The Weaver Curriculum: Why we use it

The Weaver Curriculum®

The Weaver Curriculum®: Why we use it!

When we first started home schooling 3 years ago I had no set curriculum. We were doing informal phonics, Lifepac Kindergarten maths, pre-writing and pre-reading workbooks of various origins. But my focus was (in my insecurities) workbook based. I had read Dorothy and Raymond Moore's book "The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook - A Creative and Stress-free approach to Homeschooling" and knew that their approach was one I was very comfortable with.

These are just some of the words from Dorothy and Raymond that encouraged me in this bold venture of obedience to God's call. "If you can read with understanding, write with meaning, speak clearly, and add, subtract, multiply and divide, and if you can love and respond to your children, you can be a good teacher! Most parents who consider homeschooling think they can't do it, and fear that if they do they will fulfill their neighbors' and relatives' prophecies of failure. They don't realize that with only a good basic education they can bring out the natural talents and mental capabilities of their children. Yet many do not look carefully before they leap, but take the first curriculum or method suggested, usually trying to teach as they were taught in school. This is all wrong. You may not like to hear us say this, but it is true. True homeschooling is tutorial, handmade, customized to each child. Such parents respond to their children in a loving, informal way, a balance between systematic structure where needed and a great deal of freedom for youngsters to explore." (The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook - A Creative and Stress-free approach to Homeschooling, Ch 2, p 9)

Even after reading this though I was still struggling to overcome my fears of "getting it wrong", "being challenged by authorities", "judged by family and friends". It wasn't really until Kira began to read with some confidence that I gained some confidence myself and the bottom fell out of my biggest unsubstantiated fear that I wouldn't be able to teach her to read.

So began the journey then to work out what the next few years would look like in terms of a more complete curriculum. I knew that I needed some structure for me so that I would know my goals for the academics and roughly how to get there. But there are a lot of curriculum out there that as I read about them, tied my stomach in knots at the pressured feel of them. Whilst I knew that I loved the idea of unit studies and they made great sense to me as the ideal way to teach, yet I wasn't feeling confident to try. I had a picture in my head of it requiring hours and hours of preparation and teacher participation. I just wasn't sure that on a personal level I could cope with that.

So we tried Grade 1 Lifepacs (also available from AOP) for the latter half of 2003. These are in a workbook format with accompanying Teachers Manuals. We were using Bible, Language Arts, History/Geography and Science. They have most required information written into them so the student can work independently. It was a helpful thing to be able to walk away from the table and leave Kira working but after a while something began niggling at me. When I quizzed Kira on what she had been learning she often didn't really understand what she'd been doing, she was flying through the work but she wasn't learning (sort of like the hearing without listening concept). She wasn't retaining the information in a way that inspired confidence in what we were doing (n.b!! Please understand that I think the Lifepac curriculum is an excellent programme and I have no problems recommending it. I'm just reflecting that for us, it wasn't hitting the spot.)

Meanwhile the Moore's book kept exuding a quiet presence from the bookshelf above us!

I had ordered Volume 1 of the Weaver Curriculum® (along with the Day by Day planner, Wisdom Words and Teaching Tips) when I purchased the Lifepacs with the intention of having a go at it maybe during the holidays when our schedule would be less pressured. I have to confess that it's bulk daunted me (this is where I think having a copy of Teacher's friend - which I still don't have - might have helped me) but still my heart to "have a go" was increasing along with my dissatisfaction in our then current schooling style. So I decided that come the second week of Jan '04, with Christmas and New Year activities out of the way, we would launch into the unknown territory of Weaver for 3 weeks. And...we haven't looked back since! I could visibly see the kids involvement and interest in their learning increase. The only thing they weren't enjoying was an increase in school hours which was partly due to my struggles with over planning (it took my about 2 months to work through this one). Now I'm more relaxed and have a better eye for what can and cannot be achieved in a school day. Practice, a willingness to learn and a keen ear for the Lord's voice during planning is all that it has taken to work through that issue.

Three fun filled weeks were soon up and I sat down with Bill to talk about whether I should try to continue with Weaver during the school term or not. It wasn't a question of whether I liked it but whether it was realistic with the term time commitments. His reflection made my mind up for me. He said, " What I can tell you is this. I've seen how well the kids are responding to it and I've seen how well you seem to be responding to it. I think you should do it." Simple, but very effective feedback. My decision was made with that and we haven't regretted the decision for a moment. I was sharing with someone the other day about how I've reached the point now where I'm experiencing joy in schooling, real joy, and it's an awesome experience. It's something that I haven't had until now. Our God is so faithful if we will only listen to Him and follow in obedience. He kept speaking to me in my heart, leading me to the place where he knew we would find joy in the plan He has for us in Home Schooling. Thank You Lord!

One thing I love is the really strong Biblical base of the Weaver Curriculum®. It's not just Bible stories and verses linked into various subjects or as a separate subject. There is an order, a consistency and thoroughness which means that not only are the kids gaining a strong grounding in their knowledge of the Bible and character of God but I am too! And I love that I can rest in the way the curriculum covers the academic requirements of the different grades whilst allowing so much room for me as the teacher to explore sudden points of interest and curiosity that arise. I only have to add in Maths and Phonics at this stage and don't have to do anything else to be confident that we are covering the basics (and more). For us it is the perfect combination for our combined needs, my need for structure in teaching and the kids needs for a freedom from it in their learning.

I need to be disciplined about setting aside enough time for my planning each week but realistically it's only 2-3 hrs and that includes record keeping. So much of the work is already done in the Day by Day planner. And then also, through Teaching Tips, having the blessing of Rebecca Avery's godly and experiential wisdom, which gels with me completely. It's a though she's talking to me personally, with all my flaws, fears and weaknesses. What a difference that has made!

Tied into our School curriculum is our Family Home Business selling Usborne Books (USBAH) in which the 2 eldest are currently involved. The inspiration for this comes from The Moore Formula and it will be invaluable as a learning tool for the kids and for the family as a whole. The Weaver Curriculum® is totally compatible with the principles that resonated with us as we read the Moore's book "The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook" and the "Moore Formula" manual. Our greatest interest in schooling our children is to grow them as individuals of great and godly character, who know and understand what it is to have a relationship with our Lord and God and who are ready to go where ever He calls them. Once we've helped them reach that place the rest is up to them. Free will! Academics alone can't do that. So our time is invested in working on all of these areas: character, knowledge and understanding of God's written word, self-discipline, service, work and academics. With a lot of prayer, time, self-discipline and grace I truly believe we will see God fulfill His promises to us in these children of His!

So that, in a giant nutshell :o) is why we use the Weaver Curriculum®. I pray that these words may have brought you blessing, encouragement and challenge. If you would like to know more, or this has raised questions for you, please e-mail me and I'd be happy to chat with you.

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Page last updated 13/5/04