Adapting Official Outcomes Requirements to a List of Homeschool Goals

A number of years ago, our Board of Studies introduced outcomes requirements for both schools and homeschooling families. I'm thankful that the guidelines, relating to this, are quite loose as I find the outcomes defined by the Education Department to be too abstract and irrelevant to our objectives.

I compiled this list of goals as a substitute for the BoS outcomes and we have used it successfully, in past registrations.

Some of the goals listed are fairly lofty but I figure it's better to aim high than sell our children short. Of course, they may not get this far and that's okay. As always, we allow them to follow their interests, and I try to strew and guide in ways that I feel are appropriate to their development and abilities.

Sometimes, I find it useful to read these goals to reaffirm our principles and ideals. Where the curriculum list gives me ideas for specific learning activities, this list helps me to relax and free myself from outside expectations. It reminds me to refocus on the reasons why we are homeschooling the way we do and what we hope to achieve.

The curriculum list and this list of goals change, sometimes significantly, as we grow as a homeschooling family. When I look at them, I feel they could both do with an overhaul but they are still useful to us as they are, now. Some things never change and there are enough constants here for me to benefit from keeping such a list. It is, also, sometimes, useful to look over the details that we would change in order to understand how we're progressing and where we are heading.

General Outcomes & Personal Educational Goals
English
1. Teach reading using the Ladybird and McGuffey series of readers, phonics exercises, copy work, homemade books, cloze exercises, Spalding methods, etc
2. Encourage the love of learning through interesting reading
3. Listen to and progress to read many classic novels
4. Increase attentiveness & comprehension through listening to readings of progressively greater difficulty and narrating them regularly
5. Teach writing through creative writing, diaries, copy work, dictation & encouragement of own writing efforts, incorporating writing practice into other subject areas wherever practical, eg. the writing of poetry, history & science journals
6. Learn correct spelling, using spelling notebook, editing & written exercises
7. Learn grammar concepts using copy work, diagramming, editing exercises, editing own written work & grammar handbook for reference
8. Teach essay & report writing skills
9. Develop memory skills by memorizing Bible verses, catechism texts, maths concepts, grammar concepts, foreign language vocabulary & poems of an increasingly more complex nature
10. Develop speaking skills with socialization opportunities, poetry recitation, reading aloud, drama, much discussion & debate
11. Develop presentation skills; written (including computer based) & oral
12. Develop confidence & presentation skills by presenting own projects orally to family members
13. Develop debating skills with practice based on specific topics or questions
14. Learn the art of rhetoric through study of good speeches, discussion, debate & written expression

Maths
1. Use ‘Mathsplus’, ‘Targeting Maths’ or online Maths program from Kindergarten to Year 2
2. Use ‘Understanding Maths’ texts, or similar, for subsequent years
3. Wherever possible, learn maths concepts using everyday activities and practical examples
4. Encourage the incorporation of mathematical concepts in project work


Religion
1. Use homemade catechism with cloze sentences in kindergarten. Discuss, copy & memorize the St. Joseph First Holy Communion Catechism, followed by The Catholic Family Catechism & the Baltimore Catechism Nos. 1 & 2
2. Teach & encourage devotion to Mary at all stages, beginning with ‘Leading Little Ones to Mary’ & following with the various writings of St. Louis de Montfort
3. Memorize & pray common prayers
4. Learn the Latin form of Rosary prayers
5. Listen to & read bible readings & saints biographies
6. Read Catholic literature & inspirational writings
7. Daily discussion & instruction on Catholic doctrine, the Mass & the Sacraments
8. Progress to a detailed study of Catholic Apologetics & the history of the Church


