Ok, what on earth is that?  Project learning.  It is learning which happens while doing a particular project.  I think I will call it "OPL."  On the Project Learning.

This is just one more benefit of having your children at home with you. A friend of mine came up with that name.

 Let me tell you a little story:

You might have already figured out that your children don't always have the same gifts and talents and skills that you do.  There is a lot to be learned about birth order, learning styles, love languages and all those modes of processing.  My four kids and I have a lot of similarities, but also many differences.  For me, homeschooling has had a lot to do with me figuring out those differences, and learning to work with them for the benefit of all. 

Easier said than done, but that is ok!  We aren't in any kind of rush.

For the last two years we have been entering projects in the County Fair here, and I have posted much on my regular blog about our experience.  We got to talking about it with our wonderful, friendly librarians over at our local branch and lo and behold, they talked us into hosting an art show for homeschoolers there! 

So, here is where the "Project Learning" comes in. 

We have been putting together an art show!  My oldest daughter had been my administrative assistant for this wonderful event which opens today.  (Actually, maybe she is the administrator and I am the assistant.)

 At any rate, our personalities and aptitudes have complimented each other and we are getting the job done.  I have a big picture mind, she has a detail mind.  I have done the "people" work and she has done the "paper" work. 

This is our first attempt at a show like this and it is coming together so nicely!  My daughter has done all the computer work, inputting registrations, creating forms, tags, fliers.  I have done the email updates, checked over her work and asked her a lot of dumb questions.  (Really!)  She has a fresh, young mind, mine is a bit on the over-used recycled version. 

But we work together great as a team.

A lot of our decisions and ideas are spur-of-the-moment and make-it-up-as-we-go style, but we are both learning by trial and error.  It can't get much better than this! 

The younger kids have helped a bit, but this seems to have been a Mommy and Daughter project.  I know we have learned so much in the process, and will even have it more "together" with the next annual art show in 2008!

Tomorrow morning we hang the show and tomorrow evening we have an opening reception.  We can't wait! 

If we had to put this on a transcript to prove we learned something I would have to ask my very special friend how to word it.  She is a master at putting it into words.  I will let you know what she says!

Blessings,

Nancy

Stop by and visit me, ok?