning – planning the curriculum, planning the schedules, planning the activities and especially the books we’ll add to our portfolio.  So I thought I would take advantage of this blog to record my preparations for the upcoming school year along with the “why’s” and “how’s” of my homeschooling adventure. 

I have been homeschooling for about 18 years – so you’d think I might be somewhat of an expert in the field.  In all honesty, I cannot claim anything of the kind.  Every year seems to be an experimental year.  Either there is some new curriculum, some new philosophy, some new circumstance, or a child that responds so differently than the previous one that it’s a whole new experience.   So in that respect, I am continually learning each year on how to home school. 

Also, I consider myself a leader in certain areas, and a definite follower in others.  For instance, if it is something that I know to be morally wrong, I may do my own thing whether there is someone else being the leader / example or not.  However, if it is something that really isn’t that important – I glean as many ideas and how-to from others who seem to be pioneers in the field.  I’ve considered creating a custom curriculum or method of educating at home to commercialize, but what others have done seems to work pretty well, so I simply customize it for my personal use. 

With that said, I would like to share my preparations for Home Education in the following areas:

                *Establishing my ‘Why’

                *My Homeschool Philosophy

                *The MAP

                *Choosing Curriculum

                *Finding a Mentor

                *Schedules & Rhythms

                *Orders and Routines

                *Course of Study

                *Syllabus

                *Setting up binders

                *Setting up the school room

                *Updating transcripts and reading records

                *Keeping Records

                *Devotionals

                *SPICEE Mtgs – Compass

                *Education Portfolio – Education Journal

                *What about socialization

                *Including the debrief

                *Including the 8 keys and 5 environments

                *Including my education – You, Not Them

                *How to Inspire

Wish me luck.

Faith in Fear

My children had been wanting to watch ‘The Rise of the Guardians’ for a long time, and so when we finally got a hold of it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was it an enjoyable storyline, but it seemed to be dripping with profound insights and tidbits of truth.  It’s depiction on the effect of one’s belief was especially powerful to me.  In brief - Jack Frost, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy, the sand man, and the boogie man were personified symbols of a child’s belief in an abstract concept – fun, wonder, hope, light, dreams, and fear.  What a child believed in is what became real to him. 

When belief was strong, it strengthened or increased the size and abilities of the characters.  Also, some objects of belief affected the strength and abilities of the others.  For instance, believing in the boogie man, weakened the positive effects of hope, joy, etc. of the other characters - sometimes to extinction.  I thought the movie makers did an excellent job at portraying the power of belief. 

I’ve heard it said that Faith is the opposite of Fear.  But now I’m considering that fear may be the object of our faith, our belief.  Just as believing in the boogie man (fear) can diminish or destroy believing in hope, or light, or dreams.  And we can choose to have faith in fear - which debilitates our growth, or faith in something more empowering. 

A friend of mine pointed out the definition of fear she had discovered while browsing through the bible dictionary.

                Fear… something unworthy of a child of God, something that “perfect love casteth out”.  The first effect of Adam’s sin was that he was afraid.  Sin destroys the feeling of confidence God’s child should feel in a loving Father and produces instead a feeling of shame and guilt. 

–Bible Dictionary

That discovery was a powerful insight to me.   ‘Unworthy of a child of God’?  It is below a disciple of Christ to operate in fear?  I guess it makes sense when you think about, but evidently I had never really thought about it before.  

Weren’t we taught that fear is one of the innate emotions that one experiences, the same as feeling happy or sad. Doesn’t the dictionary define fear as a survival mechanism occurring in response to a perceived threat, pain, or evil –you know, the fight of flight response.   I’d never considered it as a choice before.  That makes me think of the preview for the movie ‘Afterearth’. 

In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”.  Fear is disempowering; fear is hateful; fear is illogical.  So obviously, fear is not of God.  And what brings about this lack of confidence in God – Sin.  Fear is the byproduct of sin.    

