Homeschool Planning Using the Funnel Approach

When planning for my four children's academics, I useTogether. Because I have four children who are all
a funnel approach. In other words, I start big in mytotal opposites:-), I purposefully choose two or three
vision, willing to receive a lot of information to evaluate,academic skill areas of focus for each child, instead of
and then pray through it to narrow that vision so I don'ttrying to cover every skill-development subject every
become overwhelmed with the sea of information thatyear. Again, because I know my children and know
is available. I hope the loose structure of this approachwhere each of them needs to focus, I can easily
relieves some burdens in your homeschool planning.choose those skill-development areas.
When the funnel of my mind is open wide, I sieve theFor example, my dyslexic child needs to focus on
information I am receiving through these tworeading and spelling rules while another child who finds
paradigms:reading and spelling very easy may not cover spelling
1. the difference between skills and knowledge.at all for that academic year. This language-intuitive
- Skill: A learned power of doing somethingchild may desire to learn more about poetry, so I'll file
competently; a developed aptitude or ability.that thought away in my summer folder to remind me
- Knowledge: The fact or condition of knowingto consider poetry over the summer with that child.
something with familiarity gained through experience orWe use summer as a time to enjoy art and literature
association.the unique qualities of each child.as well as nature/science projects.
Start big: Collect ideas.3. Knowledge Acquisition.
1. I listen carefully for the principles other moms offerIndependently. Elementary-aged children who read well
about homeschooling curriculum; in other words, I listencan acquire much knowledge independently. I come
for the "why" behind their decisions to discern whetheralongside that child and get the tools and books he or
the curriculum will be a fit for my particular child.she needs to pursue that interest.
For example, the reviewer of a certain curriculum forFor example, my daughter who is now in college was
grammar said it was too repetitive (a principle) and,interested in learning to knit as well as to spin and dye
therefore, didn't work for her child; he was simplywool from the sheep that she raised. So my husband
bored with all the repetition. However, knowing my childand I got her a spinning wheel and knitting supplies so
needs repetition (I know the unique qualities of myshe could teach herself the skills of spinning and knitting
particular child), I believed the repetitiveness would helpwhile acquiring knowledge about breeding and raising
that particular child develop this skill in grammarsheep. She did all of this independently.
(differentiating between developing skills and acquiringMy 16-year-old son enjoys computer technology and
knowledge).economics. Since he was 12, he has been using the
2. I keep a file drawer of folders marked with subjects:library to obtain books for independent reading. My
grammar, writing, spelling, computer, math, music, art,college-aged daughter also used our library frequently
health, science. When I find a new idea, I jot it down (orand read independently in a number of subject areas
print it up if I find it online) and stash it away in one ofof interest.
these folders. I will also write down the child's name onFor those children who are not avid readers, hands-on
these slips of paper and any thoughts I was thinking atprojects help them to learn independently. We have
the time I discovered this idea.raised butterflies and praying mantids, collected and
To continue with the above example, I placed thispressed leaves and flowers, tracked the temperature
reviewer's comments along with my thoughts into theand barometric pressure using home-made
file folder: "This looks like a fit for (name of child)instruments, grown veggies from seed, collected bugs
because he needs repetition."and worms and observed them, cooked our way
3. When I am ready to plan for the overall year, Ithrough the recipes of various countries, dressed up in
simply pull out these folders and review what I'vecostumes for time periods we're studying. I would
discovered over the past year to make my decisionsencourage you to collect ideas for your folder of how
about how to narrow the funnel.to help your emerging readers experience real-life and
Narrow it down: Determine what subjects to cover.move toward acquiring knowledge independently.
1. Essential Skills. Because math is an essential andTogether. We use our afternoons for family reading
progressive skill, each child will cover math everytimes. All four of my children (ages 9, 11, 14, 16) work
academic year.quietly on projects (painting, drawing, building with legos,
During the elementary years, I get to know how mymaking models, coloring maps) while I read historical
child thinks and works. Keeping my funnel broadlyfiction books out loud for the time period we are
open, I try a number of math programs and ideas that Istudying. We acquire knowledge together! It is also a
have included in my folder as well as new ideas I findtime of evaluating character qualities as we discuss
through reading and while online.the people in the stories and their responses to the
Once I have determined what curriculum fits with eachcircumstances they encounter.
child, my "funnel" is narrowed and I no longer researchSummary
math curricula. I stick with the one that works. I'veKeeping in mind the difference between skill
usually narrowed this choice around the time the childdevelopment and knowledge acquisition as well as
is ready for 7th-grade math. I do keep that narrowedknowing the bents of your particular children will help
funnel open for ideas to supplement the mathyou to discern when to keep the funnel of your mind
curriculum, if necessary.open wide to receive a lot of input for evaluation and
2. Child-Specific Skills.when to narrow the funnel so you don't become
Independently. I have two children who enjoy music, sooverwhelmed with the sea of information that is
they practice their instruments independently while Iavailable to you.
work with my other children at deskwork. Two otherEnjoy the process of discovering who your children
children enjoy drawing. They work on these skillsare becoming and minister to their true needs through
independently as well.homeschool planning using the funnel approach.