Archive for the ‘thinking out loud’ Category:
Free Range Education
Once upon a time I knew an English teacher who, when asked what she taught, would reply, "literature" or "writing." Once upon a time that same teacher eventually realized that she wasn’t teaching "literature" or "writing"–she was teaching students.
Once upon a time that very teacher became a mom then a homeschooling mom. She taught her little students math, reading, handwriting, and geography.
One day this teacher, this mom, this homeschooling mom realized that her oldest student was really teaching himself. And one day (one very important day) this mom had a metaphor moment.
She had taken her little students to a dairy farm for a field trip. At the dairy farm there were chickens (and cows, too, of course, but the chickens are what’s important in this story).
The tour guide explained all about chickens and why it was so important to free range them. You see, most egg-laying hens are kept in cages. Sometimes too many chickens in one cage. They are cooped up with the other chickens–all sitting in their own filth.
These hens are given the same diet. And it’s not what they really need to produce rich Omega 3 eggs, but it does get them to produce eggs. And eggs (even if they aren’t the best) are the goal.
But the hens at the dairy farm this mom visited were free. They could walk where they wanted, build nests where they wanted, and eat what they wanted. All they needed were a few grassy pastures which the farm provided for them.
And that’s when this once-upon-a-time mom had her moment: chickens and children are somewhat the same.
She knew she didn’t want to keep her students in cages or a give them a diet of state standards. She knew she didn’t need to give each child the exact.same.thing. And she certainly didn’t want them sitting in their own filth.
She determined–
my chicks need a green pasture from which to feed.
Once upon a time this mom grasped that when she supplies her children with rich resources and large doses of inspiration, they will learn far more than if she were to try to teach them.
"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." ~Albert Einstein
Let Them Read
I’ve read blog posts, message board posts, and had real-life conversations with homeschooling moms about making sure kids are reading at their level. All these moms have great intentions — they want to challenge their children and keep them on track.
It makes sense in theory. We wouldn’t want our kids to read something that’s too easy, would we? Wouldn’t that be back peddling?
Well, let me ask you:
Would you like to only be allowed or encouraged to read things that were at your reading level (or higher)? Would you like every text you try throughout the day to be challenging? How much would you enjoy reading if you lived with stipulations?
Here’s my simple advice:
Just let them read.
Just let them read good books and old favorites and new favorites. Let them read silly and classic and don’t forget to read together.
The go-up-a-level thing will happen naturally; just let them read.
Points to Ponder
We are moving our homeschool in a new direction. I’m not sure exactly what this will look like. We are keeping math and some language arts, but I want to try to dive in to (instead of just dabble with) delight-directed education.
Elijah will get to decide what he’s going to learn about, about 80% of the time. He already has a list ready for me of the topics he wants to explore!
Here are some great quotes that are inspiring me to do in my heart what I already know I should do…
"Self-education is the only possible education; the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child’s nature." ~Charlotte Mason
"There isn’t any known way to bulk-education; it’s all custom work."
~John Taylor Gatto
"All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education." ~Sir Walter Scott
"To teach a man how he may learn to grow independently, and for himself, is perphaps the greatest service that one man can do another." ~Benjamin Jowett
"The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." ~John Lubbock
"Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion has no hold on the mind. Therefore do not use compulsion, but let early education be a sort of amusement; you will then be better able to discover the child’s natural bent." ~Plato
Why Workboxes?
I know I haven’t explained how the entire system works, but that’s because you can read all about in Sue’s book, and I don’t want to give her ideas away. But I just wanted to post why I am so interested in workboxes and why you might be, too!
1. Independence ~ Your student learns to work independently. Not everything is done alone (about 1/3 of Elijah’s day is with me- and I love that!), but moving and working toward self-directed learning is something I really want to instill in my children.
2. Motivation-~Your student will be excited about some of the fun he sees waiting for him.
3. Routine~ The schedule strip creates a solid routine for your student to follow. However, it’s not too rigorous. If your day gets interrupted, you can stop and come back to the boxes as needed.
4. Creativity~ You can clearly see what your student will be doing each day and if you need to add some spice and variety to your school day.
5. Resourcefulness~ You will finally use some of those cool things you found at convention that just sit on the shelf because you don’t have time to get to them.
6. Accountability~ Twelve empty boxes in my face remind me that I need to do my job as teacher and get school ready for the next day. Twelve full boxes remind your student that he needs to do his job and work hard throughout the day.
