Tools to Homeschool With Confidence

In these last months we have been delving deeply into the roots of American education and homeschooling to recover the wisdom that has been lost. My goal has been to educate and equip you so that you can homeschool in confidence.

Today we need to explore just why we feel so insecure at times and how we can overcome.

(Scroll to point #5 to find the link to the free PDF.)

1. The Tension We Face

It’s one thing to talk about freedom in learning, but it’s another thing to actually live it. None of us want our children turned into indoctrinated robots, trained to fit into some inhumane machine. But we also know that tossing out all structure in favor of free-spirited, hippie-style learning usually leads to chaos.

We need rules. We need traditions. They anchor us. But the big question is: which rules, and how many? If we reject everything about conventional schooling, we may end up dangling with no foundation at all. So, how do we find balance?

2. Progress Comparison

One of the biggest lies of modern schooling is the comparison game. In this game all children are tested and evaluated to see if they stack up to the “norm.” Norm is a child smack dab in the middle. He is neither too smart nor too stupid. As Goldilocks would say, “He’s just right!” But Norm doesn’t exist in reality. He is only there to help bureaucrats in their job of categorizing us like cattle (You know, Grade A, etc.).

When we homeschool, we no longer need Norm. The only person we must compare our child with is himself. Is he making progress from six months ago? From last year? That’s the measure that matters—not how he stacks up against an imaginary average child.

3. Clear & Realistic Goals

However, even with this self-comparison model, we need clear and realistic goals. Too high, and we crush our kids under pressure. Too low, and they never grow.

Here’s a healthy way to think about goals:

Overarching goals should give you vision. For example: I want my child to be mature and educated on a level that prepares her to enjoy a life which glorifies God and blesses others.

Short-term goals should be practical and character-based. Think: Learning to practice patience, developing solid math skills, becoming confident in reading, or growing in selflessness.

A wonderful resource that helped me years ago was Barbara Wagner’s booklet, Learning Life’s Lessons: A Personalized Unit Study Approach. In this booklet she breaks down both overarching goals and subject-specific ones. Here are the examples she shares:

Sample Educational Philosophy

1. Develop productive, responsible adults.

2. Instill a love of learning/discovery.

3. Fulfill individual purposes for a full and effective life.

4. Develop Godly character values.

5. Provide a foundation of knowledge and basic con-cepts valuable to Christian living.

6. Use the Bible as the core of all learning and as authori-tative in every subject area.

Suggested Subject Goals

Reading

To be able to gain knowledge and infor-mation from the experiences and ideas of others by comprehending the written lan-guage

Language

To be able to communicate in a clear and effective manner

Math

To be able to use mathematical skills to solve problems of increasing difficulty and to apply them to life situations

Science

To understand the world as created and ordered by God

Social Studies

To understand man’s role in our present and future by recognizing past roles

Art/Music

To appreciate abilities God has given us and value them as a form of communica-tion

Health

To be knowledgeable about our role in caring for our bodies under the lordship of Christ

P.Ε.

To recognize physical aspects of our bodies and the value of physical achieve-ment and fitness

4. A Vehicle for General Measuring

This is all gravy, but we need to make things more concrete, don’t we? I mean, theories are great, but we need for these ideas to be operational or they are not helpful.

So, how do we actually measure progress without relying on Norm? One way is to create a checklist of milestones. I’ve done this by sitting down and thinking about what I hope my children will learn and accomplish in the next year.

This is a good place for you to start, too. You may feel stuck at first, but I think if you begin by writing down only five things, your list will expand naturally, and you will end up with more than you realize.

Then, make it tangible. Put it into a checklist or chart. Review it a few times a year. You could even let your child fill out their own copy. When you compare today’s list to last semester’s, you’ll clearly see growth—or spot areas that need adjustment.”

5. A Vehicle for Task Measuring

When I first started out on my unconventional learning journey, I was enthusiastic, but oh, so lost, and Wagner’s ideas were a great help. Included in her booklet were forms with lists of skills and character traits which I could use for evaluations. There were even forms for evaluating after a unit of study.

I have taken the idea of these forms and personalized them. I am offering them as a free PDF download to you to use with your children (just click on the graphic below):

Homeschool With Confidence free pdf of homeschool evaluation forms

6. Overcoming Insecurity

Here’s the truth: stepping away from conventional schooling can feel terrifying. It’s easy to believe that everyone else knows what they’re doing while you’re floundering in uncertainty.

But you’re not alone—and you’re not failing.

By using goals, checklists, and periodic assessments, you’ll not only see your child’s progress, but you’ll also give yourself confidence. And if you live in a state that requires documentation, this process will make your life so much easier.

Let’s do a quick recap: