Intentionality: Sept-Oct 2024 WISDOM Family Magazine

Intentionality

The Gilbertine Academy Administration

Principal, Head of School

Kenneth Noster

Associate Principal,

Home Education

Simon Noster

Associate Principal of Gilbertine Academy

Yvan Beaudoin

Secretary Treasurer

Vic Wiens

Chief Operating Officer

TobyLauren Burgess

Office Manager

Rae LaRocque

High School Advisor

Christian Bekolay

High School Credit Advisor

Peter Weidman

IT Systems Administrator

Levi Breederland

Graphic Designer

Naomi Doyle

Office Staff:

Home School Consultants

Janice Laurence

Peter Weidman

Terry Yaceyko

Administrative Assistants

Jennifer Laszlo

Amy Burkey

Julia Yaceyko

Office Assistant

Helen Burgess

Finance Manager

Melissa McEachern

Finance Assistant

Henrietta Neilson

Family Funding Team Lead

Taylor Laurence

Family Funding Assistants

Thomas Laurence

Ezra Noster

Family Funding

Systems Maintenance

Dylan Kwasnycia

Accounts Receivable

Jim Burgess

Development Director

Saul Noster

Development Assistant

Joshua Bruce

Data Manager

Janelle Mailhot

Data Assistant

Abigail Laurence

SIS Data Entry Clerks

Hannah Hoekstra

Anthony Laszlo

Events Director

Marlane Noster

Events Coordinator

Kyra Tinant

Athletics Director

John Hoekstra

Socratic Dialogue

Online Program Manager

Nicole Noster

Mediated Learning Program Manager Dynamic

Assessment

John Hoekstra

Mediated Learning

Advisor & Educational Therapist

Lora Cardinal

High School Subject Specialists

Pierre-Andre Beaudoin (Chemistry)

Rhonda Caluttung (English & Social Studies)

Lydie Delli Santi (French, Spanish)

James Rauch (Latin)

Peter Weidman (Math, Sciences)

For contact information, see wisdomhomeschooling.com > About > The Team

Phone: (780) 741-2113

Toll Free: (877) 425-8546

with questions: office@wisdomhomeschooling.com with contributions to the WISDOM Magazine: magazine@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Publisher: WISDOM Home Schooling

Content/Editor /Desktop:

TobyLauren Burgess & Amy Burkey

Desktop / Design:

Naomi Doyle

wisdomhomeschooling.com

Facilitators:

Michele Barter (780) 363-3740

Pierre-Andre Beaudoin (780) 239-0381

Joan Bishop (780) 878-5380

Rhonda Caluttung (403) 846-0404

Lydie Delli Santi (403) 392-9209

Carrie Friesen (780) 217-4006

Simon Friesen (587) 222-1790

Rachelle Godin (780) 349-1827

Liz Gurnett (780) 349-1577

Nola Hutchinson (780) 781-2527

Anella Jantz (587) 297-1992

Desmond Kilgannon (780) 225-6688

Randy Kopp (780) 723-5382

Gordon Loewen (587) 298-7565

Taylore Maschmeyer (780) 270-0460

Mark Meakes (780) 231-6594

Simon Noster (780) 581-8885

Sue Peachment (403) 994-1963

Joy Ronald (780) 278-5557

Kim Schultz (780) 623-2886

Glenn Spiess (639) 894-0470

Brian Taje (780) 312-4525

Paul van den Bosch (403) 358-4497

Catherine van Kampen (403) 845-2923

Peter Weidman (780) 223-2414

North

Georg & Gayle Beinert

Rene & Karen Godin

Menno & Margaret Knelsen

Central

Darrel & Kristine Buchholtz

Sheldon & Sharon Kok

Don & Bo Reid

Cory & Sierra Rotchford

South

Cameron & Tanya Harrison

Joe & Diane Pollock

Content:

835-8722

644-1825 (780) 928-3008

WISDOM publishes articles by many Individual authors. The opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of WISDOM. We reserve the right to decline any submission, and to edit those submissions we accept for accuracy, clarity & length.

Photography:

Unless otherwise credited, photography is courtesy of the Noster, Burgess, Tinant, and Doyle families. The people appearing in photos throughout this publication do not endorse any specific product, service, cause, association or endeavour. Images and photos are for illustrative purposes only.

First Things

September/October 2024

Greetings,

Welcome to a new year of home education; I hope that you are settling into your groove, establishing helpful routines, and discovering many opportunities to experience the joy of learning.

The Education Program Plan is key to exercising the great freedom we enjoy in Alberta to home educate using any curricula and method that we choose. Remember, you may update your epp at any time, should you choose to change some significant element of your plan. Speak to your facilitator for more information.

When your facilitator comes to visit, they will offer insight and evaluate your child’s progress and achievement in relation to your epp. They may offer suggestions or advice with respect to your child’s achievement so that you are well equipped to lead your child to success.

It is often helpful to utilize external forms of assessment in order to evaluate a course of action, and chart the future. An excellent form of assessment is the Classic Learning Test. Originally designed as an alternative to the sat or act for College bound students in the u.s.a., the clt has continued to expand its target audience, and it is now recognized for post-secondary admission at several Canadian institutions. Perhaps more importantly, the clt has expanded to now offer the tests at multiple grades, including the clt10, clt8, and the clt3-6. These new assessments are not limited to particular curricula, but test key numeracy skills and use classic texts to assess literacy. The clt is completed online, and proctored by parents at home (with the exception of the College clt, which is proctored remotely). We at WISDOM are excited to once again cover the cost of the clt, charging only a $10 administrative fee. Learn more at www.cltexam.com and visit the WISDOM website under Resources > External > Classic Learning Test to book.

The WISDOM Finance team continues to work hard to make your access to home education

resource funding as simple as possible. Take advantage of digital receipt submission now and look forward to your first refund in October.

Spring term registrations for the WISDOM Socratic Dialogue Online Program open on October 16th. These popular courses fill up quickly, some within hours; visit our website to peruse the options so that you are ready to select your choices when registration opens.

WISDOM hosted Fall Gatherings are a great chance to meet homeschooling friends, old and new. Check out pg. 44-46 for information, and register on our website under Events > Family Gatherings.

Our annual High School and Beyond Conference will be held on April 4-5, 2025 in Spruce Grove. Watch for an eNews announcement and keep an eye on our website for more information. While you’re checking out events on our website, note that we update the home page with upcoming events each month – just scroll down.

This spring, we founded our WISDOM Alumni Association to connect alumni for peer support and to share the benefits of homeschooling. If you know any WISDOM graduates, encourage them to sign up for Alumni news, events, and networking opportunities by visiting About > Alumni on our website.

Next Summer marks 30 years of the WISDOM community! We invite you to celebrate with us from June 19-22 at a family camp in central Alberta. Save the date – details will follow in a future magazine.

Your Facilitator and the WISDOM office staff are here to support and encourage you. Feel free to phone any time.

As always, our office pauses work each day at about 3:00 to pray. Do send us prayer requests.

Blessings on your home,

Simon Noster, Associate Principal of Home Education simon@wisdomhomeschooling.com

On Building Noah's Ark

“You

did that intentionally!”

Quite an accusation isn’t it? Don’t you wish we could be accused of parenting intentionally? It would mean we had raised our children actively, thinking and praying carefully, reading good books, speaking to wise mentors

Intentionality

By Kenneth Noster

and making choices with clear goals in mind; far better than being accused of unintentional parenting: reacting to whatever has come our way without any particular objective in mind other than mere survival.

Now, granted, there are times in our lives

when survival is about all we can hope for, just barely getting through the trials at hand. Sometimes, in the midst of great trials we feel entirely out of control, but in fact we survive those difficult times by means of the values and patterns that we have established in the intentional times. Our intentional deposits provide a “bank

account” of resources we can draw from when needed.

It’s important to note that intentional parenting doesn’t mean our complete agenda is rigid and controlled, for we know there are many times when it is more beneficial to flow with the surprises or challenges that crop up than try to stick with our initial plan. Truly, some of our best “teaching moments” are the ones we couldn’t have anticipated and certainly couldn’t have orchestrated but, apart from those golden opportunities, what are the things we should intend to do?

The list will look different for each family, but it is the goal of most parents to create an environment that supports a healthy balance: work, play, and leisure.

Work often seems to come naturally. Many parents are pretty good at organizing work for themselves and for their children and, for those who struggle in this area, an abundance of resources is available to assist the organization of both the home and home schooling. With some diligence and selfcontrol, parents become quite capable of planning effectively for the completion of work tasks.

Organization of play seems to come easier, usually beginning with the ways parents and babies play together. With time and attention, parents find themselves organizing all sorts of enjoyable pursuits, perhaps not only for their own family, but for whole support groups; and they become effective at engaging their children in sports, arts, and other forms of play.

What about leisure? Certainly, the more intentional parents become in their approach to work and play, the more effective will be their use of time; but leisure is the one area where success is difficult without concerted

intentionality. This is largely due to our general lack of understanding of leisure. It has become common to equate leisure with activities, especially enjoyable ones. When asked what they do with their leisure time, many people will refer to sports or media, or other such activities, but these in fact tend to be play, not leisure.

Truly, leisure is more a state of being than an activity. It is the simple process of “wasting time” that is at the heart of rejuvenating ourselves. Most people have had the experience of taking a holiday or a weekend at the lake and returning home exhausted. The time away from home may have been a diversion: it may have included play and maybe some work, but it was not leisure.

In order to truly take leisure, a person must be willing to throw away their time with no apparent promise of return. In a world that demands a return for every investment, leisure is easily undervalued. The various literary and practical arts are areas where leisure can be well employed, but more often than not the opportunity for leisure is missed. For example, we may play music in order to improve our skill, or to make money, or to win a competition, or to impress others; but do we play music just to refresh our soul? The difference would be leisure. The most challenging definition before us is “schola (school) - leisure devoted to learning.” It is too easy for parents to turn school into work or try to make it into play, but it is a real challenge to allow it to be leisure. Nor does this mean that there might not be an element of effort involved, just like there is effort involved in thinking about eternity, or drawing a picture, or dancing with nobody watching.

Probably, the ultimate example of leisure is prayer. Prayer might sometimes seem like work, a duty we need to perform or a desperate cry for help; but it comes into its most rich expression when it is a

function of leisure: no agenda, no time restraint, just the free giving of our time to our Heavenly Father and deriving pleasure from being in his presence.

Without leisure, it is not possible to grow in faith, and without leisure it is not possible to develop culture. Instead, we can turn into machines of efficiency in our work or unfulfilled worshippers of pleasure; and even these activities lose their appeal, for without leisure, work becomes menial and play becomes shallow. This is one of those places where intentionality becomes crucial. Most people are very capable of organizing their work and their play, but leisure is too easily neglected. Because of the patterns established by our society and because of our own habits, leisure evades us if not intentionally sought after.

We must choose to engage ourselves and our family in real leisure. It will require that we continually evaluate whether or not we are engaging in work or play disguising itself as leisure. Of all the things parents need to be intentional about, leisure will continue to be the most difficult to achieve, especially in a world that won’t quit demanding efficiency and productivity.

What a rewarding life we will have if, without reducing the value of work and play, we can balance them and give them purpose by engaging regularly in leisure; and what a joy it will be at the end of our days to be accused of having done so intentionally.

Kenneth Noster and his wife Marlane live near Derwent, Alberta on their certified organic farm. In addition to his role as Head of School, Ken also contributes to his faith community as a deacon. Ken and Marlane home educated their 6 children through high school. Those of their eighteen grandchildren who are school-aged are also WISDOM students.

By Marlane Noster

Intentionality

Our society is even more aimlessly being swept along than when I wrote this in 2010. It is EVEN MORE IMPERATIVE that we make a concerted effort to be intentional about what we think, what we say and what we do.

Now, more than ever, we need to commit ourselves to raising our children with clear intent and purpose. What I perceive ‘out there’ is a world so fractured and distracted that it doesn’t have time to ponder the truth of the dignity of the human person.

Generally speaking, our culture tends to invest in only those areas that absolutely require its attention or in those areas that will help it to fulfill its goals; pragmatically [I’m sorry I don’t have time for you, I’m too booked doing important things.]; materially [My one million dollar home just isn’t good enough, I need a two million dollar home.]; or for its own aggrandizement [I will belong to the club and I will become its president.]. In other areas of life, our culture shuffles along and makes do- or lets someone else do.

In the past, people gained practical skills by working alongside their parents. Many of them would have attained a basic understanding of raising children by being involved with the needs of their siblings; they would have learned how to run a home, both economically and practically, and to make the best use of their yards for productive and ornamental gardening. Much of this learning happened intuitively, simply by being and working in this sort of environment alongside their parents. For example, my mother learned how to care for her siblings from her mother’s example and guidance. She learned how to care for the family home, plant a garden, milk a cow, make butter and ice cream (I like that one), harvest a garden and preserve food. She learned all these skills because the work needed to be done for the good of the family. Life wasn’t just a chore though; her family had a living faith and she went to school for eight years. The family still had time for dances and community gatherings. I suppose it bears saying that, back then, there was not as much opportunity to be as self-absorbed as is encouraged today.

My generation, by-and-large, has lost much of this intuitive learning because parents have had smaller families, children have had both parents working and have themselves been very active outside the home. There isn’t that need for the good of the family to be involved, and away falls the teaching and the example. Also, people have not done as much of the practical work themselves, hiring others to do many tasks. So many of the skills that were normal to know have been lost to many people. Cultural norms have changed until we seem at a loss raising our children and being commonsense people. So much of what we do is fractured by time measured out in tiny increments, the family not physically being in the same space for very long and the continual unnecessary usage of our electronic gadgets. I know for a fact there are some families who communicate by text messaging. I am not saying they should not communicate this way, but it cannot be the sole way, even though it might seem a more peaceable method. Our growth comes by being challenged in love, not by avoiding what needs to be said or done, via a false peace. Families spending time together will come against difficult times together relationally, and that is where the opportunity for growth happens. The blessing comes in knowing ourselves and family members much more intimately.

There is great hope in being at this juncture, because we can, by way of our intent, wisely inform ourselves on how we can best raise our children. It is this proactive decision that began the conviction to educate our children at home. I believe there is great hope because even among those who had learned intuitively from their families, many might have done better had their parents wisely discerned and proactively learned how to relate to and raise their children in love. Our learning curve may be wide, but in sincerely focusing on and attentively pursuing our goal of ‘how to’ be the best parents and intentionally raising our children, we can perhaps begin to restore to our culture some commonsense, practicality, reality and wellgrounded children who will invest in others and for the good of our culture.

Is it easy? I find myself becoming so busy as to become distracted from the intentions of raising my children well. In doing so I have less energy, fractured focus, and an edgy response to challenges. My intentions are good and honourable but how do I balance the demands of my life with those needs around me? There is no answer but prayer and proper discernment, which happens most effectively in stillness and silence. In order to make my family a community of life and love, what do I need to do? I need to create an environment conducive to relationship, labour, information, understanding and challenge. Relationship requires a respect for each unique individual, deep listening skills and love that goes beyond our imperfections. We need to work together for the good of the whole family, learning practical skills.

By all means, I need to teach my children all they need to know in order to be effective, wise citizens, but to just teach them the facts in isolation is to join the fracture game of our culture. It is time for me to make a commitment to take all the time and specific intent necessary to teach, nurture and challenge my family in love; to help them recognize the dignity of the human person.

Just do it Marlane.

Marlane Noster is WISDOM's co-founder and Events Director. When she's not in the office, she dedicates time to her church, community and her family, including her six children and eighteen grandchildren.

Image: "A Quiet Moment" By Peter Ilsted 1887

Mediated Learning

Intentionality Intentionality

By John Hoekstra

This article is specifically aimed at first-year homeschoolers.

If this is your first year homeschooling, whether because your children have reached that age or because you decided not to send them to school this year, I have some advice for you. So, listen up, and it will go well for you (I stole that line from a Jamie Soles song…).

“Oh great, another one,” you’re thinking. Well, yes. Here’s my advice for you: “chill.”

I know you may have all sorts of intentions stacked up, thinking, “Boy oh boy, we’re going to work through these, and it’s going to be great!” But take a step back and ask yourself, “What is my intention? Why are we homeschooling?”

I don’t know your specific reason, but there are many good reasons, and by golly, the research and data are in your favor. Your children will benefit immensely. From those reasons for homeschooling in the first place will flow your intentions. Whatever those intentions are, this first year, one of them has got to be to “chill.”

And why do you want to “chill,” anyway? Because it will allow relationships to flourish. Relationships are massively important as you immerse yourself into

your children’s lives and they into yours. This is especially true if you have brought your children home from school. They need to adjust as much as you do, and it won’t take long for you to realize that homeschooling is much more than bringing “school” home.