7. Accomplishment~ Your student will take pride in a job well done when he completes the final box! You will also feel accomplished in your homeschooling.
8. Individual Education~ Isn’t this one of the reasons you are homeschooling? I love giving my kids a personal education! As you fill the boxes, you aren’t just trying to fill them up with school. You are filling them with one, unique, important student in mind.
9. Easy Transitions~ How many times have I lost my student trying to transition from one activity to the next? I’ve gone stark-raving-mad before trying to keep him on task as I gather math supplies for the lesson, sharpen a pencil, or who knows what. The boxes put an end to crazy transitions. You flow from one thing to the next because everything you need is right there in the box.
10. Time Saving~ This goes hand in hand with some of the other things I already listed, but you will be able to save time. Get more done in less time! Who can argue with that?
I will try to tone down the workbox posts now. I promise.
Completely Random
Have you seen me before?
Well, here I am in all my construction-mode glory. This is me after applying multiple gallons of texture to the living room ceiling. Personally, I think I look like I walked through an Aviary, but I probably shouldn’t say such things on my blog. Not very lady-like.
Next up we have Elijah’s newest Lego creation. Obviously he had much time to devote to building today while mom was on a ladder (and not doing school with him…shhhhh….).
Finally, it’s beginning to look a lot like Valentine’s Day around here!
Pretty Flowers from my man
Yummy treats Elijah and I made today
Recipe here
Funny Valentine box Elijah and I made yesterday out of a Cheerio box. It has a hole in the top to fit his Valentines from friends (party later this week).
Just a thought…
The people I keep the house clean for are more important than keeping the house clean.
The Gap Theory
I was browsing some curriculum sites today, and one caught my eye with their bold claim– “…you can feel confident knowing that your child is receiving a complete education with no gaps…” Oh-no. Not the G-word.
Gaps.
Those huge holes in your child’s education that will remain empty because you didn’t cover all your bases or follow a premade checklist or choose the right curriculum. Everyone will forevermore know that you were a bad homeschooling mom because of GAPS. (Gasp!)
This is really something that you just have to get over. In this age of information there is no way that you are going to cover everything. It’s impossible. If you try to cover everything, your student’s education will be a mile wide and only an inch deep. Wide, but not deep. You’ll produce a student who thinks they know everything about everything, but really, they won’t know anything about anything.
So, I subscribe to the Gap Theory. It’s pretty simple. Basically, it goes something like this – “there will be gaps and that’s okay.”
I had to smirk as I walked away from the claim-– “no gaps” –- no way. If I would have used xyz curriculum for kindergarten this past year, Elijah would have gaps– Birds of Prey. Big Cats. Carnivores. Animal Classification. Meerkats. He had big fat questions about these things that needed answers. We found the answers and filled the gaps. In finding the answers, we’ve discovered more questions…these will lead us forward in our journey.
Elijah and I also have the chance to work on character training– to fill the gaps that matter the most. We have a large self-control gap right now, but we can work on it (with prayer and the Word). I doubt xyz covers that.
As a home educator, you have the opportunity to fill the unique gaps in your student’s education.
~It can’t be done at an institution where everyone has to learn the exact. same. thing.
~It can’t be done by a marvelous scope and sequence put together by some well- meaning Board of Education who wants to educate the general masses. (What would my son have learned about this year? Traffic signs? Community helpers? Living vs. Non-living? Bleeehhhhh.)
~It can’t be done by a magical curriculum or textbook (so you can stop looking).
It can be done by you being sensitive to the curiosity God has placed in your child’s heart and mind. What does your student delight in? What is he hungry to learn more about? That’s what you need to feed him. And trust me, he will come back for a second helping.
Remember the Gap Theory– "there will be gaps, and that’s okay!"
Happily Gapping Along,
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…
I was at Target Meijer somewhere last night (hey, it was late), and I remembered that Elijah asked if he could plant some flowers by the mailbox. I headed straight for the plants potted in plastic, and on my way over, a little naggy voice started whispering, "if you were really a good mom, you would buy seeds for him to plant…all the other homeschool moms let their kids plant from SEEDS. Real seeds."
I felt twinges of panic encompassing every inch of my being…"you’re a bad mom…you don’t come close to the other homeschooling moms…you don’t even buy real seeds…"
Ms. Mom Guilt had zapped in to rob my joy (once again). She’s a liar. She’s a thief.
