natural living. natural learning.
Homeschooling
I visited with a dear friend of mind who asked about my children and our homeschool. I proceeded to share with her the many endeavors that my kids were involved in - animal breeding, art making, music playing, and various from-the-ground-up, business ventures. She looked at me, paused, and said, "I would've loved to learn the way your kids learn. Wouldn't you have too? It's so free- so organic- and I think that my mom would've done it if she would've known about that possibility."
Her comment hit me... "if she would've known about that possibility." So, I feel called to share 'that possibility' with you- through my writings about our homeschooling journey. I firmly believe that this way is not the way, but simply a way. It is not meant to be your way either- for everyone's way should and must be unique to their own gifts, talents, personalities, family circumstances and personal call by God. Yet this way is simply an example of another way. It is not perfect, for perfection is not possible, yet it is eclectic and flexible and it allows each one of us to have the freedom to be who we are and to choose the way that we learn. Some of our kids homeschool full time and some part time - choosing a balance between traditional school and homeschool. We have utilized private schools, public schools, homeschool co-ops and learning centers, books and natural learning - and we are so grateful for the various opportunities that our world provides. No matter what each child chooses, we live life together as a family - surrounded by God's gifts of animals, nature, gardens, prayer and creative experiences. It is our journey -and I hope that by sharing a little bit of it - you are supported in believing in new possibilities for your family's learning journey too. The options are endless...
Her comment hit me... "if she would've known about that possibility." So, I feel called to share 'that possibility' with you- through my writings about our homeschooling journey. I firmly believe that this way is not the way, but simply a way. It is not meant to be your way either- for everyone's way should and must be unique to their own gifts, talents, personalities, family circumstances and personal call by God. Yet this way is simply an example of another way. It is not perfect, for perfection is not possible, yet it is eclectic and flexible and it allows each one of us to have the freedom to be who we are and to choose the way that we learn. Some of our kids homeschool full time and some part time - choosing a balance between traditional school and homeschool. We have utilized private schools, public schools, homeschool co-ops and learning centers, books and natural learning - and we are so grateful for the various opportunities that our world provides. No matter what each child chooses, we live life together as a family - surrounded by God's gifts of animals, nature, gardens, prayer and creative experiences. It is our journey -and I hope that by sharing a little bit of it - you are supported in believing in new possibilities for your family's learning journey too. The options are endless...
Below are articles that have been published in various homeschooling/parenting publications by Nikki Schaefer.
Links to Nikki's radio interviews about homeschooling are also listed.
Click on photo to read article titled:
Leaf Jumpers: Our Journey from Homeschool to School and Back Again by Nikki Schaefer *Published in Stories for the Homeschool Heart, Bezalel Books, 2010 and Natural Life Magazine, 2009 |
Click on photo to read article titled:
Supersize the Ordinary by Nikki Schaefer * Published in The Attached Parent, Attachment Parenting International, 2008 |
Click on photo to read poem titled:
My Wings by Nikki Schaefer *Published in St. Mary's Messenger, 2011 |
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Radio Interviews:
Nikki is featured on Spirit Radio 102.7 on a monthly radio show Voices of Homeschooling. Click on below links to listen.
- Fostering a love for learning in your home:
- Homeschooling the young child and natural learning: https://soundcloud.com/user-240811127/05-10-19-nikki-schaefer-and-regina-heywood-homeschooling-tips
Passion-led learning: Ben's Stormy Journey
From as an early as I can remember, my son Ben, had a fascination with storms. As a young boy, he would intently gaze at the sky from our front porch, listen to the meteorologist on the local news and give our family daily weather forecasts- asking me to film his oratories. His thirty minutes a day of screen time were spent turning on the Weather Channel, watching weather documentaries, and going on mapping websites. As he grew older, he had a greater desire to connect with other kids with similar interests. We brainstormed and decided to start the Homeschool Weather Club. Through this endeavor, he connected with other families and kids who shared his passion. They went to science fairs together, created weather projects, shared favorite websites, documentaries, and personal weather photography and video. When a sudden storm brewed up, the young weather gurus joined forces at our home, observed the tempest in full action and excitedly discussed data. The group even developed and held bake sales and fundraisers to benefit tornado victims in national disaster areas.