I want to keep this short, as you don’t need a whole bunch of advice, micro details, and “how to’s.” Your intention should be “Chill in Relationship.” Yep, I just made that up, but I think you get the picture. Stacks of curriculum is not “chilling.” Just ask your tearful students when you come to your senses.

Intentionality is the first of four elements of Mediated Learning. It sets the others in motion. The other elements are Response, Meaning, and Bridging. With your intention of “Chill in Relationship,” you’re looking for a positive Response from your children. Meaning is how your Intention is meaningful to your children. Meaning for them will be relationship with you, getting to know you even better (scary thought?). Bridging, where will this connect to? You and your children will grow closer, understand each other better despite all our faults and limitations, and that will lead to not just learning success in the long run but character success as well, if

you stick with it. Good relationships will help you stick with it.

Good relationships build trust, honest and open communication and allow your children to feel loved and supported. A home with good relationships fosters resilience, perseverance and adaptability, teaching your children how to navigate challenges with confidence. To navigate those challenges you don’t have a clue about yet, that they will face in the future. Good relationships model empathy and cooperation, vital character traits to help children develop into well-rounded, compassionate individuals.

So chill and do relationship and then we’ll talk in year two. Oh, I see you’re not going to let me off the hook so easily and you’re saying, “Can you give me one tip?” Sure, I knew you were going to ask anyway. It’s games, people, GAMES! Here is a link (by golly it’s a WISDOM website link… imagine that):

wisdomhomeschooling.com/resources/ home-school-resource-booklets

Scroll down to “Games that Build the Brain,” have a look-see, and call the WISDOM office to have it sent to you. But, hey, that’s not all, there’s a little inside neuroscience secret… pssst… it also has academic benefits. Seriously, don’t tell your kids that, just enjoy the games and relationship building time. There’s my tip, you’re welcome.

If you would like to learn more about how Mediated Learning can help you not just to chill, but in all aspects of helping your children learn better regardless of age or abilities, take in the Mediated Learning Foundations online workshop.

Godspeed.

John Hoekstra is WISDOM's Mediated Learning Program Director. He develops workshops, provides Dynamic Assessments, and leads the ML team in finding resources to help parents stay in the dance of learning. John and his family live near Derwent, and they love beekeeping and enjoying outdoor sports together.

Workshop Schedule

Foundations

7:00pm

Tuesdays, Sept. 10 - Sept. 24

Thursdays, Sept. 26 - Oct. 10

Tuesdays, Oct. 8 - Oct. 22

Thursdays, Nov. 7 - Nov. 21

Mondays, Nov. 25 - Dec. 9

Screen Impact

7:00pm

Wednesday, Sept. 25

High School

7:00pm

Tuesday, Nov. 12 - Nov. 26

Behaviour

7:00pm

Monday, Oct. 21 - Nov. 4

Reading & Math

7:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 5 - Dec. 12

Homeschool Mom Pro Tip

By The Unlikely Homeschool with Jamie Erickson

(Originally posted on Facebook)

Whendoling out assignments, make sure they have value and meaning. Arbitrary, make-believe assignments don’t show your kids how their passions, talents, and skills can be used in the real world. If you are going to have them write an editorial type paper, assign a topic of current/local interest and encourage them to submit it to a newspaper. If you are going to have them paint pictures, host an art show for friends and neighbors to display the art in an organized and thoughtful way. If. you are going to have them research a topic, host an information dinner with friends so that they can present their research to others. Find ways to make their learning relevant, not just for a grade, but for real life.

As an added bonus, in most cases, you’ll be giving them opportunities to learn/ practice soft skills like public speaking, time management, organization, and service to others.

Jaime Erickson - Jamie left her big city life to follow love all the way to a real-life Mayberry. After earning her Bachelor's degree in elementary education, working for the nation's leading homeschooling curriculum company, and teaching in a traditional classroom, she had babies...lots of them... and decided to point her gaze towards home. When she's not curating memories, hoarding vintage books, or playing ringmaster to her own live-in circus of seven, she can be found writing, speaking, and trying to stay warm in the upper midwest. Be sure to check out Jamie's latest book, Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child With Confidence. Find out more at The Unlikely Homeschool https://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com

mention parenthood. Thank you.

I know very well that you did not achieve fifty years of wedded bliss by chance. You made some very intentional choices, in both your marriage and in your parenting. Darrel and I are striving to emulate you, by God’s grace, in these areas.

Area #1: Commitment

IntentionalIntentionalSpouses,Parents

By Kristine Buchholtz

As a child, I remember going to my elementary school one day and fretting constantly. You two had had a rather heated verbal exchange the evening before, and overnight I had convinced myself that you two no longer loved each other … that your marriage — and the stability of my young life — was coming to an end. When I arrived home from school, you could tell something was eating at me, and you pressed me for details. In tears, I unburdened myself. I have always remembered your response. First, you both chuckled. You then proceeded to assure me that “divorce is not an option” for you two. The relief I encountered was palpable. So many of my friends whose parents have divorced feel like many of their childhood memories were stolen from them, since once their parents split, it almost seemed “taboo” to bring up memories that included the “other” parent.

Thank you for working so hard to stay together so that I felt safe and stable throughout my childhood, and so that even today I can cherish and freely talk about all of my childhood memories. “Divorce is not an option.” We have taken these words to heart and made them our own.

Area #2: Conflict

I remember when you shared about your friend whose parents never fought … at least, not in front of her. The idea was foreign to me; I simply could not relate to the idea of parents who never disagreed about anything. Your friend, on the other hand, thought that there was something very wrong with

who would

each other. I think, though, that she was quite mistaken. She never saw her parents argue, true, but neither did she see how they would resolve disagreements and reconcile after the heat of the moment had cooled down. I remember you telling me that when she began dating, she would immediately break off any relationship at the first sign of conflict since she had never seen her parents disagree about anything and was searching for the same ideal in her own life. Years later, she was still alone, unable to find a partner in life.

So thank you for being real and genuine, for not hiding your feelings and your struggles, for teaching me that marriage is not always pretty and easy … but it is rewarding and worth all of the effort we put into it.

Area #3: Physical Affection

As upfront as you were about your disagreements, you were equally open with your displays of physical affection. Hugs

parents

raise their voices to

Marriage

and embraces, kisses and “I love yous” between the two of you were common occurrences as I grew up. However much we may have exclaimed, “Yuck!” or “Eeewwww!” when we saw the two of you carrying on, utterly unconcerned with the fact that your children were present (or perhaps because your children were present!), at the same time the physical contact you shared with each other was extremely reassuring. It told us that you not only loved each other, but that you were still in love with each other. And it was a powerful exclamation point to the resolution of any conflict.

Thank you for not only telling us that you loved each other, but for showing that to us in the ways you touched and cared for each other. Your love for each other made your children feel even more secure in the love you had for us.

Area #4: “The United Front”

Ah. Now this was a most impressive feat of parenting on your part. I can remember back when I was very, very young. I would ask Mom for something; she would say no. I would then ask Dad — when he wasn’t near Mom, of course — for the same thing, and he would respond with a question of his own: “What did your mother say?”

Rats! Foiled again!

On the (very) odd occasion when I would “win” (when one of you would forget to ask that all-important question), it never took too long for the two of you to confer and thus discover that I had (at least temporarily) “outwitted” you. In no time, whatever privilege I had acquired for myself was quickly revoked and generally some negative repercussions were added for good measure. I learned rather well that trying to play one parent against the other was a fruitless (and ultimately a rather unpleasant) endeavour. That didn’t keep me from occasionally “testing the waters” to see if that truth still held. It always did.

Thank you for continually being such a strong united front. It kept your marriage strong, our family stable, and me out of a lot of trouble. While we try our best to follow your example in this area, you two are the true masters. If we do half as well at this as you did, we’ll be doing very well indeed.

Area #5: The Love of Reading

Oh, how I remember watching you both read. Dad, I remember how you would read a multitude of books on the same subject in order to learn as much as you could about it. Mom, you just enjoyed reading for reading’s sake; it was an opportunity to be transported to other times and exposed to the lives of other people, both real and imaginary. As I developed my own love for reading, I was introduced to new people and fascinating

ideas. Now that I have children of my own, I have been so blessed to see my own children’s eyes light up at the sight of their favourite books.

Thank you for the wonderful example you set for me in this area. The love of reading that you exhibited is assuredly one of the key reasons that I so love literature of all sorts today.

Area #6: Time

From my childhood, I can remember Mom reading books to me. I remember Dad sitting us down regularly and just asking, “So do you have any questions about life or God?” I remember hours spent at the table, playing cards, Rummoli, Stock Ticker, Stock Market, Klondike … the list goes on. I remember family vacations in the summer and shopping trips before school started. As an adult, I so appreciate how you have carried on the tradition of Sunday dinners — a precious gift of time, labour and finances so that the next generation of children will remember time spent over food with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. Not only do I not have to cook these meals (thank you, thank you, thank you!), but the relationships amongst all of our family members have had so much more time to develop and grow, the discussions are invigorating and mind-stretching, and the food is always delicious. The same can be said of our annual family vacations — truly it’s a testament to God’s grace that we can all live in a single house for an entire week and enjoy ourselves so much that we are always eager to replay the experience the following year!

Thank you for demonstrating your love to us by giving us so much of your time.

Area # 7: Relationships Are More Important than Money

I will always remember how loosely you held on to the world’s goods when your parents passed on. This is a time that often brings out the very worst in many people, when greed and the green-eyed monster raise their ugly heads and rage through people’s lives, consuming and devastating precious relationships in their wake. For both of you, the loss of relationships simply wasn’t worth any amount of money, and so you simply let the money go. And even more than that, you’ve resisted the temptation to look back and to feed any feelings of bitterness or resentment on account of others’ actions. Money has never been a driving force in your lives; relationships, on the other hand, have. And it shows.

Thank you for holding tightly to the things that matter — people — and for letting go of the things that are ultimately meaningless. You are both such an inspiration to us. We can only hope and pray that someday our own children will be as

inspired and proud of our attitudes in this area as we are of yours.

Area #8: The Most Important Introduction

I remember, of course, how you stressed that one relationship in particular was of paramount importance: the one we have with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for bringing me to the waters of baptism, where God adopted me into His family for the sake of His Son, Jesus. Thank you for introducing me to the God of the universe, a God of love and mercy and compassion, a God who walked among us and died for us. Thank you for encouraging that relationship and for helping it to develop and grow throughout my life. Thank you for praying for me and for taking me to church. Thank you for showing me love, grace, and forgiveness as I grew. Thank you for being the face of God in my life. Thank you.

Thank you for all of those things. And for hope … because Darrel and I aren’t (surprise!) perfect parents either. But we have hope that — in spite of our imperfections — God will fill in the gaps in our parenting and give us children who share our faith and our values, our love and our time, just like He did for you.

Precious Lord, grant that this may be.

Dear Dad,

As you know, I originally wrote the above article fourteen years ago, before any of our children were married and before we were grandparents ourselves. You and Mom were married for 62.5 years before you left this world for the next in 2023, entering into your eternal rest with your Saviour Jesus, freed forever from the suffering of illness and disease.

Area #9: Acceptance and Belonging, Grace and Love

I have sometimes heard you express some regret that you couldn’t give us “more” as we were growing up. In my mind, you would have been hard-pressed to give us “more.” My friend Sharla, who adopted two children from Ethiopia a year ago, articulates my thoughts on this better than I can. She writes,

“In the past week, I have asked both E. and S. separately what their favourite part of being in Canada is. S. responded, ‘My falimy.’ (That’s ‘family’ in S.-speak!) E. responded, ‘Mommy and daddy and family.’ I think that their words speak volumes. So often, we think that we need to be these perfect parents. We may think that we need to provide our kids with the newest toys or take them on all sorts of fancy vacations. Of all the things that Canada has provided my children — regular meals, a house, beds, toys, trips, a trampoline, a playground, TV, books, education, sports activities, art classes, swimming — matters most to them is family, or ‘falimy.’ Children who do not have a mommy or a daddy to take care of them long to have a family, and no matter how imperfect that family is when they get it, it fulfills that longing.”

In other words, giving us more “stuff” was so unnecessary compared to what you gave so freely: yourselves. You weren’t perfect parents — only God can claim that honour (and look at how His children turned out!). But you are Great parents, in fact. You gave each of your children what they needed: a place in our family. Belonging. Acceptance. Grace. Love.

We are so grateful that you were able to be at the weddings of our oldest four children, and that you were able to meet your four oldest great-grandchildren. I’m sure the younger ones who have since arrived, and those who are yet to arrive, would have loved you as much as the older ones do.

Thank you for your example, for your marriage, for your grace, for your love.

We miss you, and we continue to work at becoming the people, the parents, and the grandparents that God would have us be as we care for our widowed mothers and strive to be intentional about making the time to gather everyone together so that relationships among our children, and now our grandchildren (your great-grandchildren), can continue to grow.

Intentionality

By Paul van den Bosch

Stretch!

When our children were infants, there were many times when I walked them to sleep. My wife, Mary, would nurse the baby and then, if sleep hadn’t yet come, I would wrap the little one up like a baby burrito and I would start walking. The motion encouraged drowsiness, and I soon discovered that if music was added to the motion then slumber came more quickly.

The music provided was me: I sang.

Now, I wouldn’t have said then (nor would I say now) that I sing particularly well. But I do sing expressively. Calmly too, apparently. The baby would soon sleep.

With our eldest, the only songs I knew were Christmas carols, so that’s what she got, year-round. As more children came along, I realized that I needed to expand my repertoire. I learned tunes sung by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson; songs written by Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Hoagie Carmichael, and Irving Berlin; songs of love

and loss, of soaring joy and deep sadness, of every season and every emotion of our lives. (An example: I think that if you listen to the Johnny Mercer / Harold Arlen song This Time the Dream’s on Me and it doesn’t tear your heart out, then you don’t have one.)

What I found, as I was learning and singing more and more songs – and I now know somewhere over 400 songs – is that there are stages in the learning. The first stage is the discovery stage when we first incline our ears: what’s that new sound I hear, what’s that new song I’ve never heard before? Then comes a trial period – do I like this tune or is it just OK? Once that decision is made, there is a time (sometimes an extended time) of repetition in learning how the song goes and then a further time of repetition memorizing the notes and the words and how it all fits together. Through that overand-over singing the song moves from ‘memorized’ to ‘known’ to “mine!”. When it’s memorized, I still have to think about it. When it’s known, I can just sing it without thinking “what’s the next line again?”.

When a song becomes truly mine is when I know it so well that I add my own inflection to each line, squeezing the deepest meaning out of a word extended over several notes, seeing my own life in the song and seeing the song’s illustration of parts of my life. Even when the details of the words don’t match my personal experience – Roy Orbison’s Blue Bayou or Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill come to mind here – the emotions described – the yearning ache and the soaring spiritual awakening – resonate in my past and present as I stretch for deeper truths.

From the beginning moment of inclining our ears through to the moments of satisfaction when we stretch ourselves out past where we thought it possible, we are harnessing our wills in a direction of our own choice. We lean toward something and then reach for it so that our inclination becomes our intention.

That is the growth of intentionality in our lives.

Ah, those fishing boats, with their sails afloat, if I could only see, That familiar sunrise through sleepy eyes, how happy I’d be…

- Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, Blue Bayou, 1963

Intentionality. When I saw the theme of the WISDOM magazine this month, I thought I knew what the word meant. I discovered that I only ‘kinda knew’ what it meant. There are a lot of words like that. Courage, for instance. I thought I knew what courage meant, but I really didn’t. When I was younger, I thought it meant that I would never be afraid. I’ve discovered that it means more: I may feel afraid but I still take the best action, the difficult action, the right action for the moment. Intentionality is like that. It doesn’t mean that I will never doubt where I’m going. It means more: I may doubt or even be confused in the present moment but, after inclining my ear to the truth in my life and stretching toward it, I can make a clear decision and then take the best, the difficult, the right action. If I keep inclining toward the truth – and this will likely include trial periods when I am determining what is true and what isn’t followed by much repetition where I practice choosing truth

and acting accordingly – I will develop an intentionality of truth that will stretch me in ways I couldn’t have foreseen.

I wanted to make sure I understood intentionality better, so I consulted some dictionaries too. From Dictionary.com: an attitude of purposefulness, with a commitment to deliberate action. From Merriam-Webster: action planned by design. From Collins: having an attitude that is deliberate

Intentionality is an extension of the word ‘intend’, which comes from the Latin ‘In’, meaning, in this case, toward and ‘Tendere’ meaning to stretch or direct From Latin through Old French, the word ‘intend’ meant to stretch toward. In Middle English, the meaning grew to include to direct attention to, a meaning that is closer to how we would define the word today. But the root meaning is still there: to have intentionality is to stretch toward that which we have decided is good and true, to choose with purpose and then commit to an action that will complete our design, to reach for what we see is best.

