How to Develop Boldness in your Homeschooling

I remember the first conversation I had with Tom about homeschooling. I was standing in the doorway of his office when he asked me if I would homeschool our son. My reply was a resounding, “No.” Without any hesitation he said, “Will you pray about it?” I agreed. After a week or so of prayer and consideration, I told Tom yes, but only for a year.

know it when we see it. We applaud it when we witness it. We need more of it, but alas, it is in short supply and getting shorter. What is it? Boldness.

In books and on screen, we admire it. We see it when Samwise Gamgee confronts the Shelob in The Lord of the Rings or when POW Louis Zamperini defies his Japanese captors or when Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy hide Jews in their home or when Sophie Scholl and her friends, all members of the White Rose, print and distribute pamphlets regarding the truth about the Nazi party. And we applaud. Their choices to protect, to rise, to act, to protest—they inspire us. In big and small ways, with quiet whispers or loud cries, in major cities or quiet villages, against a common bully or a cruel government, in seclusion or on a platform, boldness stands up and speaks out.

Learning

Being Bold Enough to Teach Math Naturally

I was bold when it came to teaching language arts. I chose a natural approach, and we thrived with it. The same was true for other subjects, such as science and history. But then there was…math.

Every generation of homeschoolers sees a particular curriculum recommended by all of their peers. When it came to choosing something for math, I listened. I bought. We did it.

hile visiting the library, I discovered a treasure, Soar High Dragonfly! by Sheri Mabry Bestor (Sleeping Bear Press, 2019). This stunningly beautiful, age-appropriate scientific presentation of the dragonfly life cycle provides a captivating glimpse into the life of one of creation’s most fascinating insects. Readers are gently carried through the life cycle, migratory and feeding habits, and habitat of the green darner dragonfly. Not only is the content presented at a level intriguing to elementary learners, but the variation in font size and color invites the youngest emerging readers to “give it a try.” In addition, children interested in digging deeper into the science of dragonflies are provided with a smaller informational font—which can easily be omitted if a parent is reading to littles—along the top and bottom. This picture book is brilliantly presented for multiple levels and interests.

cricket is born on a warm day. He is welcomed by the chirping of a big cricket. The quiet cricket wants to greet new friends. Determined, the tiny cricket rubs his wings together. Nothing happens. The cricket continues to journey on through his days despite his inability to answer back. His wings are silent, but he does not give up. The quiet cricket keeps trying. Then one day, the cricket meets another quiet cricket. This time, when he rubs his wings together, the most beautiful chirping sound can be heard.

Young children are drawn to The Very Quiet Cricket (The World of Eric Carle, 1990). It is a story of friendship and eventually the relationship between the two crickets. It is also a lesson in perseverance, and listeners are invited to be a part of the story with the anticipation of the repetitive words, “the little cricket wanted to answer so he rubbed his wings together, but nothing happened. Not a sound.” These two sentences are repeated after every meeting. A few friends into the story, children begin to repeat the phrase, helping them feel a part of the telling. The plot, structure, and brilliant illustrations have made The Very Quiet Cricket a favorite of all eight of our children.

hester Cricket follows his nose to liverwurst in a picnic basket and finds himself far from the familiar fields of Connecticut. Frightened, he huddles in a newsstand in the Times Square subway station of New York City. Thankfully, Mario Bellini, son of a newsstand owner, rescues Chester and begs his parents’ permission to keep the cricket. During his stay with the Bellini family, Chester makes friends with Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse. As the story unfolds, Chester’s profound musical talent, a gift that will eventually save the newsstand, is discovered.

The Cricket in Times Square, penned by George Selden (1960; reprinted Square Fish, 2008), was a 1961 Newbery Honor book. Written in the third-person point of view, the piece is a fascinating work of imagination where readers come face-to-face with the life truths of friendship, loyalty, honesty, and the meaning of home. Illustrator Garth Williams—known for the art that accompanies the plots of Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books—helps George Selden tell the story with whimsical, detailed illustrations. This classic work of children’s literature could be an independent read for a middle school learner or a read aloud for the entire family.