Literature
1. Listen to & read classic books by such authors as C.S. Lewis, Mark Twain, Lewis Carrol, Jules Verne, J.R.R. Tolkien, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jane Austen, Victor Hugo, etc, etc
2. Progress to read & gain both an understanding & an appreciation for Charles Dickens’ writings, for their literary value
3. Read Shakespeare plays as a family group from a young age
4. Progress to read, individually, Shakespeare’s histories & plays for their literary & historical value
5. Progress to gain an understanding of & appreciation for the great classic writings
6. Use discussion, narration & written expression to communicate ideas & understanding
7. Use study guides, where appropriate, to aid analysis
8. Use different media to listen to and watch adaptations of classic literature for enjoyment

Poetry
1. Develop memory skills through the memorization of poems of increasing length & complexity
2. Gain a love for & appreciation of poetry through listening to a variety of works
3. Learn to identify own tastes in poetry styles & recognise the styles of different poets
4. Use poetry terms & concepts to discuss & analyse classic poems
5. Use study guides, when appropriate, to aid analysis
6. Maintain a poetry journal from a young age to develop writing, drawing, presentation, memorization & literary skills
7. Maintain the habit of collecting favourite poems in a personal poetry journal for enjoyment’s sake

Science
1. Develop observation & analytical skills through science kit experiments & nature study
2. Develop drawing skills & gain an appreciation of the natural world through nature study
3. Expand knowledge & encourage a natural curiosity through the reading of science journals & library books
4. Study biographies of famous scientists & their works throughout history
5. Study the contributions that Australians have made to the progress of scientific knowledge
6. Encourage the awe & fascination with nature through videos & local excursions
7. Ignite the imagination by listening to science fiction stories
8. Learn to use the computer for research & design
9. Learn to use binoculars & telescope for own interest & research
10. Learn to use the digital camera, camcorder & computer software
11. Develop gardening projects which include record-keeping
12. Learn concepts of scientific method & techniques for recording & analysing information
13. Progress to more in-depth studies of different topics
14. Encourage & pursue areas of particular personal interest
15. Study & analyse the issue of Creationism v. Darwinism, with a view to understanding our Catholic faith & developing both spiritually & intellectually
16. Encourage the analysis of scientific issues in the context of our Catholic faith

History
1. Read variety of historical books, both fiction & non-fiction
2. Develop an interest in historical biographies & autobiographies
3. Read & listen to historical plays & fiction, including Shakespeare & classic children’s fiction
4. Study the history of Australia & Australian people with a view to understanding the Australian social & political culture & identifying admirable role models
5. Maintain a Book of Centuries from an early age to gain a chronological awareness of historical events
6. Develop the confidence & learn the skills necessary for the independent research of topics on the computer & at the library
7. Progress to the writing of increasingly more in-depth & analytical reports & reviews
8. Develop an analytical approach to viewing historical events & characters
9. Gain an awareness of own identity within perspective of social & historical environment
10. Analyse historical events in the context of our Catholic faith

Geography
1. Learn to identify geographical locations through the use of geographic journals, atlases & encyclopaedias in conjunction with history & literature readings
2. Draw & memorize maps of the world to develop memorization & mapping skills
3. Investigate the structure of the Earth & its changing history
4. Investigate the geography of the Earth in its social context
5. Commit to memory facts regarding the local area & local maps to aid navigation & expand useful knowledge
6. Learn to use maps and GPS technology for practical travel purposes
7. Study the geography of Australia with a view to gaining an appreciation of the Australian environment & its position in the world
8. Investigate the details & concepts used in the study of geography

Arts & Crafts
1. Encourage freely inspired artistic creations
2. Teach drawing skills based on imitation of quality artworks and inspiring art texts
3. Encourage experimentation with different media, including clay sculpture, crayons, pencils, ink, woodwork, sewing, papercraft, watercolours & oil paints
4. Encourage an interest in library books & magazines devoted to the teaching of art & craft techniques
5. Learn techniques & gain inspiration through videos & TV shows
6. Encourage artistic expression through the creative presentation of various schoolwork subjects & experiences
7. Experience a variety of hobbies with a view to discovering talents & encouraging an initial interest to develop into a lifetime passion

