Sonlight Homeschooling Blog

May. 14, 2014

Learning from Someone's Personal Story

By Luke

A bunch of very interesting Other Posts of Note have cropped up recently. Brian's How to Get Eternal Life, Amber's So she hired a hit man?, and most recently Kara's thoughts on Heaven is for Real. This last post contains a very astute observation:

Any time we begin to focus on someone's subjective experience, we run the risk of elevating it above what God has revealed to us in Scripture, whether consciously or not.

This statement immediately reminded me of my post about building theology through books that I wrote over four years ago. Christian biographies have shaped my theology more than anything else. So am I allowing someone else's personal experience to trump Scripture?

No. Or, at the very least, I certainly hope not! Scripture itself contains biographies of some of the greatest Christians (and villains) of history. The Bible is the foundation from which we build. What we see and hear from others must align with the living and active Word of God. We grow spiritually as we experience following Christ. And I firmly believe that a global perspective helps us see more clearly.

Sunset (I don't have a picture of Heaven, but I did have this one on my phone)

The more I learn about the Bible, the more I love it and the One whom Scripture is about. And blog posts that help me mine more from Christ's encounter with the rich young man and Samson's life are excellent reminders that there is more learn as I study and connect with fellow believers.

Please, don't ever put a personal story over Scripture. But for the areas where the Bible is quiet, I find I learn much from others who have gone before me.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian

P.S. I don't feel like I can plug Other Posts of Note enough. You write such fascinating, amazing, funny stuff, I just have to share it!

Tagged Bible, biographies, blog, musings, stories | Leave a comment

May. 13, 2014

Is Education Losing the Whole in the Parts?

By Robert

Francis Schaeffer wrote, "In our modern forms of specialized education there is a tendency to lose the whole in the parts, and in this sense we can say that our generation produces few truly educated people. True education means thinking by associating across the various disciplines, and not just being highly qualified in one field ..." (The God Who is There, p. 32).

The late American philosopher Mortimer Adler shared Schaeffer's concerns and referred to "the barbarism of specialization"--a term used by Jose Ortega y Gasset in his 1930 book The Revolt of the Masses. Adler points out that the great books of the Western world were all written by generalists, not by specialists.

But what do Adler and Schaeffer mean? Surely specialization is helpful to some extent. No one wants to have brain surgery performed by a physician who is not a specialist. Schaeffer and Adler do not dispute this. Instead, they were concerned with the overall lack of knowledge in areas of great importance. What are these areas of great importance? Some of these areas include science, literature, philosophy, art, music, history, and religion. There is nothing wrong with specializing in certain areas, but to more fully integrate the Christian worldview into every area of our lives, we need a better understanding of the significant areas and intellectual contributions of the great ideas and how they have shaped humanity.

In sum, it is to our advantage to broaden our educational horizons so we don't lose the whole in the parts. Fortunately, Sonlight Curriculum covers a broad spectrum of ideas and, in the process, helps children gain a well-rounded understanding of history, science, literature, philosophy, and more. One recent example of our efforts in this regard is 520 World History and Worldview Studies.

Robert Velarde
Author/Educator/Philosopher

Tagged books, education, Francis Schaeffer, generalization, learning, Mortimer Adler, specialization | Leave a comment

May. 12, 2014

Euphoric Melancholy

By Luke

I saw a bunch of posts over the weekend that mentioned -- in one way or another -- how hard Mother's Day can be. You may have lost your mother, or had a bad relationship with your mom, or feel your own inadequacies as a mother, or have not been able to become a mother, or any number of other issues. The pain is real.

My wife had a good Mother's Day: Chocolates from me, chocolates from church, dinner from our German, a very nice note from one of "our kids," and a homemade cake from another. It was all very sweet and uplifting. But we also can't escape the loss. Having no biological children of our own and an adoption that fell through, there is melancholy even in the euphoria. And as the chocolates disappear and cake gets eaten, the ache lingers on and eats away at us.

I don't know what you're going through. I hope you had a great Mother's Day yourself. But today could easily have been rough. Screaming babies? Needy children? Grumpy kids? Students who somehow forgot seven year's of learning in the last 72 hours? A short temper? An argument with your spouse? A new financial strain that came out of nowhere?

And suddenly all the joy of yesterday becomes a new source of discouragement.

Celebrations can be like the drawer of awards I kept in my desk. On one hand, looking back at the certificates and ribbons and signed cards was a beautiful reminder. On the other hand, it was all in the past, new challenges were before me, and it was very clear how much further I had to grow.

