I shocked some people at the Maine
Homeschool Convention. I asked, "What part of your homeschooling
would you stop doing if Jesus came back tomorrow?" People all
over the audience looked surprised and thoughtful. A whole lot of
evaluating was going on. They hadn't ever asked themselves that
question.
Then I said something I hadn't planned to say. "The part you would stop doing doesn't deserve to be called homeschooling!"
Now that I've had a few days to ponder that statement, I wish I'd said
it differently. I don't want to define homeschooling. As
far as I'm concerned, every parent homeschools--some just do it all the
time. But if I had to define my idea of "real homeschooling," it
would be all about learning for the joy of it, as opposed to learning
because the government tells you to.
Is there a word for what I'm thinking of?
The best I've come up with yet is "funschooling," which captures a
little of the idea. It's broad enough to include what happens
inside traditional schools whenever the kids there actually enjoy what
they're doing.
I understood and appreciated where you were coming from. The term I like to use to describe the kind of learning you are talking about is "whole-hearted education." When children enjoy learning, their whole hearts are engaged, and it begins to shape who they are and how they think. And what more could a homeshooling parent ask for as a return for the investment we make in our children every day?
That unplanned statement reminds me of one I regret from a public testimony I gave one year. I've been thinking abt blogging it, kind of a confession and redirect like you did here lol. It does make you think though. Purposeful is the word I would use...
Btw please visit my dh's blog and post an encouraging word, he thinks there are no other men here :) His page is http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/rightguard (yes he still has pschool football jock issues lol)
This is the exact same conclusion that the Lord drew me to several years ago. If what we were trying to accomplish in our homeschool stirred more contention than joy, I was shown that our approach to the subject matter needed to be adjusted or delayed until another day. We as Christian homeschoolers should experience and reflect the joy of the Lord in all areas of learning. Why do we believe that if we are not drudging and sweating though it, it isn't true learning? We have resolved that in our homeschool, we will find ways to learn with a smile on our faces - right on through high school! The years will disappear before we even realize it. We can't afford to settle for less. Matter of fact, this is the main theme of my family's blog here on HSB - WhO SaiD LeaRniNg CaN't Be FuN??
In Christ,
Cathy :o)
