My life outside of homeschooling...I am trying to get one...or should I get one. Our lives can be so wrapped up in serving our families that we forget who we are. Should I take a art course, go back to work full time...no I already tried that. Last year I went back to work full-time and what a disaster. I had a big, huge wake up call that I was already in the place were God wanted me to be. I worked 45 hours a week for 1 year almost to the day. I thought that if I worked then the kids could go to a Christian private school and everything would be peachy. Well things were not peachy. The kids were bored to tears, I was crazy and my husband became the cook and didn't have time to do the things he was supposed to be doing. When I say cook I mean sandwiches and egg omelette's (not to shabby). Two weeks ago I started an office job where I work 1 full day per week except for filling in for a vacation. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with this job because it fulfills a need that I have for a life outside of homeschooling and brings a little extra money for our family.
Another large part of my life outside of homeschooling is in a singing ministry. Our worship team from my church meets once a week for a rich prayer time and worship practice. What joy...worshiping the Lord in song and coming together with my brothers and sisters in Christ, in one spirit...what joy.
I was just talking with a new home schooler who asked me a question. She explained that she did not want to be away from her kids but still wanted some me time. My advice to her was to make sure she joins a support group who frequently organizes events like swimming lessons for play groups. I found this the best time to talk to other moms and get adult conversation while your children are getting some group activity.
We are individuals with hopes and dreams, but I think for a home schooler our hope is for our children. For them to grow and learn in freedom.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Being Taught or Learning
The word taught comes from the word teach. The word learn means to get knowledge or skill by study and experience. Traditional school settings put emphasis on teaching. But does this mean that there is learning taking place. A child can be taught or is it more important for a child to learn.
In the early years, the emphasis of learning should be on reading and comprehension. We spent most of our day reading. I read to them, they read to me, they read by themselves. Many different media were used: children's books; magazines; encyclopedias. They even wrote their own books. As they grew in reading comprehension, I incorporated self-learning curriculum. I was just informed the other day that my son attained first place in the Gauss Math Contest at school. I only say this because I want to emphasis that my two kids learned math on their own. My daughter who is also in grade 7 received honorable mention. I do not really care what grades my children get in school. This is another reason why we will be homeschooling next year. The emphasis should always be a love for learning that lasts a lifetime and not teaching that ends at the end of June and starts back up again in September.
I am often asked how I teach all the subjects that school teaches. I have not taught a thing since my kids could read on their own. My main job is to provide many resources and enthusiasm. The kids learn on their own because they enjoy it.
In the early years, the emphasis of learning should be on reading and comprehension. We spent most of our day reading. I read to them, they read to me, they read by themselves. Many different media were used: children's books; magazines; encyclopedias. They even wrote their own books. As they grew in reading comprehension, I incorporated self-learning curriculum. I was just informed the other day that my son attained first place in the Gauss Math Contest at school. I only say this because I want to emphasis that my two kids learned math on their own. My daughter who is also in grade 7 received honorable mention. I do not really care what grades my children get in school. This is another reason why we will be homeschooling next year. The emphasis should always be a love for learning that lasts a lifetime and not teaching that ends at the end of June and starts back up again in September.
I am often asked how I teach all the subjects that school teaches. I have not taught a thing since my kids could read on their own. My main job is to provide many resources and enthusiasm. The kids learn on their own because they enjoy it.
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