An Open Letter to Homeschool Parents

    

(Written September 1, 2008)

Hi Friends

A new school year! This has always been, in many ways, my favorite time of year, from back when I was an elementary school student, through all my years of teaching.

This year I find myself in an odd position. For the first time in 20 years, I do not have a child "in school". My daughter is 20 and long done, and my son completed his school officially a few months ago, at age 16. He's continuing through Upper School History 10-11, Science VIII and Creative Writing VI, which is our version of a "Master's Program", but he's technically done, and is working as a professional actor.

For the past 15 years, I've either taught at my children's schools, or home schooled groups of children so my children would have people to study with, or home schooled alone (mostly the last two years). This will be the first year in a very long time when I am not teaching children. When this thought struck me with the first cool breeze of encroaching September, I felt quite a loss, a sense of personal sadness. No more children to teach.

But that's not exactly true, is it? Thanks to all of you.

I started authoring Connect The Thoughts for my own children. When I realized that the ideas behind Connect The Thoughts were effective and that it helped others, I expanded my vision. I've been expanding the vision for six years. At my1ststep.com, you'll find the full 1st semester of curriculum I've authored covering children ages 4-8. Now, why on Earth would I write curricula for such young children NOW, when my own two have long since passed up the need?

There are several answers.

First: I feel like I have a whole lot of children in a way, out there that I've agreed to take responsibility for. Oh, I know you're all wonderful parents. I read your posts on our Yahoo! group and have spoken and written to many of you. I also know that you're all working your hearts out, and that times are pretty tough right now for many people. Home schooling can be wonderful, but it's also time consuming and rigorous. It's a handful for a parent, and a ton of responsibility for a child. I admire anyone who tackles home school. I want to help. Being a writer and an educator, authoring curricula is my way of helping.

I've written here at this group once about my wife, Elizabeth, who passed away in 2001. She was opposed to home schooling. She felt that our children needed a social life. In 2002, I started home schooling my children, profoundly mindful of her concerns. I made sure my children had both a social life and an effective home school situation, on a nearly daily basis. From the start, it was a lot of work. It remained a lot of work. But I could not be happier with my children and who they became. I believe the work has been worthwhile for us. I believe the work of home schooling will be worthwhile for many of you, too. I'm glad I did it. I think Elizabeth would be proud of the results.

I had very high expectations for my children. I'm sure it has often been a trial for them. But it's a tough world. I hold the highest of hopes and ambitions for your children and for you. We could really use a moral, brilliant, creative generation about now. I see that as my generation's job, now, to help create the generation that will rescue this planet.

Two: I have MANY friends with young children. They need an educational answer. I do not believe that the vast majority of what is available in way of curricula works. I know Connect The Thoughts works, after all this time. The 1st Step courses have received very good responses so far. I worked hard to see to it that 1st Step would solve the problems of educating younger children. I want the problems solved for my friends, and for all the reasons enumerated herein.

Three: Someday, my children will have children. They will be brilliant children. I've helped see to that.

Four: Until our schools find a way to serve the purpose I do believe they wish to serve but haven't a clue how, a better answer must be made available. I believe that answer is home school. I believe home school may be the one great hope we have of truly educating our young, today. I'm certain it's the last bastion of educational free thought for young students, and the only educational "institution" which will still allow open discussion of those critical subjects schools are no longer allowed to approach or even discuss, such as religion.

But home school is only as effective as the curricula employed, and I think this has always been its great weakness. Families must have the right and freedom to educate their own. But they must also then assume full responsibility for the education imparted. This means locating or creating curricula that works. That's a lot to ask of overburdened parents with lives and jobs of their own.

Five: The world's a mess. It's the mess our children will inherit. I want them as prepared as possible. I want them to do far more than survive the mess we will leave them...I want them able to fix it.

I kind of thought I might be done authoring curricula about six months ago, but it's very clear now there's much more to be done.

As we start a new home school year, I want home schooling parents to know how much I admire what you're doing! I'll continue to do everything I can to assist you.

I've placed many articles on the 1st Step ( my1ststep.com ) and Connect The Thoughts site ( connectthethoughts.net ) recently, to try and fill in some of the gaps new home school families encounter. I will continue to improve and author courses for both Connect The Thoughts and 1st Step, until I feel that every possible avenue I'm capable of authoring in way of curricula has been explored and made available to you. I have many friends who have jumped in and are helping with this, and should have some very wonderful surprises for you over the next six months.

For now, let me wish you all the very best of results with your children this year! May your families be strong, your intent be respected, and may your vision of the future that you are helping prepare your children to own be clear and glorious.

And thanks for giving me something worth the doing!

With affection,

     Steven Horwich
     Connect The Thoughts™
     1st Step™