3 Lessons from Hiking for the New Homeschooler

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3 Lessons from Hiking for the New Homeschooler

Whether you are starting your homeschool journey with a kindergartner or a high schooler, you are in for an adventure. It's one that doesn’t come with an exact map. This journey will lead you through deep valleys, up steep mountains, and through serene places. Sometimes you find it has placed you smack dab in the middle of a raging river. It's a thrilling adventure with inspiring moments, yet it can also be a scary journey with unpredictable setbacks. 

Because there is no how-to manual for your specific family, you will need encouragement from those who have journeyed the road before. I've found some parallels between hiking and homeschooling that have given me direction and motivation. Here are three lessons from hiking for the new homeschooler.

1. Don’t Quit on the Uphill 

On my daily walk down our street, I face steep hills that challenge my physical strength. Some days I want to stop in the middle of the road and quit because my legs are screaming at me to stop and my lungs are aching, trying to get enough air.

If I stop, I will never have the benefit of seeing what is on the other side of the hill and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with pushing through the pain. When I reach that point of wanting to quit, I have to forge on.

In your homeschool journey, you can’t stop and give up. You have to move forward with a steady pace in order to succeed. Always keep the end in mind, and never look back with regret. You can push yourself much further than is comfortable, and you can achieve that which seems impossible. The uphill is coming, but you can overcome it. 

2. Listen to Advice of Fellow Hikers

My husband and I went hiking in Yellowstone a few years ago. Before we went, we were excited about the possibility of encountering wild animals. Our naive excitement didn't consider the dangers on the trail.

When we arrived, there were people and signs all along the path, warning us to be on alert and to carry bear spray. We debated whether we really needed the spray. But heeding the recommendations of those who had gone before us, we did buy the valuable bear spray and were glad we had it when we actually encountered our first grizzly. 

One of the best ways to prepare for your homeschool adventure is to listen to sound advice from those who know the trail well—those who have walked it before you and those who are walking it now. Listen to their advice, take it to heart, and then make your own decisions. I am not suggesting that you try to be someone else. You have to be you and do what is best for your family, but you can benefit from sound advice of others.

I know when I first started homeschooling, I took advantage of Sonlight’s Advisors and Instructor's Guides. Both of those tools helped me prepare for the journey ahead. 

3. Pace Yourself with Breaks 

Our family went hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park when our youngest child was about nine months old. We scoped out the best trail for our skill level, so we thought. As we began our outing, we realized we were not well prepared.

The trail proved to be more of a steep uphill climb most of the way before it leveled out into a beautiful clearing with monster-size elk, grazing peacefully. I had our nine month old son strapped to me in a baby carrier as we hiked. I was keeping pace until the high elevation air got the best of me. I literally thought I was going to die right there on the top of the Rocky Mountains. I could not breathe; my lungs would not take in enough air.

Mentally, I told myself I had to breathe before I went into an all-out panic attack. I stopped and took a break. I knew I eventually had to keep going. But in that moment, I had to stop and breathe so I could make the rest of the journey. 

Sometimes you have to stop and take a break in your homeschool journey as well. If you don’t take breaks when needed, you might experience panic attacks, exploding fury, or diminished joy.

These breaks are good for you and for your children. Make them a priority. Pausing to catch your breath is not quitting. Breaks are, in fact, wise ways to pace yourself. 

As a new homeschooler, you are on an exciting adventure. It will take you places that you never dreamed. Look for the daily lessons that will shape and mold you into who God wants you to be. Keep forging the trail!   

Sonlight Tools Save You Time

Your Sonlight Instructor's Guide is probably the closest thing you'll find to a homeschool map. See how it can save you time and worry.

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What to Do if Your Homeschooler Wants a Career in Politics

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What to Do if Your Homeschooler Wants a Career in Politics

Every aspect of an American president’s life is examined prior to an election—including schooling. But being homeschooled would not rule out someone from running for political office, even the presidency. According to the US Constitution there are only 3 requirements to run for president:

  1. You must be a natural born citizen.
  2. You must have lived in the United States for at least fourteen years.
  3. You must be at least 35 years old. 

Plenty of presidents were homeschooled, in fact! Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945) is the most recent. While there are no current records of a president homeschooling children in the White House, there are also very few records of those same children attending public school. In fact only one president has sent a child to public school in the past century. 

How Would a Homeschooler Become President? 

There is no one perfect route to the presidency, but there are some common themes. While presidents from backgrounds as diverse as farmer and actor have graced the White House, most have a background in law and politics. All have been able to convince people that they are the right candidate for the job.

Who Will Be the Next Homeschooled President? 