But intentionality is more than one or even several decisions. As seen in the Collins Dictionary definition above, it is an attitude not an isolated moment, a perspective and inclination that is deliberately chosen, a movement toward a goal, a consistent stretch toward something beyond the present situation to the future.

What future?

That’s up to you.

After thought and consideration and prayer, you may decide that your future should include more physical exercise, or more time for Bible reading, or a weekly date night with your spouse. After more thought and prayer and some long-term planning, you may decide that your home schooling should include more time for your children to practice a musical instrument of their choosing, a weekly field trip to a museum or art gallery (or mortuary or sewage treatment plant, both of which have been great field trips taken recently by home schooling families), or some special one-on-one time for a parent to read aloud to each child.

(That last example can be reversed when the child is older, especially if the older child or young adult has a favourite book to share with the parent as my youngest son has done with Tolkien’s The Silmarillion.)

But, as the Collins Dictionary points out and as I realized through the learning of many songs, the direction or purpose or goal is realized not so much through one key decision but through a long series of decisions and actions made according to a consistent directing of attention, a planned inclining of the mind and heart, a deliberate stretching toward something beyond.

That “something beyond” is a thing that is beyond me and my limited humanity.

In a home schooling context, it is something beyond us as imperfect human parents. We all want our children to be well-read and so we choose the books we think are best and that will inspire our children. But then our children grow into adults and we can only hope that they will continue to read the best books. We all want our children to make good moral choices and so we train them in the school of right and wrong and lead them in the faith of our choice. But then they grow and sometimes make decisions we disagree with. We all try to show them the face of God so that they see that face as one that shines with divine love for all of us collectively and individually. But we can’t make life perfectly smooth and so our adult children may feel life’s bumps and bruises and may lose sight of that loving God.

We pray that God will protect them along their journeys (and He does), but God’s timing may not match our human timetable. If our intentionality is to align our wills with God’s will so that we see things as God does and so that we love our children the way God loves our children, then we will continue to stretch beyond ourselves (and beyond what we thought possible for ourselves and our children).

This stretching is toward the divine, and that is the ultimate in intentionality.

It is, I should point out, a stretch that may not reach fulfillment in this life but only in the next life. That’s OK. I may wish to reach out and touch the face of God but I know

that I can’t expect that to actually happen until after I die and I am ushered into God’s presence.

But that is what I shall continue to stretch toward.

That may mean that my stretch comes with a melancholy note of reaching but never quite attaining. But I don’t expect perfection in this life. That melancholy feeling is a very human emotion, perhaps the deepest and truest state of our human life. At least that’s what I hear in some of my favourite songs. Paul Simon’s Mother and Child Reunion, many of the songs sung by Emmylou Harris, Lou Reed’s Perfect Day

Just a perfect day, you make me forget myself, I thought I was someone else, someone good… - Lou Reed, Perfect Day, 1972

I noted a Johnny Mercer classic above, one which was a collaboration with Harold Arlen.

Arlen also collaborated on another melancholy classic, this time with Edgar “Yip” Harburg: Over the Rainbow

It is over that rainbow, that celestial arc of God’s covenant, that we can stretch ourselves out and that we are stretched by God.

As home schooling parents, we can show the way to our children of how to incline our lives toward the truth and then to stretch toward that which is the best and the rightest, that which is whole and holy.

Paul van den Bosch is a WISDOM Facilitator who tries to stay as flexible and stretchy as possible.

By Nicki Truesdell

My favorite thing about homeschooling is that there is so much freedom in the methods! Homeschool families have tons of options, that look nothing like a typical classroom, to make learning fun and expand their world. I’m so excited to share with you some really fun and out-of-the box learning opportunities by my fellow homeschool bloggers.

Roadschooling

Often, a family’s best memories are of their vacations. So many families are taking advantage of the flexible homeschool life to travel. In my family, a road trip (no matter

site. It’s a leisurely way to learn new things without stopping.

I also like to turn on an audiobook that is related to our trip in some way. When we drove to Colorado one year, we visited the area around Durango.  Galloway by Louis L’Amour is a great western that takes place near there, so we listened to it on our drive. Look up children’s books or classics that either take place in the location you’re traveling to and add another dimension to your road trip.

Traveling during the “school year” is one of the best perks of home education. Smaller crowds, nice weather, and the flexibility of mom or dad’s vacation time make life more flexible for road trips. Cynthia at Inside Our Normal describes roadschooling with her “out of the box” kids: “Each child had a binder for their school work. In the front of it was a child-friendly schedule for our trip, which let them know what was happening when and what to expect. Details like how long the drive would be on given days and what our planned activities were at a given location helped everyone to be on the same page. There was also a US map to check off the license plates we saw while we were in the car. The first leg of the trip we drove on Route 66, so we saw cars from EVERYWHERE” (https:// insideournormal.com/ homeschool-road-triptips/).

how short or long) is a perfect opportunity to stop at a new or interesting shop, eatery, antique store, or historic site. We always stop and read historical markers! But did you know there’s a new way to learn about historic tidbits as you drive? We found the Autio app on our last trip (https://nickitruesdell. com/six-reasons-to-visitthe-ark-encounter-andcreation-museum/), and it was so cool! Autio tracks your location and alerts you when there’s an interesting site with a story nearby. If you are interested, you can listen to the 3-minute podcast about that

This is exactly what the Truesdells do on road trips! An itinerary and a map make the kids feel like they are “in the know” about travel plans, and an added bonus is geography practice or review. We almost always find all 50 states during our “license plate game.”

Resources, Reviews & The Rest

Annette shares five wonderful benefits of roadschooling on her blog, In All You Do: “When you are on the road, nothing is off limits. Not only can you stop at landmarks, historical spots, or even different types of landscapes to teach your lessons - but you can map out your schooling to fit your destinations!” (https:// inallyoudo.net/5wonderful-benefits-ofhomeschooling-on-theroad/) Annette also offers an inexpensive Roadschooling Family Journal to download and document your family’s learning experience. Be sure to see her “roadschooling curriculum” choices (https://inallyoudo.net/ category/homeschool/ roadschooling/).

Kimberly (at A Family Devoted) and I think alike when it comes to making your destination a lesson: “To make homeschooling more fun on the road, switch it up a bit and do some unit studies on the areas that you’re going to be traveling to (https://nickitruesdell. com/shop/the-declaration-

of-independence-mini-unit-study/). You can also even look for several read-a-loud books for certain historical people or places in the state.” Read more in her post 6 Easy Ways to Make Travel Educational.

found out that most tourist stops carry these for convenience.

As you can see, traveling for school opens up so many unique opportunities to expand a child’s education. The world is truly their classroom!

Gameschooling

Captivating Compass is a blog dedicated to homeschool travel, so if you’re intrigued by roadschooling you’ll definitely need to browse Shannan’s material. She shares lots of great things like downloadable travel unit studies and travel tips for homeschooling parents, including this post on how to Be a Smart Traveler Superhero (https:// captivatingcompass. com/be-a-smart-travelersuperhero/).

Homeschool on the Range has a huge roundup of links and tips for roadschooling (https:// homeschoolontherange. blogspot.com/p/ roadschooling.html), including an Intro to Roadschooling video.

One more tip for roadschooling: postcards! Pick up postcards at fun sites, but don’t just stuff them in your souvenir bag: mail them to friends! Bring along the mailing addresses of friends and family and let “letter writing” be a part of the journey. Postcards are perfect because they must be short and sweet, and they include “addressing an envelope.” Ask for postcard stamps where you buy the postcards. We

Have you considered how much learning can be achieved with math games, video games, card games, dice games, or online games? The possibilities are almost endless! We have often taken a break from traditional schoolwork for a “no pencil day” at our house, and this always includes educational games (along with flash cards and documentaries or movies). No matter your child’s age, gameschooling is a really fun way to build math skills, social skills, review math facts, sharpen money skills, and have fun with the entire family.

Related Post: 10 Ways to Learn with Board Games (https://nickitruesdell. com/10-ways-to-learnwith-board-games/). This post has my top 10 list of traditional games that are fun and educational.

Let’s start with The Complete Gameschooling Guide at Homeschooling 4 Him (https://

Resources, Reviews & The Rest

often causes frustration and tears, but when it’s turned into games, children are engaged and having fun. Game play can become a regular part of their homeschool curriculum!

homeschooling4him.com/gameschooling/).

Sarah says, “What if, instead of using frustrating worksheets and intimidating textbooks, you could homeschool your child by playing games? The truth is, you can, and many homeschool families do. This phenomenon is called gameschooling and it might be exactly what is missing in your homeschool.” She has a great list of 23 reasons why you should include games in your homeschool lessons.

I recently shared about The Classical Historian’s variety of Go Fish games (https://www.classicalhistorian.com/ historygamesforstudents.html) in my Instagram stories (https://www.instagram. com/nickitruesdell/). These have been a favorite with all of my children for years (yes, even the teenagers!). We play American History Go Fish (https://nickitruesdell. com/18th-century-lifegeorge-washington/) the most, but all of them are fun. As the homeschool mom, I appreciate the sneaky review of the history topics we’ve covered.

How would you like a list of 50+ Games for Elementary Math?? Hop over to Teach Me, I’m Yours and see this massive list (https://www.teachmeimyours. com/gameschooling-elementary-math/) of different ways to teach new concepts and review past skills with the use of games. Math

Gameschool Academy is an entire blog dedicated to gameschooling for all ages (https:// homeschoolgameschool. com/). Meg has lots of games to recommend, divided into categories like language arts, science and stem, and social studies, as well as age groups from elementary to high school students. Board games, mobile apps, and free printable games are just a few of the possibilities on this site!

We have enjoyed our National Parks Monopoly (picked up at Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico). It combines gameschooling and roadschooling in one fun and educational experience!

Video Schooling

Though we tend to be fairly traditional in our homeschool, using lots of books and paper, I will admit that video plays a huge part in our education. That doesn’t mean that we use a video curriculum; it’s just that videos of various kinds are an important part of our homeschool curriculum (https:// nickitruesdell.com/ourhomeschool-curriculumpicks/). Relevant movies, documentaries, apologetics courses, and even virtual tours of locations around the world have brought new information to life and allowed me to cover a wide range of topics in an engaging way.

Some examples include Drive Thru History (we use these with our Mystery of History curriculum: https://nickitruesdell. com/mystery-of-historyvolume-1/), The 101 Series Science (https:// nickitruesdell.com/ review-the-101-series-

christian-homeschool-science-curriculum/), AnswersTV from Answers in Genesis, classic movies like Gone with the Wind and Johnny Tremain, and the YouTube series Secrets of the Castle (https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ydoRAbpWfCU).

Speaking of YouTube, Kimberly at It’s Only Homeschooling has a section of her blog devoted to YouTube Schooling (https:// itsonlyhomeschooling. com/category/teachingtips/youtube-schooling/)!

She does a great job of helping parents (and kids) set up their YouTube playlists and navigate it safely. She shows you how a homeschool family can utilize YouTube for virtual experiments, audiobooks, encouragement, and much more. Like Kimberly says, “if you can think of it, there’s probably content devoted to it.”

Kimberly shares tips for movie schooling (https:// itsonlyhomeschooling. com/category/movieschooling/)! Movies provide lots of opportunities to expand a school lesson or engage visual learners. Her post is full of excellent tips on practical application, critical thinking skills, and several movie lists!

Project Based Schooling and Unit

Studies

Focusing on a specific area of interest is a great way to think outside the box and encourage a spirit of lifelong learning in your children. You can build an entire curriculum around targeted topics and specific skills. In fact, this is one of the first things I encourage new homeschool parents to do when they withdraw their children from public school. It’s such a fun way to enter the world of homeschooling (and there are often fewer power struggles).

Resources, Reviews & The Rest

and some terrible ones. And this podcast at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network (https:// ultimateradioshow.com/ getting-started-withonline-learning/) is a great listen, as well.

Some of my favorite curriculum companies offer excellent online courses!

skills to their children.

Deschooling is what every new family should do when they first remove their children from public school. It’s a time of decompression, rest, and renewal as you enter this new way of life. Read this post by Tree Valley Academy (https://www.treevalleyacademy.com/ deschooling/).

What is Project Based Schooling? It follows a child’s interest, building on it with multiple ways of learning. Wonders of Curiosity offers an introduction: “The basis of a true projectbased homeschooling approach (https:// fearlesshomeschool.com/project-basedhomeschooling/) is following the child’s lead. You pay attention to their curiosities and supply them with materials to help them learn about those interests.”

This is similar to a Unit Study, which is a way to apply multiple academic skills to a specific subject. You can purchase unit studies online, or create your own. I love the Download-NGo units (https://unitstudy.com/?aff=40) from UnitStudy.com. They have such a fun variety of topics, like Robots, Tornadoes, Amelia Earhart, Butterflies, Pizza, Football, Easter, and so much more!

Online Homeschooling

You know, I was a homeschool kid in the 1980s, and I could never have fathomed the world of online school back then! But look where we are today! The internet has truly opened up so many more options for education at home. It definitely answers the “I’m not qualified” objection. Though I do believe every parent is qualified to teach their own child, I also know that online teachers take a lot of stress off of a parent’s shoulders.

True North Homeschool Academy has a helpful post to get you started navigating online education (https://truenorthhomeschool. academy/online-education-everything-youneed-to-get-started/). The advice is spoton: do your research and know what you’re getting. There are some wonderful options

Institute for Excellence in Writing (https:// iew.com/) is our pick for writing and grammar (and there is a whole lot more!). The Structure and Style courses are also available as online courses. I know this is wonderful news for parents who have always been interested in the program but found it a bit overwhelming to teach. (It’s not, I promise, but for a beginner it can feel that way.)

This roundup would not be complete without an introduction to  unschooling. It looks like many different things for many different families, but this Beginner’s Guide to Unschooling (https:// www.treevalleyacademy. com/unschooling/) will get you started.

Anyone Can

Homeschool

We have really appreciated the apologetics courses online from Answers in Genesis (https://answersingenesis.org/store/onlinecourses/?sscid=61k8_kja33&). During the COVID pandemic, AiG offered a great deal on an apologetics bundle course, which we eagerly took advantage of. My teens spent the past year going through the material. It is wonderful, and I think it is a vital addition to every homeschool high school.

I hope this post has opened your eyes to the wide variety of non-traditional homeschooling methods!

More Out-of-the-Box Schooling Styles

Family-Style Homeschooling is my BFF. This post at Whole Child Homeschool (https:// wholechildhomeschool.com/family-stylehomeschooling/) describes exactly what we do! It saves time, money, and sanity. If you have more than one child, learn how you can efficiently homeschool all ages and subjects.

Off-Grid

Homeschooling is a whole new way of life for kids and includes tons of educational opportunities. An Off Grid Life (https://www.anoffgridlife.com/howto-homeschool/) is an excellent resource for families who are interested in living the homestead lifestyle and providing these life

There is something here for everyone, including the brand-new homeschooling family. I encourage you to ditch the classroom mindset that we all grew up with and give your children an exciting life of learning at home, online, and on the road.

Nicki Truesdell - Christian. Wife. Mother of two sons and three daughters. Author, blogger, speaker, and book lover. Second-generation homeschooler. This blog has been my space to share all things Christian parenting, homeschooling, and conservative issues since 2009. I believe in bold truth-telling, biblical womanhood, and discipleship parenting. Find out more at nickitruesdell.com

Photos courtesy of Nicki Truesdell

H ow to H ave a G reat Homeschool Year

By Sonya Shafer

Whatemotions do you feel when you think about the school year coming up? Different emotions can muddle together in our minds, depending on where we are in our homeschool journeys, but we want to discuss today how we can set ourselves up for a great homeschool year and how we can get our minds in the game to approach this school year with peace, with hope, with joy, and with love. Joining me today is my friend Amber O’Neal Johnston.

Sonya:  We want to talk about setting ourselves up for a great school year, and it’s kind of a two-edged sword in my mind. We want to enter it with enthusiasm and anticipation, and here are all the great things that are going to happen, but we need to keep a realistic mindset as well.

Amber:  Definitely. One of the first things I do whenever I’m thinking about how to start my school year is to make sure that

we’re ready to start. In past years, I would often feel pressure to start when people around me were starting. Inside I would think, “We’re not ready,” but I would jump on board and then feel like we were scrambling the whole year. I’ve since learned to pause, get set up and prepared with my planning, and make sure that my entire family is rested and ready to enter in, no matter when that is. Usually, for us, it’s right after Labor Day.

Sonya: It seems like school years are starting sooner and sooner and sooner these days. I don’t know if it feels that way to you, but it feels like it’s creeping up on me.

