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Homeschool Harassment – An Open Letter to the Education Nationale de France

Posted on 04/19/202104/28/2021 by Bekah Morel

Just recently, we received our convocation requiring our presence at our yearly homeschool harassment, I mean inspection. Contrary to previous years, we will not be inspected in our schoolroom. Instead, using the excuse of the moment (we're all sick and we're all gonna die!), we are required to go to the administrative offices of the Education Nationale in Calais. This is my open letter in response to the continued harassment we have suffered as homeschoolers who require oxygen to live. An Open Letter to the Education Nationale re: Homeschool Harassment Dear Education Minister & Agents of the State, We know...Read More

Can France Ban Homeschooling?

Posted on 10/23/2020 by Bekah Morel

Only two years after the last fight, homeschooling families in France must take up arms again. The last reform hasn't even had a chance to be fully implemented. Yet the government is looking to create even stricter reforms. Most notably is the requirement of all children to attend school starting at age three. This effectively bans homeschooling. But can France ban homeschooling? Announcement to Ban Homeschooling In a televised announcement on October 2, 2020, President Macron declared that he would be limiting home instruction to very strict cases, notably for reasons of health. This measure would be implemented in response...Read More

Homeschooling in France is in Danger

Posted on 10/03/202010/10/2020 by Bekah Morel

There is a general panic going around the homeschool community in France. This after President Macron announced on live television on October 2, 2020, his plan for fighting radical Islam. This plan includes making school mandatory for everyone starting at age 3. Does this mean that homeschooling in France is in danger? In a word, yes. He is also quoted as saying that instruction at home will be "strictly limited, notably for health reasons." When will this happen? As early as September 2021, all children will be required to attend public school (or a private school recognized by the government). They...Read More

What to Expect When You’re Inspected – Return of the “Frise Chronologique”

Posted on 03/06/202002/28/2020 by Bekah Morel

It's that time again. When the state asserts its dominance over its citizens and shows its power by visiting our family in full force. The yearly French homeschool inspections. This year, for the first time, we were graced with the presence of three employees of the state. The inspector tasked with questioning me, one pedagogical counselor for my oldest daughter, and one pedagogical counselor for my second daughter. We have proven every year for three years now that our system works. Time after time, (though our children are English speakers from birth) my children have performed to their expectations and...Read More

What to Expect When You’re Inspected – Now With 2 Children – A French Homeschool Inspection Story

Posted on 02/28/2020 by Bekah Morel

This has been a difficult inspection to write about. Mostly because I don’t like thinking about it. For the first time, in the school year 2018-2019, I had two children going through a French homeschool inspection. My oldest was in her 3rd year of school and doing fairly well. My second daughter was just starting her first year. And she was struggling. Struggling to stay focused. Fighting with me when she didn’t like something. Stalking off in a huff when she got frustrated. And really fighting with everything French. I really didn't know what to expect with her first inspection....Read More

5 Fun Games for the Charlotte Mason Homeschool

Posted on 12/07/201908/10/2020 by Bekah Morel

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. While purchasing from any of these links will not increase the price you pay, I do receive a small commission. For more information, please visit my Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy pages. Charlotte Mason is known mostly for her concept of using living books for learning. And if you know anything about her method, you are aware that it involves a lot of reading. I mean a lot. But what does she say about using games? Is it possible to use games in a Charlotte Mason homeschool? Yes. And No. Kids hate school....Read More

Mayor’s Office Interview – Round 2

Posted on 11/15/2019 by Bekah Morel

Every two years, the law requires the Mairie in the town of your residence to file an enquête with the Education Department before your yearly inspection. This enquête is, at its base, an interview with the mayor's office. It is intended to be just a simple questionnaire to establish a little about your family dynamic and how it relates to homeschooling. The mayor’s office uses this interview for two reasons. One is for keeping records of the schooling of the children in their city. The other is to prepare a file for the Educational National. Normally, any employee from the...Read More

The Essential List of Charlotte Mason Resources

Posted on 09/21/201911/01/2019 by Bekah Morel

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. While purchasing from any of these links will not increase the price you pay, I do receive a small commission. For more information, please visit my Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy pages. What is the Charlotte Mason method? Is it just a philosophy or a detailed schedule or a curriculum? If you have been looking for a program or style of homeschooling that follows both the child’s individual development but also gives a detailed guide of how to encourage their growth, then this method might be for you. The question you may be...Read More

Back to School: Year-Round Homeschooling

Posted on 08/17/201908/17/2019 by Bekah Morel

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. While purchasing from any of these links will not increase the price you pay, I do receive a small commission. For more information, please visit my Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy pages. Are you getting ready to get back to school? Have you finished your shopping? Completed your lesson plans? Bought your curriculum? We haven’t. And that is mainly because we homeschool year-round. So how do you go “back to school” when you are a year-round homeschooler? Switch Grades One of the easiest ways to commemorate a change in the school year is...Read More

Nature Walks – Expectation vs. Reality

Posted on 06/01/201908/10/2020 by Bekah Morel

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. While purchasing from any of these links will not increase the price you pay, I do receive a small commission. For more information, please visit my Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy pages. Charlotte Mason recommends frequent nature walks already in her first volume, Home Education. In fact, this is one of the main reasons I was so drawn to it. God has created such a beautiful world for us to live in. And I believe one of the best ways of learning about the world we live in (as well as our God)...Read More