Just read an interesting book that I bought at the homeschool conference in Matamata. It was written by Cynthia Tobias, called The Way They Learn. It's a simple read. It's about "how to discover and teach to your child's strengths." I bought it with the notion that I needed help with teaching my younger son. I thought, "If only I could understand his learning style, I would be able to teach him better." Interestingly enough, he is just like me!! How did I not notice this? He doesn't study best at a desk. For all my school years, I did all my reports on my bed. Well, Nicholas is just like me in that he could care less about facts that don't relate to him NOW! I remember hating History for that simple reason. I'm also amazed to discover what frustrates my children. I read parts of this book aloud to my husband so we could discuss these issues and he showed me how Benjamin (my oldest child - aged 10) would get frustrated when I didn't start school at nine am. This is because Ben is just like his Dad and likes structure and deadlines and needs to gather all the facts (the more the better) and needs lots of time to finish his projects. He gets frustrated when he doesn't finish. I think about the two castles that each of them received for a gift. Those Usborne paper ones that you cut out and glue together. Benjamin finished it in two days. He actually finished it! Nick's is still half done. Just like me! "I'll get to it one day"

Well, I'm having a good day. Happy to be me. Happy to be homeschooling. Happy to be in NZ despite the winter. Lots of time to knit by the fire! 

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