Amber: Definitely, and it can be hard. Every family is different, but our family reunion is in early August, and we’re still enjoying the pool, etc. I want to take advantage of that. It’s much better to be off a little bit longer than some of our friends and other people. We can go ahead and be thoroughly prepared when we do jump in.

Sonya: Now, that doesn’t mean you don’t do as many days.

Amber: Oh no, we still do as many days, and, in fact, we start a month ahead doing math. We do math and a little silent reading book, and that has been really nice for us, because that gives us a little break on the pace of our math for the rest of the year. It gives me lots of time to give focused attention to each of my kids. So, for the first month, we actually are doing things, we’re just not doing all of our lessons. That’s another idea too, the idea that you can ramp up over time. You don’t have to start everything on day one.

Sonya: It’s kind of a staggered-start-type idea, and if you need, you can go later than everyone else in the spring.

Amber: Which we do, every year. It’s just a matter of pacing for us. We still do the same number of days, we’re just steady as we go, and our school year is slightly shifted. It’s been nothing but good, actually.

Sonya:  Finding what works for your family is the key, and it might be different for different years.

Amber:  Oh definitely, and I’ve experienced that as well. It depends on your family schedule. I know years where we had a baby and things, we shifted to accommodate the timing for that. Sometimes it’s more things that the kids are really interested in, family visits, vacations, or other things, so I love the flexibility, essentially.

outside of our lessons, that we’ve committed to doing and it’s too much, I put it in the Parking Lot. And that makes me feel like I’m not saying “never,” I’m just saying, “not right now,” and I’m not losing sight of it. One day we’ll come back to this, but in this season we’re just not able to do it.

Sonya: Then do you review that list? Every term? Or every year?

Amber: Well, that’s my planning for next year; for instance, my kids are not doing musical theater this year. They’ve done it the last two years, and we’re waving a white flag on that, but I said, “Well you guys, I’m going to put it in the Parking Lot, and that means that next year and thereafter, we know we really enjoy this activity. It might pop back up again, but in this season, we just want to be home more.” For me, it’s once a year when I’m looking at planning the next year that I look at my Parking Lot and say, “What are some things that I put in there before that I would like to examine?”

Sonya:  Yes, and as you said, it’s the flexibility of not being handcuffed to the calendar, which reminds me of another tip: as you look at the school year, lay plans so you’re not scrambling mentally, and every day is not a question of “What are we going to do?” Lay your plans out, but hold them loosely.

Amber:  Oh absolutely. The feeling of guilt or disappointment can sideline moms as they’re getting ready for their year. They’re going through their year, and they realize, “Uh-oh, something’s not working well,” whether it’s a scheduling shift, or trying to put in too many extra things, something’s not working. One thing that’s really helped me is having a page in my journal that I call “Parking Lot.” When I need to take something off my schedule, or off our lesson schedule, or more likely something

Sonya: I love that idea. Let’s talk a little bit more about balancing as you look at that Parking Lot and that whole list of ideas. You were saying something about, “We want to stay home more,” so simplifying and scheduling with rest in mind, getting that in the schedule as well, etc.

Amber:  Absolutely. Protecting the margin. If I was to give someone one top tip for starting out with homeschooling, or continuing it for a new year, it’s protecting that margin. It has been the single most important qualifier for our success in the past—or our extreme stress. I notice a lot of times when I feel like lessons are overwhelming, and when I really think deeply about it, it’s not the lesson that’s overwhelming us, it’s that we don’t have time for the lesson. It feels like it’s in the way, that school is in the way of the other things, because we signed up for too many things. And they’re all good things; they’re so good. There are so many good options, but I’ve found that there’s nothing that feels better than having a steady pace, and a comfortable pace, for my family. When we’re gone, out of the house a lot, our lessons falter and the stress levels really rise; the kids argue and fight more as well, and I’m short-tempered with them.

Sonya:  Yes, it seems like so much of what we’ve talked about is time-oriented.

Amber: Yeah, that’s interesting. That’s very important.

Sonya: It adds an element of pressure, and maybe in our society today, it’s adding too much pressure.

Amber: I think so; when there are too many good things, it can feel like, “Well my kids have to do this,” and the kids  want to do these things too. They really want to do this, and then try that, and, “Well everyone should play an instrument,” and there’s theater, and there are sports, and there’s youth group. Taken individually, any one of those things could be awesome, but sometimes there’s just not a season for it, and other times I have to remember that what we’ve planned at home will lay a foundation for my kids to pursue some of their interests even more on their own as they get older.

Sonya:  And they need time to process. If we want them to learn, learn, learn, they’ve got to have time to think through what they’re learning, to make it their own. Otherwise, it’s just going to go in one ear and out the other. They’re not going to have time to really form a relation, which is what Charlotte Mason is all about.

Amber:  I noticed that once with my oldest; I said, “I notice you don’t read for pleasure anymore, you’re reading your lesson books, but I used to see you read in other times, and you haven’t been doing that.” And she said, “When? When would I do that? I don’t have time.” So that really showed me she had wanted to do all the things she was doing before. As the mother, I need to help my children protect their own time, even if it’s something that they want to do, because they do need that time of doing nothing or doing their own pursuits.

Sonya:  Yeah, it’s setting a sustainable pace. I also think it’s important for us, as we look at the year ahead, that yes, we’re planning for the days, but we need to keep a long-term perspective. Sometimes we think growth is just a steady upward climb, but it’s not. There are good days, bad days, good days, hills and valleys. Hopefully you’re continuing to make progress, the growth over time, but again, there are good days and bad days. Let’s talk a little bit about long-term perspective, maybe how you were able to keep that over this past year. I know you’ve been through some valley times.

Amber:  Nothing can challenge you like health challenges, either for yourself or your kids, and that becomes very important, because fear, guilt, and frustration, things not

going well, disappointment, those things can cripple you, to the point where it feels like everything’s ruined. You start to catastrophize, “This is so bad, I messed up the year, we’re never going to catch up.” In those moments, sit and be still and realize that though this term may not be going the way you imagined, or even this school year, you have time ahead of you. And if you’re toward the end, you’ve had many years before this. This one single moment doesn’t define your home education journey. That’s really been helpful for me. Also, we’re teaching our children to live, not just to learn about this science topic, for example. Life’s challenges and trials are part of living. For your children to witness that, or to experience it while they’re in the protection of your home, is also part of their education.

Sonya: We are educating the whole person.

Amber: That’s right.

Sonya:  Do you feel comfortable sharing what your past year was like?

Amber:  Yes. We took an incredible trip overseas. As some of you know, we like to world school (simplycharlottemason.com/ blog/worldschooling), and it was wonderful, the trip of a lifetime. We were in Ghana in West Africa and—worst nightmare—I got sick. I was hospitalized for a week there, and I came back to the United States for all the answers, and there were none. No one knew what was wrong, and, eventually, the doctors found that I had contracted typhoid fever, and it had moved into my spine. An emergency ambulance ride, an eight-hour surgery, and recuperating, I’m filled with cadaver bones and plates and rods and pins, and it was just everyone’s worst nightmare. So, our year took a hard detour, and all my perfectly laid plans—I had so much support and help from friends and family—my kids just weren’t able to do the things that I had laid out, because Mama wasn’t available. And that made our school year go longer, and I just kept thinking to myself, “I can wallow in this, or just praise God I’m here.” I’m so glad that I’m here, and my children were with me. They saw that Mama suffered through something, but yet we’re still standing, and it’s okay that we didn’t finish that book. It’s still here in our home, we can get to it, and we’ll continue to read it. Keeping the longterm perspective helped in that situation, because otherwise our school year was obliterated. I mean it was just nothing like I had planned at all.

Sonya: Yeah, it’s not like at the beginning of the year you knew, “I’m going to contract typhoid fever and be out of commission!”

Amber: Exactly. When you say, “hold plans loosely,” I’ve never experienced it like I did this year. As heads of households, our attitude about school and our lessons washes over our children. If we’re frantic and full of consternation about what’s happening, they feel that “I’m not doing enough.” We don’t have this as much in our home, but I have friends whose children are prone to being very anxious, so it’s really stressing them about all the things that are on our list that we didn’t do.

Sonya: And you cannot learn when you are stressed.

Amber:  No, it just doesn’t work well. A Charlotte Mason education actually speaks to this, because there is so much focus on the whole child and the idea that it’s not just formal academic subjects, but this idea of the atmosphere and the education being life-giving. We’re looking at breadth and not just a straight trajectory, but breadth and depth and ideas. When you think of it that way, and you think about how we’re educating for a life, you don’t feel so stressed that chapter 13 didn’t get finished today.

Sonya: What’s hit me very deeply lately is how much of a contrast there is between an education that is based on information, and an education that is based on relationships. And that’s what Charlotte Mason is, and that’s what I’m hearing as you speak about this. It’s about helping this child form a relationship, well, many relationships. It’s relationships with God, with the things God has created, with others past and present, and with himself. All of those relationships trump just an information dump, and I didn’t mean that to rhyme, but you’re with me. You can give a child information and say, “Remember this about this person,” but that really just limits how he’s going to think about that person. But if you introduce them together, let them spend time together, through the living books, through the art, and through the music that these people have created, you’re letting that child form an ongoing relation. And relations take time; children don’t do well when they are stressed. They don’t do well when they are tied to a clock, “Amber, I want to get to know you. We’ve got 15 minutes—Go!”

Amber:  Right. That’s so true. That’s not the message we want to send to our children, and that’s what I remind them: just because this term is wrapping up, it doesn’t mean that you have to stop learning about this thing or exploring this person. And yes, though we read one biography about this person this year in our lessons, if that person inspires you, and you want to learn

everything you can, there are four or five more biographies. You can continue on with this idea—be lifelong learners. I do have a schedule, I do have things that I want us to explore in our formal morning lessons.

Sonya:  There are relationships you want to  introduce, if you will.

Amber: Sure, there are certain things, and I want to keep doing that. I want to introduce new things, but whatever you find that you are attached to, or you feel passionate about, you should still keep that going. That helps a lot with avoiding the idea that we have these set terms, and this one’s over, so we’re done with all of that, and now we’re doing this and that type of rigidity.

Sonya: And the child will only learn what I tell him to learn.

Amber:  I think all of us have experienced this; you can’t stop a child when he’s decided he wants to learn about something. He’s going to go far and deep and tell you all about it. Those are moments that remind me not to worry. When you think about preparing for the school year, in my mind the word  consistency comes forward. It’s not about doing all the things, going hard and fast and furious with all the smarts you’re going to give your kid, but it’s about the pace of consistency. You get up and do the things that you know ought to be done, and you do them again and again and again. Over time, that’s what leads to what we ultimately are looking for: children who care about the world around them, who want to learn and live well. It’s not something to push through. Just remain steady.

Sonya: Those are good words. Anything else you want to say to encourage mamas as they’re looking at the school year ahead, looming in front of them?

Amber:  Have fun. Sometimes planning for the year can be hard. Some people love it, but ultimately, you’re putting beautiful things before your children, and you get to partake in those things as well. It’s actually something to look forward to.

Sonya Shafer is a popular homeschool speaker and writer, specializing in the Charlotte Mason Method. She has been on an adventure for more than 20 years studying, researching, practicing, and teaching Charlotte’s gentle and effective methods of education. Her passion for homeschooling her own four daughters grew into helping others and then into Simply Charlotte Mason, which publishes her many books and provides a place of practical encouragement to homeschoolers. The above article was originally published at simplycharlottemason.com and was reprinted with permission.

Image: The Angler Nikolai Petrovich Bogdanov-Belsky

By Kari Patterson

I willnever forget the day my daughter quietly posed the question:

“Would it be okay if I stopped ballet? I’d rather stay home and play with the chickens.”

Oh sweetie-girl. I smiled down into her little face.

First of all, I love that she was free to ask the question. She shouldered none of the  shoulds that plague us parents. In her mind, playing with chickens was every bit as worthwhile as perfecting pirouettes. And, having tasted a bit of both activities, she preferred the coop.

Of course, a tiny bit of me had to die. We had just bought beautiful ballet attire for her birthday. Would it go to waste? More importantly, was I teaching her a terrible lesson by allowing her to quit? Plus, truth be told, I really enjoyed that hour sitting all alone with a book while she leapt and twirled. Was I willing to give that up? And, above all, she was just so adorable in her leotard!

Basically, I had to evaluate my own heart: a daughter doing recitals would make me proud. A daughter filthy-dirty with her feathered friends would make me … do more laundry.

But I had  just prayed for wisdom about whether to let her continue. While it was a ballet class, many of the moves were hip-hop, and when I heard the recital involved Taylor Swift and little booties shakin’ it off and my daughter wondering what “haters gonna hate” meant … my heart sank a little. Somehow this wasn’t what I envisioned for my wide-eyed, barely-six-year-old.

Now, years later, we’ve wrestled through a number of extracurriculars.

We’ve participated in ballet, baseball, swimming, piano, horse-riding, art, and theater. Some have stuck. Most haven’t. I have agonized over this issue.

I’d like to offer some  key questions to ask as you consider extracurriculars for your kids.

First, we began with some simple, straightforward questions:

1. What sparked this in the first place? Am I trying to keep up with those around me or is this a genuine area of interest for my child? Is “fear of missing out” fueling this activity?

2. Does this activity fit well in our family culture? Is it in line with our core values? Is it non-negotiable because of our environment? (i.e. If you live near water, swimming lessons may be a must. For other families, merely a fun option.)

3. Will involvement still allow a sustainable balance of active and calm days? Will we still enjoy family dinners? Will my child still get enough sleep and downtime?

4. As I consider my own extroversion or introversion, will this add to or deplete the joy of our family? What will this require of me, as the coordinator and chauffeur? Am I willing to joyfully fulfill this commitment?

5. Am I helping my child achieve something she greatly desires, or am I dragging her into an area that interests me? Am I acting out of “I wish I had learned this when I was a kid”? Should  I  take lessons instead?

Then, as we waded more deeply into discussions, five more questions surfaced:

6. Does this activity make my child  more or  less interested in this area?

Strangely enough, I noticed that often my child’s interest in a particular area peaked  before taking lessons. Dutch loved

baseball until he played baseball. He loved piano until he took piano. This was not because he didn’t have fantastic instructors or good experiences. He did! Nothing “bad” happened.

As Meg Meeker discusses in her excellent book, Boys Should Be Boys, it was just that the love for these things was tied up in the “freeness” of playing them. Once the element of freedom and imagination was taken away, the interest waned. This doesn’t mean formal lessons are bad, it probably just indicates the child isn’t ready.

So, I did a little informal survey by asking adults who are passionate, skillful, and actively involved in music whether they pursued their instruments on their own or were required to master the skill as a young child.  Every single person I asked had  pursued the instrument on their own  at an age of 12 or older. That’s not to say that childhood music lessons are wasted. There are plenty of benefits, including discipline. But I  may be better off teaching discipline and work ethic  in other areas, and then freely allowing them to pursue that skill (or not) when they are older.

Now if a child’s passion and interest does grow during involvement, great! Stick with it!  Children will go to extraordinary lengths to work hard in areas they are interested in.

7. Is there a better way to teach this skill or instill this quality?

I realized that  discipline, good  work ethic, and the  ability to get along with others were the primary reasons I was eager for my kids to be involved in extracurriculars.

But I realized they could develop these better from activities that didn’t require cash and me carting them around here and there, which could shorten my to-do list as well!

For example, my kids learn diligence through their daily care of our new baby, our animals, housework, and completing their independent schoolwork without being asked.

In terms of social interactions, Kim John Payne in  Simplicity Parenting explains,

“In play, children freely negotiate the rules, are actively involved in the social process, learning as they make their way. In sports, the rules already exist, and children instead learn how to play within predetermined boundaries… As a society we’ve discounted the developmental riches involved in what kids do naturally. Selfdirected play builds multiple and emotional intelligences.”

While I’m grateful for the experiences my kids have had in organized sports and classes, I have seen the greatest social benefit in providing them unstructured (but supervised) free play

Similarly, it’s worth asking: Can  I  better teach my child this skill? For example, we wanted our children to be able to swim, but were unable to fit formal lessons into our schedule.

Instead, we committed to attending Family Swim night every Tuesday for four months, so Jeff and I could give one-on-one instruction to our kids for one full hour each week. For much less money, we were able to be  with  our kids, give them far superior instruction, and gain a “family night” as well. I admit, I dreaded the cold pool during those winter months, but it was worth it!

8. Is my child naturally gifted in this area? Am I honoring the unique way she’s wired?

I grew up in a sports family. My dad played college sports. My brother and I were both athletic and played year-round, every year. Playing sports was, quite simply, what you did.

Then I had Dutch. He is brilliant, funny, capable … and not athletic. He’s also not musically inclined. He is however, a whiz in history, science, and has a near-photographic memory of everything he’s read. So instead of agonizing over the fact that he can’t hit a baseball to save his life, we’ve investing in areas of interest instead.

