Sonlight Homeschooling Blog

Apr. 12, 2013

Homeschool Benefit: You Hear Your Kids

By Luke

She's pretty and popular. Wavy brown hair dances at her shoulders. She carries an affecting, infecting, impish grin. It's no wonder boys like her. And her parents just discovered the scars on her arms.

Whether out shock or grief or ignorance, her parents refused to believe they had been blind to her cutting. "My dad even went so far as I ask when I'd joined the occult," she told me. Her eyes filled with tears. "And I'd been doing so well recently."

Her parents know their daughter has been "on the fringe" for a while now. But they have no idea how far down the rabbit hole their girl has fallen. Her mom once called me to ask about a situation where her daughter had lied through omitting key details about her plans. So, this girl has not helped her parents trust her. But because she's in school and works late hours and has conversations long into the night on her cellphone, her parents are out of the loop.

They are now trying to fix that.

I don't know how that's going, but I'm guessing it's been bumpy. How do you reconnect with a child you've abandoned to the world? How do you catch up on where she is emotionally if you can't bring yourself to trust what she says? How do you get her to open up to you when she feels betrayed, insulted, rejected, and interrogated? I don't know. Being a parent is hard enough. I can't imagine trying to overcome all that too.

But I know this: Homeschooling gives us opportunities to hear our kids. As you discuss the literature you're reading together, as you work through areas where your children struggle, as you are involved in their daily lives, you can get a pretty clear picture of how your child is doing.

Please, take advantage of this benefit! Talk with your children. Listen to them. Lay a foundation today so that you can hear your children when they encounter difficulties tomorrow.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Tagged benefits, children, discussion, Homeschooling | 3 Comments

Apr. 11, 2013

4 Ways to Inspire Your Kids to Change the World

By Luke

Sonlight students are different. We are not content to merely join a "safe" sub-culture and sit on the proverbial bench. We want more. One Sonlight mom put it this way:

The Sonlight graduates that I know all have the same desire to be in the world but not of the world, as in IN THE WORLD. My daughter wants to be a musician who impacts the world for Christ, but not a "Christian Musician". I know another young lady who is a newly published author who wants to be a "writer who writes fiction that can have an impact on the world for Christ" but not a "Christian Writer". They are young people who don't want to be part of a sub-culture, they want to change the culture.

What motivates that? What builds this kind of focus in us and our children? How do we inspire our kids to want to change the world?

1. Emphasize sharing Christ with the world. Sonlight's curriculum has a strong international, missions focus. We encounter, through literature and stories, people all over the world who need Christ or who have been transformed by Him. After experiencing this reality again and again, it's no wonder we want to reach others with the good news of His grace and redemption!

2. Give godly heroes. Church history--not to mention Scripture--is packed with ordinary men and women who did amazing things while following God. We take time to learn from this great cloud of witnesses. Building off the desire to introduce people to Jesus, we discover that God can use us to do just that.

3. Don't shrink back from the need. As we mature, we discover just how desperately wicked the heart of man can be. But God's redemptive power is even greater than this! We wrestle with difficult questions, encounter difficult situations, and are introduced to difficult ideas. We don't isolate ourselves in solely "Christian" contexts. Instead, as we study Scripture and history, we learn of the great need and the even greater opportunity in following God's call.

4. Follow Christ's example. Just as Jesus is the embodiment of "God with us"--where He came in human likeness even while we were still sinners--so we should meet people where they are. Hudson Taylor, as one example, did this with tremendous impact. Now we can find ways to transform our culture from within as well.

Read more about the ideas behind these four ways to inspire kids.

Sonlight encourages us to look outside our bubble. As we mature and are trained by our parents, we feel no compulsion to stay isolated in a Christian community. Indeed, how could we? The world needs Jesus, and we are His body.

