Is this statement true?
Aug. 5, 2005 at 8:16 PM
Homeschooling
Having home educated for nearly 12 years, I have come to realize that I am less a teacher and more a student learning right along with my children. I often hear the argument from parents that they can't homeschool because they don't think they know enough. They don't feel qualified.
Must a teacher know something before they teach it? Sure, in a general sense that is true. (A mother who cannot read would find it difficult to teach a child.) But I am not as convinced that we must know the material for our child to learn it. A mother can learn right along with her children and both profit greatly from the experience. She doesn't always have the wear a "teacher's hat" for her children to learn a subject.
I NEVER had a history course. It's true. I am a college graduate who never studied US or World History. Before high school it was Social Studies which is not quite the same. My high school history teacher died (we had a series of useless subs) and I never took it at the University of Michigan. And yet, I think that my children have a better grasp of history than they do math. And that was my strength. Amazingly, my knowledge of history is very strong now because I have learned the material right along with my children. And my enthusiasm for the subject made their interest greater. I think they might have actually profitted more from my lack of knowledge.
One day, my daughter and I were chatting about how she felt about being homeschooled. I asked her if she thought there were any holes in her education. She confidently said,
"Yes, and God's going to help me fill them as I educate my own children."
Hmm, on second thought, maybe that statement is somewhat correct after all.
But let's rephrase it slightly,
5 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by Nanette on Aug. 5, 2005 at 9:45 PM
My mother (60 yo) is excited that I will be homeschooling my children this year because of all the things that SHE will be learning. She is especially excited about going on the field trips :) Learning truely never does end.
I am also looking forward to growing spiritually with her, as we did not have that realationship when I was growing up. I thank God for second chances. And I thank God that homeschooling for me will develop more than just my immediate family!
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Aug. 5, 2005 at 10:23 PM
Multi generational homeschooling is the best thing. Your mother's perspective will be invaluable to you and your children. Good for you for bringing her in Nanette.
Spunky
posted by Momma2theMax on Aug. 5, 2005 at 10:52 PM
to use the beautiful brit phrase....total rot...how many science teachers know how a shark gives birth?....how many teachers are really just a few days ahead on the material...or if they have taught for a long time...bored to death with the material....the joy of homeschooling is that we not only get to teach and learn right along with our kids but we get to teach our kids where to go to find the answers to the questions....and more than just "look it up" havign a hunger for knowledge is what will fuel our kids success in this crazy technology changing world we live in...not to mention make their nonworking times so much more enjoyable. You don't have to know all the answers to homeschool...you just need the guts to ask the question and the energy and desire to chase down the answer until you find it...complacency is not an option! well that's my $.02 and man i need to learn to type :)
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Aug. 6, 2005 at 8:57 AM
Well said!
spunky
posted by julie on Aug. 8, 2005 at 12:18 PM
You go girl!