On the other hand, our daughter Heidi demonstrates a remarkable ability for art. After a recent camp, her teacher conveyed her amazement at Heidi’s abilities. “With good instruction she could be earning money for her art in just a few years,” she confided. We were floored, as neither of us are artistic, but we decided that  as Heidi showed interest, we would invest to cultivate that God-given gift.

9. Is my child developmentally ready for this commitment?

After being pulled aside by Heidi’s art teacher, I was eager to sign her up for formal lessons. But to my surprise, Heidi resisted:

Character

“No thanks. Not yet. I just love doing art for fun. I don’t want the stress of having to take lessons every week.”

It’s not that she’s lazy. She does some sort of art on her own every day. It’s that,  at nine-years-old, she’s not  developmentally ready for the rigor of these lessons. She just wants to be a kid.

In  Leadership Education (https://tjed.org/),  the authors explain the differences between Love of Learning phase, and Scholar phase. In short, kids in Love of Learning (8-12ish years) should be allowed to explore, play, and pursue interests in a way that’s fun, without the stress of mastery. Later, the onset of puberty and mental maturity prepare a child for more rigorous pursuits.

As much as my pride would love my daughter to pursue excellence in art now, I’m content to let her go her own pace. Like Jamie C. Martin said, I’ll know she’s ready when she’s  begging for lessons (simplehomeschool.net/extracurriculars/).

10. How will I determine “success”? How will I define “quitting”?

In the event that you  do take on an extracurricular activity, it’s wise to determine how to define success and how to navigate the termination of said activity.

Oddly enough, a book on dating and courtship helped me with this. The book explained that in dating, usually a break-up is seen as a bad thing, a failure. But in courtship (as this author defined it), the relationship is an experiment: a respectful experiment to determine whether or not the two involved are indeed a great fit for life.

If not, both parties can move on without guilt or remorse (though certainly emotions are involved), because the experiment was a success — they succeeded in finding out they weren’t a fit!

I see extracurricular activity in the same way. Though I’ve never articulated this concept to my kids, I was thrilled to hear my daughter verbalize it to me recently. She said,

“Mommy, I’m grateful that you’ve let me try things that I’m interested in without making me feel bad if I don’t stick with them forever. I’m really glad I’ve had the freedom to learn which things are or aren’t for me.”

On the other hand, we have to determine what really is plain old  quitting. We’ve said we will finish whatever season/session we started, even when it takes tremendous courage to keep going.

I’ve seen this required finishing work well. After two days of intense art camp, Heidi asked to quit. We required her to finish the week, and by the end she was thrilled with her experience, the teacher pulled us aside to remark on her abilities, and she’s begging to go back next year. Similarly, last week she asked if she could quit theater because she was nervous about an upcoming monologue. We said no, helped her practice and gather her courage. She did great,  loved it, and gained confidence by overcoming fears.

My point is: the old “never quit” adage isn’t enough. We need to wisely determine: What is quitting and what is just moving on?

Trying an activity, giving it your best, finishing the season, then determining it’s not for you is most certainly not failure.

The bottom line: I know great families who land all along the spectrum on extracurriculars, from lots to none at all. My intent is not to say our way is the only way, but to pose some questions as you navigate these decisions for your own kids.

My hope is that wherever you land, you are free from guilt, pressure, striving, and fear. Every family is different, and I pray you have the freedom to pursue what’s best for yours.

Kari Patterson and her family are unschooling, church-planting, smoothie-drinking, frugal-living weirdos from Oregon. As a 2nd generation homeschooler, Kari enthusiastically espouses the same delightdirected method her mother did in the 80s. She celebrates life’s messy glory over at Sacred Mundane. karipatterson.com AND find out more at the Simple Homeschool simplehomeschool.net, too.

Photos courtesy of: Kari Patterson

8WaystoKeepLearningFunforTeens&Tweens

By Michelle Caskey

Whenour kids are young, we often feel inspired to make learning fun. It seems quite natural to add handson learning, to find projects that interest them, and to incorporate lots of laughing into our day.

As our kids get older, however, we have a tendency to make learning more serious. Our anxiety level goes up as we start thinking about getting our kids into college, as well as about transcripts and career choices.

Homeschooling stops being fun and becomes more stressful for our kids… and for us.

Learning will not be a daily carnival for our older kids, but it doesn’t have to be a total drag, either. Think about it. If you were going to learn about something, would you rather have the experience be enjoyable or would you prefer that it be mind-numbingly boring?

Here are 8 Ways

to Keep Learning Fun for Teens & Tweens:

1.  Delight Directed Learning

Let your kids choose which subjects they will study from year to year. For instance, rather than just following a specific track, let your child choose something he will enjoy learning about (www. homeschool-your-boys.com/ successful-homeschools/).

One of my sons absolutely loves astronomy. So, when it came time to choose what he would study for science this year (his freshman year of high school), he decided he would love to learn even more about astronomy and the space program.

Letting him choose his topic will help to keep him interested in his assignments all year long. It will also ensure that he learns much more than if he were being forced to study general science or biology, which are typically tackled in 9th grade.

2. Allow Movement

Just because your kids are older doesn’t mean they want to sit still all day long reading books and writing papers. The more hands-on learning and projects you can incorporate into your day, the more enjoyable learning will be.

You can usually tell when your teens are getting antsy. Sometimes they will tap their toes or their pencils. They will fidget or pace.

You’ve probably seen this type of behavior from your husband

as well. Males think better when they are moving. Physical activity increases blood flow, and hence oxygen, to the brain. This increases the ability to pay attention, strengthens memory, and makes learning easier.

Movement while learning is beneficial for men and women alike – but it’s even more crucial for boys.

3. Mix it Up

Books are great! There is a lot of value in having our children read to learn new information. It’s also very easy to hand our kids a book and walk away. However, if we want our kids to learn more fully, we need to involve all of their senses.

Incorporate some technology into your homeschool. Listen to audio dramas from time to time. Place a more physical activity between two more sedentary ones.

enjoyable for everyone involved. A few years back, I shook up our homeschool and started doing things very differently. I had been giving my boys a daily task list for years, but I switched over to a weekly task list instead. Then, I set expectations for them and let them choose what they worked on when.   I didn’t force them to do specific subjects each day. I didn’t demand that they start at any specific time. The only rule was that they needed to complete everything I had assigned to them by the time my husband got home on Friday evening.

Switching things up like this created much more positive attitudes in our homeschool. My boys felt that they had some control over their days. And I no longer felt like I had to stand over them and micromanage their time.

Try to brainstorm ways you can give your teens more freedom. Let them make more decisions about how and when they will learn. You will be surprised by the significant difference this one minor change can make!

5. Play Games

4. Allow them to Choose

Let’s face it! Our tweens and teens hate being told what to do all the time. They are in the strange position of feeling like adults, but actually still being immature in some ways. Whenever we can allow our kids to decide for themselves, however, we will find that things will be much more

Smile, laugh, use humor, and try to appeal to their playful nature. Homeschooling fun is achievable if we’re intentional about including it in our lessons.

6. Keep it Real

Games aren’t just for young kids. Boys LOVE to compete! Try to incorporate games into your homeschool whenever you can. If you have more than one child reading the same book or learning the same material, ask questions and let them buzz in like on Jeopardy to give the answer. Play board games to learn logic skills.

Real life learning includes things such as taking field trips, volunteer opportunities, internships, chores, and adding in hands-on activities. One time, my dad, my sister, and I took the 7 grandkids on vacation in Boyne Falls, Michigan for a week. We spent one day at Fort Michilimackinac, a reconstructed British fort from the 1700s. While we were there, the kids asked the costumed interpreters lots of questions. We went from building to building and the kids asked more questions. In fact, they never stopped asking questions until the adults would pull the plug and tell them it was time to go on to the next building. When we returned to our condo that evening, my dad quizzed the kids on every obscure fact he could think of from our visit. We were all amazed at how much they remembered. The kids were age 6 to 16 at the time, and they all learned a ton from our trip.   No pencils were picked up. No written quizzes were given. But a ton of learning happened, nonetheless.

7. Take a Class

Sometimes, our older kids need to get out into the real world and take a class or two with a different teacher. Consider letting them take a class at a community college. Look for computer classes or community education classes in your area. Search through some Open Courseware to let your teen take an online class.

8. Challenge Them

Give your teen a problem and have him solve it for himself.

Allow your tween to start his own business. Have him research and figure out as many of the steps as he can on his own. Allow your child to do hard things and to stretch himself. Work on teaching him the life skills he will need to be a

responsible adult.   Increasingly expose your son to the real world (within reason) so that when he moves out on his own or go off to college, what he encounters won’t shock him

As our kids get older, it isn’t always possible to make learning fun. As you can see, however, there are plenty of ways that we can make it more enjoyable and even pleasant. No matter what age our kids are, we should attempt to keep the love in learning.

Michelle Caskey - I’m here because I want to encourage and inspire you as you both parent and/or homeschool your boys. Being a mom to boys can be hard! Homeschooling boys can be even harder. As a mom of two teenage boys who I’ve been homeschooling since the beginning, I’m here to tell you that having sons is a blessing. And it is possible to connect with them and to enjoy spending your days with them. My desire is that Homeschool Your Boys will be a place where parents are inspired to teach their sons in a way which will most engage their minds and their hearts. Find out more at Homeschool Your Boys! homeschool-your-boys.com

The more we’re able to make lessons appealing to our teens and tweens, the more likely it is that they will become lifelong learners. And isn’t that our ultimate goal?

Photos courtesy of: Michelle Caskey

Less What You Use

By Terry Yaceyko (As posted on the WISDOM Facebook page recently.)

Such a great reminder: “It’s less what you use and more how you use it!”

Living in Alberta, we are used to having funding to spend. It is easy to not really think about what we need and use. (I know I did at times.)

But most of North American homeschoolers (I’d say 90 to 95%) don’t receive any funding at all and still do a really good job of homeschooling their children.

You really don’t have to buy a ton of curriculum. You can use the library, online resources, your personal library, and buy more activities / books than curriculum.

At the very least, spend some time thinking about the curriculum you are thinking of using:

• Read reviews. (I still read tons of reviews.)

• Ask homeschool friends (or homeschool groups you have joined on Facebook) if they have used a curriculum and if they liked it or didn’t like it and why. Sometimes their reasons might not be applicable to you.

• Discern how your children learn best AND if the curriculum you are thinking of using facilitates that.

• Pray about it if you are a person of faith.

I will say, the *home school curriculum world* can be quite a shock to wannabe homeschoolers exiting the *public school world*. So many parents cannot believe all the options there are, and it is tough wading through them all. BUT I tell parents often what a privilege it is to pick books and curriculum that suit your family / your children, instead of having to use a one size fits all curriculum for all grades.

Oh, and I never ever used one curriculum for every subject each year - and sometimes not even for every child in our home. You can totally mix and match what works for you and your child. (I really liked Unit Studies and eclectically gathering what I needed: an overview of the topic I wanted to study + library books + educational extras to cover science, social, writing, some art and more. Wow, it was fun and interesting for all of us.)

If you belong to a homeschool support group that meets in person, I’d suggest having “Show & Tell” topics about favorite curriculum and educational extras. Talk about what worked, didn’t work, and why.

When several families are happy with a certain curriculum, the chances are your children / family will like it, too. (That was one reason I tried Explode the Code with our kids. SO many families in our support group said their kids loved it, I finally took a chance, even though initially the artwork didn’t appeal to me. And yes, our kids loved Explode the Code. It’s just a very appealing, funny phonics curriculum for preschool through Grade 4.)

Sometimes I made a mistake (especially in the beginning) when I wasn’t thinking of how our children learned, but rather what I loved and would have enjoyed.... but that was ok, the item went on our homeschool bookshelf to be used by another daughter OR got passed on to another homeschooler who could use it.

I must admit, it was irritating eventually to realize *every daughter* needed different things educationally. One was great at math, another not so great. One or two were writers naturally, while nothing worked with one daughter. (I love writing and have a lot of ideas up my sleeve on how to get kids engaged and writing.)

One daughter learned to read on time (?) while two were a little delayed.

BUT, you know, that is part of the delight of homeschooling: actually picking curriculum, books, and extras to meet each child’s needs and not having to use the same item for every child. I love it.

It’s a bit tough for homeschool parents to keep trying to find what will work for each child, but what a blessing it is when you find it.

Terry Yaceyko is a graduated WISDOM mama of 4 girls. She now loves finding creative ways to connect with her grandchildren and homeschoolers around Alberta.

The WISDOM team is staffed by individuals who value homeschooling and celebrate parents as primary educators. Our staff are home schooling parents, home schooled graduates, or both! We are here to serve your family.

Kenneth Noster

PrinciPal, Head Of ScHOOl

Having personally supported home schoolers since 1990 and as a home school administrator since 1992, Ken understands well the dynamics of home schooling as a way of life. Facing the ever growing need to support parents, Ken is thankful for the highly responsive and skilled team of people serving the WISDOM community and the schools of The Gilbertine Institute. Ken is blessed to live in a faith filled community, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. In his spare time, he reads a book or chips away at writing.

Simon Noster

aSSOciate PrinciPal, HOme educatiOn

Simon Noster was raised on a multigenerational farm, and homeschooled from K-12. Home education gave Simon the opportunity to learn practical skills, develop strong work ethic and problem solving abilities, as well as the desire to question assumptions.

After completing high school at home, Simon attended Thomas Aquinas College, a Liberal Arts College in California. There he met his beautiful and like-minded wife Nicole, another homeschool graduate. Back in Canada, Simon pursued an after-degree in Education; his first day in a public school classroom was as a teacher. He taught at a Jr/Sr high school before beginning his work as a Home Education Facilitator with WISDOM in 2014. In 2020 Simon stepped to the helm of WISDOM Home Schooling, becoming the Associate Principal of Home Education for The Gilbertine Institute. Simon and Nicole now live on the beef and certified organic grain farm which they run with his parents. They love homeschooling their 4 children, who represent the 6th generation on the family farm.

Vic Wiens

Secretary treaSurer

Vic Wiens first became acquainted with home schooling in Alberta when he moved to this province in 1998 to take on the role of principal at Newell Christian School in Brooks, the associate private school for a fairly large homeschool organization. It did not take long for him to appreciate the good work that parents were doing in educating their children. Since that time, he has been the principal of three other schools with homeschool administrations and also homeschooled one of his own children.

TobyLauren Burgess

cHief OPerating Officer

TobyLauren was home educated from the middle of grade 3 through high school. Not fitting "the system" made her especially love the freedom that homeschooling offered. She and her husband have 5 children, two of whom have graduated as life-long homeschoolers, with the remaining three in grades 12, 9 and kindergarten. They live on a homestead not far from the WISDOM office, and TobyLauren's primary hobby involves foraging and growing plants and fungi for food and medicine. TobyLauren has worked with WISDOM since 1996, and she is passionate about individualized education.

Meet The Team

Rae LaRocque

Office manager

I'm Rae LaRocque, Office Manager at WISDOM Home Schooling; it's my job to keep the programs and services running smoothly at WISDOM with our fabulous team in the office. I was homeschooled grades 1-12 and have loved the 17 years I've worked in various roles at the WISDOM office to support homeschooling families in Alberta. I enjoy meeting WISDOM families at conferences and events and whenever time allows me on the general phone queue! When I'm not at the WISDOM office, I am a homebody, working on sustainable living and spending time with my family.

Christian Bekolay

HigH ScHOOl adviSOr

Christian Bekolay's greatest achievement was to marry the love of his life: Rebecca. Together, they spend their time in their little home in rural Alberta pursuing the things they love, spending time with family, and forming themselves through study and prayer. Christian homeschooled with WISDOM through graduation. Spending those years at home provided many opportunities for Christian to discover other little loves for things such as being with nature through hiking, foraging, gardening, engaging in creative arts by sculpting, carving, and painting, musical pursuits in piano and guitar, a passion for cooking and baking, and finally, a very enthusiastic interest in the board game hobby from collecting to designing games. The enriching experience of his home education instilled deep within a desire and enthusiasm for continual growth and development. Since graduation, Christian has spent three years serving as a missionary with NET Canada, worked as a diocesan youth coordinator and summer camp director for Camp St. Louis, gained a diploma in graphic design, and did three years of postsecondary studies at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission. He is also one of the founders of the Bro-Tel Backyard Music Festival, and continues to volunteer his time as the graphic design lead. Working for WISDOM has been a gift for Christian as he truly values parents' right and primary vocation to educate their own children. The fruit of this kind of education is very obvious to Christian in his own life, and he desires to support and assist families in any way he can to help them achieve this noble calling in their own lives. While working for WISDOM, Christian and his wife are currently engaged in further online college studies on the side, both pursuing a BA in Theology.

