What is your "educational philosophy"?

[JaneNickerson]

I wanted to put my "educational philosophy" in my binder for next year. But, I'm not quite sure what it is or how to state it!!

[Dayle in Guatemala]

I have one for our general family school that has what our long-term goals are for our dc.

The other one is an individual one for each child. I break it down into subjects and evaluate the year we just finished and set goals for the next year. I also figure in their learning styles.

[Sahamamama]

My post won't be very helpful, except to bump the thread up, but I think this is an excellent question! If anyone has written this out, in a general (not personal) sense, it might also be nice to see some samples of "statements." Thanks for asking, and I'll be checking back in here with great interest! :bigear:

[AudreyTN]

In Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks (http://books.google.com/books?id=ME3RpylB38sC&printsec=frontcover&sig=ACfU3U0jeBE07WI-nhSYGATYXIfAcUsZ3w), she outlines how to write a Philosophy. You can view that part of the book free at Google Books.

[JaneNickerson]

bumping up and hoping a philosophical person reads this..lol.

[Sahamamama]

Does anybody out there write up "An Educational Philosophy?" It really would be great to know how to do this, and to see some samples.

[mamato3 all-boy boys]

It's been a while since I looked at Cathy's book (it's been on loan to soon-to-be-homeschooling families), but this is what I've taken for our philosophy of education. caveat: I've borrowed much of it from Marcia Somerville at TOG because it resonated with me so perfectly:

....I'm quoting from Marcia Somerville and Lampstand Press who so carefully explain:


“As Christians, we believe in a sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient God who rules and reigns in all the details of history. We believe that He created all the earth and its inhabitants for His divine purposes. Therefore, all of history glorifies Him and teaches us something about Him. Knowing history helps people to know our origins and sense our destiny. It humbles us, reminding us that we are creatures, finite, small, and completely in God’s power. We do not deny that human beings have free will, nor that our choices are real, and have real consequences. But, in our modern world where we seem to have so much control, it is important for our children to learn that their lives are to fit into God’s plan, not that they are only required to "make room" in their busy lives for Him.”
The rest of our philosophy can be summarized here:

Children are naturally curious and this should be encouraged and nurtured, never sacrificing this curiosity to stay “on schedule.”
Children in the early elementary years are in the “grammar stages” of learning: they are learning the details of academic subjects – facts, lists, rules, etc.
Education should create children who want to learn, know how to learn, and can communicate what they learn to others.
Use living books as much as possible.It has obviously been a while since I looked at this, because I would say I've strayed on some of these, but this is the goal, right? I am very black-and-white and sometimes get stressed out if we stay on a topic too long or don't finish our week's plan as scheduled -- but I do try and more importantly, I pray and ask for God's grace to wash over my mistakes.

Does this help?

[Jami]

I'm not sure if it fits the definition of educational philosophy, or more of a mission/vision statement. Or which you're particularly looking to craft for yourself. Here's basically what I believe about the hows and whys of education for my children and why we choose a classical, Christian approach for our home. I borrowed it from the Circe Institute and Westminster Academy in Memphis:

"Classical Christian education is the cultivation of virtue and wisdom by nourishing the soul on truth, goodness and beauty according to God's Revelation using the classical liberal arts. Its purpose is to train the soul (which is the seat of the mind, will and emotions) to love that which is worth loving."

Jami

[Cadam]

In a nut shell "We must teach our children how to learn". My goal is to give my children a base from which to explore and learn what they need to succeed in life. Since I don't know what their futures hold I can't teach them what they will need to know, only how to acquire that knowledge.

[Paintedlady]

I believe that the standard school system was flawed from it's inception, and that it was created to produce followers, not thinkers.

The current system of education, whether public or private, for the most part, follows the same basic pattern, out of necessity. They are attempting to move millions of children through a system and therefore are required to standardize the curriculum, and test to see if what's being taught has been learned.

The problem is, that it's rarely leaned. At least not for long. It's learned long enough to pass the test and then promptly forgotten. But everyone smiles and feels good b/c the report card looks good. What is retained, is generally what the kids were interested enough in to learn for good, or b/c they've studied it year after year ad naseum.

I believe as a homeschooler, it's my job to create a curriculum that meets my kids' needs. To help them master the basics skills, not just introduce them to it. And to spend as much time as they need, individually, to make that happen. Forget testing (at least in the younger years) b/c all testing does is fill me with pride if they do well and despair if they do poorly.