The person who becomes president is the one who can convince people to vote for them!  This is accomplished not only by building a resume of success, but also by creating a social platform that demonstrates leadership and integrity. 

If running for president or some other political office is an exciting idea in your homeschool, then it’s time to get started! Forget running for classroom president or student council. Here are five great ways homeschoolers can work towards a career in politics.

1. Look for Leadership Positions

Opportunities to lead exist beyond school walls. Consider groups where your family is already involved, but encourage your kids to be active participants prior to seeking leadership positions. Here are some great places to start looking:

  • church youth groups
  • sports teams
  • scouts and service organizations 
  • 4-H clubs

2. Join a Campaign

Money is the most sought after resource for campaigning. Do you know the second?  Volunteers, of course!

Change is built from the ground up, which makes local campaigns a great place to learn about politics. Working for a mayoral or congressional campaign may require data entry or registering and mobilizing new voters. Look up local candidates and contact the one your family wishes to support. 

3. Learn How the US Government Works

Sonlight's Election Headquarters is the place to start researching the upcoming election. Find hands-on activities, great books, and curriculum options, perfect for the would-be politician. 

4. Be Heard

The best ideas in the world won’t go anywhere unless they are shared. Sharpening communication skills is critical. 

  • Share ideas. Email mayors, senators, or congresspersons. 
  • Build a political platform. Practice answering questions with short, clear language. 
  • Practice public speaking. Simple ways to get started include theater, debate, and reading aloud to younger kids.  
  • Join and contribute to causes that reflect the established platform. 

5. Fundraise

Money is needed in order to campaign. Asking for backing and support is part of political life. Getting comfortable with raising funds for deserving causes and using entrusted monies efficiently is paramount. Almost all groups, teams, and clubs have fundraising opportunities. 

Are You Homeschooling a Future President? 

You could be raising a future president. As Andy Stanley says, “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do but someone you raise.”

Keep your family wrapped in faith and prayer. Political careers come with stress, rejection, and disappointment. They also come with amazing opportunities to improve the lives of people in our communities and throughout the world.

Election Day Headquarters

Step one towards educating your young public servant is understanding American history, government, and the election process. Get started at Sonlight's Election Headquarters. And be sure to request your FREE ELECTION UNIT STUDY.

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12 Books from American History That Develop Empathy

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It's quite amazing and wonderful that we can sit on the couch with our kids, get engrossed in a great book on American history, and develop empathy. No travel required. No argument resolution needed.

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Homeschooling During a Pandemic Wasn’t in My Planner

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Homeschooling During a Pandemic Wasn’t in My Planner

Siblings Micah (17), Caia (14,), Hanna (11), Kidist (8), and Mihiret (5), enjoy Sonlight books together on the trampoline.

Are you feeling out of sorts as you homeschool during this 2020 coronavirus pandemic? Me too! None of us has ever done this before, and it’s unsettling.

  • We are advised not to take our children to the grocery store. 
  • People we know (maybe ourselves) are out of work.
  • Homeschool co-op is canceled, and a friend’s birthday became a drive-by parade instead of a traditional party.
  • There is a deep feeling of loss each time church fails to gather in person, opting instead for the safety of a televised service. 

Jokes abound that homeschoolers are fine since we already have our kids out of school and are used to staying home. This hurts too.

While, yes, homeschoolers aren't dependent on schools, almost all of us have had our homeschool routine disrupted in some way. Our co-ops have been cancelled. Playdates are put on hold. And our favorite field trip spots aren't open. Plus the sheer weight of living during a pandemic affects us, too! 

The Homeschool Family in Quarantine

So how do we persevere and safeguard our homeschool during a pandemic?

First we acknowledge that things have changed. We realize that there is fear and uncertainty, and that we, too, are uncomfortable. Recognize the losses and the grief. Feel those emotions fully.

Second we give ourselves permission to take a break. When coping with a loss or adjusting to a big change, one of the best things we can do for ourselves and for our families is to build in space to grieve, reflect, and pray. Some families may want to temporarily press pause on homeschool lessons.

Finally we come up with a new normal. Homeschooling is going to look and feel different, but we are in a great position to make the best use of our time together at home to connect as a family. As Sonlight homeschoolers we already connect through stories, games, and experiences. We can do this! 

While some families may want to take a break, other families may want to invest more energy into their books since it provides a sense of safety and routine. Do what feels best for your bunch whether that's whizzing through your Instructor's Guide thanks to all your extra time at home during quarantine or whether that's putting the academics aside for a few days while you enjoy cozy family time. The longer quarantine lasts, the more options you have for both scenarios — times of rest and times of in-depth schoolwork!