Peter Weidman

HigH ScHOOl credit adviSOr/HOme ScHOOl cOnSultant

Peter and his wife Karen know the joys and struggles raising 9 children and are currently home schooling 6 of them. Peter has been with WISDOM for the past 2 years, happily serving in a variety of roles. He serves as a Home

School Consultant, Facilitator, High School Math & Science Specialist and High School Credit Advisor. Along with his involvement with the WISDOM Home Schooling community, Peter is also actively involved in his parish community and really enjoys playing hockey.

Levi Breederlander it SyStemS adminiStratOr

Levi has been working with computers ever since his dad noticed an interest and had him tag along whenever the family business brought in an IT support person. He's responsible for maintaining the WISDOM website and email systems, providing tech support for tutors running online courses, and computer troubleshooting issues around the office. Levi lives with his wife and four kids in the town of Legal and in his spare time, he dabbles in homebrewing and film photography.

Naomi Doyle graPHic deSigner

Naomi has been working with WISDOM for 16 years. She started with odd jobs like stuffing magazines, cleaning the office, filing, and print management, but, once her artistic abilities were discovered her role developed into Editorial Assistant and Graphic Designer. After completing her home schooling with WISDOM, she studied classical art in Florence, Italy for a year. Naomi lives in eastern Alberta with her husband and children. She values having the opportunity to work creatively for WISDOM, and to work for something she believes in.

Janice Laurence

HOme ScHOOl cOnSultant

Working in the WISDOM Office as a Home School Consultant is such a privilege! Answering phones and speaking to our families is such a wonderful part of my job, especially the welcome calls that we make to our new families as they begin their home schooling journey with WISDOM. My husband and I are still actively home schooling our two youngest children and are excited to see our first grandchild begin his kindergarten year.

Terry Yaceyko

HOme ScHOOl cOnSultant

Terry is happily married to Richard and spent 26 years home educating their four daughters: Natasha, Rachel, Mikayla and Julia. She loves their 5 grandchildren, loves being creative and singing, and often reads a book or two a day. She continues to live and breathe homeschooling and enjoys talking to and encouraging WISDOM Homeschoolers.

Jennifer Laszlo

adminiStrative aSSiStant

Jennifer is a wife and mother of 7, with 2 homeschool grads, one of whom was just married this spring. This will be her third year working in the office in both the Home School Consultant and Data departments. Besides answering phones to assist families with their questions, she is also happy to help families access inexpensive, second-hand computers through the Computers for Schools program and is also able to create Student and Educator IDs for families who would like to access the discounts and benefits that are available with those.

Amy Burkey

adminiStrative aSSiStant

A WISDOM alumna, Amy is an Administrative Assistant for WISDOM and more recently, assistant to TobyLauren Burgess. Amy and her husband live in the Derwent area, where they strive to be lifelong learners!

Julia Yaceyko

adminiStrative aSSiStant

Julia is a WISDOM graduate who homeschooled all through K-12. She joined WISDOM last year as a summer Office Assistant, and in April 2024, moved into an Administrative role. She takes care of all things Webshop, so when you order any WISDOM swag or purchase any programs and licenses through our website you will most likely be interacting with her; she loves serving our families in any way she can. One of her favorite highlights this year was working at the High School & Beyond Conference in March. Julia also loves spending her free time with her family, doing anything outdoors, and trying new local restaurants.

Melissa McEachern

finance manager

Melissa has worked with WISDOM for many years. She began as an office assistant before going to college, and returned later to manage the Socratic Dialogue Online Program. From there, she moved to the finance team, becoming the Finance Manager for WISDOM in 2013. This work grew to encompass managing finances for the entire Institute in 2020.

Taylor Laurence family funding lead

Taylor has been with WISDOM for four years, working in the Family Funding department. He enjoys golf, board games, and family time. He and his wife, Abigail, look forward to welcoming a baby girl in November.

Thomas Laurence

family funding aSSiStant

Thomas Laurence lives in Vermilion with his wife and two children. He is a new addition to the Family Funding department and is really enjoying it. An avid musician and creative, he is always working on some sort of music or video project on the side. He is planning on homeschooling his own kids when they are old enough, and is happy to be helping other families accomplish that mission right now.

Ezra Noster family funding aSSiStant

A lifetime homeschooler graduated in 2010, Ezra joined WISDOM in the Finance Department in May of 2023 as a Family Funding Assistant. In his off time he keeps busy with the local volunteer fire department, odd jobs on the family farm, and co-running the Bro-Tel Backyard Music Festival. He lives in the country with his German Shepherd and enjoys the outdoors.

Dylan Kwasnycia

family funding SyStemS maintenance

Dylan works in the Family Funding department processing reimbursement requests for WISDOM Families. Dylan, Katelyn, and kids Henry, Emma, George, and Daisy all live in Derwent, AB. Dylan's oldest son Henry will be starting his homeschooling in the fall of 2024 and Henry is very excited to start learning!

Jim Burgess

accOuntS receivable

Jim is a happy homeschooling father who spends most of his time at home with his three youngest children. (The eldest two have graduated and moved out.) He also works half time in the WISDOM finance team, doing funding payouts and reconciling payments for events and workshops. In his spare time, Jim loves cooking (especially proper barbecue), flyfishing, and camping with his family.

Saul Noster

develOPment directOr

Saul is excited to be working in the Development Department for WISDOM Home Schooling and The Gilbertine Institute. Education is personally important to him, and this work is a clear way for him to make a strong and positive impact on the world. In his free time, Saul runs a small music festival with his friends, plays golf (though rather terribly), and loves hosting family and friends at his home.

Meet The Team

Joshua Bruce develOPment aSSiStant

Joshua Bruce began serving WISDOM families in December 2023 as the Development Assistant for The Gilbertine Institute. He lives in Derwent with his wife, Haley, and their two daughters.

Janelle Mailhot data manager

Janelle works full time in the office as the Data Manager. Her role is overseeing the student database, parent portal and all student records. She enjoys talking to WISDOM parents when they call the office and looks forward to meeting more of you at camps and events.

Hannah Hoekstra

SiS data entry clerk

Hannah was homeschooled K-12 and is very thankful her parents decided to do so. Homeschooling allowed her plenty of time to do the things she enjoys, sewing and drawing. She first began working in the office as a student employee, but has since worked her way up to SIS data clerk.

Anthony Laszlo

SiS data entry clerk

I work on the Data team at WISDOM, I am 19 years old. I like to lift weights, drive, and like to play just about any sport except lacrosse. I also enjoy being outside and camping.

Marlane Noster eventS manager

Marlane Noster, as one of the co-founders of WISDOM in 1995, is excited to see us enter our 30th year! She worked as Associate Director for the first many years of WISDOM, before moving to being assistant to the Principal and Events Director in 2020. In her spare time, Marlane loves to garden, serve her church community and provide hospitality to her family and friends.

Kyra Tinant eventS cOOrdinatOr

My name is Kyra Tinant. I am the Events Coordinator for WISDOM and I work with our Events Manager to offer our WISDOM families various opportunities to support their family in their education journey with things like our survival, chess, foraging, photography and dance workshops as well as many others. In my spare time, I love hosting themed dinners/gatherings for family and friends on my acreage (think 1950's summer picnic, Italian dinner or 1920's mystery!).

Nicole Noster

SOcratic dialOgue

Nicole Noster was home educated for 10 years (Gr. 3 – 12) and upon graduating, obtained her Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College, a classical liberal arts college in California. After graduation, Nicole worked in program development and management, putting her skills to good use with programs she believed in. Nicole and her husband, Simon, home school their 4 children and strive to always create a culture of learning and wonder in their home. In her free time, she likes to garden, help on the family farm, sing choral music, and read lots of everything.

John Hoekstra mediated learning PrOgram manager dynamic aSSeSSment/atHleticS directOr John has been with WISDOM for 16 years and is the Mediated Learning Program Director; he also dons various hats for WISDOM events. He and his wife Liesbeth have eight children and one grandson and have been home schooling for 26 years. They live on an acreage in the rolling hills of Two Hills County.

Lora Cardinal mediated learning adviSOr & educatiOnal tHeraPiSt

Lora Cardinal, a Certified Educational Therapist and Mediated Learning Advisor, offers personalized support and tools, including Reading Assessments, to empower parents in effectively guiding their children's education.

WISDOM Facilitators

Michele Barter

One of the original WISDOM families, Michele Barter and her husband, Mike, homeschooled their 9 children, with their closing chapter coming in 2025 as their last student graduates. Part of the WISDOM facilitator team since September of 2000, Michele and Mike have enjoyed journeying with many families over the years, as well as being part of a most unique group of colleagues. Looking back, the fruits of their labour have borne a cohesive family, branching each to their own direction, but still united. Michele and Mike have also shared their love of Ballroom Dance, instructing many WISDOM families over the last 20 years through camps and workshops.

Pierre-André Beaudoin

Hi, I'm Pierre-André. My wife, Chantelle, and I live near Edmonton with our four children. We moved to an acreage last year and have been busy with various projects ever since. Here are a few things that we Beaudoins love: God, spending time with family and friends, a good adventure, food, everything outdoors, playing sports, board games, reading good books and homeschooling. As a facilitator it brings me great joy to provide support and encouragement to other homeschooling families. Have a wonderful school year!

Joan Bishop

My husband Barry and I will celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary in August! Our family of five children has now grown to twenty-one people. It is so interesting to see who joins our family as spouses and grandchildren have been coming along. I have found something that I am really enjoying, and that is being a grandma. I really love being a mom, too, but being “Nana” is easier! I have just finished my thirteenth year as a WISDOM Facilitator, and I am so thankful to work with our incredible team of people. I really like “talking homeschooling”, and encouraging and supporting families on their homeschooling journey, so my work with parents and children is a wonderful privilege and ministry from God. If I could start homeschooling all over again, I would like that very much (as a much younger me) with what I now have come to understand about raising family and homeschooling. I’d like to also begin at the point I am now at with all the work that the Lord has done and continues to do in my life. However, that is not to be, so I can be the mother that I am for my family right now and I still sort of “homeschool” as I continue to love them all, give myself to them (which is what one does in homeschooling) and show them The Way that I have come to know is the narrow and right path, by following Jesus.

Rhonda Caluttung

Fitz and Rhonda met and married while teaching high school in Calgary. They loved working together then, and they love working together now. Currently, Rhonda is a facilitator for WISDOM as well as the English & Social Studies Specialist, and Fitz is her amazing assistant who also tutors Chemistry online and leads WISDOM’s in-person Physics Labs. Together, they have almost fifty years of teaching experience! Their three children are in Grades 9, 11, and 12 and have all been homeschooled since kindergarten. They live in Rocky Mountain House where there is a large and active homeschool community, including the Classical Conversations coop that Rhonda started in 2018 and where she directs Challenge II.

Lydie Delli Santi

In my free time, I enjoy crocheting amigurumi, camping with my family, and riding our bikes or electric scooters in our neighborhood. The beach is my sanctuary, and I dream of living close to it. I love spontaneous family adventures, like our recent foraging walk. Reading is a big part of my life, especially when I read to my two children. Our favorite book is The Tale of Despereaux, and we're excited to start Norse Mythology and The Tales of King Arthur. As a teenager, Of Mice and Men left a lasting impression on me with its themes of sacrifice and love. My favorite meal is an African dish of oxtails, peanut sauce, okras, and rice, which brings back pleasant childhood memories. Blue is my favorite color, and it was a theme at my wedding. I adore the movie Practical Magic for its blend of romance and sisterly love. Over the years, my music tastes have shifted from heavy metal, like System of a Down, to Christian worship songs, which I enjoy while driving, cooking, and cleaning. Every Sunday, my family sings in our church choir, which we thoroughly enjoy. My dream destinations are the Fiji Islands or Tahiti, though small planes make me anxious. As a person, I dislike disrespect, ungratefulness, and lying. I believe it is always possible to find something to be grateful for, such as being alive and healthy. I try to value simple pleasures and meaningful moments with my loved ones, always ready for the next adventure, especially on days when we don't feel like it. I strive to create joyful memories with my children, knowing how important love and nurture are in one's formative years.

Meet The Team

Carrie Friesen

Hi! I’m Carrie. My husband Bernie and I live in Sherwood Park with three of our four kids. Chandler, 24, lives in Edmonton and is working on his first year welding apprenticeship. At home we have Jillian, 15, Garret, 13, and Macy, 7. We are entering our eleventh year of homeschooling with them. We participate in a weekly homeschool co-op that we love. Our family loves to camp, play board games, renovate things, be outside in the mountains, serve at church, visit with friends, play rugby (the kids), hangout with friends and host kids through Safe Families. Home schooling with WISDOM has been a blessing to us and now as a Facilitator, I delight in walking with families on the same journey.

Simon Friesen

Simon and Grace have four children and live in Wetaskiwin. They have homeschooled their kids from the beginning, and enjoy learning as a family. Simon started working as a WISDOM Facilitator in September of 2023, after teaching in the public system for 6 years. He loves encouraging families in their home education journeys and helping them discover their own family learning culture.

Rachelle Godin

I have been homeschooling for 25 years and this is my 13th year of facilitating for WISDOM Home Schooling. Paul and I have been married for 32 years and we have 9 children and 3 grandchildren. Seven of our children have graduated and two are still homeschooling. I live in the Westlock area on an acreage. I enjoy visiting my children and grandchildren, reading, and tending my many plants and flowers! My husband and I are active members of our church community and participate in various ministries. This summer we had a chance to travel to the mountains and do some family camping. I thank God for the opportunity to work with homeschool families and always enjoy seeing the variety of gifts and talents that each family possesses. It gives me great hope for the future!

Liz Gurnett

Elizabeth (Liz) and her husband Tim were married in 1991 and have been blessed with 10 children; the three oldest children are married and they have 3 delightful grandchildren. They served in full time ministry in a church in the Westlock area for 30 years. In 2021, Liz was led to join the team at WISDOM where she serves as a Facilitator for homeschool families across Alberta; at this time the Gurnetts relocated to the Edmonton area. The Gurnetts began homeschooling in 1999

and have enjoyed continuing to homeschool ever since. While they continue to homeschool their four youngest, six of their children have graduated from high school; five have completed their post-secondary training and one is currently in post-secondary education. Homeschooling has given them the opportunity to teach and to spend more time with their children as they served together, enabling them to pass on their faith and values to their children even with their busy schedule. Elizabeth enjoys visiting with the homeschool families she serves, but when she is not doing that, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, sewing, cooking, baking, serving at summer camps, and doing activities with friends and family.

Nola Hutchinson

Nola lives in Camrose, Alberta. She is a former elementary school teacher turned homeschooler who homeschooled her daughters through high school before turning to facilitating. She loves supporting families as they discern the best path for their own children and watching families grow in the realization that homeschooling can be a very rich, rewarding way of life. Nola is active in her church community and enjoys participating in local theatre, watching sports or live theatre, and other pursuits such as singing, reading, sewing, plotting home improvements, going for walks, and chatting with friends.

Anella Jantz

Hi! I'm Anella and live about 30 minutes north of Grande Prairie on a small farm. My husband, Mike, and I home educate our six children ages 10 through 18. We are currently facing the new challenge and adventure of our oldest ones stretching their wings and flying from the home nest. Our oldest son is heading to YWAM Wyoming this September and our next two are pursuing work and apprenticeships along with their home ed. The youngest three are still firmly entrenched at home and I am so thankful for them all. God never ceases to amaze me in His faithfulness as we seek Him.

Desmond Kilgannon

Desmond began with WISDOM Home Schooling in the fall of 2020 and is looking forward to meeting and supporting families with their education vision and its pursuit. Desmond and Claudia homeschooled their 3 children right through high school and then onto post-secondary studies, starting families and beginning to raise children themselves - the wonderful adventure goes on. Desmond retired from a teaching career of 27 years in 2015 and has been exploring many post-retirement options, for example, being a Facilitator. I look forward to getting to know each family and being of any assistance I can in each family's growth as learners and educators.

Randy Kopp

Randy has served WISDOM for the past 27 years and observed many changes. Randy and Catie raised and home educated their four children, Nathan, Joshua, Esther and Reuben without credits. Their Christian education included the Scriptures, serving others with their talents and abilities, acquiring important academic knowledge and practical life skills as well as pursuing their passions. They advocate the pursuit and stewardship of one’s God-given abilities, talents and passions. Randy & Catie live near Edson and enjoy hiking, gardening, golfing, traveling and spending time with their 17 grandchildren.

