Planning Our Next Homeschool Year...

With our Annual Homeschool Assessment done, I'm shifting gears in planning mode for next year.  Though officially I'm homeschooling 2, I will be focusing on my five year old as well.

These past couple years we have done our Bible Study and the 3 R's (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic) daily and all other subjects twice a week with a Ruth Beechick feel to applying BPA.  This has worked OK for us-but, I always feel rushed in our studies.  I'm never really satified with the amount or quality of projects we incorporate with our studies.

So, I'm thinking this year, I'd like to try to do a quarterly cycle on subjects like History/Geography, Science, Art & Music Appreciation.  My thinking is as an adult, I don't pursue a study on several interests all at once.  I focus on the necessities daily (Bible, Home Management, find Gluten free recipes). But, study other interests (photography, painting, quilting, etc.) one at a time, till I feel satisfied with what I have learned.  Then I move to another interest. I know standard education doesn't work this way. But, outside of the standard education-educating oneself does.

For me, it allows me time to focus, ruminate, and reflect on what I'm studying.  Couldn't it do the same for my children?  And possibly, make it more enjoyable?  And allow me more time to plan a project and feel like we've accomplished some quality learning?  I don't know.  It sounds good.

So, I think I'm going to try it.

Now, I have to come up with our Study Goals and draft up our Schedule.  Plus, I want to research more on Charlotte Mason to see if and how I can integrate that method into our studies.  Ambleside Online is a great online resource for learning Charlotte Mason. I'll keep you posted. 

What does your homeschooling schedule look like?  What's worked or not worked for you?  Feel free to share!

BPA with Freedom & Simplicity Poetry Study

Anyone familiar with the Biblical Principle Approach (BPA) method understands, it's easy to make a mountain out of a mole hill. But once the transition and understanding of BPA starts to take place, it can be very rewarding . And being a Christian, it resonates with me to offer my children an education that is fully Christ Centered.

BPA's method is based on applying Biblical Principles and the 4 R's to all areas of study:

Research

Reason

Relate

Record

As stated before, in the beginning, it can be a little overwhelming in figuring out how to implement BPA to all subjects. That's why it's always encouraged to start with one subject and slowly integrate it to all others. History and/or Language Arts seems to be the two easiest subjects to use as a starting point. And it's always welcomed, when someone with experience in BPA has something to offer in making it more friendly and enjoyable.

With preparing for next year's learning and finding areas of improvement, it was great timing that I was given the opportunity to receive a copy and give a review of Lisa Hodgen's new study guide **Freedom & Simplicity™ Poetry Study**. In an e-mail she states , "In this guide I show you how to find Freedom & Simplicity™ in quick and painless daily activities".

Lisa shows how to implement BPA to the study of Poetry in a natural and "simple" way. It's not forced with memorizing the mechanics or mundane with the use of worksheets. She lays out how to do a weekly study in 5 steps with book suggestions and how to integrate poetry with the study of history. Then gives more ideas, important vocabulary, additional resource suggestions, and follows up with Biblical foundations giving more depth and making the study of poetry more meaningful.

This is not a large, over burdensome guide. It's simple and to the point, which I like. When teaching 3 children and running after an additional 2, fluff is not something I need.

I have been (at a snails pace) learning BPA for a couple years, now. After going through **Freedom & Simplicity™ Poetry Study**, I came away rethinking the importance of poetry. I was also encouraged and left with a sense that not only teaching Poetry the BPA way doable- but, has the potential to be very enjoyable for any homeschool.

You can purchase Lisa's **Freedom & Simplicity™ Poetry Study** and more of her BPA products at her website Me and My House.

Thank you Lisa for the new insight and this opportunity to review your new guide.

God Bless & Enjoy the Ride,

Brook

Principle Approach...

If you are interesteng in learning more about the Principle Approach method to Homeschooling then this e-book may be of interest you:


The Principle Approach Primer  by Gina Glenn


It is free for a limited time on Amazon. So, get it today!!!

Enjoy the Ride,
Brook