In order to learn writing, I decided to use my son's fascination with weather. We had "Writing, Waffle Wednesdays"-and still do today with my remaining homeschool kids. Each Wednesday, we make homemade waffles with a full “special fix-ins” buffet. We sit down and create together. I encourage kids to write a letter to someone, write a story, or write about something that they are interested in. We brainstorm ideas, each child picks one, and I support them in learning the technical aspects of writing through this process. This "WWW day" has led to our own family fun and enriched relationships with relatives and friends. It has also developed an overall enjoyment of writing in my kids because they are connecting with loved ones, being creative or are simply writing about something that they love. Often times, Ben would choose a weather-related subject, research it and write about it. By age 12, he was reading college level books on the weather and writing about advanced storm topics.
When it came time to discern high school - homeschooling or traditional school - we prayed and decided that traditional school was right for Ben. He was an athlete and desired to pursue high school athletics. He also felt ready to go out into the world, take on the challenge of school, and become more a part of his peer group. We discerned that he would attend a private Christian school and therefore needed to prepare for the high school entrance exam. Because Ben had never been tested or graded before, we chose to spend a good chunk of his 8th grade year preparing for this endeavor. We bought test prep books and he took multiple practice tests which not only prepared him for the entrance exam, but also prepared him for high school level work. I bought an online program as well in science that graded him and provided weekly quizzes and tests, to prepare him for the learning style of traditional school. Because we had the freedom to focus on this high school prep work and entrance exam studies, Ben ended up obtaining the highest score on the test and received a scholarship with half of his tuition covered for all four years. Through this experience, I learned that if we focus on the needs, passions and goals of our children in the present moment, then that will lead them to success in God's plan for tomorrow. There is no need to fear, for God is with us and with our children today. If we spend time in prayer, deeply listen to the Lord's voice, and know the hearts and passions of our children, then He will guide us into His plan for them and reward us with good fruits. This we can trust.
As a traditional high schooler, Ben was very successful as both a student and an athlete and his love for weather and mapping never waned. He became an avid weather photographer and videographer. He sent in a weather video to the local news station of our house being hit by a 100 mph wind storm. Our family and home were then featured on the news. He met his meteorology mentor, Reed Timmer, of the national show Storm Chasers, through entering his writings into a local weather essay contest. He shadowed at the National Weather Center with a fellow Homeschool Weather Club member and friend. As a senior in high school, he decided to enter one of his hand drawn maps of Nebraska into the 200th Anniversary State Fair and won the award for the best adult pencil drawing. He also declared his major of meteorology and applied for a scholarship through the United States Airforce which would pay for his college, provide a monthly stipend and allow him to become a Weather Officer in the Airforce upon graduation. Ben submitted his grades and resume, interviewed, performed a physical fitness exam, wrote essays for this scholarship, and received it. He is now studying at a private Christian university with 90% of his college education paid for and living out his dream of becoming a meteorologist. At the completion of his freshman year, he was chosen to be the student leader of the undergraduate meteorology department, developing its first Weather Club. As a sophomore, he is leading the charge in developing the university’s first mission trips to weather-related disaster areas of the world. In looking back on his homeschooling days, Ben confirms that reading college books certainly helped him in his Intro to Meteorology class - he already knew most of the material!
Through Ben's journey, I have learned that if we follow our kids’ natural interests and give them the freedom to pursue their passions, they will soar. They will learn how to read, how to write, how to present, how to create, how to form friendships, serve others, and how to use their gifts and give of themselves in the world. Our job is to be present to them, to walk alongside them, to know and affirm who they are, and to reflect this with encouragement and love. Through this loving reflection, we are then called to support them with the resources, education and creativity needed so that they can be the person that God intended them to be. As a result, we as parents will be abundantly blessed to watch them spread their wings and fly.
