INTRODUCTION

This is the first in a series of primers for the new homeschooling family. My name is Joseph Stallings; my wife Anne and I have been homeschooling for over 13 years. Our 8 children, Heinrich (17), Amilda (15), Stepheno (13), Ilsidore (11), Myacolpa (9), Mike (7), Finalina (5), and Stevie (3) have experienced both the good and the bad of homeschooling, both our mistakes and our triumphs. It is from this learning that I share whatever wisdom we have been able to gain from our experiences.

I have been in the U.S. Navy for 15 years, and have been stationed at Diego Garcia Atoll in the Indian Ocean for the past 10 years. I am able to get back home twice a year to see the family, ensure that home school operations are continuing to go smoothly, and to preside over homeschool advancement ceremonies. Unlike other homeschooling dads that must be away from home for extended periods, I cannot Skype or use the Internet regularly, due to the unpredictable nature of the weather and the political situation surrounding my job. By what I lose in contact, I make up for with enthusiasm.

This first primer deals with the teaching of reading. Future primers in this series will cover history, math, music appreciation, science, grammar, spelling and physical education. So without further ado…let’s get started!!!

READING

Teaching your kids how to read is a major undertaking that involves some simple steps such as those that my wife, Anne, developed:

1. Look at and talk about picture books with your child
2. Read or make up stories for picture books with your child 
3. Have your child memorize simple picture book stories
4. Have your child memorize simple word books
5. Teach your child the alphabet
6. Teach your child to recognize simple words
7. Teach your child to recognize complex words
8. Assist your child with independent reading
9. Advance your child to full independent reading
10. Teach basic story interpretation: story structure, story arcs, themes, characterization, setting, etc.
11. Teach intermediate interpretation: Understanding the writer’s political motivations and world view
12. Teach advanced interpretation: Debating the writer’s political motivations and world view
13. Teach discernment: Ignoring books that do not correspond to your particular world view and political motivations

This all assumes, of course, that you are giving your child only wholesome, age-appropriate materials that teach good morals.

I have shorted this list to the following, more practical, three steps:

1. Record yourself reading books
2. Give kids allowance
3. Allow kids to purchase audio books

This method has worked the best for me, as I do not get the chance to read many books to my kids. There are thousands of professional actors reading all sorts of books these days, so why do it yourself? Outsource! Your kids get exposure to a broader world view this way, as well. Our five-year-old Finalina is currently reading For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway. She could not be exposed to such outstanding literature if she were required to learn the words herself. The rest will come with time; she’ll pick up the visual reading thing by just living in the world.

I have purchased a library of audio books for our younger kids (under ten years) that include the top 100 books of the 20th century (see this list). This list includes, among others, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Brave New World, Gone with the Wind, Slaughterhouse-Five, East of Eden, Memoirs of a Geisha, and The Giving Tree.

In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t read any of these books. However, when you’ve found a trustworthy source of information, my motto is to trust it completely.

For the older kids, I have purchased a selection of the best books of the 19th century, as well as political commentary books from the most influential and best-selling authors of today, as ranked by Amazon.com.

PLANNING AHEAD

From the start, we have structured our homeschooling experience to set our children up for success by ensuring that they are prepared for the real world. Much of my job entails waiting for a call to implement half of the procedure for initiating a two-person nuclear launch sequence. This requires patience, the ability to follow directions, an acceptance of boredom, general numbness, and to learn not to question authority. These are virtues that every child should learn.

I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this article. Please leave any comments or suggestions that you have found useful in your own homeschooling experience. Special thanx to LTC Bob Smith who typed this for me!

Our next article will focus on teaching history in a homeschool setting. 

Until next time, 

Josef

(Note from Anne: Josef, next time, please let me review your articles before your publish them. Thanx, I love you!)