B2B>Unctsttr Firming, Saturday, Dacambar 5, IM7 Home Schooling (Continued from Pag* 826) concepts by mixing the formula and feeding the lamb on schedule. Although Karen has taught elementary students for years and continues to substitute teach, she said that she is amazed how quick ly her daughter picked up reading. “In the regular classroom setting, each group is taught at the same pace. At home, we go through the same material in a lot less time. Children, she believes, thrive on making learning fun. Presently, 7-year-old Kristine is reading “The Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. said. “I think bodes like that stemmed They also see the value of her interest in history,” Karen said, exposing their children to older Ken added, “Our children love people. When Karen substitutes history. Every night they want a for area schools, she places her history bedtime story.” daughter with an elderly friend The Sensenigs want their child- “who is adept at making things out ren to have a wide perspective of of nothing.” Kristine has picked up the world, to know geography and that interest and uses scraps of how others live. To do this, they material and yam to make her own entertain international visitors and doll and stuffed animal collection, have a fresh air child who returns The Sensenigs said, “Home to their home each summer. schooling offers tremendous ful- Opponents of home school point fillment.” Karen confessed, “I’d out that home schooled students rather do that than clean house. I are deprived of social interaction can do other interests when the with their peers. Ken said, "Peo- children are grown. I don’t feel pie’s philosophy of education like I’m sacrificing my time to do vary. I’m not convinced that put- this. It’s a joy. It allows me to ting 30-40 students in the same ' spend time with my children and a roan is essential to child develop- chance to continue my teaching ment. I feel it is more important for career.” a child to be in a family setting and under parental influence rather than their peers’ influence.” Parents, he believes, should take more responsibility for educating their children. But, he added, “I don’t know how long we will home school. It works well now, but if one of my children preferred to attend school, I wouldn’t insist against their wishes.” They believe their children get plenty of interaction with cousins and children of family friends and at church functions. “And Kristine has friends stay overnight,” Karen Karen likes to intersperse book learning with plenty of field trips. They use both public library and a county university library for resources of filmstrips, atlases, videos and books. Parents who teach at home must work with their school district Each district’s requirements vary, but the Sensenigs are pleased with their district that sets guidelines but allows them the freedom to chose curriculum and the method to present it. A school district appointee visits their home three times during the school year to monitor the home program. They also appreciate that Lancaster County has an association of home schools that plans field trips, offers supportive services and ideas. The farm offers many learning experiences. Ken considers farm ing mostly a summer occupation. His father, Earl, owns the 70-acre farm with its 75 steers. The hay and com raised on the land all goes for silage for the beef operation. Ken raises about 12,000 broilers annually and Karen catches the chickens and drives tractor during the busy season. The children enjoy caring for the animals, espe cially special projects like raising ducklings in the house. Ken summed up their dedication to home schooling in a rural setting by saying, “It allows the flexibility of using God’s world for an indivi dualized approach to learning.” EXPERT REPAIRS r: • GENERATORS ftiSUll • STARTERS iIM jW'fl • ALTERNATORS \. W • ELECTRIC BATTERY CHARGERS p^QUEA Wfii«Sfel!y BATTERIES ICO ™ 3O Ronks, PA THE THE ■ Poured Solid Concrete Steel Reinforced We ■ The Wall is 0 as the Mated • Manure Pit Walls • Hog House Walls • Chicken House Wal • Concrete Decks • House Foundation Wi • Cistern Walls • Barnyard Walls • Concrete Pit Tops , • Silage Pit Walls • Retaining Walls All sizes available Round or rectangular Take the questions out of your new construction Call: Balmer Bros, for quality engineered walls. Invest in Quality - It will last a lifetime. Konrad, 3, chooses a book from the book rack. The Sensenigs arrange their home and furnishings so that children are Inspired to learn. STRENGTH IS IN CONSTRUCTION CONCRETE WORK, INC. 243 Miller Road, Akron, PA 17501 (717) 733-0353,6:30 AM - 3:30 PM, (717) 859-2074, After 6:00 PM FARMERS AgCREOIT CORP. H 9 Eut Main StrMt. LitiU. PA. 717-C29-4721 HSH