Aug. 30, 2008 - Christ-Led Unschooling?
I have been pondering this idea for some time today. I have admitted many times in the past that I am a complete and hopeless curriculum addict. However, over time I have also realized that part of this obsession has less to do with my children and more to do with my insecurites as a teacher placed under restrictions set forth by our state and national goverment. How would I be if there were no guidelines? I can sum it up in one word (for me at least): H-A-P-P-Y.
Most of my own education was useless. The things that I learned well were the things I chose and pursued on my own. Piles of books littered every corner of my room, but none of them were text books. In fact, the only things I really remember are those things I applied myself to outside of school. Maybe it was the general apathy of the teachers or the fact that I couldn't see a reason for much of it, but as I look back on it all now I only see a black hole, surrounded by the light of the things I cared about. All this is even more alarming because I had an expensive Christian education. The trouble is it was a reformatted public school education, text books and all.
What were the few things that stuck with me and I was glad I was forced to learn? Hmm....
Typing. Yes, I was happy they made me take typing for a whole year. Everything else was not fun except for the things I CHOSE to do, like choir, band, art, plays, musicals and the volunteer work I did. I also loved my jobs. Working as a waitress in high school and as a day care worker in college was FUN because I liked having money, but more importantly loved the work.
Oh, and most importantly, I was happy they forced me to memorize scads of Scripture. That was probably the best thing. Now having someone constantly giving their opinion on that Scripture was a problem for me, but it was a great service to me nonetheless.
So based on the scenario I realized that having my children memorize lots of Scripture was A-OK and that all my shelves filled with wasted curricula was not. I have a scary admission to confess. I really, really, want to have a Christ-led unschool. It's scary because in order to do this I must give up what I want and direct consistent prayer EVERYDAY in this area. It also means that I cannot lean on a curriculum to ensure a gapless and complete education--which is a fantasy in it's own right. It means that the wisdom of man must fall by the wayside along with the countless educational theories.
Why am I rambling? Because I have started to see that glint fading away in my children's eyes. They are exhibiting the same symptoms that I did way back when I was in third grade. Now is the time for me to actually listen to them and prayerfully find a way to lead them toward their goals.
So here I go... I am going to prayerfully start each day and try to be the educational facilitator and less of a drill sergeant.
I will keep posting and hopefully, this will open up a new peace and happier students.
Comments
Aug. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
I look forward to seeing how that goes. I have considered and done "guided" unschooling for small spurts over that last 10 years. My son still had to do educational stuff everyday but it was more to his interest. They did provide the needed break my oldest needed. I think now we are more easy going and I try to include all of the children's interest in our days.
Blessings,
Dawn
