• Jun. 17, 2008 - I graduated my son from grade 8!! and what have I learned?
Wow, I did it! I homeschooled my son all the way through to grade 8! It has certainly been an incredible experience! I tried so many different methods of teaching my sweet son and it wasn't until he got into grade 8 that I finally figured out what would work. I tried unschooling, classic education, Waldorf, you name it.. I tried it. It wasn't until we found out that he has aspergers that things started making more sense. I have finally settled on the Montessori method of teaching. It works well for my son as well as my other children.
Over the last 14 years my son has taught me so many things. I have learned all about having patience even through things I didn't always understand. I learned that sensory integration is a very real disorder and that when my son gets angry or has a melt-down that it is likely because he has become overwhelmed. I have learned that teaching my children proper ways to calm themselves and de-stress is very important to everyone in this family. I have also learned that children all have individual ways of learning and that these learning styles require sometimes very unique teaching approaches.
Homeschooling is something that benefits both the child and the parents as well. We have learned to work as a team and communicate in some of the silliest ways. For example, I always tell my children that I am allergic to bickering and if they need to bicker then they must bicker by using sign language only. That way they get a chance to practice their ASL and work things out on their own. (don't worry, I step in if I need to, but I generally want my children to learn how to work things out)
I have learned that having an extra box of pencils is very handy when the kids "mysteriously" lose their pencils. I have learned that lost pencils are often found in the weirdest places. I learned that the classroom is better if it includes nature. Bringing nature into our home or going out and spending time outside is a great way to discover new things. Also, I learned that I can "pretend" that snakes are not scary, but that when really face-to-face with one.. I make funny noises.
I have also learned so many great come-backs to the common questions "Are they all yours?" or "Aren't these kids in school?" and most commonly "Do they socialize with other kids?" Along with the great come-backs that I have mastered I have also learned that so many people I don't even know have an opinion of our methods. It is strange, I have never asked what their opinions are but they always give them anyway.
Happy Summer
Love Samantha |
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