Gordon Loewen

Gordon and Leandra Loewen love the homeschooling lifestyle and have made a life of prioritizing relationships within their family and the homeschooling community around them. They enjoy hosting regular get-togethers with homeschooling families, and young people events, including dances, homeschooling co-ops, and campfire visits. Now that the last of their seven children is finishing homeschooling high school, they find themselves with more time to host events and one-on-one chats about homeschooling and family life. Regarding life, besides enjoying their acreage on Bear Lake outside of Grande Prairie, they do love keeping up with the details of each of their children, and travelling to Texas to visit seven of their eight grandchildren. Regularly though, you can find Gordon & Leandra chatting with others about the joys and warmth of family life in the context of the homeschooling community.

Taylore Maschmeyer

Taylore is a WISDOM alumni and is passionate about home education and supporting the next generation of home schooling families. As a traditional home school student, her years of education were filled with a variety of home school philosophies. She attended Concordia University of Edmonton and the University of Alberta, where she competed as a Varsity athlete in curling and received several awards and recognition. Taylore and her husband Kenton welcomed their first child in 2019 and currently have three children. Their eldest child will begin kindergarten in the fall, “officially” beginning their home schooling journey. Taylore’s husband Kenton works on his family's fourth generation grain and cattle farm east of Edmonton.

Mark Meakes

Even though I have been steeped in institutional learning, including two university degrees, I believe I was always a homeschooler at heart. Throughout my life, I have always found reason to reinvent myself, often being an innovator while operating intuitively and never accepting the mainstream narrative without scrutiny and critical thinking. I remember when I completed my grade 8 teaching practicum in an innercity school in Saskatoon and the parents of the students begged me to hold a Science Camp during the Christmas break because they knew that I taught hands-on, experiential science, where it is brought to life and not just some words on a page that you could imagine. Early in my career as a Facilitator, I came across Gregg Harris, an author and homeschool conference speaker, who coined the phrase, Delight-Directed Learning. I embraced that immediately as that is how I viewed education both as a student and as a teacher. Though I support families regardless of the educational approach they take, whether it's unschooling or a matriculated curriculum, parents invariably and inevitably will see that their children have delights and they would be well-served tapping into those delights in order to create those amazing individuals who will ultimately change the world. I recently came across a former homeschooler, www. damanifelder.com, who epitomizes these ideas and aspirations of the importance of instilling education, history, and critical thinking into the lives of our children. Otherwise, our children will become mediocre, uninspired, unmotivated, and virtueless if we do not!

Sue Peachment

Sue and her husband Dean have been married almost 40 years, and have four sons whom they educated at home through high school and beyond. Sue loved the time spent at home as a family, learning and growing together. Sue and Dean love having the boys home for visits - especially because the group now includes 3 amazing daughters-in-law and 4 beautiful grandchildren! Working as a facilitator for WISDOM is a tremendous blessing for Sue, and a testament to God’s goodness. Sue is passionate about family and home education, and is blessed to be able to serve other homeschooling families, supporting them on this exciting and meaningful journey.

Joy Ronald

Joy never dreamed of homeschooling until she spent ten years in the school system and was expecting her first child! She knew school was not the best place for her kids and has been an enthusiastic homeschooler in the 25 years since! She loves encouraging and supporting parents, she loves learning, and she is a strong believer in finding the best learning opportunities for every child!

Meet The Team

Kim Schultz

Our family began on July 29, 1983, when Daniel and I were married. God gave us 5 children who are all happily married. We rejoice in nine grandchildren and 4 more on the way! Our home education journey, 2000 - 2014, was a blessing as we worked at each child’s pace, learning style and interests. Our vision is to be a family who glorifies God and draws others to Him. Dan and I travel together when we visit our home educating families across Alberta.

Glenn Spiess

Glenn has been affiliated with WISDOM since 1999. He first met WISDOM's Founder - Ken Noster in 1998 and after several conversations Glenn began working as a Facilitator for WISDOM in 1999. Over the years he has spent additional time in various roles with WISDOM - such as working in the WISDOM Office (primarily engaged in organizing the High School and Beyond Conference for a number of years) and with the Mediated Learning team. These experiences, along with the hundreds of families he has served, have helped form him in his outlook and mission as a Facilitator. As a result he seeks to serve homeschool families by encouraging parents in their capacity to form their children with discernment, prayer and excellence so they may achieve the goals that have been placed on their minds and hearts. Glenn and his wife have always homeschooled their children (even through high school!!) and have successfully navigated the homeschool journey in the context of family life. Their children have found multiple posthigh school options available to use their talents for the Glory of God and the enrichment of their fellow man. The success Glenn and his wife have found in preparing their children for a future after homeschooling only serves to strengthen their conviction that home schooling has been one of their best decisions they have ever made for their family.

Brian Taje

Brian and Teri have seven children. They’ve been homeschooling for nearly thirty years and are "still at it" with their youngest daughter, who recently became a teenager. They enjoy living in Beaumont and being close to family. Homeschooling started in response to their sense of duty as stewards of God’s children. It became a daily means to nurture faith, build values, and preserve childhood innocence for “a little longer.” While homeschooling was about raising children, it helped grow Brian and Teri’s faith and strengthen their marriage. It also had a constructive influence on Brian in his previous public and post-secondary education roles.

Catherine van Kampen

Hello! I am from the small town of Rocky Mountain House, AB and I love people, though I still suspect I'm an introvert. The people I get to love the most are my delightful husband and 5 children. Lucia, Philip, Maggie, Isaac and Leo are my fun and talented kids. My hobbies are music, sewing and reading.

Paul van den Bosch

Paul and his wife Mary have seven adult children and live on 20 acres between Stony Plain and Onoway (west of Edmonton). They have been home schooling for over 30 years and Paul has been a WISDOM Facilitator for 18 of those years. The family enjoys classical education including philosophy, logic, and Socratic discussion. They also like being outdoors – hiking, kayaking, canoeing, wilderness camping, trail walking - and Paul and Mary look forward to someday taking an extended Inkling-type walking tour.

Peter Weidman

Peter and his wife Karen know the joys and struggles raising 9 children and are currently home schooling 6 of them. Peter has been with WISDOM for the past 2 years, happily serving in a variety of roles. He serves as a Home School Consultant, Facilitator, High School Math & Science Specialist and High School Credit Advisor. Along with his involvement with the WISDOM Home Schooling community, Peter is also actively involved in his parish community and really enjoys playing hockey.

Penpal Club Penpal

Simeon B, 9

I have two brothers and six sisters. I live on a farm. I like playing LEGO. I also like sports, especially baseball and soccer. I play piano. I am excited to hear from you!

Brooklynn S, 10

Hi, my name is Brooklynn S. I just turned 10 years old. I love animals. I have a Ragdoll cat named Oliver. I like to sing, dance, do art, and play outside. I have two older brothers who have now moved out on their own, so I am basically an only child now. I would love for anyone, boys or girls, to be my pen pal.

Gunnr U, 12

I live in Alberta with two older brothers, one older sister and one younger sister. My hobbies are ants and bugs. I love to go outside and look at bugs. When I go outside I like to bounce on the trampoline and use a magnifying glass to burn stuff. I like to play with LEGO. I keep pet ants. It is my favorite hobby. I would love to have a pen pal that loves bugs as much as me.

Eda B, 10

I live on a farm, and I like playing with kittens. I enjoy doing crafts and creative activities. I have a lot of fun playing with my brothers and sisters. I like piano, dancing, and sports! Hope to hear from you soon!

Rigo N, 13

Hello! My name is Rigoberto, or Rigo for short. I'm 13 years old and enjoy designing pictures and such, LEGO, playing games with my friends, writing stories, and swimming. I live in Okotoks Alberta. I would love to talk to other teens my age. I hope to hear from somebody soon!

To join

You are invited to write to any Pen Pal Club member listed here!

To join the Club, please send a short letter of introduction (like those posted here) to the WISDOM office, along with a note giving parental permission.

You may also ask your parent to email office@wisdomhomeschooling.com.

If you'd like to be a pen-pal of someone listed here, please send your first letter to:

[Penpal name]

c/o WISDOM Pen Pal Club Box 78

Derwent, AB T0B 1C0

September/October

Birthdays

September 3, 2014 — Kylie Z enjoys piano, drawing, and playing outside.

September 3, 2016 — Shianne Z likes making friends, singing, and reading.

September 11, 2010 — Justin Z enjoys hockey, video games, and hunting.

September 14, 2018 — Isaac K likes playing at the park, going to the beach, sport cars, and concrete construction

October 5, 2011 — Christopher A loves sports, being outside, reading, and playing with friends.

October 12, 2016 — Lucas Taira S interested in insects and dinosaurs.

Send a Birthday Card!

Send a birthday card to any of the children below to: [Child's name] c/o WISDOM Birthday Club Box 78

Derwent, AB T0B 1C0

Do you want to join the Birthday club? See p. 53

Biology Laboratory 2024-2025 · Derwent

Students in the Biology Laboratory 2024-2025 seminar will gain experience in using the scientific method, laboratory skills, and lab write ups.

In Biology 20, students will: consider and analyze evidence for and against the theory of evolution; explore photosynthesis and cellular respiration (isolation of chlorophyll); begin integrating human systems (fetal pig dissection); and better understand the human respiratory and circulatory systems (lung function testing).

In Biology 30, students will: study the neurological system (cow or sheep brain and eye dissection); the endocrine system (case studies); the reproductive system (bovine organ dissection); molecular genetics (strawberry DNA extraction); and carry out meaningful exercises that will assist them in their diploma examination.

In both Biology 20 and 30, students will be expected to do a small online pre-lab assessment to ensure adequate preparation. The dates for both the online component and the lab are below.

Sessions run from 4:30-6:30pm.

Chemistry Laboratory

2024-2025 · Calgary

Students in the Chemistry Laboratory 2024-2025 seminar will gain experience in using the scientific method, laboratory skills, and lab write ups pertaining to Chemistry.

In Chemistry 20, students will study and conduct experiments regarding: the scientific method and gain mastery in conducting measurements within experiments (Forming Ionic Compounds); Forms of Matter, Gases (Investigating the properties and behaviour of gases such as Boyle’s Law); Matter as Solutions, Acids and Bases (Making a solution with a precise concentration); Quantitative Relationships in Chemical Changes (Stoichiometry through rockets).

In Chemistry 30, students will study and conduct experiments regarding: Thermochemical Changes (Calorimetry, how many calories are in a macadamia nut); Electrochemical Changes (Making a Battery); Acid/ Base Chemical Reactions (Titrations); and Chemical Equilibrium on Acid-Base Systems (Titrations extended).

In both Chemistry 20 and 30, students will be coached and mentored in measurement, graphing, and algebraic reasoning but it is expected that they will already have adequate skills in naming and deriving chemical formulas for Ionic and Molecular Compounds and acids, balancing chemical equations, given two reactants, graphing and algebraic reasoning skills to manipulate basic algebraic equations. Also, students will do an online pre-lab assessment to ensure adequate preparation before every lab.

The dates for both the online component and the lab are below. Classes run from 12-2pm.

Physics Laboratory

2024-2025 · Edmonton

Students in the Physics Laboratory 2024-2025 seminar will gain experience in using the scientific method, laboratory skills, and lab write ups pertaining to Physics.

In Physics 20, students will conduct experiments in: The Scientific Method and gaining mastery in conducting measurements within experiments (toy car activity); Kinematics - the study of objects in motion without reference to forces (determining whether an object is exhibiting uniform or non-uniform motion using ticker tape); Dynamics - the study of position and velocity of objects and systems with reference to forces (calculating the coefficient of static friction of various materials); Circular Motion (creating and using a slingshot or catapult to launch an object); Wave Propagation (modelling wave propagation and analyzing its factors with gummy bears).

In Physics 30, students will study and conduct experiments regarding: Momentum and Impulse (Conservation of Momentum in two dimensions); Forces and Fields (drawing Electric Force fields using equipotential lines); Optics (using an optical bench to study the properties of light); Atomic Physics (creating and analyzing models to understand the nature of an atom).

In both Physics 20 and 30, students will be coached and mentored in measurement, graphing, and algebraic reasoning but it is expected that they will already have adequate graphing and algebraic reasoning skills to manipulate basic algebraic equations. Also, students will do an online pre-lab assessment to ensure adequate preparation.

The dates for both the online component and the lab are below.

Fall Family Gatherings

You are invited to attend family gatherings across the province! These social-style events are open to all current WISDOM Home Schooling families. Meet friends, visit with other homeschoolers and members of the WISDOM team, and find out more about how WISDOM can serve you best.

RSVP by filling out the free registration on our website, wisdomhomeschooling.com > Events > WISDOM Family Gatherings or contact the event host.

w estlock & a rea F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Monday, September 2, 2024, 4-8pm

Where: Bethel Bible Camp (10 minutes west of Westlock).

Directions: For directions to Bethel Bible Camp, please visit: bethelbiblecamp.ca/directions

Details: WISDOM will provide hot dogs, buns, condiments and beverages. We will enjoy a meal together as well as have an information time, door prizes, games and socializing. This event will run rain or shine.

Please bring: For the meal, please bring potluck sides, salads or desserts to share with the group. (Please note: if you have a highly restrictive diet, feel free to bring your own food if you wish.) There are many activities to enjoy at the facility, but you are welcome to bring other lawn games, board games, or lawn chairs if you would like.

RSVP by August 30, 2024.

If you have any questions or for late registrations, please contact: Liz Gurnett by text at 780-349-1577 or email at liz@wisdomhomeschooling.com

This event will be co-hosted by: Rachelle Godin: rachelle@wisdomhomeschooling.com

e dmonton & a rea F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Sunday, September 8, 2024, 4-8pm

Where: Meadowlodge Bible Camp (mbc), near Cooking Lake

Directions: mbc is south east of Sherwood Park on the northside of

Bay Bible Camp).

Details: WISDOM will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments and beverages. We will enjoy a meal together as well as have an information time, door prizes, games and socializing. This event will run rain or shine.

Please bring: For the meal, please bring potluck sides, salads or desserts to share with the group. (Please note: if you have a highly restrictive diet, feel free to bring your own food if you wish.) There are many activities to enjoy at the facility, but you are welcome to bring other lawn games, board games, or lawn chairs if you would like.

NOTE: Similar to other years, families who wish to set up a table to sell baking, crafts or curriculum are welcome to do so. Please email Liz Gurnett with details.

RSVP by September 6, 2024.

If you have any questions or for late registrations please contact: Liz Gurnett by text at 780-349-1577 or email at liz@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Carrie Friesen by text at 780-217-4006 or email at carrie@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Mike & Michele Barter by text at 780-363-3740 or email at michele@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Taylore Maschmeyer by text at 780-270-0460 or email taylore@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Pierre-Andre Beaudoin by text at 780-239-0381 or email at pierre-andre@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Cooking Lake near the intersection of Rge Rd 215 and Twp Rd 515 (located next to Birch

G rande P rairie & a rea F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Sunday, September 8, 2024, 2-5:30pm

Where: Bear Lake Park on Rge Rd 72

Directions: If coming from Grande Prairie, go north on Hwy #2 or Rge Rd 63, turn west (left) on Twp Rd 730, go about 8 miles, and turn south (left) on Rge Rd 72 at the Bear Lake Bible Camp sign.

Details: Join other WISDOM families for a shared afternoon of visiting and BBQing. WISDOM will provide hamburgers, buns, condiments and beverages. There will also be an interactive tour of the Canuck one-room schoolhouse, a short walk away.

Activities:

• Visiting, 2pm onwards

• Playground

• Kayaking on Bear Lake (kayaks provided)

• Tour of one-room schoolhouse

• Homeschooling informational talk, 3:30pm

• BBQ hamburgers with shared sides and dessert, 4:00pm

• Campfire and roasted marshmallows

Please bring: Lawn chairs and a potluck dish to share (ie: salad, crackers & cheese, chips & salsa, watermelon, squares, dessert, etc.)

If you have any questions, please contact: Gordon Loewen: 587-298-7565 or gordon@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Anella Jantz: 587-297-1992 or anella@wisdomhomeschooling.com

w etaskiwin a rea F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Saturday, September 14, 2024, starting at 10:45am

Where: Reynolds-Alberta Museum, Wetaskiwin (open 10am-5pm)

Details: Driving Thru the ‘70s is the featured display at the Reynolds, with several special sessions happening on September 14. Come right at 10:00am if you like and start touring. Gather with WISDOM near the main entrance at 10:45am and we’ll head to the 11:00am and 11:30am sessions. Join other WISDOM families for a 12:00pm picnic lunch and visiting outdoors, just west of the museum cafeteria (in the cafeteria if poor weather). After lunch, enjoy a self-guided tour with your family. The Aviation Museum will also be open. There will likely be free vintage car rides available on the grounds.

NOTE: Free admission with homeschooling "proof" (WISDOM student/educator id cards or acceptance letter from WISDOM on your phone) for one parent and children. A second parent attending must pay the admission fee.

