Welcome to Family Friday! Today, we’re excited to introduce the Routch family—a vibrant family of five who recently joined the A One-Room Schoolhouse community. With a love for adventure, a strong commitment to faith, and a focus on holistic education, the Routch family brings a unique perspective to homeschooling and hybrid learning.
Meet the Routch Boys: Timmy, Charlie, and Wesley
The Routch family is full of energy and creativity, thanks to their three adventurous boys: Timmy (10), Charlie (8), and Wesley (5). Timmy and Charlie are passionate about sports, both collecting sports cards and playing various sports throughout the year. They share a love for building LEGO creations, which is a favorite pastime for all three boys. Meanwhile, Wesley spends time in his imaginative “Wesley’s Wacky and Wonderful World,” where he uses craft supplies to create adorable and inventive projects.
When they aren’t building or crafting, Timmy and Charlie enjoy reading and journaling through their chapter books, while Wesley loves to have picture books read to him. The boys are also musically inclined—Timmy and Charlie play the piano, and Wesley is set to start his piano lessons this year.
A Family that Plays Together: Sports and Extracurricular Activities
The Routch family is active and enjoys a variety of sports and outdoor activities. Timmy and Charlie participate in flag football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring. This coming year, Wesley will be joining his brothers in all three leagues for the first time, adding to the fun and excitement. Outside of sports, the boys enjoy spending time in nature and engaging in outdoor adventures like hiking, creek stomping, four-wheeling, kayaking, going for walks, and bike rides. The family loves campfires in their backyard and cherishes their annual trips to the beach and Yogi Bear Campground.
Family Life and Traditions: Work Hard, Play Hard
In the Routch family, there is a strong emphasis on balance. They have a family motto: “Work hard and play hard!” Every day, there are clear expectations for the boys regarding their educational goals, daily chores, and areas of behavior they are incentivized to improve upon. However, each day is also filled with hours of unstructured play, allowing the boys to embark on whatever adventures or hobbies they wish to pursue.
As a family, the Routch family cherish their time together, especially when it involves outdoor adventures. From hiking and creek stomping to kayaking and bike rides, they find joy in exploring nature and creating lasting memories. Campfires, beach trips, and visits to Yogi Bear Campground are highlights of their year, where they bond and enjoy the simple pleasures of being together.
Our Approach to Education: Strong Muscles, Strong Minds, Soft Hearts
The Routch family’s educational philosophy is grounded in their core values, summarized in their motto: “Strong muscles, strong minds, soft hearts.”
- Strong Muscles: With three energetic boys, physical activity is a priority. They love engaging in physical challenges and playing fearlessly. Homeschooling allows them the freedom to play and move their bodies, which is essential for healthy development.
- Strong Minds: As a homeschooling mom, nurturing strong minds is a primary responsibility. The family believes that their brains are a gift from God, and they are committed to using them to their fullest potential. Homeschooling allows them to choose from a variety of curricula, online resources, and curated book lists to provide a customized education that challenges and engages each child.
- Soft Hearts: Above all, the Routch family values compassion and kindness. They want their boys to love God and others with soft hearts full of mercy. Homeschooling enables them to teach these values daily through family interactions, emphasizing gentleness and care.
Why A One-Room Schoolhouse?
The Routch family chose the homeschool hybrid model because it offers the perfect balance between the freedom of homeschooling and the structure of traditional education. They appreciate the long, slow days at home, where the boys can learn and grow at their own pace, coupled with opportunities to experience a classroom setting, learn from other adults, and participate in community learning experiences like field trips and class parties.
A One-Room Schoolhouse provides the Routch family with exactly what they were looking for: a structured and professionally run elective day that complements their homeschool experience. It allows them to maintain control over their core curriculum while offering their boys the chance to learn and grow alongside other children and teachers.
The decision to join A One-Room Schoolhouse aligns perfectly with the Routch family’s top priorities: nurturing Christian faith, encouraging outdoor play and free time, and providing the educational freedom to learn according to each child’s strengths and needs. The multiple recesses built into the AORSH schedule are a particular favorite!
Advice for Other Parents Considering a Homeschool Hybrid Model
The Routch family highly recommends the hybrid homeschool model to other parents as it provides the best of both worlds. It offers the chance to reclaim valuable childhood and family time while sharing the educational journey with a wider community, relieving parents of some of the burdens of their child’s education.
A Message of Gratitude
The Routch family is grateful for the opportunity to be part of A One-Room Schoolhouse and appreciates the hybrid model as an option for their family’s unique needs and values. They look forward to the year ahead and the growth and learning that awaits their boys.
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