|
Lavender and Roses
Tuesday, April 29
A fresh wave of learning
My books have arrived, and I've enjoyed settling down to read my way through them. I've been encouraged. I've remembered what the point of a Classical education is - the cultivating of the mind to recognize truth, beauty and virtue. A simple statement, but it lets me focus what we are trying to achieve and the path for the journey.
In the last year I've struggled to see the point of lots of what we do. Other things I love but couldn't say why. Always its seemed strange to admit that that we do both Greek and Latin.
What I have discovered is the purpose behind what we do, or at least I have re-found it under the programs that were supposed to make it easier. I have also come to see that each of us needs to put that journey together for ourselves. There isn't classical in a box, because it isn't a set course of study, its a conversation, a journey. Along the way are tools to be mastered, a command of language, tools for thinking and analyzing, ways of thinking, and a vista of history and thought that gives us a backdrop against which to evaluate our understanding of what it means to be human.
We are still mastering the tools, learning to read, learning how English works, discovering the precise thinking of Latin, and the creativity of Greek, surveying the highs and lows of history, learning to observe our world and storing away ideas to chew on later. I need to work through what we need to acheive on the journey for each skill.
The pressure to finish the text, complete the program in this year - has faded in light of a process of learning how to learn, how to think and how to express oneself. The united whole will be challenging and I'm not ready to go their yet. but we are still surveying the landscape seeing the big picture. The time will come to dig deep.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, April 16
Freedom and quiet
I am hoping that I have stumbled on a solution to our over-busy mornings. As a family we both love and struggle with routine. We need the routine to function. One of our main routines is to do school all together at the dinning room table straight after breakfast. The four of us around the table is lively situation, sometimes we bounce of each other, sometimes we just bounce.
As a family we seem to need the routine in order to get through our days work, but it's often a stressful place to be, especially for this quiet loving mum.
Regardless of my efforts to keep everything stable and settled also has its routine struggles - the child who routinely can't find his books, or gets distracted so that everyone else has to wait. Niggles and children winding each other up also play a part despite my attempts to prevent it.
If I give way to no routine, or even put something differrent in the routine - we loose our way and virtually nothing gets done. Whether it be a homeschool outing, a visitor dropping by, friends, or simply something out of the ordingary that occurs the work stops at the slightest opportunity. It's just how we are.
Yesterday was one of the days when the distraction of the rain and misplaced books left us with the feeling of looming chaos. The arrival of my rainbow order was the final straw. the morning ended with three hyped and boisterous kids looking to blow off steam.
Couple this with a growing sense that we should be learning and mentoring, not just getting it done and ticking it off - and suddenly we have a change in how we order school and I hope its a good one, but for now the kids are released from the dining room table to spread out and work on there own with me falling into a role as mentor not timekeeper. They have a list of work to get through, and I wander from child to child through the morning depending on what they are doing.
Today it went well.
Only my middle boy is left at the kitchen table, he's the one that needs to be nudged more than the others. For the first time in ages he managed to do all his morning work.
My youngest loved the day, and seems quite at home working in his room, (but then he's the one that announced at 7 1/2 today that you cant trust the "us" endings on Latin nouns to show declensions because he just found a third declension noun with that ending.)
My oldest had a good day as well. She changes her work habits based on her confidence for the day - sometimes she flies, sometimes she simply looks out the window and waits for the cavalry... today the cavalry managed to give her a nudge that sent her soaring for a little longer.
We gathered for our read alouds and project time. The read alouds went well, the project working together on the white-board reminded me why we had done this.
I am more convinced that this is where we need to move long term, partly together, mostly separate, so that each gets one on one direction without it being a general conversation. We're keeping some together stuff - an hour at afternoon tea for discussion, read-alouds and projects that need more mess or discussion than our rooms allow. (although afterthis afternoon I will choose our together projects carefully)
|
• Comments
(2) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Monday, March 31
Enjoying Poetry
Sometime at the start of this year I picked up one of the kids poetry books - ones that we kept the poems we had memorized. I realize how much I missed this part of our days.
Reading through a poet over a term just wasn't as much fun as memorizing three poems and living with them.
I suspect a couple of trips into town and the kids playing with the lines and the squares and being careful of bears had an effect as well. (Courtesy of Robert Louis Stevenson). Poetry just isn't the same if it doesn't become part of the everyday. So yes morning poetry memorization has come back - and we're enjoying Longfellow.
We started with the children's hour - imagery of kids climbing over Dad's or Granddad's chair at the end of the day.
The current poem is a little more subdued, a little deeper, but I've enjoyed it and hoped that with its powerful imagery the kids have too. We've been memorizing the "Village Blacksmith".