To not be concerned with what the rest of the 8 yr. olds of the world (public school) are doing, but what exactly does my child need to be focusing on. And then to meet them, right where they need it. Not on some arbitrary grade level, but wherever they are, I meet them there and teach from there.

At the same time, I want to fill them with good literature, music, art, poetry etc... so that they can recognize and appreciate and study good works. And hopefully a lot of it's fun and creates a love of learning in them. And I want to create thinkers!

Most importantly, my philosophy includes the belief that kids must be taught, first and foremost, to honor & obey their parents, and that the parents need to be honorable. I'm more interested in turning out kids who are good and decent and love the Lord, more than I'm interested in having kids who test well.

I don't know that my philosophy is called, but those are my beliefs. Unfortunately I don't always reach these goals, and I think they're pretty lofty ones sometimes, but they're my ideal that I reach for.

[Liza Q]

My educational philosophy is hard for me to put into words - it seems so bald and disjointed, but it works well for us.

I know that God is sovereign.
I know myself - especially my weaknesses.
I know my children and get to know them better every year.
I know what is important to my husband.
I know what my state law requires.
I know what resources are available.
I know that a proper attitude precedes proper work.
I know that both order and flexibility are necessary.
I know that they are not mutually exclusive.
I know that I need to balance attention to skills and knowledge.
I know that certain skills and a certain body of knowledge are foundational.
I know that God is sovereign.

[Sarah CB]

Does anybody out there write up "An Educational Philosophy?" It really would be great to know how to do this, and to see some samples.

It must be that time of year. I have a step-by-step guide (http://fanningflame.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/philosophy-of-education/)on my blog as well as my own philosophy of education. This is the shortened form of what I do at convention time.

[tillie]

Liza Q -
I like the straightforward and honest way you list your approach. It really hit home for me. I just checked out Cathy Duffy's book so I don't know what her recommendations are, but I think listing it out and starting and closing with God...that was powerful for me.

[mcconnellboys]

Hmmmm, I have generally employed loosely classical or Charlotte Mason type techniques in attempting to stimulate and challenge my sons to achieve their fullest potential.

I attempt to touch on all subjects that I believe are important to not only a good education, but to one's upbringing in general. So, we talk about and read about what constitutes good etiquette, we study the Bible and apply its edicts to real life skills, we study health and nutrition, we talk about and try to implement chores as being a part of a family unit, etc. Some of these type things get studied in some schools by some teachers at some points in time, but tend to run in phases and are inconsistent. I try to be more consistent with these over the years.

Regarding more standard topics of study, I have attempted to move my children forward at the pace that best suits them, so they may not be working on the same "grade level" in every subject. I attempt to challenge them and encourage them in areas they find difficult. I attempt to help them explore as fully as possible in areas of strength.

I try to make certain that they are getting a good foundation in Latin study, as well as a modern language.

I attend to geography study on a yearly basis, as well as history study.

We study American history within the context of the larger world, so that we may better understand our place in the world.

We spend more time in science study at an early age than the average school. Science studies (such as nature study) are a part of our daily life.

We read prolifically from as wide a variety of authors as possible, in every subject area.

We study logic.

We try to give attention to art and music every year in some way, although our mode of attack may vary from year to year.

I try to make certain that my sons can express themselves well in writing.

I try to provide them ample opportunities to interact with other children on a weekly basis, through various outside classes, groups, and (mainly) PE type activities. I arrange field trips which support our science and/or history studies (and sometimes art and music) for groups of people throughout the year. I believe that they obtain a great deal from immersion in the topics under study. So we read about it, then we go see it.

I try to address the whole child and keep them well-balanced.

[Testimony]

I want my children to love learning. I want school to be fun. I try to find things that are fun to do. I don't have them just read. I like them to lie down and read or read hanging upside down. I know that I am strange.

I like the idea of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. I see it as the Biblical ideas of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. I have learned in my homeschooling journey that obtaining knowledge (or knowing the facts), does not help you to gain understanding. Many times having knowledge is the only thing that I have. I have nothing else. It is similar to knowing the Bible, memorizing facts and scripture does not make you a lover of God. I want my child to gain knowledge in order to learn how to understand the world and maybe make a difference. Wisdom or rhetoric is the highest level of attaining education, but if they have all these levels and are academically strong, but they are mean to other children, disrespectful to adults, and self-centered, then they have attained nothing.

The above mention is my educational philosophy. Just my opinion.

