When Clark Jones has an idea, he doesn’t just run with it. He plants it, helps it to sprout, and lovingly aids its growth and maturation through an admirable knack for organization and outreach to others. When Clark began looking for an Eagle Scout project, an idea was soon born – one that combined both the power of prayer and the tranquility of nature.

The snow is falling outside while the level of excitement inside is rising by the minute. There is curriculum work to be done – there’s no escaping it in the end – but the pull of the white stuff has the kid in all of us chomping at the bit. So what’s the final verdict? School-Marm or Cool-Mom?

Hailing from the port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the coast of the Red Sea, Kari Peiscopgrau is no stranger to a rich variety of cultures with differing points of view. Through her strong faith and dedication to the homeschool journey, she is making an impact through leadership, creativity, positive thinking, and a willingness to respect other cultures without losing her own sense of self.

There is no doubt about it — school is a tough place to be. Your self-esteem takes a beating in this environment. I know that and so do your parents — even if you don’t think they understand!

Between the bullying, the teasing, the constant competition, and those classmates who seem to switch from friend to hater overnight, the pressure can be overwhelming. And it can hurt — a lot.

Does your child love to get dirty and explore the world around him?
Is she a child who loves to sit down and listen as you read a story?
Is he an analytical thinker, who tends to question what is happening around him?
Is she one who can connect events and experiences to lessons in life?
Does he seem to thrive when able to create with his hands?
Does she naturally “get it” the first time she hears it?

These kinds of questions can help to define the best kind of learning approach for your child. A hands-on learner will not be content to sit and fill out worksheets or listen to you explain concepts. A student who has strong auditory skills will thrive with a curriculum that uses interesting stories to teach about history, science or literature.

Before you embark on the incredibly rewarding homeschool journey, you need to examine yourself.

What kind of teaching role in the home do you want to take?

Do you enjoy pulling out all the stops and making a mess while you dig into learning with projects and experiments?
OR
Do you prefer an orderly home with a set schedule where you can plan out any such experiments and ensure that you have just the right materials before you begin?