We added in the following verses in the last two days ;
Toiling,---rejoicing,---sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.
Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Sunday, March 16
A homeschool journey, a homeschool mentor
As I first started our home school journey I stumbled from site to site trying to understand what I was meant to be doing. Within the first year I found myself intrigued by the idea of Classical ed, and stumbled upon the website of the Parker family.
Over the years I have gotten to met Beth in the land of email groups. Her web pages continued to guide my journey - rounding out my understanding of some of the Veritas' Press offerings, adding information, providing hundreds of links to challenge my thinking or provide resources that would help stretch the home school budget. 'When I wondered how it would all turn out I could see the pages she posted of her daughters work and be encouraged by her summary of how and why she home schooled.
Entering into email groups gave the chance to get to know her better, and to receive from her generous spirit.
It was with a heavy heart I drove home late one evening last year having heard the news that the cancer that had been kept in check was once more advancing. As I prayed with my daughter the words of Amazing Grace kept flowing through my mind, the assurance that even as we say goodbye, the doors of heaven swing open to those who love God and are called by his name.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
The heaviness continues as the chemo. stops being an option, we pray for a miracle, a last minute reprieve and we pray for mercy, grace and peace. I am increasingly grateful, that God loved us enough to come, to die on the Cross for our sins, to call us to repentance and faith, and to throw open the gates of a new heavens and new earth where every tear is wiped away, every failure covered, and we can rejoice in the goodness of God and his creation.
|
• Comments
(1) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Sunday, February 24
Getting My Head Around Mastery
It sounds really simple - you teach to the level that your children are ready to learn.. sometimes stretching them, sometimes easing back and letting them get their confidence, sometimes continuing on the journey while they gather information.
It really sounds simple.
I work hard to get the level right and get everyone happy, then I look at what they could be doing. I glance at someone's schedule for the next year, or the next grade, I consider the big picture from "X" home school education supplier, and it falls to custard again.
You really would think I would have gotten the idea by now - unfortunately I'm still getting there.
We have improved our daily learning times so much simply by working where each child is. We are happy when mum concentrates just on one lesson, one week, one objective. We find our rabbit trails, end up discussion theology, finding links pulling it together, exploring, growing and having fun. Then I look at the goal written by someone else and suddenly I'm pushing.
My husband put it nicely - one really good day and my expectations jump back to where my "perfect kids" would have been had I been the "perfect" home school mum. As I do that I loose sight of the reality of learning the lessons that God has for us, the lesson that he has given me - a unique person and my three unique children.
In the midst of all of this is a small voice whispering that it's time to stop looking at the big picture, time to stop planning and to start learning. That the next step will always be waiting for us just ahead. That already I have studies and re-studied the accepted classical path, and no its time to take our journey. To reach out for the next thing, and to enjoy the journey.
I just have to remember this beyond Monday morning.
This Owl turned up in our back yard almost a year ago, on one of those days where I had taken my eyes of the possible and was stressing over the impossible. /it stayed for 2 days in our suburban back yard before returning to more natural surroundings. It is a special reminder for me to trust...
|
• Comments
(2) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Friday, February 15
Seeing the Wood for the Trees
I've spent a lot of time lately second guessing myself, wondering, pondering, praying. Have I got it right. Is school on track. Frustrated with the hiccups, disillusioned with the interruptions and unwillingness from my three beloved pupils who just don't get what I'm trying to do here.
Some days I can walk away proud of my kids who they are, what they are doing. Some days - and it can be the same day, I can feel like it is all falling down around my ears in disarray. Why? How is it that depending on my mood a day can seem so different.
I started today - disillusioned from having seen the downside. Doubting curriculum, doubting how my kids were growing, concerned at lessons that dragged and attitudes that well - didn't fit my quiet family at the table mold. I have three wonderful, active, independent kids, I love them, but compliant they are not. And yes my picture perfect world wishes they were. They hype, they bounce, they wriggle, they object to assignments, make it known they would rather be outside, and wishing desperately that we could just settle and enjoy a quiet, ordered, sane, morning I miss the wood for the overpowering awareness of growing trees.
Sitting with a friend this afternoon, I realized anew how much they were doing, how much I enjoyed what we did together, how well it all fit together, and begrudgingly how much their energy and spark is a positive if untidy influence.
Today I was encouraged as I talked curriculum and methods with my friend, I realized how passionate I was about what we were doing, how we were schooling. While their are rough edges to polish, hurdles to overcome, disciplines to embrace, sometimes it's my ideals that need to get real.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, January 23
The Call of the Wild Goose
It seems to be the way of all my plans, just when I think that I have sorted a simple off the shelf program, something reminds my that while it may be a good path, it isn't quite the right path.