1. Talk with Your Children

Acknowledge that things aren’t the way they used to be. Give voice to the things that have changed. Let them know that you are aware of how different life feels right now. Give them labels and words to describe what’s going on in the world. 

  • Define pandemic
  • Look up some age-appropriate material on Covid-19. 
  • Talk more about germs and viruses. 
  • Consider vocabulary they may have overhead such as ventilator or PPE.
  • Ask them about their concerns and let them know you are there to help answer or find answers to their questions. 
  • Combat fear with knowledge and understanding. Social distancing feels better when you understand its purpose. 

2. Be Ready to Listen

Prepare yourself for a lot of big feelings.

Just like us, our kids are experiencing something that has never happened in their lifetime. Children struggling to find the words to share their experience may lash out in frustration or complain about the social distancing. Be there for your kids with an extra dose of patience. 

3. Limit Exposure

This is big news! Coverage is constant and overwhelming. Turn off the screens and news podcasts to reduce the noise when it all starts to feel heavy (for you and for the kids). 

4. Set an Example

Let your children see you engaging in self-care. Keep exercising. Keep reading. Keep learning with and loving your family! 

5. Offer Reassurance

Remind your children that you are their parent and you will do everything you can to keep them safe. For younger kids a little reassurance may be all they need. For older kids, take the time to explain the actions you are taking to protect the family such as working from home, social distancing, dropping off groceries for older family members, or showering when returning home. 

6. Support 

Be open to extending and receiving support. If you are in a position of emotional, physical, and financial stability, consider offering to help others. Deliver groceries or lend an ear.

Respect your limits, and if you need help, ask

Christ remains the center of our families and our homeschools. He is with us during the ordinary days and the extraordinary ones. He will carry us through Covid-19. 

Suddenly Schooling at Home?
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What Is Socialization?

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What Is Socialization?

Socialization is a word that we homeschoolers often come to dread, probably because it’s the focus of much criticism for our chosen educational philosophy. There’s probably not a single homeschooler out there who hasn’t heard, “But what about socialization?”

Often, I’ve found myself wondering what would happen if I replied, “What is your definition of socialization?” I have to ponder whether they would even truly know what they were asking me. 

Many weeks ago, I was at my son’s basketball game. It was a pretty exciting moment in the game, and I happened to look over at the student section to see what I thought was a peculiar sight. All that I could see from my vantage point was the tops of heads, each one hunched over a personal screen. Occasionally, the teen would share their smart phone with another student for a few seconds, but soon enough, they would go right back to staring at the screen. I doubt most of those students watched even half of the game. 

As I looked around, I realized that the adults in the building weren’t faring much better. Many of us were also hunched over our screens, oblivious to the excitement happening around us. I don’t think socialization is a homeschool problem. I think it’s a societal problem that we all need to address. This brings me to the bigger question that we all need to examine: What is socialization?

1. Socialization is Learning Common Courtesies and Social Norms

By Webster’s definition, socialization is “the activity of mixing socially with others” or “the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.

Oddly enough, the example sentence in the online dictionary says, “Preschool starts the process of socialization.” 

Does it? 

I would argue that socialization begins much earlier, and it begins in the home.

  • Every time I make eye contact with my new baby, I’m passing on social norms.
  • When my toddler snatches a toy from another child and I reprimand the rude behavior, I’m teaching social norms.
  • When they demand help, and I require them to repeat their request in question form with a please attached, I’m teaching social norms.

To be quite honest, I would very much dislike the thought that my child has to wait until preschool to be taught socialization skills from a room full of three-year-olds!

On the flip side, a parent who is rude to an elderly person has taught their child that our culture doesn’t value the elderly. A parent who regularly curses their child has taught that child that cursing is part of daily communication.

When we wait for school to allow other children or even other adults to socialize our children, we are basically handing over a God-given, essential task of parenting. We are saying to these youngsters and their teachers, “Hey, whatever set of values you have are probably good enough, so teach those to my child.”

No thank you. Socialization begins at home.

2. Socialization is the Ability to Hold Conversations Across Generations

Socialization is not confined to how good you are at conversing with people in your own age bracket. The definition of socialization is to learn to behave in a way that is acceptable to society. It doesn’t come with any caveat about which demographic of society you have to work with.

We make a huge mistake when we dismiss inter-generational social skills. Wisdom comes from age, and if we don’t draw wisdom from the older generation, then we certainly cannot claim to be socialized. Children need to be able to hold conversation across multiple generations. They need to be as comfortable with a fellow teenager as they are with a elderly woman or a toddler. Being socialized means valuing every life at every stage. 

