Comment

Comment by Tom Smith on 9th mo. 28, 2011 at 11:24am

I don't think there is much different about the "academic" (3 R's) curriculum but that there is a MAJOR component of the curriculum that lies in the classroom. Maybe adding a few R's might "fit?" Respect, responsibility (Response-ability), etc. It is how the individuals in the class are treated by the teacher and treat each other that "Quakerism" is taught. I have often used the phrase "Teaching is what the student does" to convey this meaning. If the student's treat each other and the teacher with respect (and hopefully charity-love); learn to share; learn to respect their environment; learn to speak the Truth as they know it; etc. then they have been "taught" in a friends manner. This part of the "curriculum" is hard to put into a lesson plan book, because it takes 24/7 (or its equivalent in an educational setting) attention to all of the interactions among the children (A major reason for keeping class sizes small) and the willingness to "interrupt" the "academic curriculum" to deal with an issue immediately and consistently.

It is important to keep in mind that contrary to an old adage "Children are to be seen AND heard AND believed!." This is part of respect and integrity. Do we "believe" the child has the same perception as we do? Likely no, but the child's perception IS REAL to the child. WE must recognize that reality in order to respect and teach the child.

This has become a wordy response, but I hope it helps recognize what has become a "trite" phrase in that Friends schools attempt to deal with the "Whole child" and not just the "academic." In my opinion, many Friends schools lose sight of that as the child progresses to middle and secondary school.

 

As an additional more specific response, the inclusion of selected books in the academic curriculum is also useful. These might include the "Obadiah" books, "Witch of Blackbird Pond," "Across Five Aprils," etc.

Comment by Lisa George on 9th mo. 27, 2011 at 3:25pm

I would like to know what is considered a general curriculum in an early-grade quaker school?  Aside from the 'Three R's' what else is emphasized?

Comment by Beth Belch on 9th mo. 27, 2011 at 9:04am

 I would be very much interested in starting a reading list, by age level, and would love to offer whatever help and insight I can!!

 

Comment by Tom Smith on 9th mo. 27, 2011 at 8:55am

Beth,

The intent of this group was to provide a "clearinghouse" or center for just such activities as you have suggested. However, due to health and other reasons, no excuses really, the project has really not developed. It has become a "dream" of my wife and I, but the reality is that little has been done. We started a web site, which has since been dismantled, and a blog, which is currently silent, and would very much like to develop a resource as you have been thinking(!!!) of.

I know of a number of homeschoolers who are Friends and would be interested in such a project. Maybe we can still "pull it off" with enough encouragement and participation.

Comment by Beth Belch on 9th mo. 27, 2011 at 6:53am

I've been thinking (dangerous I know) about a Quaker homeschool reading list. My initial thoughts are that it would be a supplement for other schooling methods, including unschoolers. Eventually I would love to do something resembling a curriculum plan. What would be included? History of Friends, for starters. But I am looking for input. Does something like this exist already?

Comment by Jan Lyn Lewis on 1st mo. 25, 2011 at 5:25pm

Hello Lisa and Tom.  You always have permission to list my blog, Tom, though I haven't been writing much about our hs recently, there are some book lists and entries from the past on it.

Lisa, hsing is an exciting lifestyle if it is a good fit for your family.  We did not like the notion for years and then found ourselves doing it for health reasons of one of my children and got hooked.  We are on our 10th year.  First, I'd google home education and read up on philosophies to see what is your preference and go from there.  We enjoyed a more Charlotte Mason approach in the younger years, and a combo of Classical later.  Now that our children are older, we are quite eclectic and use more traditional methods and some online live classes also.  My son is in his second year of college and doing just fine. Even with some challenges here for me in schooling these days, my daughters are becoming more and more independant, which is the goal eventually anyways.  They have always scored very high on the standardized tests I give them, even when I think we've had a lighter year academically.  (I do that to cover myself and allow myself an additional yardstick, so to speak, though our state does not require it.) But, what I am saying, is it is quite doable if your family loves to learn together.   Here are some sites that list free curriculum, books and options that may get you started:

www.oldfashionededucation.com

www.amblesideonline.org

www.simplycharlottemason.com

www.homeschool.com -lists many different curriculum options and schools online

www.currclick.com - check out live classes, but be aware they are from a Christian perspective, which at times is evident and other times does not come into play at all

For great conversation,  get questions answered, to buy and sell books my favorite forum for parents is:

www.welltrainedmind.com

 

I hope that some thing here helps and feel free to transfer any to your site, Tom, which looks great by the way. 

Jan Lyn

 

Comment by Tom Smith on 1st mo. 19, 2011 at 8:39pm

I have started a new blog  at virtualfriendseducation.blogspot.com  I would like to list any of the members here who have blogs on the "blog list" on the new blog. However, I will not add any links to any one or to any blog without specific permission from the "owner" of the blog.

Comment by Lisa George on 1st mo. 19, 2011 at 4:05pm

Tried to access the virtualfriendsschool.org.  Is it still active?  My twins are currently attending a Waldorf school since we cannot afford a Quaker school.  Then again, we are not sure how we are going to afford their schooling next year.  Are there any free to low-cost home-schooling resources, though not Quaker-sanctioned (if there is such a thing) but could be adaptable?

Comment by Jan Lyn Lewis on 7th mo. 4, 2010 at 6:21pm

Take your time, Tom, but that will be good. I just explored the site and some of the links provided there now and enjoyed it.

Comment by Tom Smith on 7th mo. 3, 2010 at 5:28am

Just a quick update on inactivity (at least at this site). We have moved to Minnesota and have been busy with the move and settling in for the last couple of months. We will attempt to become more active here and at virtualfriendsschool.

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