{"id":32676,"date":"2014-06-09T06:30:09","date_gmt":"2014-06-09T10:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplehomeschl.wpengine.com\/?p=32676"},"modified":"2026-02-11T15:05:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:05:20","slug":"compass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/compass\/","title":{"rendered":"Charting the path ahead: Making a homeschool “compass”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Making<\/a>
\nJamie C. Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This post is part of an ongoing series
\nabout the educational philosophy Leadership Education
\n(also known as A Thomas Jefferson Education.)
\nFind the other posts in the series here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

I<\/span> brewed inviting mugs of hot tea, explained to the kids our goal for the day, and carried the mugs\u00a0to our porch where we could enjoy the recent influx of definitive spring-like weather (Hallelujah!).<\/p>\n

I was also trying to brew a little inspiration for something\u00a0we’d never done before–making homeschool compasses. A compass should do\u00a0what it sounds like–point us in the right direction for our learning as a family.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For years\u00a0now I’ve regularly created\u00a0“six month inventories”<\/a>\u00a0for our homeschool–plans that form a scaffold for\u00a0what Steve and I need to do in order\u00a0to guide and direct our children’s educations.<\/p>\n

Every six months (or thereabouts) I carve out quiet, pray for each child, and brainstorm ideas about\u00a0what he or she needs most at this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A compass is similar in some ways–except that the kids have created it themselves! I figured\u00a0that now–at ages 9, almost 10, and just-turned-11–they would be ready to set some of their own learning goals.<\/p>\n

But I was surprised by\u00a0how deep we went and how much we enjoyed the whole process.<\/p>\n

“Each binder should include the student’s past and current\u00a0compass\u00a0– a six month list of everything they want to study, learn and do.”<\/strong><\/em>
\n– from\u00a0Leadership Education The Phases of Learning<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n


\nIf you feel drawn to this concept, it’s important to remember that a compass is not just about academics–it’s about life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Life skills, hobbies, and personal interests\u00a0carry\u00a0as much weight and importance as academics\u00a0when you discuss with your kids. Don’t shut down their ideas–think of it as a brainstorming session of sorts.<\/p>\n

Getting Started<\/h3>\n

\"compass3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You can download a FREE student compass here from Project Inspire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here’s an overview you can use and tweak to create your own homeschool compass.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I. Strengths<\/h3>\n

What do I\u00a0do really well?<\/h4>\n

I love the idea of starting<\/em> with strengths–because so often the typical educational system focuses on weaknesses. Why not empower our kids instead by reminding them of their God-given gifts and talents?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of my kids’ responses to this question about their strengths:<\/p>\n