Recently, I finished putting together my children's year-end portfolios. This year there were five to be completed. This is an annual undertaking that I always look forward to with excitement and a fair amount of dread. It takes some time to gather everything together – my planbook and journals, each child's pile of notebooks, textbooks and books read, our completed projects and perhaps some incomplete ones as well. And there it is, all in one place, a representation of our whole homeschooling year spread across tables and couches, even the floor, and the time for reflection begins.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." -- Philippians 4:8
- What was true and honest about our year?
Did we give our best? Did we do what we set out to do? Are there areas we did not do well? Are there skills we need to target better in the future? This year, I stood amazed at all that we had accomplished both in our family subjects and in each of my children individually. I'm not amazed because we are amazing, but because of what we have walked though as a family – the illness and death of a loved one, a move, a church change – so much change really. In truthfully and honestly evaluating our year, I was also able to identify some areas of struggle and to make a plan to improve those areas and meet the specific needs of each of my children. There is no need for either arrogance or pessimism here, simply truth and honesty.
- What was just and right about our year?
What about grades? Are the grades I'm assigning to my high-school students fair? Are they reflective of the work that each student actually put in? On a different note, what am I teaching my children about the world, about people, about justice?
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" -- Micah 6:8
Am I raising children to not only succeed academically but are they people who see the world through God's eyes? Are they learning to love and serve and if not, how can I make that change?
What was pure and lovely about our year?
The world outside of our home is a harsh place. The world inside our home should be less so. Am I including in our homeschool life what is pure and lovely? Music, art, scripture, poetry, literature, nature study, and movement can all bring beauty and a sense of awe into our lives. What about relationships? Am I teaching kindness, humility, forgiveness and preference for one another? Respect for the elderly? Are we loving each other well? Are we making time for friendships for mom and dad and for the children? The value of loving relationships, hospitality and laughter within our homes is immeasurable.
- What was of good report throughout our year?
Did I teach how God's hand is woven through history? Did I share how that gives us hope for the future? There are resources that demonstrate the power of God in creation and across all areas of scientific study – am I choosing my curriculum well? There are current events and news stories that are inspiring and good – am I sharing those as well as the difficult ones? There are stories of women and men, heroes of the faith, inventors, saints, athletes; stories of simple, everyday people who made a difference in someone's life. Am I giving them those stories to encourage and inspire? Focusing on the good report is not being unaware of the darkness around us, it is building faith and casting aside fear by shining the True Light (John 1:9) into our children's lives.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” -- John 1:5
- What about virtue and praise?
As daunting as assembling our portfolios can be, as messy as it is (at least for me) with notebooks spread, samples of work piled up, three-ring binders and page protectors waiting to be filled, it is always worth the work. As I reflect deeply over the work that my children have put in, I see so much that is virtuous and praiseworthy. Yes, there is always room for improvement and there always will be. Maybe handwriting needs some attention and times tables need practice but character is being built, life-long habits are being formed and foundations for life are bring laid. I walk away from another completed schoolyear beyond grateful for the opportunity to homeschool these precious children and to instill in them virtuous character and thankful hearts.
These are things worth thinking about (Phil 4:8).