Second-Generation Home-Schooling!

This week, I have a special treat for all my readers. My oldest sister, Jennifer Hall, has kindly agreed to an interview with me on second-generation home-schooling. She was home-schooled herself from 2nd grade all the way up to college, and she is now home-schooling some of her own children. Let me introduce you to Jennifer. Jennifer is the oldest child in our family. She is married to Steve Hall, an assistant pastor. Jennifer is very talented on the harp, piano, flute, and enjoys singing as well. She is also, as you will see, a wonderful writer! Together, she and Steve have made two CD's: 'Sailin' On', and 'Near To The Heart Of God'. (Both CD's are available at www.hallmusicministries.com.) Jennifer and Steve have three children: Joshua, Ethan, and Katelyn. They live in Greenville, Virginia.

Second-Generation Home-Schooler Interview

Question 1: Why did you decide to become a second-generation home-schooler?

Steve and I home-school our children because we believe it is God's will for our family. We believe it is the very best option for our family at the present time.

Question 2: How many (if any) second-generation home-schoolers do you know?

The only ones I know of for sure are my brother Mark and his wife Jenn. I suspect some other people I have known are now second-generation home-schoolers, but I have lost touch with them over the years, so I don't know for sure.

Question 3: Did you enjoy being a home-school student yourself, and if so, why?

I did enjoy it. I always felt that I was learning in a much more efficient manner than the kids who went to traditional schools.

Question 4: What did you like and dislike the most about being taught at home?

I liked having plenty of time to pursue other interests, earn money, and learn other skills. I can't really think of anything that I disliked. Whatever I disliked I guess I've forgotten by now!

Question 5: Do you have any humorous or favorite memories from your own years as a home-school student?

When Mom and Dad decided to home-school me it was extremely uncommon. I went to my first grade teacher and told her that I would be staying home for school next year. She replied, "You're not allowed to do that." So I went home and reported to Mom that she wasn't allowed to keep me home for school!

I remember all that Long Division! (How could I forget? Thanks a lot, Dad!) That's a memory that's neither humorous nor a favorite. =) Seriously, I believe the tedious work with things like long division has paid off in my life in many ways. It taught me to be diligent with a difficult task, to face up to the work and determine to conquer it! And, I turned out to be pretty decent at math, a lifetime skill for sure. The other day Joshua was moaning and groaning over his math work. I was paying bills. He came to my desk for help and suddenly said, "Hey Mom, are you doing math right now, too?"

It looks like Joshua is having just as much fun with Phonics and Reading as Jennifer did with long division! Photo by Jennifer.

Question 6: Did you ever make a conscious decision to home-school your own kids, or did you always know you would, just because your parents did?

Steve and I knew from early in our marriage that we would probably home-school our children. Our life experiences did have some influence on our decision. (He comes from a Christian and public school background.) Even if I had not been home-schooled growing up (I praise the Lord that I was!), I hope I would still be choosing it for my children. As the world continues to grow darker, home-schooling is becoming more and more of an obvious choice for many Christian families, I believe.

Question 7: As you teach your own children, what do you do the same as your mom did, and what do you do differently?

Mom always made a variety of quality reading and listening materials available for her children, for supplementary learning. I am trying to do the same thing for my children. I am also using the Math Drill that Dad designed for us. (Joshua is the official second-generation user of the Math Drill!)

As far as what I'm doing differently, I'd say I'm taking more of a structured approach than Mom did. One thing I have to do differently is register with the school board, and do yearly testing of the kids, having the scores sent to the school board. Those things are required in the state of Virginia.

Question 8: What's the biggest benefit of home-schooling that you have noticed?

I have noticed many, many benefits. By far the biggest benefit is the ability to train my children in the ways of the Lord. Training takes place through consistency and through all the moments of the day. The time I have with my children is so fleeting that I don't want to waste it. If I am not training my children then somebody else will! I take that God-given responsibility very seriously.

Question 9: What is the hardest thing for you as you teach your children?

The frustrations and demands on my time are probably the hardest thing, because it is a daily struggle. Sometimes it seems like everyone needs me at the same time! Everyone includes the kids, Steve, and other people outside our family! =) I think I would enjoy five minutes of uninterrupted thought!

Question 10: How many of your children are you teaching this year and what are their ages?

I have two in school this year. Joshua is 7 years old, and he is in 2nd grade. Ethan, 5 years old, is in Kindergarten. (Katelyn is 3 and she enjoys doing "pre-school", which includes doing puzzles, coloring pictures, playing with play-dough, and whatever else I can think of to keep her busy!)

Katelyn building a puzzle. Photo by Jennifer.

Question 11: Give us a summary of a normal school day.

Usually, we all gather for Bible reading and prayer before Steve leaves for work. Then we do chores around the house and prepare for the day. Our goal is to start school at 10:00 a.m.