Blessings,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[AudreyTN]

It must be that time of year. I have a step-by-step guide (http://fanningflame.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/philosophy-of-education/)on my blog as well as my own philosophy of education. This is the shortened form of what I do at convention time.

I love this! Thank You!

[JaneNickerson]

Here is my "Educational Philosophy." I am open to comments. :001_smile:
(aka constructive criticism)

~ My desire is to provide a structure within my home where each child may study, explore, experiment and achieve. We follow a classical/Charlotte Mason approach. Classical education is language and history-intensive based on the trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric. Charlotte Mason education is a science of relations based on atmosphere, discipline and ideas. ~

I wanted it to be short, sweet, and secular for govt purposes. I have a more detailed report for personal use in my homeschool notebook.

[dragons in the flower bed]

I wanted to put my "educational philosophy" in my binder for next year. But, I'm not quite sure what it is or how to state it!!

Try answering these questions.

How do children learn best?

What sort of environment is conducive to learning?

How do you decide what's important to learn?

What is important to learn?

What will your educated, graduated child be able to do? What knowledge will s/he have?

What would you have changed about your own education?

What sort of school would be perfect for your kids, so much so that you'd rejoice to see them in it?

Answering these might help you come up with your philosophy of education.

[angela in ohio]

I suppose

"Work really hard. Learn all you can. Prepare to serve God fully."

is too short? That sums it up for us. Like someone else said, I don't have an educational philosophy (though, if I did, it would quote some Puritan, C.S. Lewis, and Chesterton, I bet,) but we do have a set of long-term goals.

[Beth in SW WA]

School is school. Fun is fun. Sometimes they overlap.

I couldn't resist. :)

[LoveBaby]

I have a very eloquent one written up...it's sort of pie in the sky kind of thoughts, though. So, truly, right this minute our philosophy is just to "do the next thing". We get bogged down in ideals and forget what our family is really like, how *we* really function, so we quit trying to be like everyone else and just work with where we are right now, with what we have right now and we "do the next thing". Prayerfully, this will get us where we want to be in the future and will mold us all (parents included) into what God wants us to be.

[8FillTheHeart]

I have adopted the Ignatius philosophy of educating the whole person: spiritually, mentally, and physically. Beyond the definitional understanding of these qualities which are self-explanatory, I embrace this philosophy b/c of the underlying message.

We engage in rigorous academic exploration which enhances the ability to reason.

Genuine faith and reason compliment each other and deepen spirituality.

Our lives are our actions. We must physically exhibit the traits we are learning.

We incorporate all three into the attempt to live lives that promote justice.

[angela in ohio]

My educational philosophy is hard for me to put into words - it seems so bald and disjointed, but it works well for us.

I know that God is sovereign.
I know myself - especially my weaknesses.
I know my children and get to know them better every year.
I know what is important to my husband.
I know what my state law requires.
I know what resources are available.
I know that a proper attitude precedes proper work.
I know that both order and flexibility are necessary.
I know that they are not mutually exclusive.
I know that I need to balance attention to skills and knowledge.
I know that certain skills and a certain body of knowledge are foundational.
I know that God is sovereign.

This is fantastic Lisa!!

[sweetbaby]

School is school. Fun is fun. Sometimes they overlap.

:iagree:

[Trivium Academy]

We strive to nurture our children in their own individual ways to foster creativity, critical thinking and the love of Jesus in their hearts.

We want them to be exposed to great ideas and the beauty of this world while teaching them to be free. We want them to be free to think on their own based on the foundations we provide, to not be a slave to another's thoughts, desires and preferences.

In the end, we desire for them to have open hearts yet strong personal convictions that will show others the love of Christ through them.

I could go on and on... :)

[Melinda]

This is the first page in the portfolio I am keeping that will be turned in to the county.

Our Homeschool
Hillside Academy 2008-2009

The purpose of our home school is to develop well-rounded, fully functional, engaging, interesting, well-mannered, successful, happy people.
We will have a diverse school environment. We will be using both curriculum and unit studies. We will have physical education through outdoor games and organized physical classes and/or sports to fulfill this part of their education.
We will have a monthly theme. We will have weekly unit studies and each unit study will fit into that month’s theme. We will have 6-day weeks for unit studies, and 5 day weeks for curriculum study. The reason for the 6th day in unit studies is to have one day set aside for family unit study time.
Each unit study will be interdisciplinary in nature, and must include science, reading, writing (or dictation), math, history, geography, art, and music.
We will be taking a field trip related to our unit study a minimum of 1x/month. We will be visiting the library a minimum of 1x/week.