43 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Finding the right education for your children can be a daunting challenge, especially if you are considering homeschooling. In the past, homeschooling came with unique obstacles, but it is more accessible than ever to parents today. Adrian Sullivan and Lana Von Haussen spoke to us about their homeschooling journey and provided insight and tips to those considering it. What inspired you to start homeschooling your child(ren)? Sullivan: It was a calling for me. I originally homeschooled my oldest, who is now a rising ninth grader, back in kindergarten and first grade. After a few years in school and me returning to work, I felt the Lord calling me back to homeschooling. I contemplated it for a while and after his sixth-grade year, we made the leap again. It’s been a blessing ever since. Von Haussen: When my oldest was a baby, I had several close friends who homeschooled, and I admired them so much. Still, my oldest went to public school from K-2 while I hesitated. In 2020, everything changed. My youngest was supposed to start kindergarten, I lost my job and I just knew: it was time. We weren’t doing distance learning. We started homeschooling – and we haven’t looked back. How would you describe your homeschool philosophy or approach? Sullivan: Eclectic. I use a mix of approaches tailored to each child. I pull from traditional methods, Charlotte Mason (a homeschooling curriculum) and project-based learning depending on what fits best. Von Haussen: I also take an eclectic approach. I believe in the value of classical education, like literature and critical thinking, but also embrace Charlotte Mason’s emphasis on nature and the arts. What does a typical homeschool day look like for your family? Sullivan: Each year varies, but typically we eat breakfast around 8 a.m., then have family devotions. The kids then break off into individual assignments. Some subjects are shared, like writing for my older three and science/history for the younger ones. We eat lunch around 11 and usually finish by 1. The afternoons are filled with sports practices and co-ops on Thursdays and Fridays. Co-ops offer electives like computer science, musical theater and art; subjects I may not teach myself. Von Haussen: We start around breakfast, often with a read-aloud. Group lessons come first –science, history – then we split for individual work. I let them choose between math and language arts to begin. With a fifth and eighth grader, those subjects take more time now. We’re usually done by early afternoon unless extracurriculars extend the day. What has been the most rewarding part of homeschooling? Sullivan: Being with my kids all day. We genuinely love being together. I also love that our curriculum (except math) is taught from a biblical worldview. Christ Homeschool Heroes BY CARI LAWSON Adrian Sullivan teaching her students from home. Teaching takes shape in many places and forms our town
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