On Tuesday we discussed PURPOSE and started drawing a picture of what we hope for our children. Additionally, we thought about a slogan or mission statement to help keep that vision in front of us as we make choices about education. What is the big picture? What is the destination we are heading towards? If you want an example of a slogan "Be Nice. Work Hard" is a slogan for a school in our area. If purpose speaks to destination, priorities are the landmarks we hope to hit along the way. They are the key areas that will help get us to the purpose we imagine. Let's be honest - some of us try to travel as fast as possible to get to our destination; while others linger in every small town. Both will get you there - but it is a different approach. Priorities help you figure out your approach.
Start by brainstorming a list of all the things that are important for you in your child's education. This might be a long list - what are the things you hope they experience, learn, grow from as they move along the education highway? I think most of us realize that this is a lifelong journey. It shouldn't end when we stop getting grades. What will help ensure this is your child's experience of learning?
Here are a few priorities to get you started:
community - faith based, neighborhood, activity group, team, band geek, orchestra, other
bilingual - from a young age, in high school
a passion or skill (some of them are found separately in this list)
STEM - engineering, medical, etc.
arts focus - music, fine arts, visual arts, other
faith based - passing on faith
finding mentors in a craft or skill
athletics - for fun, competitive, physical fitness
college bound - AP, IB, CLEP
philosophy driven - classical, Montessori, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, Problem Based Learning, unschooling, leadership education, etc.
family centered life
independent or group learning
environmental concern
play based
interest based - student led
nature and time outside
family dinner
heavy or light homework
service
special needs - academic, behavioral, physical
giftedness
great literature - a book/ read aloud culture
entreprenuership
better late than early
early academic focus
history emphasis
This is clearly not exhaustive, but it gives you a start. Add what is important to you and cross out the ones that aren't. Now, the tough part. Technically, we have done a disservice by creating the word priorities - you can only have one priority - it is a singular word. Yes, I said it. ONE!! Do your best to pick the one overarching priority. This is the essential thing that you want every child in your home to have once they have run the marathon of education. In some ways, this is crucial to your family make up - EVERYONE needs to know this to be well educated in your family. This is the non-negotiable thing. What is it?
Okay, I'll cut you some slack - pick the 3 most important areas. As you look at the list you might think some of these don't have much to do with school - but really we are talking about their whole education and schooling is only a piece.
If it is too difficult to pick just 3 - you can cheat.
Do it by age spans.
What are your priorities when your child is K-3rd grade, 4th to 6th grade, 7th to 8th grade and then in high school? Possibly the K-6th and 7th to 12th grade is sufficient. (Here are my priorities in K- 3rd grade). It might be easier to do it that way because the focus does naturally shift over time.
Do it by child.
All children are different and I get that. What are the key areas for each of your children?
I always like a visual. These are the foundational pieces of what it means to be educated to your family. Create building blocks, a tower, pyramid, step ladder, stairs, etc. that helps you visualize this building process. You might want to put your overarching priority at the top and the others underneath. Maybe you want to add your slogan. Make it meaningful to you. Drawing does help you think differently!
Whew!! You now have a long term picture and slogan and a set of priorities for your family. This is GOOD stuff.
I know it seems a little vague - did we step back too far? We know we can't get our ideal so is it worth considering? YES! If you take a quick look at your priorities you can already start eliminating options. It may just confirm decisions you have already made, choices that weren't even options for you - but celebrate that you are already making choices.
When you see the barrage of options - local school, in district transfer, in district charter or magnet, local charter, private school, philosophy driven private school, faith based school, coop, homeschool academy, university model school, home schooling, umbrella school, online schooling, unschooling and more - you have a map. Does this type of education support our purpose? Will it include at least some of our priorities? Again, compromise will probably happen - but now you have a better idea of what can go and what is most important to keep. We can't have it all - especially at once - but we can make choices that bring us peace because they are in keeping with our purpose and priority.
It is possible that what you feel is most important is NOT something that the school can provide or only certain schools can provide. Schools are only part of the package of educating our child and this is where I remind you that you are your child's educational manager. To expect one teacher or institution to provide ALL of these needs is ridiculous (even if you are homeschooling)! That is the road to crazy town. So, our next step is to consider the 3 A's - Academics, Activities and Atmosphere. Now that you have a mission statement and some key priorities - how can we take these ambitions and dreams and use them to make short term decisions? Join us next week.
Share your priorities below only if you promise NOT TO COMPARE! Each family and child is different and there is not a right answer to this question. We are looking for the best fit. I look forward to hearing what is crucial to you all.
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