I remember driving home from an awards banquet sometime back in high school. I was happy to remember my accomplishments; I still felt the warm glow of camaraderie and the payoff of hard work. But that moment was over. Tears sprang to my eyes as I looked toward the future. I wasn't scared or worried or disappointed. I was just sad. I was a little discouraged. And for some reason, I felt a little beaten down.

Accepting a Swimming Award

As we push toward the end of the school year, this time can also feel a little overwhelming.

Perhaps it'd be good to review some of Jill's tips for overcoming the winter slump. Despite the snow outside my window, it's no longer winter. I know that. But I know I often need encouragement as I approach the end of a project.

May you find encouragement today, even if it's been a hard day.

And may the joy of the Lord be your strength.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian

Tagged Encouragement, family, holidays, Homeschooling | 1 Comment

May. 7, 2014

Why So Serious? Finding Joy in Homeschooling

By Luke

It's Sunday morning after second service. Most people have filtered out of the building. A few groups still chat together in your foyer. Little kids are running around, as usual. Their happy shrieks punctuate the air like smiley faces dotting the page of a girl's notebook. Few notice. Those who do only turn to grin as the tumbleweeds of energy bounce off their legs and continue on their random trajectory.

A mother calls after one of her fleeing children. She's exasperated, exhausted, sharp. "Stop!" Church is no place to run, she informs her child.

As she shoos her offspring out the door, my smile has faded.

One of My Nephews Being Silly (taken years ago)

Stress is always ready to tackle me to the ground. It shows up most often when I'm thinking about our budget or working on a media project. There's so much at stake in these things! I find similar anxieties when it comes to teaching kids (be it behavior, tying shoes, or Latin). I don't want my kids to appear behind, uneducated, uncouth. And I know I don't want to seem like a bad teacher or parent!

So I raise my voice, loose my cool, reprimand. I seek ways to modify behavior, keep kids in line, and keep them on task. And in so doing, I miss out on the joy of kids. I also miss out on the joy of making movies or seeing God's provision. My focus is on me (how I appear, how I'm doing, how my kids/projects are turning out) instead of on God's goodness to me in providing opportunities to do good stuff and see God's grace in my life. Add the exhaustion and frustration of parenting and it's somewhat remarkable how many parents hold it together in church.

But I want more for us, for you, for me.

I want to find joy in what is before me. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and I forget that most often when I am feeling weak. Interesting, is it not, that the passage about joy in the Lord comes directly after Israel has rediscovered just how much they have failed to follow God? What a beautiful response to seeing our own shortcomings: "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Find joy. Have fun.

Cindy has a fascinating post that contrasts the somber face of the "purity movement" vs the joyful silliness of parenting. And while I want the young men and women I know to honor God with their decisions, I want them to rest in the God's strength to make hard choices, not out of a sense of burden should they fail. May we keep our eyes focused on Christ.

By relaxing just a bit, I find I am more able to accomplish the good, important, meaningful things God has called me to do. May you find joy in homeschooling and everything else God has enabled you to do.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian

P.S. If homeschooling has become a burden to you, remember that you do not need to use your curriculum "as is." You also don't have to finish school in 36 weeks. If you're having a bad homeschool day, remember that His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and available to you right now.

Tagged Encouragement, fear, joy, perspective | 4 Comments

May. 6, 2014

Six Things to Try This Summer

By Luke

She's "graduating" from middle school this year. She was in my Sunday School class not that many years ago. I must be getting older because she seems way too young to be in high school. But this school year is wrapping up -- 17 days, she tells me, a day earlier than the non-graduates.

Summer is coming. Colorado's temperamental weather whips back and forth as usual, like a teenager learning to drive a stick shift.

You're busy finishing up school. You'll probably find yourself pulled in even more directions once your kids are on break. If you find your children looking for something to do over the summer, consider having them try one (or more) of the following:

Summer Activities

Coding - more and more opportunities exist in the digital world. Computer games now compete with blockbuster films in entertainment. Websites power the economy. Apps have transformed our phones from long-distance communication tools to digital assistants, cameras, web browsers, and more. So if your child feels bored in the midst of all this technology, perhaps it's time to try programming. You can get a focused homeschool computer programming course for web or apps or games, or you could start smaller with a free introduction like Codecademy. It's easy to get started, and the opportunities are virtually limitless.
Playing - it could be time to pick up an instrument or sport. Sonlight offers some piano resources, but there are many other musical options out there (guitar is popular; I played trumpet). Learn more about the benefits of playing music. Local club teams provide opportunity to try out a new sport. Sports have numerous benefits. Plus, if you find one you like, they are a ton of fun!
Writing - when my wife and I tried NaNoWriMo two years ago, my wife discovered she loves writing. Well, sometimes she hates it because her skill doesn't yet match her vision, but she's developed a lasting interest in writing. Writing is free, can be done anywhere, and is a great way to build communication and storytelling skills. When bored, try writing.
Experiments - do you have Science Activities you never got to during the school year? Did you use something other than Sonlight's hands-on Science programs? Then give the Explorations in Science packs a try.
Movie Making - almost every phone is now a video camera and every computer comes with free editing software. There has never been a better time to learn how to make movies.
Helping - getting a job is nice, but not always practical for an eight year old. Volunteer at a local center or church or agency. The experience will not only look good on a resume, but it also gives students an opportunity to put their skills into practice, develop new abilities, and live out their growing faith in practical ways.

