Homeschooling in a secular humanist philosophy? Ideas? Books?

Question

I'm thinking in homeschooling. There are many reasons for that, but one of them is to raise free-thinkers in a secular humanist phylosophy. I've been doing research and reading many good books in homeschooling, but most of them have the religion subject all the time. I respect all religions and all beliefs, and many of those books are really great about homeschooling ideas, methods, planning and so on. But I would like to know if there are similar books that give ideas about curriculum humanist-based. One that shows respect for all beliefs and ways of life and does not emphasize on "one" truth, religion or belief. Please I appreciate to be treated with the same respect I'm making this question here.

Answer 1

I think you must be in the States because this is the opposite in Britain.  I home educate my children and am part of a home education group in the UK, and most people are either secular humanists or neo-Pagans.  Christians are not completely unknown, but those who do it don't generally have religious reasons for doing it.  Please email me on this so we can discuss it further.  It's easily done, but there's not enough space to discuss it here.

Answer 2

I was homeschooled all the way up through highschool, and come from a family with similar beliefs. In the end some of the best programs my family has ever used have been religion based. We chose to use religouse programs and have regular family discussions about why or why not we agreed with the religous statements in the books.

The Abeka company has curriculem for almost anything you could want to teach. I reccomend their literature programs, but do not reccomend using their curriculem for science, as this is one area where you can miss out on alot by usuing a religous program. We used Saxon math, the same program used in California public schools, and have been encreasingly happy with it. It does not include any religouse affilations.

Good luck with your homeschooling!

Answer 3

First, I would like to compliment you on your well articulated and respectfully worded question.

Second, we are a Christian family but big time believers in Freedom of Religion.

Third, we use a variety of materials and only a small portion are from the homeschool curriculum publishers.  Currently, the only text we are using from a homeschool curriculum publisher is Abeka for History.  It is not overly religious (but does include some religious history as it pertains to American history).

Public school textbooks are available to the public.  We tend to shy away from these however - but not for faith related reasons.  Frankly, they tend to be very poor quality, overly politically correct,  and in my opinion are not respectful of diverse religious beliefs.  (Did I just contradict myself?)

For Algebra II we are using Prentice Hall (selected by the coop teacher).  I would give the book a D if I were to grade it. Saxon is very good and it is hard to insert faith into math! :-)

For Spanish we use Rosetta Stone and it is pretty good... but before it is "all over" we will try to find a classroom setting.

For English, our son is studying ancient Greek writing (Homer), is in a speech club and works on the student newspaper.

I'm rambling I guess... Point is - there is an overwhelming amount of material and resources available regardless.

*** UPDATE

Someone has posted here before about a magazine for Secular Homeschooling - hopefully they will post that for you.

Answer 4

Well, the homeschooling movement began closer to home for your personal philosophies. Look for the books from the 70's on the subject. There is also a book by Albert Cullum and a documentary on his educational philosophies that you may find inspirational and informative. He was a public school teacher and a genius.

   The books you are looking for are out there. Just goggle Humanist Homeschooling.