Monday, April 23, 2007 - Beyond Four Walls

The end of the school year is always hard. Aside from the rush to finish the year’s goals, the weather has turned warm and sunny days call to us. The kids seem more distracted and schoolwork is the last thing on their minds. This is not a phenomenon exclusive to homeschoolers.  When I was teaching, I observed the same behavior among all my students, elementary and high school.  The solution is obvious- move class outdoors.  Living in the south we are privy to more good weather than bad.  My kids often pack up their schoolwork and will sit outside on the back porch in the fresh air and sunshine.  Sometimes we’ll go to a local park or historical site and enjoy what is offered there.  Nature is a wonderful classroom.  One might think that moving from the usual classroom situation would be more distracting, but I have found the opposite to be true.  They seem more motivated to complete their tasks so they can enjoy the beauty of the day.   The blessing of schooling at home is flexibility. Public school teachers are bound by set-in-stone rules and regulations that limit their resources.  I think maybe that is why so many families have turned to homeschooling. We are free to teach our children all of God's wonder.  We recognize that the world is truly a classroom, and that learning can take place anywhere in any situation and is not confined to four walls.

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Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - Amen!

Posted by SongOfTheSagebrush

We had such a warm March, and it's been chilly and windy most of April...but I love the days when the school..."official" school, that is, can be taken outside.

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