"Homeschooling bridges the age gap in siblings. Although 15 years apart in age, 2-year-old Liv eagerly looks on and listens to big sister Ava describing the sphinx moth chrysalis found in our yard." — Amanda C. in Tom Bean, TX

3. Socialization is Becoming a Productive Citizen

We all desire for our children to grow up to be productive citizens. We want our children to be able to get a job and support themselves and their future family. We want them to become leaders within their community, displaying the fruit of the Spirit on a daily basis. With that in mind, it is our job to help our child become a productive citizen, teaching them these skills. 

Socialization includes being servant-hearted, asking "How can I help?" This branch of socialization is taught every time you take a casserole to a sick person or every time you volunteer your time for a church or community project. It is taught every time you stop school to pray for someone or to go help your neighbor mow their yard. Socialization is inconveniently pausing your life to make someone else’s better.

4. Socialization is Having the Courage to Be a Stranger in This World

This world is not my home. It’s a line that I repeat to myself often. As Christians, we are simply Pilgrims in a foreign land, passing through and striving to glorify God, while longing for the day that we can truly say, “I’m home.”

Sometimes this world looks so weird to me, and even in the comfort of my own earthly home, I still find myself feeling out of place. So much of what I see playing out in our society is so far from the good work that God began in creation. It’s such a difficult reality at times, holding the tension between living in the world, yet not being of the world. It takes courage.

Socializing our children means teaching them to live in that tension alongside us. It means instilling the courage it takes to stand up for what is right and good, while still loving people well. This is something that public schools can’t teach our children because it is The Gospel. We cannot afford to passively believe that public schools are taking care of this for us because they simply can’t. The only way that this can be taught is by discipling our children in the Word and reminding them of the cost of the cross.

There is no other way to learn to love sinful people, except to daily look in the mirror and take in the gravity of our own, ugly sin, while remembering that we too, have received undeserved grace from a holy God. Any other motivation is simply a display of empty kindness, here today, and gone tomorrow.

So my question to the well-meaning people who ask about socialization becomes, “How could I possibly not socialize my child at home?”

Even parents who send their children to public schools still must take on the responsibility of socialization. We cannot hand over this task to a classroom of our child’s peers. We cannot leave it to teachers. We cannot leave it to social media. It is our task—and our privilege—to socialize our children.

Fellow homeschoolers, socialization isn’t about carting our kids around to a bunch of different activities. It’s about giving them the time and space to live life alongside you. It’s about being intentional about teaching them our beliefs and values. So the next time someone asks you the dreaded question, just smile and say, “Thank you for your genuine concern, but I think we’re doing just fine!” 

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3 Questions That Help You Find the Right Homeschool Curriculum

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Liam excited about all the books!

Curriculum choices can overwhelm even the most seasoned homeschooler. As you know, there are many options, creating even more confusion when it comes to narrowing the choice to only one. With so many programs available, here’s the big question we all ask: Which one is the right one? 

Or maybe you find yourself asking…

To alleviate the sense of overwhelm and worry, I challenge you to filter your curriculum options through the following three questions. 

1. What Are My Family’s Priorities? 

  • What is most important to you and your family? 
  • What goals are you trying to achieve?

These are big questions, and the answers might change over time from year to year or even month to month. 

As you select your curriculum, look at it through the lens of “Will this meet my top priority right now?” If it does meet those needs, stick with that one curriculum for at least six months so you can keep consistency and give the curriculum a fair trial. After the 6-month trial period, then you can judge whether it is helping you reach your goals and reevaluate wisely.

2. Do I Need All-the-things?

I have learned in my eight years of homeschooling that my husband and I are more important than the curriculum we choose. Curriculum doesn’t teach my children; we do

  • We are the ones who show up every day. 
  • We are the ones who invest in our children. 
  • We are the ones who guide and direct the course our homeschool takes. 
  • We are the ones encouraging, admonishing, training, and pouring ourselves into them.

There is no curriculum out there that can replace the significant role of a parent. 

When we realize that there is no perfect curriculum and begin to understand our central role as parents, it changes our perspective of what we really need in a curriculum. It also helps us stay within our budget and not go overboard with all-the-things. 

Sometimes the mentality of needing all-the-things creates unneeded stress and anxiety. Just remember when you are weighing the options, you are the kingpin that the curriculum hinges on. Even the greatest curriculum will be mediocre without your investment. 

3. What Brings My Family Joy? 

It is important that the curriculum we choose is something that our family enjoys and is excited to use day after day. Figuring out what motivates and inspires your family is beneficial in determining what curriculum will fit your family best. 

