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May. 14, 2008 - Done?

I just realized that I fell into one of the biggest educational blunders in these past few weeks.  I became obsessed with "finishing the material" !!  I am one of those people who likes to finish all the lessons in a book.  It's the same 'endorphin rush' Andrew Pudewa talks about in his seminars  when you get to check things off your to do list.  It screams - You did it!  You finished something!  So an unfinished book or project is a major "downer" for me, personally.  I feel like I just didn't quite measure up.  OK, analyze me - I have issues there :)  (I am so much more like Toad than Frog - he too was anxious over his uncrossed off list)

That's why I am such a 'git-r-done' type person. I drive everyone around me to insanity when I get over-motivated to get things accomplished. My husband informed me tonight, after the seminars that he has been attending the last three days on Management strategies, etc., that I am too task oriented.  ouch.  I suppose it's just always been easier to deal with getting things done than with people-stuff.  Not that I'm not socially oriented, I just don't  balance the two very well.  When I talk, I talk.  When I work - I guess I just want to work.  That would explain my issues with having children help in the kitchen or at the grocery store.  All I see is the task to be done.  Not the relational issues attached.  Alright, I'm not making myself feel any better here.

But back to the education point.  The question that is buzzing around my head is Do I want my children to know a lot about a little or a little about alot?  Growing up I knew alot about a little.  I always envied people who seemed focused on one certain area.  I always felt like a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none type.  My dear friend Macy, told me several years ago about the "five fat files" strategy.  Think about the five things that you are best at or most interested in and hone in on them.  Clip articles, write notes, do whatever to become an"expert" at those five things.  I still struggle a little with that.  One, because I really am interested in so many different things.  To me, no factoid is too small to not know. Two, because all I seem to have time for in this stage of life are the daily basics!   I am truly in awe of those who manage home-businesses, or extensive hobbies, speaking or book writing - I spend my days trying to keep my toddler from brushing his hair with the toilet scrubber again- which he has done several times, gag.

Again, back to the education point.  I have heard for 10 years - It's ok NOT to finish the whole book.  I have loosened up a bit, but obviously not enough.  My 11yos today informed me that he had finished the rest of his Latin book, History book, Vocabulary book and Critical Thinking Book. Including the tests.  Huh??  OK, brownie points for showing more motivation than he has all year combined but.. We won't even go into how many lessons that was.  Suffice to say, as I start to grade the history tests and I'm looking at the information, I'm thinking How much of this does he actually know?  He spit it back out, but we haven't studied it.  There were no projects or discussions.  No outside good reading. 

Then it hit me.  Who is the teacher?  Who decides what we need to cover?  duh. So I'm pitching the last couple of tests, which are not a good indicator in this case of what he understands and we're going to watch the History of Warfare - WWI and WWII over the next week.  We're going to get out the articles and pictures on his great-grandpa who was shot down over Hungary during WWII and made it back ok. We'll read "How the Good Fight was Won" . Maybe map a battle or two. Then we'll call it quits while I pull things together for Aug. and I *promise* not to feel guilty that we didn't learn everything in the book. 

So, lesson learned?  We'll see. But I'm not feeling as stressed as I was two hours ago.

~Cindy

your two cents

May. 14, 2008 - Toilet Brush

Posted by Anonymous

Your toddler has the same problem with the toilet brush as mine does. Better it be a big hair brush than a big tooth brush though.

<3, Ashley
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May. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by crazybusy

Wow do we ever sound a lot alike....
what a GREAT idea to read about G-Gpa's time during WWII! Family history/world history all in one. Awesome!
Love, Alyssa
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May. 15, 2008 - Ha!

Posted by hrlabonte

I am the same way with checking off my list. :-)

The movies sound like a fantastic idea! Very cool.

~Heather
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May. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by floridasunsets

Take a deep breath. You're going to be fine, lol! Actually, it sounds like you're going in a great direction. Lessons always stick if they're more personal, and bringing in family history will be awesome and unforgettable!

Betty
PS. We aren't going to make it to FPEA this year. No money. I'm sad, but I'm okay with it. If you're still heading our way though, let me know. I'd love to get together.
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