Art Appreciation
1. Observe, narrate & draw the paintings of the Old Masters & Australian artists in order to develop various skills including those of observation, artistic knowledge, comprehension & memorization
2. Develop artistic skills by the careful copying of the works of the Old Masters
3. Gain an appreciation of art & art history through the study of the biographies of various artists throughout the ages
4. Develop an appreciation for the works of individually-renowned artists
5. Begin to recognize the styles of different artists & identify own preferences with regard to artistic tastes & styles
6. Develop speaking skills through narration

Music
1. Begin weekly piano lessons at a young age & continue depending on interest level
2. Maintain a habit of regular piano practice
3. Learn music theory from an early age
4. Listen to the music of renowned composers on a regular basis with a view to developing a knowledge of & an appreciation for classical music
5. Listen to music of various styles & different eras
6. Watch a variety of musical videos
7. Progressively identify own tastes in music
8. Learn to recognise different pieces of music & the styles of different composers
9. Learn & regularly sing hymns at Church
10. Progress to studies of other instruments, if interest permits

Latin
1. Learn root words, chants & vocabulary from an early age
2. Study & analyse the history & development of the English language from its Latin (& other) roots, with a view to improving vocabulary, understanding, literary skills & expression
3. Learn Latin prayers & progress to learning the Latin form of the liturgy
4. Study Latin using Cambridge Latin Course Books 1 to 5 throughout Years 4 or 5 to 12
5. Learn grammar concepts using Latin Grammar textbook
6. Progress to translate Latin texts, if interest continues


Introductory Study of the Classics
1. Study Greek to gain an appreciation of the origins of our language, literature & culture
2. If possible, progress to read the writings of Plutarch, Shakespeare, Homer, Sophocles, Sts. Thomas Aquinas & Augustine, etc, & certain Papal encyclicals with understanding & genuine interest
3. Study ancient social, economic & political history, in conjunction with changing developments throughout the ages, with a view to understanding the modern world & Australian culture

Physical Education
1. Continue to develop physical & social skills by regular exercise & by participating in local sports activities, if interest permits (eg. local cricket, soccer)
2. Continue to swim (backyard pool)
3. Continue with nature walks, bushwalks & other local excursions
4. Continue to live an active lifestyle

Personal Development
1. Develop financial skills through the management of own pocket money and bank account
2. Develop various skills & virtues through the contribution towards household tasks
3. Teach work ethics through opportunities to earn money through household tasks
4. Encourage an appreciation of family & a sense of belonging by emphasising & reinforcing family values & routines
5. Encourage emotional growth through frequent discussion, prayer & unity in action
6. Encourage spiritual growth by grounding all of our activities & teachings in our common faith which includes daily Mass, prayer, spiritual readings, reflection & discussions
7. Encourage Christian virtues through good works, tolerance, moderation & an appreciation of Christian values & principles
8. Encourage team skills, sportsmanship & positive family relationships through board games and sports
9. Build self-esteem through a positive approach towards the learning of new skills & the avoidance of negative or discouraging methods of correction
10. Encourage healthy eating through the example of regular mealtimes & the learning of healthy cooking skills
11. Teach an awareness of safety issues through such everyday activities as the use of sunscreen & the example of courteous & defensive driving techniques
12. Encourage self-discipline, independence& self-confidence by discussing outcomes & promoting responsible decision-making, allowing instruction through the experience of natural consequences where appropriate
13. Encourage articulation by providing formal & informal opportunities to speak & relate to children & adults in a variety of environments & situations
14. Encourage self-initiation & creativity by aiming to limit unnecessary parental input, ie. restrict active participation in favour of observation, wherever possible
15. Encourage obedience & respect for authority through Christian teachings
16. Encourage an active lifestyle through outdoor activities, hobbies & the selective use of TV & computers
17. Encourage growth in maturity through increased freedom & independence in external activities