From Church into Culture

What does this look like? Let me share a bit of my story with you:

I discovered I had a love for film as a kid. I dreamed of transforming movies like Star Wars from focusing on the Force to speaking of the Lord. I didn't have any knowledge of copyright laws at the time. Nor did I understand the cheesiness of cheap knockoffs. I just knew I wanted to be a "Christian film guy." But as I slowly discovered the artistic wasteland of the "Christian film" sub-culture, I realized I wanted nothing to do with that. It is bland, weak, and misses reality in its pursuit of spiritual messaging. I also wasn't interested in Hollywood, with its culture of lies and abuse and inefficiencies. Instead, I want to make films that point people to Christ.

Have I arrived yet? No.

But I have discovered an intense love for adapting Scripture for a modern audience (be they pre- or post-Christian, agnostic, or ignorant). So I've made one short film telling a well-known Bible story in a way that, I believe, makes the ideas accessible to someone who does not--at this time--accept Scripture. I've got another I hope to shoot this summer.

I love how Sonlight helps inspire us to change the world.

Have your kids shown a desire to shape culture? What ways are they seeking to share Christ?

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Tagged Bible, biographies, Christianity and culture, missions, Sonlight, students | 5 Comments

Apr. 10, 2013

You read that book?!

By Judy

I was driving home from an appointment the other day and caught the Breakpoint commentary for the day. Imagine my delight when I discovered it was a discussion about the value of literature in a young person's life!

Karen Swallow Prior, an English prof at Liberty University, has written a memoir titled Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me. Her book focuses on how God used literature to draw her to Himself. But a couple of observations in the commentary made me think of Sonlight's article titled Why Sonlight Uses Certain Books that Some Homeschoolers Won't Touch.

From the commentary (highlighting mine) ... From the time she was very young, books were Prior's refuge and guide. She's not saying that all the books that she read were good or moral; some of them contained outright "falsehood." But the way to counter those books was reading "more and more books" in order to be exposed to "competing ideas and examples" and to learn to discern the truth. Prior quotes John Milton, that "conservative, Puritan Christian," who wrote in 1644, "Let [Truth] and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?"

I definitely believe there is a balance. We don't want our children wallowing in literary garbage. But this statement from the Sonlight article sums it up nicely, in my opinion ... We should not close our eyes to what is ugly, contemptible, unhealthy, or evil and pretend it doesn't exist. We must be aware of such things if we are to avoid their dangers. But, God says, we need to focus on the good.

I challenge you to challenge your children in their reading ... help them to discern what is unhealthy and evil, and to focus on what is true, noble and excellent. But don't be afraid to let them learn about and engage the culture in which they're living.

Still on the journey ...
~Judy Wnuk
Sonlight Customer Champion

Tagged books, discernment, literature | 1 Comment

Apr. 9, 2013

What's Your Teaching Philosophy?

By Robert

Do you have a teaching philosophy? Do you need one? What about the resources you incorporate in homeschooling--do they have a teaching philosophy?

A teaching philosophy is typically driven by worldview thinking. A worldview drives how we see and interpret reality; it's how we make sense of things. Presuppositions come into play, too. These are assumptions that are foundational to our thinking.

Sonlight President Sarita Holzmann recently shared two presuppositions or "underlying assumptions about education" that we have at Sonlight: 1. Education should help children develop their gifts and become equipped to do whatever God calls them to do to further His Kingdom; and 2. Every child is naturally curious and can love to learn. Education should help nurture that love to learn.

As an educator I've taken time to consider my teaching philosophy, which is centered on my Christian worldview. This leads me to seek to equip, edify, educate, and encourage students to seek God's calling in their life and apply their beliefs practically and reasonably in all they do. I hope to develop ambassadors for the cause of Christ who will intelligently engage culture.

Recently on a radio program I was asked to discuss a film and its implications in relation to Christianity. When the host asked me about the movie, I mentioned that we need to keep in mind that every form of media we encounter has one or more underlying worldviews guiding it, whether it's film, television, books, art, music, etc. This applies to educational materials, too.

