God Schooling - A TOS Homeschool Crew Review

In July I received a book by Julie Polanco to read and review.


God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn {THE GUIDE for HOMESCHOOL PARENTS} is a relatively small book - about 5" x 8" x 1/2", and 160 pages plus a bibliography.

God Schooling is broken down into two sections: (1) Dispelling Myths (two chapters) and (2) Practice (eight chapters).

God Schooling is an easy read, yet I found it very challenging. One must think constantly while reading this book. Any home schooling parent reading this book will either agree, disagree, or be constantly evaluating the content. I fell into the latter category.

The title of the book, God Schooling, is a twist on the "Unschooling" movement. Ms. Polanco promotes the concept of unschooling following God's leading, thus "God Schooling". (Aren't we all trying to follow God's leading?) 

So, there were many things discussed in each chapter. In Chapter 3, "Thoughts on Teaching Children Under Age Eight", the author recommends immersing the child in hands-on learning opportunity while resisting what is known as "Formal Education". I had been exposed to this type of thinking long ago, being familiar with writings by Raymond and Dorothy Moore, pioneers in promoting late formal education over early formal instruction.

When I began home schooling, the year was 1992. I firmly embraced the Moore's philosophy, while nevertheless planting myself with one foot firmly on both sides of the fence. (Don't bother pointing out that I am contradicting myself. I realize that.)

In 1992, 98% of the population had not even heard of home schooling. We tried to stay out of sight during "school" hours. Otherwise it confused my kids to be asked, "No school today?" While I firmly believed in the philosophies the Moores promoted, I was also faced with proving to my husband, my in-laws, my parents, and my neighbors that my children were, in fact, getting an education.

We were largely "God Schooling" in Science and History, but there was extreme pressure in Math, Reading and Grammar to be able to demonstrate an education commiserate with the child's age and grade. My oldest made me look like an amazing teacher with her reading abilities, and usually adequately held her own in her Math lessons. Then along came child #2, and I was humbled.

At that time we also left Colorado, and their easy home schooling regulations. We moved to Maryland, where we were no longer required to submit to standardized testing on odd grades 3, 5, etc. (which we had never done, not yet being to grade 3). Now we were required to demonstrate regular and diligent instruction each year in Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education and Health (even though the younger grades of public school did not cover all eight each year). We were subject to one to three reviews of our home school program each year, which our children were not required to attend (but they were usually there, because who could find a babysitter in the middle of the day?).

The pressure was intense to conform, or to be able to demonstrate effort to conform even if the student was not learning well (child #2). In addition, we were expected to teach what the child would learn at that grade level if they were in public school, but we were not told what they would be studying if they were in public school. (This was before the Internet.) We were invited to visit the county and photocopy pages and pages of curriculum at a high cost. Instead we often purchased a grade-appropriate textbook and satisfied ourselves that we were covering the appropriate material.

All this, even though Maryland has a very strong unschooling movement. I didn't have the confidence to completely walk our own walk, knowing I would be reviewed either by the county representative or by a private "umbrella" group. The alternative would be to join the unschooling umbrella group, but we found their fees prohibitive.

I could go on defending myself, but I won't. My main point in my personal rabbit trail was to assure you that you are not home schooling in the 1990's and God Schooling is attainable for you. If you are at all intrigued, you are going to want to purchase God Schooling to learn more. (And, by the way, the ebook version is currently on sale until 8/22!)

The biggest advice I will give you upfront is two-fold:

• Make sure you know what your state regulations are, and comply with them to the best of your ability as you pursue your child's education, and
• Journal, journal, journal everything your child is doing that you are counting as education, taking lots of photos. I wish I had taken more.

That said, can you imagine an education where your child's education was hands-on and could stick in their memory forever? My children did get a lot of this, like I mentioned. My son knows what it is to chase butterflies!

My girls know that baby bunnies will die if they are born outside when the weather is too hot and that llamas spit tobacco-juice grass-stain fluids!

My middle knows what it is to get grand champion in a dog show


And my oldest became quite the violinist! Homeschooling gave my children time to excel where their interests led them. 

My oldest pursued ballet, then gymnastics, then violin. She was very active in 4-H, doing community service, and learning sewing, knitting and crochet as well as baking and candy making. She was 4-H Queen of our county fair in 2005.

My middle child was also active in 4-H all her years. She played soccer, studied flute, and also learned the home arts of sewing, knitting and crochet as well as baking cakes and cookies. She developed a love of dog-training and showing, as shown above. Both girls regularly visited the local nursing home to visit the elderly residents.

My youngest had time to pursue his own interests as well, while we did guide him away from some things and toward other interests. He became an Eagle Scout, and is active in Civil Air Patrol. He plans to go through Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and go into the Air Force after college.

God Schooling in your home schooling can give your children time to find interests and excel at them in ways difficult for children with a vigorous academic planner. This does not mean the "God Schooled" child is not educated; it means they are less stressed. They don't have to put down their art project because their Math isn't done yet, or forget about baking the cookies because there is a composition that needs to be written.

Julie Polanco has written a gem here, and whether you completely agree with her perspectives or not it is still worth your while to read through God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn. It will challenge your thinking and give you plenty more to think about.

I received a copy of God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn in exchange for my honest review. To read more reviews of God Schooling please click the link below.