This is interesting to ponder, Clay! And I find I do ponder it quite a lot, since we essentially are in this situation (we homeschool, and in our province, there is no testing required, nor is it required that we follow provincial curriculum or meet provincial learning outcomes; the required "educational plan" is entirely up to the teaching parent--so I essentially have "started from scratch").
It would be impossible (well, long, anyway, since I am incurably gabby) to write everything I want the boys to learn, but some of what is important to Frenchie and me--and where we are trying to head--includes:
-their understanding of what it takes (including, that is, the actual work itself--they garden & cook, spin & weave & sew, and learn carpentry skills) to feed, clothe, and house a family;
-their exposure to the very best of art, music, theatre, dance, and literature of many cultures;
-their cognizance of at least the broad outlines of the history of ideas;
-their understanding of the rewards of perseverance, and the unique satisfactions inherent in developing and completing a major piece of original work;
-their development of a flexible, individual, and elegant prose style;
-their spending as much time as possible in nature, learning to love the world around them;
-their commitment to social justice and cultivation of a grateful heart;
-their continuing ability to experience wonder; and
-their development of the faculty of discernment.
This perhaps seems rather vague, but I find it useful to have an overall philosophical sense of where I hope they are headed as happy, fulfilled, contributing men, and drape the specifics over that.
peace
minnie
