After finally settling on the decision to homeschool, it was time to find the perfect curriculum.
I wasn’t in it for religious reasons. School was school… I had no reason to incorporate religion into our secular learning; In essence, I was planning to recreate school at home.
My eyes and ears were always on alert for potential ‘classroom’ fillers: Desks, wall calendars, wall mounted pencil sharpener, bulletin boards, chalkboards (or dry erase), the works. I had no idea where I was going to set up such a space to fit it all. My basement family room was about to get a major makeover. And since I didn’t know what I was doing yet, the only curriculum I had in mind was K12. Of the many books I had read about homeschooling options and such, the one that I fell in love with was that of Charlotte Mason. The only problem was that I was still in such a public school mindset that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the concept. It was far too gentle.
Then someone suggested another option. I wish I could give proper credit, but I don’t remember who it was. All I know is that suddenly I was reading a strange book I had never heard of before. A Thomas Jefferson Education. This book CHANGED MY LIFE! I know that sound cliché and even silly, but there is no other way to put it.
The entire concept just made sense, and before I knew it I was on a new quest. I had to find people that had used this concept and see it in action. Was it really possible that this method worked in real life situations?
I gathered phone numbers from friends and acquaintances that knew people using the TJEd method in their homes. Some were less than thrilled to be speaking to a ‘greenie’ in the making over the phone, and some were far to busy to talk at all. Of the six or seven people I spoke with, only one was willing to take the time to speak with me in person. She may have felt slightly obligated since she was the daughter of a lady in my ward, but I was willing to allow myself to burden her for a couple of hours in order to gain some insight into this strangely appealing way of educating not only my children but myself as well. Aren’t I sweet? ;)
I was invigorated. Somehow I still felt a pull toward Charlotte Mason and her philosophies as well. How was I supposed to choose? They were both appealing. After much prayer, I realized that the two were completely compatible leaving me with a unique curriculum customized for my children and my family.
Charlotte Mason brings a gentle approach to the way information is delivered to children, lots of playtime (especially outdoors), a love of nature, the arts, and a well rounded approach to discovering individual ihnterests. Oliver Van DeMille (author of TJEd) offers a set of principles that I am able to intertwine with CM’s ways. I’ll quote myself in saying:
“I read the book as a new homeschooler several years ago. Up to that point I had every intention of recreating school at home. The TJEd book opened my eyes and mind to a new way of thinking. It just made perfect sense. I realized that I didn't want my kids to end up with the same 'education' that I ended up with. I wanted them to become independent thinkers and really make a difference in this world we are living in, whether that difference is small or not. I just wanted the difference to be for the good.
The TJEd principles are what I base everything on now, including my own education.
I don't use TJEd as a curriculum itself, rather it has become the cornerstone of our educational philosophies. I love the Charlotte Mason method, and I feel that I am able to use TJEd principles as a guide. I feel that they compliment each other very nicely. However, I don't use all of CM's ideas. I am very eclectic and use bits and pieces of this and that to compliment the TJEd principles as we see fit.
That's the beauty of homeschooling. We can each take the bits and pieces of different methods, philosophies, curriculums, etc. to help our respective children gain the education our Heavenly Father wants them to have. TJEd in one home can look very different than TJEd in another. CM looks different in my home than it does in any other home.”
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