Having a teaching philosophy helps us understand our approach and identify alternative views. It can help us stay on track and remember our overall goal. Take some time to think about the teaching philosophy that guides you, as well as the educational resources you use. What are the assumptions guiding the material? Do you agree or disagree with the approach? Even if you disagree with some points, how can you turn your disagreement into a learning opportunity for yourself and your children?

So, what's your teaching philosophy? Let us know in the comments section!

Robert Velarde
Author/Educator/Philosopher

Tagged books, Christianity, curriculum, education, film, Homeschooling, learning, teaching, worldview | Leave a comment

Apr. 8, 2013

The Shuttle Ride: Educating Others About Homeschooling

By Luke

The sun isn't up yet as I climb into the airport shuttle. The talkative driver, a woman probably in her late 50s, asks where I'm from. "Denver," I reply. Somehow from there we quickly arrive at the topic of homeschooling and education.

"How do I put this?" she asks herself more than me. "What about, you know, socialization?"

Inwardly, I groan. If there's one topic about homeschooling that's about as dead a horse as you can beat, this "socialization" issue would be it. But this lady hasn't read homeschool blogs, so it's time to summarize. "If the parents are homeschooling out of fear--trying to isolate their kids from everything--then they'll probably be poorly socialized. But the vast majority of homeschoolers I know do great; they are involved in church, and sports, and Scouts, or whatever. I spent my afternoons playing with friends. So socialization isn't an issue unless you're trying to avoid contact with others."

Satisfied, she still has questions. "What about academics?"

Now I'm wishing I could just link her to this blog. "Homeschoolers consistently score high, just like other kids from similar socioeconomic backgrounds with stable homes and parental involvement. We all know parents help their children succeed, which is just one more reason why homeschooling is such a great option. I was homeschooled through eighth grade, and I graduated Valedictorian. Homeschoolers do well academically."

"But I couldn't teach Algebra," she tells me.

"The beauty is that there are a bunch of resources for parents who were failed in their own education. And, with homeschooling, you can learn or relearn something that you didn't get in school."

"I almost homeschooled my daughter."

This happens: I respond to the pop culture criticisms of homeschooling with information and experience and suddenly the person who was skeptical has flipped entirely. I've had people who started rather anti-homeschool end up telling me how they wished they could have been homeschooled themselves. How fickle the uninformed bias!

She tells me of adopting her daughter when she married her husband from overseas. She explains how she read to her daughter and picked up books like "See Spot Run" to help her grasp English.

"See! You were homeschooling. Not formally, but parents educate their kids at home way more than they think they do."

She goes on to tell me about how her husband, when he first moved to the States, didn't know English either. But since he worked construction, his first words and phrases "weren't particularly nice."

"And that," I interject, "is an example of bad socialization. You don't want your kids picking up that garbage."

By now we've arrived at the airport. I thank her as I get out and head into the terminal. It's really too bad that so many people are ignorant about the realities of homeschooling. If more people knew what educating their children at home could be like, I think more people would do it.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

Tagged academics, high school, Homeschooling, socialization | 4 Comments

Apr. 5, 2013

Listening to Speakers

By Luke

This evening, and tomorrow, Sarita will be speaking at a homeschool convention in Ohio. I've had the opportunity to hear her encouraging messages before. Homeschooling--not to mention life--can be draining so it's nice to be reminded that the work we do is valuable. But as I walk convention halls, it's interesting to listen to what people say. Often, I agree with what they share. Homeschooling is an excellent educational option. Literature is a great way to learn. We should take advantage of the opportunity to prepare our kids to impact the world for Christ. And the like.

But there are some messages I reject. One example: "We should not tell our children about false gods because that can confuse them as to who the true God is." Disagree. There are all kinds of false gods, with such names as fame, fortune, and fashion, that we must identify as luring many away from producing Godly fruit. Equally important, we need to know what other people believe so we can communicate the Gospel to them in a culturally relevant way. I didn't personally know any Hindus until I went to India, but I've talked with many people from various cults and a few Wiccans in my daily life. Sticking my head in the sand would not help me share the love and grace of Christ with them.

As we listen to people--even (especially?) experts--we need to keep our ears open. Does that match Scripture? Is that true? Do I agree with that? Does that push me to follow Christ and share Him with others?

It can be hard to weigh all this when walking the convention hall or browsing the web. So, please, take time to prayerfully consider your options. Take a look at the educational philosophy and see if there is anything that would indicate that you should not buy that curriculum.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

P.S. If you can't make it to a convention to hear Sarita speak, you can watch an interview with her at the Mom Mastery Summit. I don't know who else is going to be at that online event, but I'm guessing I wouldn't agree with everything. And that's one of the beauties of homeschooling: We can discuss ideas with our children... both the ones we agree with and those we do not.

Tagged Homeschooling, ideas, philosophy | Leave a comment

Apr. 4, 2013

God Creates People for a Purpose: What that means for Sonlight

By Sarita

The "new atheism" of today spreads a poisonous message: humanity is an accident – the product of random events. Our lives have no meaning. We have no purpose here on earth.

That is a lie from Satan. I stand against that lie and long for all children to know that God creates people for a purpose. You and I are not here by accident. Your children – whether born from your womb or adopted into your family – were ordained by God to live at this time in history and to grow up in your home, under your love and care.

So let us not waste our days or our children's days here on earth.

May we heed God's call for all people to live as his beloved children as we love and serve Him. May we spread His Kingdom of love and truth to the ends of the earth.

May we also hear God's specific call for our lives. I don't know what that means for you. But I believe God has called me to help parents raise up kids equipped to do whatever God calls them do. I also believe God has called me to help support and encourage missions to the unreached peoples of the world – those without a viable Gospel witness in their midst.

What does this have to do with Sonlight? This central belief that God creates people for a purpose plays into everything we do here at Sonlight.

For one, it greatly influences the books I choose to include in your curriculum. I choose books that help kids learn and grow. Since God created our children for a purpose, I want our students to learn the things they need to know so they can move forward with that purpose. If God has called your child to become a missionary doctor, we better give him or her a rounded education in preparation to succeed in college and then medical school! Same goes for children called to be pastors, accountants, entrepreneurs, parents, police officers, artists … may God help us prepare them for their callings.

Sonlight students Eli and Anna T of Haiti help run a blood pressure screening

I choose books and assemble curriculum that helps kids mature. Sonlight books do not portray perfect children. We show children who face complex situations and sometimes make mistakes. I want to show students that as they walk through life, they will mess up and sometimes choose the wrong path. But they can always repent and choose to walk in a new direction. Boy, that's important to me. I want kids to know there's a new path they can take even when things go wrong.

I choose books for your curriculum where people impact their world. I think it's important to give our students an example and a vision for the future. I want them to grow up knowing that God might call them to do great things – and that those great things will be difficult – but that God is faithful to walk with them through the challenges. I want them to see that life is so much more fulfilling when we reject the idol of comfort and instead follow God's path for our lives.

I also encourage families to read the Bible every day. Sonlight kids will go through the Scriptures multiple times in their pre-K through 12 journeys. I want them to know the whole scope and scheme of the Bible. I want them to know the characters and see the overarching story of God's faithfulness to redeem his people. Our students memorize Scripture every week. They discuss Biblical truths in the context of the other books they read. I long for them to take the truth of Scripture, understand that truth, and hide it in their heart so it naturally arises when they face tough situations.

Above all, I want Sonlight students to come to know the amazing, living God and choose to serve Him. May God spur us all on to live out our purpose!

Blessings,
Sarita

Tagged books, curriculum, philosophy, priorities | Leave a comment

Homeschool Benefit: You Hear Your Kids

4 Ways to Inspire Your Kids to Change the World

You read that book?!

What's Your Teaching Philosophy?

The Shuttle Ride: Educating Others About Homeschooling

Listening to Speakers

God Creates People for a Purpose: What that means for Sonlight

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