Before you sign up for anything, I highly recommend you review the seven questions to ask when choosing an extra-curricular activity. You certainly don't need one more burden in your life. But summer offers many opportunities for things your family can try this summer.

What is your family looking forward to doing? Do you school year-round? Have a trip planned? Get involved in something else? What do you recommend as a great summer activity for kids?

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian

Tagged extracurricular, summer | Leave a comment

May. 5, 2014

Finding the Inspiration that Drives Us

By Luke

Homeschooling built on great stories ignites the imagination. There is no need to fruitlessly wait for inspiration, this is the spark you find. With these ideas burning in your chest, you tend to be more expressive, boundlessly creative, alight with passion for the possible. I think you see it in your kids.

My First Pinewood Derby Car

As a blogger, I find myself grasping for blogable ideas. But I stumble upon these parched wastelands only when I haven't read anything fascinating recently, or had an interesting discussion, or learned a mind-blowing new tidbit about the world. Give me a glimpse of humanity through the retelling of a event and my mind is fertile. It is only when I claw my way through the humdrum of daily subsistence -- buried beneath an avalanche of laundry, a hailstorm of dishes, the doldrums of a dozen other daily tasks -- that the will to push myself flags. Share something amazing and my drive returns.

I was a creative kid. Not every day, mind you, but often. More often than not. Growing up with such role models as diverse as Horton and Mr. Bowditch, Homer Price and Robert Fulton, Praiseworthy and Milo, how could I not want not change the world for the good? And following in the footsteps of Gladys Aylward, Mother Theresa, and Joanne Shetler, it's easy to find motivation.

Homeschoolers are known for their expressiveness and creative play. I think that inspiration comes from the material we encounter in our homeschool curriculum every single day.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian

Tagged books, creativity, inspiration | Leave a comment

May. 2, 2014

Learning While Ill

By Luke

Do you remember going to school while feeling sick? Wasn't that miserable?

Unfortunately, my student woke up coughing this morning. My wife reviewed the school's guidelines. Without a doctor's note, every student is required to show up. Gone are the days when my parents could simply call up and tell them I wasn't coming.

So to school she went.

My wife muttered something about letting the nurse send her home.

Runny Nose

See, in the school system, the only way to learn is by having your rear in your seat during class. "Every student needs to come to every class every day," the Superintendent told us at orientation. "If you're not in class, how are you going to learn?"

It was a rhetorical question then. The absurdity of the assumption clicked into focus as I watched my high schooler shuffle into the building. It is true, for her to learn anything in class she must be in class. But there are a great many more ways for her to learn that do not involved meeting attendance requirements. 'In fact,' I told myself as I adjusted the mirrors back to my specifications, 'she's learning how to drive... with me, outside of a classroom.'

And that's not even the best example.

Some of her teachers are failing to make sense to her. So she finds different instructors to sit down with and learn. Thankfully she has some excellent teachers who are willing to fill in the gaps left by some of their coworkers.

How are you going to learn if you're not in class? By reading, studying, and asking for instruction. Lectures are hardly the only way to master knowledge.

With homeschooling, it's possible to stay in bed while sick. Your child can still pick up books and read, or listen while you read. Learning doesn't have to stop because your student is ill. The classroom mindset forces your student to fit the system. Homeschooling is a system that is built to fit your student.

And that is better.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian

P.S. Fed up with your current schooling method? Thinking of checking out Sonlight? Request a Catalog and learn more about a flexible, literature-rich approach to learning.

Tagged benefits, Homeschooling, illness, learning, options, school | Leave a comment

Learning from Someone's Personal Story

Is Education Losing the Whole in the Parts?

Euphoric Melancholy

Why So Serious? Finding Joy in Homeschooling

Six Things to Try This Summer

Finding the Inspiration that Drives Us

Learning While Ill

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