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.”
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Konrad, 3, chooses a book from the book rack. The
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