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The Homeschooling Trail - Diary of a Christian Unschooling Family Always Learning Books is working on obtaining new copies of Michele Hasting's popular Christian Unschooling book, The Homeschooling Trail - A Journey of Faith. "We don't adhere to any particular curriculum or scope and sequence - our homeschooling recipe is an eclectic blend of styles and theories. Mary Griffith, author of "The Homeschooling Handbook" refers to eclectics as 'balancing exploration with basics.' As much as possible, we allow our boys to follow their interests, as we consider any interest of educational benefit." And thus author and homeschooling mother, Michele Hasting, describes her homeschool. After reading her journey, a description of one year in their "unschooled" life, I feel it is an apt description. It also probably describes the homeschooling journey of many others - and is precisely why the book is a satisfying read. We see ourselves, our doubts, our experiences in Hastings ' description of her homeschool. Hastings is a Christian homeschooling mother of two sons. Both Hastings and her husband are drawn to the unschooling end of the homeschooling spectrum. They believe that children, growing up in a loving and responsive home, will reach their full potential as adults. This is, however, not another book about picture perfect homeschoolers. Instead, the author invites us to "be a fly on our wall for a realistic day-by-day glimpse of homeschooling life", including sports, video games, chores and some angst over covering academic basics. Michele Hastings reminds us that ordinary people, living ordinary lives, can homeschool. Indeed, can provide a learning atmosphere for children surrounded by ideas and learning and growth, even in the midst of financial and other concerns. The intimate details of Hastings life are strangely reassuring - we see that others have "good" days and "could be better" days; we see the importance of free time and exploration in the growth of children; we see the individual differences between siblings and how unschooling can address these differences. Most of all, the book is about trust. Trusting children to learn. Trusting ourselves as parents and as mothers - our intuition and our personalities are important in our homeschooling adventure. And, for Hastings , the importance of trust in God - she quotes Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Hastings discusses her research into homeschooling and the resultant belief that it important to pay attention to not only a child's individual learning style but to his/her timetable for growth. She incorporates activities into a daily "table-time", where she and the boys work on reading, writing, and mathematics. The children are fee to choose the aspect of these skills that they may wish to tackle that day, and to accomplish such work in ways that make sense to them, and at their individual pace. In addition to table-time, the family works together on chores and then the bulk of the day is free - typically her children choose to attend homeschool activities, to play sport, to play with friends, watch television, play computer games.. Doesn't this describe the homeschool day of many families? Even in our differences there are similarities and this theme of familiar companionship along the journey of homeschooling/unschooling makes the book an easy and enjoyable read. I left it in the book box by my bed and read a bit here and there - the book is easy to pick up, read and digest; it made me smile in parts, grimace in others and wryly commiserate at some points. Upon finishing the book, I felt sadness at parting with Hastings and her family - the sharing of their life throughout a year of homeschooling made them seem like friends. I also felt renewed and refreshed as I continue my own homeschooling trail. This book is a good companion for the trail.
Beverley Paine's review: When I first read Michele's manuscript so much resonated with my personal experiences of educating my three children at home: the nagging doubts that I wasn't giving my children the best education I could, that I was harming their future, that they'd never forgive for experimenting with their education. It didn't help that few people understood the idea of home education, and even fewer understood the principles behind unschooling or natural learning. Was this article helpful? Was it worth $1.00 to you? Your gift of $1 or more helps to keep this site operating offering encouragement and reassurance to families wanting better outcomes for their children. Beverley Paine with her children, and their home educated children, relaxing at home. Together with the support of my family, my aim is to help parents educate their children in stress-free, nurturing environments. In addition to building and maintaing this website, I continue to create and manage local and national home educating networks, help to organise conferences and camps, as well as write for, edit and produce newsletters, resource directories and magazines. I am an active supporter of national, state, regional and local home education groups.
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Welcome to the World of Home Education We began educating our children in 1985, when our eldest was five. In truth, we had helped them learn what they need to learn since they were born. I am a passionate advocate of allowing children to learn unhindered by unnecessary stress and competition, meeting developmental needs in ways that suit their individual learning styles and preferences. Ours was a homeschooling, unschooling and natural learning family! There are hundreds of articles on this site to help you build confidence as a home educating family. We hope that your home educating adventure is as satisfying as ours was! Beverley Paine
The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice. This site merges and incorporates 'Homeschool Australia' and 'Unschool Australia'.
The Educating Parent acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners, the Custodians of Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people viewing this website. Australia's premier online annual conferences, lifetime access to video and audio recordings, freebies, notes and associated resource guides. EVERY SUMMIT IS UNIQUE! $29 each 2023 2022 2021 "Biggest and best Aussie homeschool event of the year!" Home education is a legal alternative Without revenue from advertising |
Beverley Paine, The Educating Parent
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