Inside the grammar debate is a yearning for a simple natural way to cover writing and enjoy learning.
Strangely the winds of change were in the early emails from my first email group. A group of ladies working out how to bring together grammar, good writing and their children's own compositions.
Lots of work, but free, simple, ready to pull together the rest of the subject areas.
As I've prayed and considered, sought advice from the wise, there is a voice calling out - to walk forward and take each day at a time.
To trust.
Easy said this is my learning ground not necessarily the place I want to wing it.
Enjoy, have fun, laugh, make mistakes, struggle, learn....
Trust.
An invitation to follow the Wild Goose.
Maybe somewhere in our home schools each of us has to do that.
To follow the path that God has for each of us alone.
To enjoy the journey, without fear of the destination.
Follow, trust, walk on, one day, one lesson at a time.
Follow Him.
I have provisions for the journey, there is the old program on the shelf, the echo's of older emails and the spirit they contained, a good grammar to answer the questions and teach us the means, others who have walked this path, and always God's Spirit promises to guide - as long as I relax, trust and follow.
I'm looking forward to the journey.
(For those that are wondering - the Wild Goose is the Celtic symbol for the Holy Spirit)
|
• Comments
(2) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Tuesday, January 22
The First Bump in the Road
I have to admit that it didn't take me long to reach the first bump in the road.
The kids were being good and all was gong well.
Until we started Writing. Juggling three children on three levels of Classical Writing was just a little more than my sanity could take. I think part of it is that Dancing Butterfly and I are learning it together as we go. The other part is just not being sure what we are meant to be doing on a day by day basis. the road map isn't as clear as I need it to be.
I said I wasn't gong to worry didn't I.
It wasn't the worry, just a feeling of needing to be three people to get this done.
An even bigger feeling that this wasn't the fun experience that the progym sounded like when Dancing Butterfly was still little.
Today with much prayer I discussed it with my girl. She was good, she was trying, she was gong to do what I asked. For my girl that is big.
She also had a big grin when I suggested that something needed to change.
Today we cut back to one model - three kids, three levels in one discussion. We will do what we can at each of our levels. I could think on the run. I didn't get interrupted. Einstein didn't bug me by listening to what his sister was dong. Creativity flowed, and so did the understanding of the story, the applications and the possibilities.
Now all I have to do is look at what tomorrow is gong to hold. The last time I tried to tackle this without the workbooks we struggled to find our level. Hopefully I am older and wiser now. Then again my children are older and wiser too.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Monday, January 21
The winding road
As we start into the new year I'm finding myself trying to tie together the loose ends of all that I have been pondering about our home school. The questions of how to work with each child. This is taking precedence over the structured –unstructured debate.
There is however also the truth that we will model to our kids the things we enjoy without the stress. Science and Bible discussions happen around here with the slightest excuse, cooking skills get learned by osmosis. Nature study sidetracks us constantly but Math’s, Latin and Grammar are much more difficult.
If we head down the child directed path, even within my favorite curriculum choices, the kids find themselves constantly caught in black holes. Places where they simply don’t want to move forward. The structure gives them an ability to keep working on something so that it doesn’t become scary or overwhelming.
On top of it all I am seriously aware that we need to take fun, play and creativity seriously this year and enjoy doing the things that each one of us loves. Even if I would rather sit in front of the computer than take that walk, go for a swim or play a game of cricket in the park the kids need the time to play.
It has been that balancing act that I have been enjoying working through in the last couple of months. Trying to work out what we do for our home school rather than the standard one size fits all.
My challenge heading forward is to learn the art of teaching my individual artist, engineer and academic - socialite without overwhelming or frustrating them. With being comfortable in the freedom to work their own pace.
It’s the last idea working in freedom that find so difficult to work through. I struggle with trusting that we will get there in the long run especially as I am increasingly aware that “there” is not necessarily a defined point. Not a a quick fix that this long and windy road.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Monday, December 17
Celebration!!!!!
Finally, finally, my tree climbing, artistic, daughter has for the first time in he life - got hooked enough by a book to want to sit down in the daytime and read.
Boy has it been a long road.. many tears, much frustration, much self doubt and second guessing ...
We tried several phonics programs, reading approaches, Ambleside's selections and finally at the start of 07 gave up and opted only for a 1/2 hour read or sleep time in the evening with carefully chosen mutual selections.
This book worm mum thought it would never come - but we are hooked at least on one book. The book "Anna of Byzantium."
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
|
|
|
|