Please bring: A picnic lunch and beverages for your family and a blanket and/or lawn chairs.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Joan Bishop: joan@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Nola Hutchinson: nola@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Simon Friesen: simon.f@wisdomhomeschooling.com

l a c rete / F ort v ermilion / H iGH l evel F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 3-7pm

Where: More information on location will be coming soon.

Details: Potluck sandwich supper and fellowship. WISDOM will provide the beverages.

Please bring: Sandwiches and a salad or dessert to share.

rsvp by September 13, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact:

Margaret Knelsen: 780-926-6556

Kim and Dan Schultz: 780-404-3356 or kim@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Paul van den Bosch: 403-358-4497 or paul@wisdomhomeschooling.com

l et H brid G e & a rea  F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Monday, September 16, 2024, 4-8pm

Where: John Martin Recreation Centre (located in Pavan Park)

Details: WISDOM will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments and beverages. We will enjoy a meal together as well as have an information time, door prizes, games and socializing. This event will run rain or shine.

Please bring: Please bring potluck sides, salads and/or desserts to share with the group. (Please note: if you have a highly restrictive diet, feel free to bring your own food if you wish.) There are many activities to enjoy at the facility, but you are welcome to bring other lawn games, board games, or lawn chairs if you would like.

RSVP by September 12, 2024.

If you have any questions or for late registrations, please contact: Liz Gurnett by text at 780-780-349-1577 or email at liz@wisdomhomeschooling.com

This event will be co-hosted by: Simon Friesen: simon.f@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Brian Taje: brian@wisdomhomeschooling.com

c alG ary F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 5-8:30pm

Where: Renfrew Community Hall (811 Radford Rd NE, Calgary)

Details: Please join us for an evening of fun to get to know other WISDOM homeschoolers in the Calgary area. We will share a meal together, play outside and inside, and enjoy a talent show! If you are interested, please plan to share a family skit, song or dance at the talent show. If an individual parent or child has a talent they want to do or share (like artwork or inventions) that would be great too. A sign up sheet will be available in August.

Please bring: A potluck side to accompany the meal, card/board games, outdoor games, and whatever your family needs for an evening of fun!

Events

If you have any questions, please contact: Carrie Friesen: carrie@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Liz Gurnett: liz@wisdomhomeschooling.com

l akeland & a rea F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Friday, September 20, 2024, 4:30-10pm

Where: Clandonald Community Hall, Clandonald

Details: This is a potluck supper event! A free family dance for WISDOM families will follow the meal. WISDOM will provide additional snacks and beverages for the dance.

Please bring: Families are asked to please bring a potluck main course option and either a salad or dessert for the potluck portion of the event.

If you have any questions, please contact: Peter Weidman: peter@wisdomhomeschooling.com

This event will be co-hosted by: Pierre-Andre Beaudoin: pierre-andre@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Simon Noster: simon@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Glenn Spiess: glenn@wisdomhomeschooling.com

d unveG an b rid G e F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 1-5pm

Where: Dunvegan Bridge (between Rycroft and Fairview, just north of the bridge crossing the Peace River).

Details: Potluck and fellowship.

Please bring: Camp chairs, a main course / side dish / salads / dessert to share, and bring your WATER BALLOONS because this is your chance to soak a WISDOM Facilitator!

If you have any questions, please contact: Paul van den Bosch by call/text at 403-358-4497 or email at paul@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Anella Jantz: 587-297-1992 or anella@wisdomhomeschooling.com

m edicine H at F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Monday, September 23, 2024, 4-8pm

Where: Kin Coulee Park, Medicine Hat

Details: bbq with potluck. WISDOM will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and beverages. We will enjoy a meal together as well as have an information time, door prizes, games, and socializing. This event will run rain or shine.

Please bring: Potluck sides, salads and/or desserts to share with the group. (Please note: if you have a highly restrictive diet, feel free to bring your own food if you wish.) You are welcome to bring lawn games, board games, and lawn chairs if you would like.

RSVP by September 20, 2024.

If you have any questions or for late registrations, please contact:

Simon Friesen: 587-222-1790 or simon.f@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Brian Taje: 780-312-4525 or brian@wisdomhomeschooling.com

r ed d eer & a rea F all F amily G at H erinG

When: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 3-6pm

Where: Bower-Kin Community Centre, 85 Boyce St, Red Deer

Details: Potluck and fellowship. WISDOM will provide the main course and beverages.

Please bring: Salads and desserts to share, ball gloves, and your favourite indoor and outdoor board games (since weather may be unpredictable).

If you have any questions, please contact:

Paul van den Bosch by call/text at 403-358-4497 or email at paul@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Sue Peachment: sue@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Catherine van Kampen: catherine@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Rhonda Caluttung: rhonda@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Lydie Delli Santi: lydie@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Socratic Dialogue Online Program Dates & Deadlines

Fall Dates

(drop)Deadline for Registration Close: August 22

Term Start (Practice Week): August 27-30

Spring Registration Opening: October 16

Final Week of the Term: December 3-6

Spring Dates

Registration Close: January 9

Term Start (Practice Week):January 28-31

Easter Break: April 17-23

Fall Registration Opening: early May

Final Week of the Term: May 13-16

WISDOM Family Events

3

Drayton Valley (Blue Rapids PRA) 1-3pm Fire Starter Making

4Stony Plain (Chickakoo Recreation Area) 1-3pm Fire Starter Making

5Edmonton (Sir Wilfred Laurier Park Picnic Site 7) 1-3pm Fire Starter Making

6Red Deer (Kin Kanyon) 1-3pm Fire Starter Making

10 Fort McMurray (Maqua Lake Recreation Area) 10-12pm Basic Wilderness Survival 1-3pm Knife Skills

11 Fort McMurray (Maqua Lake Recreation Area) 10-12pm Fire Craft 1-3pm Foraging/Plant ID

12 Athabasca (Long Lake Recreation Area) 10-12pm Basic Wilderness 1-3pm Knife Skills

13 Athabasca (Long Lake Recreation Area) 10-12pm Fire Craft 1-3pm Foraging/Plant ID

13 Rocky Mountain House 10-12pm A Métis Welcome

16 Myrnam 10-12pm Fire Starter Making 1-3pm Spruce Salve

18 Lethbridge (Indian Battle Park, Alberta Shelter) 10-12pm Fire Starter Making 1-3pm Spruce Salve

19 Calgary (Edworthy Park, Picnic Site 1) 1-3pm Fire Starter Making

24 Grande Prairie (Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area) 10-12pm Foraging 1-3pm Natural Dyes

25

Grande Prairie (Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area) 10-12pm Fire Starter Makers 1-3pm Spruce Salve

Let’s Seek Truth, Goodness, & Beauty... and Talk about It

By Nicole Noster

New to home schooling?

New to WISDOM? Welcome!

You may also be new to one of the features WISDOM has to offer: the Socratic Dialogue Online Program. While we try to provide a lot of great information on the WISDOM website about this program, I wanted to give our community the nutshell version in case, like me, you don’t have time to dive into the internet wormhole.

What is it?

WISDOM’s Online Program is a compilation of more than 30 enrichment courses that follow the classical model of liberal arts and are held in the Socratic method, which is basically discussion instead of lecture. We offer a wide range of elementary, junior high, and high school classes in Literature, Art, History, Philosophy, Theology, Grammar, Writing, and Latin. These

courses use timeless books that have deep and compelling truths which challenge students to grapple with big ideas.

Why is it?

The Online Program was originally started 20 years ago to give support to parents particularly during the high school years when students and parents feel a lot of pressure to return to the school system. Sometimes this is social pressure, but often it can be the need for external expertise and an opportunity for peer community. After observing success in a few high school courses, the program developed into a wide variety of course types in areas of interest and demand for all school-aged youth.

These courses provide an education opportunity which aims to inspire students to understand that the true goal of education should have the ultimate purpose of making one more free, virtuous and happy. The authors studied and the method used,

Socratic dialogue, are essential to making this happen in our program. Guided by one of our tutors, students are expected to use their minds to defend their ideas and challenge one another’s grasp of the book and of the truths contained within it. This method strengthens the students’ memory and begins to accustom them to using correct grammar, logical thinking, and rhetoric - the first three liberal arts.

Because they have concentrated on developing the arts of learning and thinking rather than simply collecting information, students find it easier to categorize and order everything they are learning, and to recognize which information is important and which is not. These skills of logic and rigorous critical analysis have essential value in university, the trades, and professional life.

Is it for me?

Practically, we offer these courses to be a supportive addendum to your home education program; they are not a stand-alone online education option. They are intended to fill the needs or interests that you and your children might have while providing an opportunity for them to challenge assumptions, develop logical capacity, and refine thoughts.

Many parents have found our writing courses helpful. They range from grammar and composition to introductory high school writing and advanced writing that aims to prepare students for post-secondary studies.

Literature courses are always lots of fun. The students read excellent books of fiction that are wonderful samples of good writing with deep ideas. These courses are typically ordered by a theme, but may also be a study of a particular author.

I hear feedback that our history courses are satisfying accompaniments or stand-alones for history studies. They are arranged by particular focus, so I encourage families who would like to use these courses to look ahead and plan for what will best fit with their program.

Beyond the studies-side of things, many students take these courses to find community. They have a chance to meet and get to know a group of people who are “walking together” with them. Great friendships have begun in our classrooms.

Quick details:

Duration: Courses are 1 term in length, and run once per week for 14 weeks. Each class is 1 – 1.5 hours long. Many courses run in both terms, but some run in just one term each year. I supply a year-plan for parents when Fall registration opens to assist with planning. (Exception: Latin is a year-long course and runs twice per week.)

Registration: Fall course registration is currently closed since the term has begun. Spring course registration will open on October 16th. Fall 2025 Registration will open in early May.

Technical Requirements: A good computer, a stable internet connection with good speeds, and a working mic/headset. We use a virtual classroom called NewRow.

There is MUCH more information on our website, so if this has piqued your interest, I highly recommend spending a few minutes perusing the “Courses” tab. I am always happy to talk about the Program, so feel free to send me an email (nicole@ wisdomhomeschooling.com) or to give me a call (780-549-4008).

We also welcome visitors to the online classes, so if you are interested in a particular course and would like to visit a class in this current term to experience it, let me know!

Nicole Noster is the Director of WISDOM’s Socratic Dialogue Online Program and a homeschooling mother of four. Reach her at nicole@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Farewell

Jonathan hoekstra

Jonathan worked for WISDOM over the past year, leaving us this spring. We miss his cheerful good nature around the office!

DesmonD kilgannon & Peter WeiDman

Louis & Joyce sehn

Louis and Joyce Sehn joined the WISDOM team in 2001; Louis as a facilitator, and Joyce as his invaluable assistant.

As a team, Louis and Joyce have brought tremendous wisdom, sincerity, joy, and care to both the families whom they have served, and to their colleagues. Louis is always quick to enter fully and intentionally into a conversation with a student, or to tell a humorous story to put everyone at ease.

It is with mixed feelings that we announce the retirement of Louis and Joyce. Although we are very happy that they will have increased time to spend with their children and grandchildren, we will deeply miss their regular presence. We hope to see Louis and Joyce involved with WISDOM in some other capacity in the future.

Thank you, Louis and Joyce for your 23 years of dedicated and faithful service to the home education community. May God bless you abundantly!

haley Bruce

Haley and Joshua welcomed their second daughter on May 4. We miss Haley around the office but enjoy the occasional visits with baby snuggles!

aBigail laurence

Abigail and Taylor will welcome their first child in November, and we celebrate with them! Abigail will begin her maternity leave at the beginning of October, and has been working hard to ensure procedure manuals are up to date for the rest of the team.

Thank You

Joy ronalD & rhonDa caluttung

Desmond worked hard to build and refine our Course Challenge process over the past several years. This year, he passes the Credit Advisor torch to Peter Weidman, and continues on in his role as facilitator. We are grateful to Peter for taking on the Credit Advisor role in addition to his other work with WISDOM. Another nametag is on its way...

Joy continues in her facilitating role with WISDOM this year, and has given the work of Social Studies subject specialist to English specialist and facilitator Rhonda.

Julia yaceyko

We appreciate Julia stepping into Haley's full time Administrative Assistant role!

Welcome

Kyla grew up in Nanaimo, BC. She enjoyed living near the ocean but also enjoyed escaping to the rocky mountains every summer. To this day, hiking in Kananaskis holds a special place in her heart. She is a public school grad who went onto post secondary education at Malaspina University College (now Vancouver Island University), achieving her Bachelor of Arts in geography and global studies. In 2004, she moved east to attend the University of Alberta to complete her Bachelor of Education. Kyla and her husband Shannon welcomed their first child in 2010 and have since grown to a family of five. After a few years with children in the public system, Kyla and Shannon decided that parent-led education was something they valued and wanted for their children. With support from friends and family, they could see God’s hand leading them to homeschool. Kyla has enjoyed bringing her kids home to be able to program specifically for each unique individual, strengthen the child, parent relationship and further cherish these years together. We welcome Kyla to the team!

Joshua joined the Development team in December 2023. Read his bio on page 36.

Anthony is a WISDOM grad who joined us part time in the spring. He has accepted an ongoing full-time position on the Data team. His bio is on page 36.

Thomas is another WISDOM alumni who recently joined the team as a Finance Assistant. Read his bio on

KyLa MouLd

Joshua Bruce

anthony LaszLo

thoMas Laurence

Home ScHool A ssistA nce F und

Donate to the Family Assistance Fund to assist WISDOM families in crisis with shortterm support, so that they can maintain their freedom to home educate.

Credit Card Donations (Monthly or One-Time):

Either scan the QR Code or simply visit wisdomhomeschooling.com/ donate.

Make sure to select Family Assistance when filling out the form.

Cheque Donations: Make your cheque payable to WISDOM Home Schooling.

Family Assistance Box 78 Derwent, AB T0B 1C0

Charitable receipts will be issued for any 2024 donations.

referrer, the WISDOM group will receive $25 and the new member will also receive a $25 our HSLDA group name (WISDOM) and number information about terms and conditions, hslda.ca/terms-conditions

Find The Pencil & The Globe

symbol above hidden somewhere in the and email us to tell us what page number it will enter you in a draw for a fun prize. draw will be held on October 31. magazine@wisdomhomeschooling.com

Refer-A-Friend:

For a limited time, for each brand new HSLDA membership that lists WISDOM's group as the $25 rebate off our annual fee, $25 rebate! All they need is number (5003454). For more hslda.ca/terms-conditions

Write to us with your child's name, age, 2-3 things they're interested in, and their birthdate. We will print them just like we do in the Pen Pal Club, but instead of an ongoing pen pal commitment, this gives other kids a chance to send yours a birthday card!

(Please send this to us at least 3 months before your child's birthday, so we can get them printed in time.)

November September

October

Finding Help

· Call us at 780-741-2113 or 1-877-425-8546 · · Email us at office@wisdomhomeschooling.com ·

Funding

The funding year opens for submissions now! Submit digitally or by postal mail and be reimbursed the following month. The first reimbursement will occur in October. You may access purchase orders for direct billing at select vendors, starting on September 18.

Go to wisdomhomeschooling.com/funding or read the funding handbook for more information.

Would you like an updated paper copy of the funding handbook?

We would be happy to send you one.

Questions? Email finance@wisdomhomeschooling.com

A note on emails

We always respond to emails. If you do not receive a reply from us within two weeks, we did not receive it. Please send it to us again.

When you Call Us

Call us at 780-741-2113 or toll free at 1-877-425-8546

We take calls between 9 and 4, Monday through Friday, with an hour off at noon.

If you reach our voicemail, you may enter the extension of anyone in the office at any time during the greeting. To speak to a home school consultant, dial 1. To speak to a member of the funding team, dial 2. To leave a general message, stay on the line or dial 3.

We endeavour to return calls as quickly as possible. If you do not hear back from us within two business days, it may be because the message didn't come through clearly, so please call again.

Connect with WISDOM families

We offer many ways to connect with the larger WISDOM community, from events and workshops, to our Social Networking phone and email list, to Facebook Groups just for WISDOM parents. This year, we are working to add local WISDOM communities around Alberta! For more information on events, email events@wisdomhomeschooling.com. For local community connection, email terry@wisdomhomeschooling.com.

Subscribe to The WISDOM Family Magazine

(The Magazine is free to WISDOM families.)

□ Option A - paper subscription ($30 in Canada, $44 in USA)

□ Option B - digital subscription, delivered to your email inbox ($18) Where should we send it?

Name:

Address: Phone Number:

Email:

Method of Payment:

□ Cheque payable to WISDOM Home Schooling

□ E-transfer to billing@wisdomhomeschooling.com

□ VISA/MasterCard Number

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