For the past umpteen number of years, I’ve struggled with insecurity.  My comfort zone was in being invisible.  I didn’t feel I had anything of value to offer to anyone outside of my husband and children, so I was stuck in wallpaper status.   I’d been operating in fear.  I don’t consider myself a great sinner but obviously I had put my faith in fear rather than in my Savior – which would have produced the confidence I lacked.   I love thinking about the following quote:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  

 – Marianne Williamson

That is a beautiful and powerful paragraph.  But still the focus is on the fear of the perceived results, rather than the confidence of desired results.

                                         Where Focus Goes, Energy Flows and That Thing Grows

As I put my energy in hiding myself, protecting myself, or even in allowing others to shine by my playing small, I don’t have the energy to produce the results I really want.  Faith in Fear is self-sabotaging. 

Discussing this concept with my daughter, she pointed out that fear is only concerned with the future tense.  We can only fear things that are a perceived or anticipated result.  If one is truly 100% present, there is no fear. 

So, in my discovery of truth concerning fear, I agree with the makers of 'The Rise of the Guardians'.  What I believe in, becomes real to me - expect it, anticipate it, live it.  And eliminate the fear by not heeding it. 

What's The Difference?

During our math class, we learned the following principle:

          “A number called a Subtrahend can be taken away from another number called a Minuend, and the answer is called the Difference.”

 

Your typical subtraction problem, right.

Well, during a recent conversation, I began to notice a “difference” between my feelings for one relationship and my feelings for another relationship.  Let me try to explain.  I have what some may consider to be pretty high standards.  Evidently there are a lot of people out there who do not share or have as high of standards as I do.  And that’s fine.  To each his own, right.  For the most part, my attitude toward others is indifferent and may come across as self-righteous (I hope not, but I am aware that there is that possibility).  Basically for those who share my standards, I connect with easily, and those who do not, I really don’t interact with or even care to. 

So here I am visiting with this friend that I haven’t talked with in over 20 years (and I probably never would have come in contact again if it hadn’t been for facebook).  And I’m realizing that their life choices, well, really hasn’t changed that much since high school.  Drinking, smoking, swearing, rock music, video games, not really caring about education, jobs, or even national affairs, not really religious in nature, and not necessarily principled driven.  We are probably what you’d consider complete opposites.   And as the conversation continued, I could feel myself repulse with each disclosure that was contrary to comfort zone. 

…But only for a brief moment.  I could sense my discomfort, but then it immediately dissolved into acceptance, generosity, and even great admiration for this individual.  I still really liked this friend and so it didn’t matter at all that their standards and life choices were opposite to my own.  Granted, I really do believe that higher standards, nobler ambitions, and a purpose driven life is the only way to obtain true happiness – and I invite them to consider the benefits of… well…. making life more challenging (now isn’t that inviting).  But my friendship is still secure even if they don’t. 

So as I’m pondering why I felt this way in regard to this friend, and normally feel indifferent toward other individuals of the same caliber, I was curious ‘What is the difference’?  What is the Subtrahend that is deducted from normal associates that isn’t deducted from my friends?

I guess it doesn’t take a genius to discover that ‘love’ is the missing ingredient or the subtrahend.  When ‘love’ is taken out of the equation, there is a difference – indifference, or sometimes even judgment.  It’s made me consider that maybe I’m filled with way more judgment than I thought and much less charity than I had hoped.  

                                  ‘Relationship’ take away ‘love’ equals ‘judgment’. 

Which brought me to the next thought.  Since Heavenly Father is filled with charity, maybe this is how He feels toward all his children.  He is incapable of not loving us, He's our spiritual daddy.  In fact his love is so great that he has dedicated his entire work to helping us be successful and happy.  But when he sees us make wrong choices, or pretend he doesn’t exist, or live way below our potential and privilege – all his disappointment, hurt, and discomfort vanish away because ‘love’ is still part of His equation.  He loves us completely.  He loves us regardless.  He loves us unconditionally.  And yes, He too is hoping that we will choose the more challenging life by keeping his commandments – but only because he knows that will bring us happiness, eternal happiness. He knows we'll be dead a lot longer than we are alive.  He loves us enough to want us to be happy. 

So now I want to change all my subtraction problems (all those strange people I look at in question at Walmart, all those morons who call in on talk radio, all those co-workers who live only for the weekend) to addition problems that includes genuine brotherly ‘love’ in the equation.