ssshhh... don't tell our boys, but we actually homeschool all year long.  J  Yes, I know.  We are officially on summer break, but our learning certainly hasn't taken a leave of absence.  In fact, we might be considered as "unschoolers" during this 3-month hiatus.

So what exactly do I mean by "unschoolers"?  How can a child learn when they are UN-schooled?  Well, I like the way Nancy Carter puts it:

"The general philosophy of unschooling holds that children are born with an innate curiosity and desire to learn that is best served by allowing the child to select and direct his own learning.  In unschooling, the parent's role is that of a facilitator who is available to provide resources and guidance."  ("Unschooling--Education Outside the Box", The Old Schoolhouse, Spring 2006)

This is a method of homeschooling that a lot of families have chosen.  Personally, our style during our regular schooling period is more eclectic.  But during the summer months, I am able to freely sit back and watch our boys' natural desire to learn kick in.  It's amazing what all they come up with that is educational... all in the name of "FUN". 

For example, my husband was playing the "Bookworm Deluxe" CD that they got me for Mother's Day (ahem!) when our 8-year-old drew up a chair beside him and excitedly started shouting out words that he was finding himself.  He even got out the dictionary to look up words and read their definitions.  A few days into our summer vacation, he brought out the plastic fraction pie pieces and was working the problems in the booklet that had accompanied them.  Also, both boys have played the game of LIFE.  Musical instruments have been played.  Muffins have been baked.  Paper, markers and scissors are constant table-toppers.  All of this on their own time... and from their own ambition.

Now, their main goal is to read 2000 pages!  Our local library has a reading program going this summer where the kids can win prizes for reading so many pages.  It just started today and guess what our boys did most of the day?  Look and see...

“Wow!  You never told me how exciting these books really were!  I thought their only purpose was for building materials!” 

Reading… aaaahhh, a nice quiet pastime.  J

~Connie~