Pagan Homeschooling – Witchy Wednesday
*I purchased this book at a used bookstore and did not receive anything in return of this review*
I got this book called Pagan Homeschooling. I have been considering homeschooling for a little while now. Mostly with the concerns of the snow days and the onslaught of the change in children in 4th grade. My eldest has issues with some of the girls who have turned catty. Nothing physical, my eldest just thinks they are being idiots and these girls are being….well girls. Anywho it has been on my mind for awhile. And I have certain things that hold me back from doing so. More on that in a bit though, want to get to this book.
The title is almost misleading because it isn’t JUST about pagan homeschooling but homeschooling in general. They start off with a checklist of reasons why you may or may not want to homeschool. Only 1 of my reasons were listed. The book also covers resources that are both pagan in nature and those that are secular. The book is written for the pagan parent who does not wish to inundate their child with Christian influence, so the resources are devoid of those influences. That was reassuring because it seemed like every homeschool site I found online was about Christian homeschooling. The book touches on various stages of childhood; kindergarten, tweens, and puberty. Even better is the issue of children with special needs and how to handle that. The book covers using boxed curricula, unschooling,eclectic styles, what supplies you need, etc etc etc. As a bonus the book does offer insight on how to bring in paganism into your classroom IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO. The author makes it very clear that it is a personal decision to bring in religious teachings and that one doesn’t need to feel obligated in doing so in order to homeschool. She offers some pagan exercises to use with your children to help you get started.
So I have to be honest. I haven’t read it all the way through. I did a skimming type read because i have another book review that I am doing that must be posted very soon. After we get through tax time I will be really sitting down with the kids and talking to them about how they feel about it. Especially the older two who have been in public school for almost 6 years. My reasons for doing so are so that I can have them in a year round curriculum, use every chance I can for a teaching experience (ex: grocery store trip), be able to teach them about various religions now, make sure that too many snow days don’t mess them up, and their personal safety is a huge issue for me. After my experiences as a child and seeing more and more school shootings being reported on the news….I do fear for them. Now what I fear most is: I won’t be able to educate them in the manner they need, I won’t be able to work from home, I will get burned out being around my kids all day, and they will miss out on alot of opportunities they get from school. One thing is no more Saturday classes at University North Carolina because they are only offered to the gifted children. To be in gifted program you have to be in the public system. Same goes for Molly’s opportunity to go to Wake Forest this summer for a week, that is only offered to gifted children. Those things I don’t want to take from her because they are amazing opportunities. So I still feel like I am on the fence. I don’t want to mess up my kids, ya know?
Ok so the book info is:
Pagan Homeschooling: A Guide to Adding Spirituality to Your Child’s Education
by: Kristin Madden
published by: Spilled Candy Books
**As of this morning I will be discussing it with my girls this morning. I was very upset to hear of yet another school shooting. I am also extremely disgusted by our city’s refusal to consider year round schooling. Their viewpoint is that since we are a tourist town we must have kids off in summer to be available to work. With the many that are jobless I find it interesting we put off the work onto our students! After talking with my girls we will make the decision and then I will work with my boss on how to remedy the work situation. I am certain we can arrive at some sort of arrangement. He has been wonderful in the past about working with me and I have made sure to keep up with deadlines**
I think this is a very tough decision. I made this decision with my boys as you know. However, each family is different. I think discussing homeschooling with your girls and maybe doing a pros/cons list is a good idea. Call up the university etc and see what they can offer a homeschooled gifted child. i too worry about burn out of the kids being home all day. Yet, I stress when they are at school because of safety and it seems like a lack of education, bullying, smartass attitude.
I feel inadequate when it comes to the 3 r’s but with the internet you really do not have to worry so much. The rest of the reason is the same reason you are considering homeschool. I want my children to learn budgeting, how to care of a house, time management, cooking. Just general day to day activities that children can not be taught in school that I feel they need! Specially with the economy the way it is. Children need to learn to save. I believe the lack of education about money is part of the reason why people are in the bind they are. Not saying that the economy does not suck but i know people do not understand wants vs needs.
ok sorry I got to rambling.
I agree that its a hard decision. As of now its not something we want to do, but I can understand it & under certain circumstances would do so as well in a heartbeat.
Have to comment on the catty girl thing though. If your daughter is just starting to notice it at that age you are very lucky. My sister’s class (graduating this year… crazy!) it started in pre-k. I am so not kidding. They are awful!
Mama Kalila´s last blog ..32 Week’s Now…
I stumbled on your blog post and thought I’d pass this along to you….I agree that every family is different, but overall what you can give your children is much greater than any public school can. I feel semi-qualified to state that as I was a public school teacher for 8 years and I am (Pagan) homeschooling my children. Your children will get an individualized education that follows their interests that can not be matched in a classroom setting. You will address your child’s learning style daily and the relationship you share will grow in ways unimaginable. I have met 2 other pagan homeschooling families locally and other secular homeschoolers are great resources. My children interact daily with other children and the interactions surpass any 15 minute recess. Their social experiences are longer and give them time to really learn social skills that are beyond what any 15 minutes can give, plus I can see that the relationships built and the interactions are much more meaninful. Just some food for thought…