Classics - The first key

Classics in TJed aren't defined as narrowly as some might define them. Oliver and Rachel DeMille define classics in their Leadership Education: the Phases of Learning book as "a work worth studying over and over again, because the student learns more each time." In preparation for this endeavor I have been reading some wonderful books that I would define as classics. The one I'm most excited about I actually was first introduced to a couple years ago in the form of the movie The Secret.

The premise of the Secret is that everything is determined on your thought. I have grown up believing this so it seeing it described in The Secret movie and then in the book was inspiring. I've watched the movie probably 15 times and listened to the book (CD) about 5 times. I still get something new out of it. But even more it has led me to other books that I consider classics.

A TJed forum workshop by Janine Bolon (Smart Cents) led me to a book that is tied into The Secret. In her workshop Janine mentioned several books and I tried to read all of them. The one that really stood out to me was The Jackrabbit Factor: Why You Can by Leslie Householder. This is a book that I couldn't get at the local or county libraries so I ended up purchasing it. It was the only one I couldn't just check out and I really wanted to read it and didn't want to wait so I decided to look up Leslie Householder and find out more about her. I found her site and she offers Jackrabbit Factor free on her website as an ebook. Even though I had just purchased it, I ended up staying up much later than I should have reading it off my computer. As soon as I was done I wanted to read it again! I'm reading it to my kids. I emailed it to friends and relatives (it says you can). I made my mom read it as soon as I got the physical book. It is a fictional story that shows the Secret in action... and more. I have since purchased other products from her site and I highly recommend everything. She is a mother of 7 and I just really relate to what she says and how she says it. She and her husband, through applying what they learned from Bob Proctor (the older man that kisses himself in the Secret Movie), tripled their income in just a few months.

After reading and listening to Leslie's products I then felt led to look at other products. One that just plopped in my lap was Harmonic Wealth by James Ray. I was staying with family and they happened to have this on their shelf. I couldn't put it down. I read it, did the activities in it, outlined it, and want to read it again and again.

All of these books... The Secret, Jackrabbit Factor, and Harmonic Wealth... reinforced what I already knew about money. Money is an idea. It is only limited by my thought. As I am opening my thought up and trying to apply this knowledge I at times feel overwhelmed by the money ideas that I am getting! I keep telling myself to take one step at a time. It is exciting figuring out how to share these ideas with the kids and inspire them to learn more too.

Our Homeschool Style

There are many ways to homeschool. My family started out classically, following the suggestions in the book The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. While I still look to their book and website for ideas, I have been following the Thomas Jefferson Education (TJed)homeschool philosophy for the last several years. The change has been gradual but has grown out of the necessity of meeting the needs of my 4th son. My three older sons thrived on the rigorous drills, memorization, and reading that The Well Trained Mind suggests. The are all avid readers and writers. My oldest is already working on his first novel!

My 4th son is different though. He didn't like reading. He still doesn't like writing. He is very intelligent but learns in his own way. He and I were constantly butting heads with the old way of doing things. I started looking for something that might help and was able to go to a "Face to Face with Greatness" seminar that George Wythe College put on. I was hooked.

TJed has 7 keys to great teaching: classics, not textbooks; mentors, not professors; inspire, not require; structure time, not content; quality, not conformity; simplicity, not complexity; and YOU, not them.

All four of my older sons have blossomed with this new approach. My 4th son is now reading at an 8th grade level (he is only 9). My 12 yo twins are focused and spend their free time learning new skills. Both are accomplished musicians who love to share their talent with others. And my oldest (14 yo) is self-confident and a leader amoung his peers.

I can't wait to apply these keys to great teaching to our Business Adventure! I know that we will all learn so much!

Welcome!

Welcome! I will be sharing our adventure as my five sons and I create our own home businesses. I have found many resources and information that I hope can be of help to others as well. We look forward to your comments!