Mar. 28, 2008 - Waking Up
I seem to have fallen asleep somewhere between November and this week. It seems a little peculiar that I am just now realizing how bland life has been around here on the account of my boredom. Here's the thing...I hate school. I don't like "doing school". I have disliked school since the third grade. I don't like monotony. I don't like repititive lessons and drills. I don't like to read boring books or be tested. I would rather experiment and learn my own lessons than have someone tell me something before I do it. And my kids are a lot like me. So why haven't I just allowed that to occur more naturally?
My oldest son has always been very challenging for me. Ever since he was born he has had the inclination to do the exact opposite of what I tell him. For instance, he would rather read ALL DAY than pick up a pencil to write (other than in his journal). I have been feeling like I should require him to write a report or essay often about this or that just to help him with his writing skills. But this makes him furious. He thinks it is a waste of his time. He is a great orator. His comprehension blows me away and he can narrate back to me, practically word for word, several chapters of what he reads in one sitting. His vocabulary is very good and even stumps me sometimes. In fact, I find myself asking him what something means sometimes. So why do I think he needs to write a report or an essay? He thinks I am being ridiculous because clearly he understands and grasps everything he is learning.
So I ask myself: What am I trying to accomplish? What are the real goals...not for me, but for the kids. All too often in the past I have concentrated on what I want to see happen around here...what I want to accomplish with the kids, what I think is best. But I think I have been missing the boat. This is not about me. This is about them and how they learn. So why do I keep boxing them in with my limited vision?
My husband and I recently read A Thomas Jefferson Education and totally agree with everything in that book. But when I look at how my kids are being educated at home, I wonder, is this the best they can get? I have been a bored mom...bored with "doing school" and absolutely NOT enthusiastic about anything lately.
While my family was sick this week (and then me too), I observed some things about us. One, I don't need to pound learning into my kids heads. They do that on their own. The way they play, the things they talk about and the things that they choose to do on their own amaze me. My daughter started a "club" in the neighborhood called A.R.L.P.C. which stands for Animal Rescue and Litter Patrol Club. Everyday she and her girlfriends go around the neighborhood with bags and pick up trash and look for signs of sick or stranded animals. (They found a dead mouse). She wants to set an example for the people around here who don't always take the time to pick up their garbage that ends up in our ponds and landscaped areas as well as the natural areas where wildlife lives. She even started a newsletter that she wants to hand out to encourage neighbors to help keep things clean. She also wrote a journal of a slave girl using what she learned about the Code Noir when studying Indiana History with her dad recently. No one stood over her barking at her to do this...she chose to on her own. And my second son has been so intrigued with Ivanhoe this week that he has been talking about it non-stop, begging to learn about more books he can read like it. He has been taking it upon himself to learn about the continents and geography, studying the world atlas and his globe. All three of my older kids have been enamored with the Almanac this week, learning all kinds of interesting facts about the economy, population statistics and so on.
So with all of that, I am interseted in finding ways to encourage them in their individual interests. Since my daughter is interested in helping the environment and the wildlife around her, I have decided to find more ways for her to get involved with conservation. Since my second son is so interested in geography, maps and learning about other cultures I have decided to allow him to put more emphasis on that area than forcing him to read things that don't interest him right now. And I have decided to back off my older son a bit and let him discuss with me (and actually pay close attention to what he says) the things he is reading and learning instead of ask for a report that I can read later. And I look forward to modeling for them an enthusiasm for what they are learning and not try to force feed them what I think they should be learning.
Comments
Mar. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sixfolks
Insightful post. We all need to examine our goals, motives and processes from time to time. It is hard for me to step away from my public school years and realize that there are other ways of learning and definately better ways. I have come a long way, but have miles to go.
Corey
Mar. 28, 2008 - Thanks for stopping by my blog
Posted by kcmyworld
Too funny! I read you rentry earlier this morning and was standing here ironing, thinking of replying to your post when you were posting on my blog!
You are blessed to have children who are so individual and have such diverse interests. Learning sounds like fun in your home! My ds is most interested in dinosaurs and superheroes and I confess, I haven't done a very good job of capitalizing on his interests in these areas to help him grow into whatever God has for him.
Blessings this Friday!
Robin
Mar. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Angeline
This post resonates well with me. We get stuck in a rut sometimes and I have to reexamine what we are doing and how to make it fun. Quinn was "teaching" Esther the other day. Even though I wanted to start on schoolwork, I went ahead and let them play school because they really were learning (and bonding). She was actually teaching her phonics! I was so proud that she remembered some of the rules.
