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Teaching Subjects You Don't Know
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Do any of you ever stress over teaching subjects that you don’t know yourself? Or ones in which you have limited knowledge? I picture that you’re reading and learning (and stumbling perhaps
) right along side them. Do you have an approach or system or some tips for this occasion? I realize that learning is natural and that I am not making my children learn. Their environment and their atmosphere and their discipline are such that they are learning. All of life is learning. But that said … are there simply subjects which they self teach/learn and you just offer your support?
Claire, I learn right along with them whenever I possibly can. I don’t know that there is a system. What is important to them is important to me, so I am just there, hanging out and learning along with them. However, when they are really over my head, it has proved important to have an outside person/class/mentor/something to help untangle and guide when necessary. For example, we needed an actual teacher/classroom experience for advanced calculus. I just couldn’t do it. And I just don’t speak German. I couldn’t correct him. I did pretty well in our science classes, but had to “phone a friend” or avail myself of internet resources occasionally when we got tangled up and didn’t know where we went wrong. I think MOST high school learning should be self-learning with support–the key is just the support. Sometimes I am fine being that full time support, i.e. literature or Latin or French or history. Sometimes I need some backup. 🙂 The trick is knowing when and finding what you need.
I think it’s also good to sometimes let them know that I’m not sure of something myself. That I’m learning along w/ them and to show them how to find something out. It shows them that it’s OK to not know something along w/ that you can and always do learn new things.
Well, yeah, but when you are doing a very complex function problem, just saying “I don’t know how to fix this either” isn’t very satisfying. Sometimes you just DO need someone who knows what they are doing. Accessing those people is also part of learning. Once upon a time we could all be autodidacts. Today, with the very specialized information that now exists, this isn’t quite so practical. We COULD probably figure out everything, given enough time, but it might take me years and years to independently prove all identities, kwim? Wouldn’t it just be much more practical to find a teacher/mentor so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel?
I was not suggesting that you just “wing it” all on your own w/ everything. We don’t have enough time in the day w/ all our responsibilities and several dc to do that. It would be unmanagable and ridiculous to even try.
I wasn’t commenting that it should be instead of what you said, but as an *add-on* to it. Using those outside sources is showing them I don’t know it and am finding them the info they need through outside supports.
I also said that “sometimes” you could just look it up. Obviously for those more complex funcitons, subjects, etc, you would find materials or people to teach them – sometimes from the get-go – for that very reason.
Yes! Add special needs to that and it’s very stressful at times. I am trying to do/learn what I can and then swallow my pride while I look to others for their experience. We just signed them up for beginner knitting at Michaels craft store bc I am just not getting to learn it myself right now.
I wonder how to find the time to read ahead some material that would be useful. For example, I like the idea of the writing jungle from brave writer but have no time to read it right now!
We did set up learning centers as mentioned in Educating the Whole Hearted Child.
Thanks a million Bookworm. For some reason, late last night i just needed to hear someone say those words “out loud” so I could reassure myself that I’m a-ok and on the right track. I have done exactly as you described – working along side them, learning as they learn (if needed) and gettting outside tutors when they’ve surpassed me in foriegn languages. It is just a matter of finding that balance.
Kerby, humility never hurts either. I agree. However, the power is in pre-empting the need that your child has by being prepared for meeting that need with the necessary assistance. I try to pre-everything in my children’s learning so that I’m ready for what’s coming and where we might want or need outside help. Of course, I always help them to see where they might find the help that they need too. That’s certainly essential to their learning too. And I will be honest, they have interests that I do not have … they are on their own on those for the most part – with support.
Whew! Isn’t it funny how our little insecurities sneak in and get to us sometimes?!
) right along side them. Do you have an approach or system or some tips for this occasion? 
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