Take a poll among your children and ask what their favorite activities are or simply observe how they seem to enjoy learning best. Take what you learn and let it guide you as you narrow down your curriculum choices.

Maybe you still aren’t sure even after talking with your children. My best advice is to see if the curriculum you are considering has free samples, or a free trial, or money back guarantee. If, like Sonlight, it does, take advantage of those offers and try it out with your children. After the whole family has gotten a feel for the curriculum, allow them the opportunity to give input before you commit to purchase.

There is no easy, one-size-fits-all homeschool solution and every child is different, but Sonlight can help! Learn how.

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How Can Sonlight Expect Us to Read So Many Books at Once?

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How Can Sonlight Expect Us to Read So Many Books at Once?

"So thankful we tried Sonlight 6 years ago!" —Jennie W. of Puryear, TN

Like many homeschool programs, Sonlight comes with a teacher’s guide (called an Instructor’s Guide) that lays out a daily schedule for parents.  It breaks the yearly books down into manageable, daily assignments.

Because of this bite-sized daily approach, Sonlight has parents reading from multiple books each day:

  • one or more Bible passages or Bible study books
  • a history chapter
  • a poetry passage
  • a literature or Read-Aloud selection
  • science portions

It can seem intimidating.

Parents may worry how they or their child will be able to keep track of so many books and characters and themes at once without getting confused. It can seem like an onerous task, especially to someone used to reading one book at a time.

You Read More Than You May Realize

Adults who love to read read far more than they are aware of and yet don’t seem to get confused among the different topics.  

For example, today I have read 4 different news articles on my phone.  I’ve poured over one Bible devotional passage and looked over 3 recipes.  I’ve read 4 books to my children and glanced over the notes in the Instructor’s Guide. I’ve browsed through a few dozen Facebook posts, read a chapter in a book on my ereader, and had to look at the instruction manual on a new appliance. All that reading, and it’s not even noon yet! I am sure I will be reading much more as the day goes on.  

We are capable of reading a lot of different items and keeping them straight. There may be times when plots seem to merge together, or someone might have trouble keeping track of the characters for a particular book. But overall we are quite good at handling multiple topics without confusing them.

Consider the Television Analogy

To realize just how adept people are at juggling multiple stories at once, consider television viewing.

My brother, for example, loves watching NCIS.  He regularly watches NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and other CSI-style shows. He is able to keep track of new episodes and reruns, always has a general idea of what’s going on, and knows which show is which at a glance.  He never struggles to remember what happened in each individual series, and he never gets them confused.

Another example is my mom's habit of watching multiple soap operas each day.  I would never know which show was on or who each person was, but she could go a few months without watching and pick up where she left off without ever getting her stories confused or forgetting which characters belong to which program.  

That's because each television program has a different storyline, different characters, and different plots.  Our brains are wired to keep track of multiple storylines when the stories are varied, engaging, and memorable. 

Think of Your Sonlight Books as a Day of Television Viewing

If we compare Sonlight’s books to a lineup of television programs, it’s pretty easy to see how they are different and thus easier to keep track of. 

  • Bible Reading: Think of this like watching your favorite church service from home.
  • A History Book: This is akin to watching a documentary on the History Channel or National Geographic
  • A Prayer Book or Bible Study Book: Often these books provide information about a people group or a country, so it might be comparable to watching a brief news segment.
  • A Poetry Book: These are short, light, and fun. Let's think of it as a YouTube video.
  • A Read-Aloud: This is a meaningful story that draws you in. It's similar to your favorite program. You binge watch and can't wait for the next season ("Just one more chapter, please!")
  • A Reader: Your child reads it to themselves. It's parallel to a television show just for kids.
  • Your History / Bible / Literature Instructor’s Guides: An IG is full of practical advice and how-to information, just like an HGTV program on restoring houses, beautifying the garden, or cooking a delicious dish. 
  • Science Books: These books are akin to a show from Discovery or Animal Planet channels

Because all the parts are so different from each other and have different topics, it’s usually easy to keep them straight.  Plus, the more you get used to it, the easier it becomes. 

You Can Always Change the Schedule

If you truly don’t like the idea of reading small portions each day, try a different method. Perhaps a loop schedule might suit you better.

Sonlight is great when you use it as written, but that doesn’t make it any less great if you use it your own way as well.  

Whichever method you settle on, you will still have a lot of books to read with your children throughout the year, each with a variety of topics and a plethora of information. Looking at each new book as a new adventure makes keeping track of multiple book sat once less overwhelming.  

Tools to Save You Time

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