When we are ready to start, I sit at my desk in the school room and the boys each sit at their desks. We begin by reciting our "Character-Building Bible Verse" (we have a new one each week.) Then the boys come to my desk and I give them each their first assignment. While they work, I do desk work, such as paying bills, working on music projects on the computer, or doing e-mail. If the boys need help or need another assignment, they are supposed to come and sit in the little chair beside my desk until I can help them. (This is far better than waving their paper in front of my face!) Our main rule in the school room is that it is supposed to be quiet. Nobody is allowed to sing, tap, whistle, talk, or grunt or make any other noises during school.

Once a week we study something special. Last year we learned all about the solar system. This year we are learning some geography with our "U.S.A. Road Trip" bulletin board set.

Ethan usually finishes first, after doing a few pages of work and then reading some letters and blends with me. He then goes to play with Katelyn. Joshua finishes an hour or so later. After lunch I do housework or other projects for a few hours. During this time the boys have other work to do, such as practicing piano or doing their daily devotions for Patch the Pirate Club we have at church. They usually have a few hours during the afternoon to do creative play as well. Around 4:00 p.m. we have clean-up time and get ready for supper and for Dad to come home.

Question 12: What part does Steve play in teaching your kids?

Steve is my #1 encourager. He helps me through the days when I get discouraged. Also, he encourages the boys with their school work. When he gets home in the evening, he usually asks, "How did school go today?" The boys love reporting to him, and sometimes they show him their papers from that day. Steve also teaches piano lessons to the boys once a week. A few times a year we take a "field trip" and Steve always participates with us on those.

Steve, with Katelyn, Ethan, and Joshua on a field trip to the Tweetsie Railroad. Photo by Jennifer.

Question 13: Who had been your biggest inspiration and help throughout your home-schooling experience and why?

Dad and Mom have both inspired and helped me in many ways. I'm thankful that since they made home-schooling a way of life for me growing up, I didn't have any qualms about homeschooling my own children.

Dad inspired me with his commitment to excellence. Mom inspired me with her willingness to sacrifice herself for the good of her family.

Question 14: Does home-schooling require a lot of sacrifice for you, and if so, why?

It is a sacrifice in some ways, but I believe the benefits are far greater than the sacrifice. Mainly it is a sacrifice of "me-time" since my children are with me literally night and day! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have them around. I like my children and enjoy their company. (I am thankful for Steve's mom who is always glad to babysit when needed.)

Question 15: Finally, do you have any words of encouragement or advice for other young home-schooling mothers?

Be flexible in your expectations. Don't try to do everything that other homeschoolers do. Find out what works for you and what is best for your children.

Keep your outside commitments down to a minimum. I am able to accomplish quite a bit every week right from my home, but when I start spending too much time away, things fall apart on the home front, and I get discouraged. Up to this point, I haven't even been able to participate in our local home-school support group. (We have a great one here in our county!) God has given me other priorities and I've learned not to do too much.

Always keep a check on your motives. I try to remind myself every day that I am homeschooling because it is what God wants me to do. I'm not doing it to earn praise from other people, or to have super-intelligent kids, or even to one day earn thanks from my kids. Those things may or may not ever happen, and it doesn't matter if they do or don't! This goes for all of life really--- I shouldn't live my life for anything other than to please the Lord. No matter the outcome, I can then leave it in the Lord's hands. I can say, "Lord, I did this out of obedience to you, and anything good that comes from it is only by Your grace. The outcome rests with You."

Jennifer and her family. Fall, 2005. (Jennifer, Steve, and (left to right) Ethan, Katelyn, and Joshua.)

The Weekly Bible Verse

Joel 2:21: Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, for the Lord has done great things.

Bits and Pieces

Beka is FINALLY back in the kitchens! After working very hard to catch up on her school, she decided that a fitting re-entrance into 'civilian life' would be spending all Friday morning baking pies. She made lemon meringue pies, three big ones, and four mini. They looked very nice, and tasted lovely! We sold all but one to different friends and neighbors, as part of our winter baking effort.

Beka putting the meringue on her pies. Photo by me.

It's been wet, cold, and rainy all week, so school has been a high priority. We've all stuck around the house. I've been enjoying some busy, dish-filled mornings, leisurely, school-filled afternoons, and lazy, book-filled evenings. Beka calls weeks like these, the 'Golden Days of Fall'.

A Word About The Weather

Rain, rain, rain, rain, rain! That's all it ever does over here. Everything is soaked, and no sooner does it start to dry up, then it pours again. I don't really mind the rain all that much...we need it for our garden. But gray skies all day, every day, sure do get old fast!

A Word Of Wisdom

Never give your dog a croquet ball to play with in the house before seven o'clock in the morning.