Curious? Typical days..

@ Jennifer and Christie –  I’m not thinking of “rabbit trails” (I define this now, as something unrelated to the lesson at hand) as much as real and relevent discussion of the material being covered.  I hope I did not imply that my children are off task and going down some totally unrelated trail.  That is not the case.  But they do get very interested in an aspect of the material they’ve just covered or that we’ve read together, and then we might talk more about it or clarify a point we’re not sure of relating to the lesson at hand. You can’t pop through your day this way!  That is a fact.

I think I have an issue with “geting it done” “checking off things” and “powering through the day” because that is SCHOOL to me.  Not home school.  It is just a personality thing too, but also I think because I’m a huge reader of educational research, theories, etc.  I love reading about the latest in how children learn and in what really makes an effective difference in their learning/success.  It’s like having my own scientific study going on!  Oooh, look they do learn better that way.  Ahh! They are forming those connections.  Ha ha.  It would hlep if you all knew me better.  This post would make more sense.  You know what else I’ve realized (please don’t anyone take this wrong) I find homeschooling very boring if my children are simply “getting it done”!  I like the convivial feel of a more passionate, coffee house / college classroom type of atmosphere.  (those aren’t the best descriptions but I can’t do better at the moment)  They are on task, yes.  But they are totally engaged and sharing their insights, thoughts, connections.  Hooks are being hung.  Ideas are coming together or falling apart, whichever the case may be.

It’s not like this happens with every single thing they study!  I haven’t heard anyone wax on eloquently or otherwise about the wonders of an exponent or the thrill of solving algebraic equations.  I won’t hold my breath on those with my two.  But you see what I mean I think.

The issue of “will” in children is one I’m reading a lot about lately.  I don’t agree, personally, with the idea that the adult needs to conquer or destroy or even alter the “will” of the child.  I tend to (and obviously I could/can change my mind) see a child’s “will” as their drive and passion.  Somehow I see my role as one of helping them to use that for success, for good.  Maybe through modeling, discussing more.  When my children were young I was a very, very strict parent.  I laid down serious rails.  I’m not saying I don’t think that was good.  I do for the most part.  But now, my kids are so easy really … they’re good kids, mind well, help when asked and when not, etc.  I don’t think I need to control them as much at this stage.  Now seems to me to be the point at which I have to let them move in to even more responsibility for themselves and their learning.  ** This ramble relates to the above I guess by way of saying that I see their taking longer with their lessons because of good stuff as them exploring their knowlege a bit or something along those lines.

Yeah, I don’t sweat it.  I like what I’m doing.  I’m just noisy and always wanting to know why someone else does it differently!!  I’m awful!!