In order to learn writing, I decided to use my son's fascination with weather. We had "Writing, Waffle Wednesdays"-and still do today with my remaining homeschool kids. Each Wednesday, we make homemade waffles with a full “special fix-ins” buffet. We sit down and create together. I encourage kids to write a letter to someone, write a story, or write about something that they are interested in. We brainstorm ideas, each child picks one, and I support them in learning the technical aspects of writing through this process. This "WWW day" has led to our own family fun and enriched relationships with relatives and friends. It has also developed an overall enjoyment of writing in my kids because they are connecting with loved ones, being creative or are simply writing about something that they love. Often times, Ben would choose a weather-related subject, research it and write about it. By age 12, he was reading college level books on the weather and writing about advanced storm topics.
When it came time to discern high school - homeschooling or traditional school - we prayed and decided that traditional school was right for Ben. He was an athlete and desired to pursue high school athletics. He also felt ready to go out into the world, take on the challenge of school, and become more a part of his peer group. We discerned that he would attend a private Christian school and therefore needed to prepare for the high school entrance exam. Because Ben had never been tested or graded before, we chose to spend a good chunk of his 8th grade year preparing for this endeavor. We bought test prep books and he took multiple practice tests which not only prepared him for the entrance exam, but also prepared him for high school level work. I bought an online program as well in science that graded him and provided weekly quizzes and tests, to prepare him for the learning style of traditional school. Because we had the freedom to focus on this high school prep work and entrance exam studies, Ben ended up obtaining the highest score on the test and received a scholarship with half of his tuition covered for all four years. Through this experience, I learned that if we focus on the needs, passions and goals of our children in the present moment, then that will lead them to success in God's plan for tomorrow. There is no need to fear, for God is with us and with our children today. If we spend time in prayer, deeply listen to the Lord's voice, and know the hearts and passions of our children, then He will guide us into His plan for them and reward us with good fruits. This we can trust.
As a traditional high schooler, Ben was very successful as both a student and an athlete and his love for weather and mapping never waned. He became an avid weather photographer and videographer. He sent in a weather video to the local news station of our house being hit by a 100 mph wind storm. Our family and home were then featured on the news. He met his meteorology mentor, Reed Timmer, of the national show Storm Chasers, through entering his writings into a local weather essay contest. He shadowed at the National Weather Center with a fellow Homeschool Weather Club member and friend. As a senior in high school, he decided to enter one of his hand drawn maps of Nebraska into the 200th Anniversary State Fair and won the award for the best adult pencil drawing. He also declared his major of meteorology and applied for a scholarship through the United States Airforce which would pay for his college, provide a monthly stipend and allow him to become a Weather Officer in the Airforce upon graduation. Ben submitted his grades and resume, interviewed, performed a physical fitness exam, wrote essays for this scholarship, and received it. He is now studying at a private Christian university with 90% of his college education paid for and living out his dream of becoming a meteorologist. At the completion of his freshman year, he was chosen to be the student leader of the undergraduate meteorology department, developing its first Weather Club. As a sophomore, he is leading the charge in developing the university’s first mission trips to weather-related disaster areas of the world. In looking back on his homeschooling days, Ben confirms that reading college books certainly helped him in his Intro to Meteorology class - he already knew most of the material!
Through Ben's journey, I have learned that if we follow our kids’ natural interests and give them the freedom to pursue their passions, they will soar. They will learn how to read, how to write, how to present, how to create, how to form friendships, serve others, and how to use their gifts and give of themselves in the world. Our job is to be present to them, to walk alongside them, to know and affirm who they are, and to reflect this with encouragement and love. Through this loving reflection, we are then called to support them with the resources, education and creativity needed so that they can be the person that God intended them to be. As a result, we as parents will be abundantly blessed to watch them spread their wings and fly.