Charles Wesley, an eighteenth century poet, hymn writer, and bold leader in the Methodist movement in England, was born in 1707 to an Anglican pastor. He was one of nineteen children. Charles was home educated by his mother Susanna in his early years prior to attending Westminster School. Charles went on to earn a master’s degree from Oxford University. While at the university, Charles participated in The Holy Club with fellow students, promoting what would become the Methodist faith. In 1735, Charles and his brother, John, served a one-year mission to the British colony that is now Georgia. Though the Wesley brothers are known for their preaching, Charles is best known for his poetry and hymns. Elisabeth P. Meyers wrote her biography, Singer of Six Thousand Songs: A Life of Charles Wesley (Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1965), to introduce readers to the life of a bold gentleman who greatly influenced people’s lives and church history.

an overachieving super dad, I have had to acknowledge a reality—I care what others think. You do too. As much as I loathe that part of myself, it is an admission that keeps me grounded and keeps me from falling into a comparison trap. There is a deft daily balancing act that takes place in me between wanting to be the best version of myself and needing to be the best because other parents have obviously got their act together way more than I do.

was a question that my friend’s husband used to ask her whenever it seemed like she was approaching life at a frantic pace.

I’ve asked myself the same question countless times: when the days begin to run together, when my heart is anxious more often than not, and when I’m not really enjoying anything, including my children.

If I were to honestly answer the question, “Who are you racing?” most of the time my answer would be, “My own expectations.”

College is valuable, but it may not be the best path for every graduate. Mike and I have personally walked alongside our young adults as they processed their post-high school choices. The decisions were not easy. With each learner, Mike and I had to make the bold choice not to assume our ways were best. In addition, we have come alongside hundreds of homeschooling families, helping them process possibilities, that indeed are vast. Some graduates chose Ivy Leagues and military academies and excelled. Others flourished in community colleges. However, we have also:

Welcome to Bookshelf & Beyond!

This issue is bittersweet to us at Rainbow Resource Center. Deanne and Donna began writing this column in 2013 at the request of Debbie Strayer, one of the original founders of Homeschooling Today. It has been an extreme privilege to serve the homeschool community by sharing “outside-the-box” resources. In December, Donna retired to spend more time with her family. Deanne is excited to welcome Gina Burmeier as co-columnist for Bookshelf & Beyond. As retired homeschool moms with nearly forty years combined experience in education, it is our passion to support homeschool families in their journey.

We spend our days doing product comparisons, recording instructional videos, and talking with homeschool parents. You will frequently find us online and at homeschool conventions, presenting encouraging and informational workshops, and answering curriculum questions. We thought it would be a fun introduction to each share a personal passion that has built confidence in us and our children!

Welcome to Bookshelf & Beyond!

This issue is bittersweet to us at Rainbow Resource Center. Deanne and Donna began writing this column in 2013 at the request of Debbie Strayer, one of the original founders of Homeschooling Today. It has been an extreme privilege to serve the homeschool community by sharing “outside-the-box” resources. In December, Donna retired to spend more time with her family. Deanne is excited to welcome Gina Burmeier as co-columnist for Bookshelf & Beyond. As retired homeschool moms with nearly forty years combined experience in education, it is our passion to support homeschool families in their journey.

We spend our days doing product comparisons, recording instructional videos, and talking with homeschool parents. You will frequently find us online and at homeschool conventions, presenting encouraging and informational workshops, and answering curriculum questions. We thought it would be a fun introduction to each share a personal passion that has built confidence in us and our children!

can’t tell you how many times a homeschooling mom has come up to me after I’ve spoken at an event and said something like, “I could boldly homeschool the way I believe to be best…if…I lived in the middle of the desert, alone, and away from everyone.”

I’m sure they voice what many moms feel…that they know what’s best for their kids, but there are so many competing voices, posts, and experts telling them the opposite.