I had a lot on my list in my head last night. My sister will be in from Seattle on Monday and her birthday was yesterday (so a party will be in order), Simon’s birthday is Monday, my cousin’s wedding is Saturday (and my birthday is Saturday, too!). So, I was pleasantly surprised when I actually remembered to pick up a tea-time treat. I found some Almond Biscotti dipped in chocolate and thought that would be fun.
Then, she had the nerve to show up again! "If you really had what it took, you’d make your own biscotti. Tea-time treats should be homemade (as all good homeschooling moms know)."
I was tired. Really tired. Too tired to think about homemade biscotti. Maybe that played to my advantage at midnight last night.
I looked Ms. Mom Guilt straight in the eyes, and said, "I am doing the best I can. I will NOT let you or me or anyone else make me feel guilty for what I’ve decided (by the grace of God) to do with MY children."
At this point you probably either
~think I’m nuts~ OR ~know exactly what I’m talking about~
As moms we are in seemingly no-win situations sometimes.
Do I do the dishes (and have a clean house…because after all, ALL stay at home moms should have clean houses…what else do you do with your day?) ?
OR
Do I take the kids outside to enjoy this beautiful day (because, after all, no child should be left inside)?
It really doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t matter. Just in case you didn’t get that, let me just say (one more time), IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER.
What does matter is that your children see you pursuing God.
What does matter is that your children see you loving your husband.
What does matter is that you have a dynamic relationship with your children– you know them and they know you.
The rest is just jellybeans.
The next time Ms. Mom Guilt comes sneaking around, trying to grab your joy (or all that’s left of your sanity)…tell her that God gave you these children and you will not compare yourself to other moms, you will not be manipulated into doing something you don’t need to be doing, and that YOU (by the grace of God) are quite capable of doing what’s right for these little ones that you love with all your heart.
Goodbye Ms. Mom Guilt,
(driving &) Panicking
I was out tonight. On the interstate. In a car. Without a working speedometer.
Oh, yeah.
Our cars are quirky, okay. You have to know them (and know that they are paid for) to love them. But, I hate driving the one without a speedometer. I have a huge fear of being pulled over (which reminds me… I have a funny story to share sometime but not right now).
So, I’m driving and panicking & driving and panicking. Relying on the cars around me to gauge my speed. Looking at the speed limit sign that says 70…and knowing I should be going 70…but not knowing what exactly 70 mph is…and HOPING that the cars around me are obeying the law.
And, since all of life is one huge metaphor to me, I had (what I’ll call from now on) a metaphor moment.
Hey, this is what it’s like for my son.
We throw all these speed limit signs at him:
Be honest
Be kind
Be selfless
Be good
But, he doesn’t have a speedometer. He doesn’t really know what honesty is (or kindness, or selflessness, or goodness).
Do you know how he gauges his speed? He relies on the cars around him. He looks to his dad and mom to set the pace.
My son understands honesty by the way I live honesty.
And kindness by the way I show kindness.
And selflessness by the way I pour out selflessly.
And goodness by my own demonstration.
Sometimes, I’m afraid my calling is higher than I (because it is).
Thankful (and desperate) for grace,
The Word of God…a two-edged sword
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
I Corinthians 5:17
Well, that was our memory verse last week. On Wednesday Elijah looked at me with bugged eyes and exclaimed, "But mom, what does it MEAN?!"
So, I attempted to explain the verse to my five year old. Telling him that when Christ is in our lives, the old man– the ick, the sin, the ugly side gets replaced with the new man. It was one of those precious moments– being able to share the gospel with my son.
Then, Elijah sat back…squinted his eyes…and inquired, "Mom, is Christ in your life?" And, he was nodding as he asked as if to answer his own question. Then, he went on…"Yes, mom…most of the time, you ARE new…BUT, sometimes you are OLD."
Out of the mouths of babes, right? It’s true. I am (more often than I’d like to admit) old…the old man comes flying up out of somewhere and surfaces the icky ugly sinful side. I am so thankful for the grace of God!
His comment reminded me of something I posted on the FIAR message board:
"Sometimes I wonder if God has more in store for me or them as a result of our homeschooling. It seems like I’m the one who is constantly seeing my own dross come to surface, and my desperate need for refinement– my need for a Savior. This wasn’t the plan! Homeschooling was so I could mold and shape the children…not for my own molding and shaping. God’s ways are higher than mine."
Lord, please bring the dross to the surface…even if my children have to see it. Let them know that I am dependent on my Savior and that I am not some super human being. Lord, MAKE ME NEW!
