I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about my educational philosophy. I sense a shift within myself, and am trying to figure out what exactly is happening and put it into words.
I was homeschooled myself, from 8th grade onward. At the time (1985), it was illegal in my state – I vaguely remember my parents talking in low voices about people being arrested and their kids being taken from them. My mom did not want us to even be seen outdoors during school hours. There were not a lot of curriculum choices available back then. We used A.C.E., like the local Christian School; and I also remember hearing about Abeka.
They shielded us from what had to have been a lot of stress; because it’s only now, looking back on it as a parent that I can imagine what that must have been like. I suppose we were almost pioneers, though I have no memory of feeling like anything monumental was happening.
Strangely, even though pulling my sister and me out of public school was a huge decision and almost unheard of at the time, I do not think they put very much thought into the actual education itself. We were given our workbooks and left to our own devices. My mother was not what you’d call a natural teacher, and anytime I struggled with the material (which was abysmal, in my opinion), we had relationship-altering arguments.
It’s a wonder that I chose this route for myself, frankly.
Obviously, I want to give my kids an entirely different school experience. One filled with togetherness and traveling and good books and the natural learning that happens through adventure. I see my role as being part facilitator, part teacher; providing them with a banquet of possibility and giving them the freedom to choose what they wish and gobble up as much as they want.
Good grief, I sound like a crackpot.
But I FEEL this weird yearning within me – it’s in there, growing, nagging, and generally on my case constantly. To do more, give more, be more for my kids.
I have a friend who tells me I am going to end up an unschooler. But I don’t think so. For one thing, I don’t like that word. “Unschooling” sounds too much like “nonschooling.” For another, I am not the kind of person who can be all “yeah, they’ll learn how to do algebra when they want to” or whatever. Nobody wants to learn algebra. My people will learn maths, and how to read and write well, the end.
But other subjects? I don’t see why history, science, geography, literature, art, music, sports, and everything else can’t be largely interest-led. Surely I can give them the power to study what they are interested in, within guidelines that I set.
The thing is, I don’t really know HOW. How do I implement this idea? How do I balance a quality education that at least partly satisfies my need for checking-things-off-a-list but also gives my children the freedom to pursue their own interests – without squashing their desire under a pile of worksheets?
Most importantly, can I do it so it doesn’t interfere with my teevee viewing?
Children make large demands upon us. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Thou hast set my feet in a large room; should be the glad cry of every intelligent soul. Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time…that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest. We cannot give the children these interests; we prefer that they should never say they have learned botany or geology or astronomy. The question is not, how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education, but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?
Charlotte Mason
Tags: Education Philosophy, Home Schooling, This crap is hard work
August 24th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Great quote, great questions. I am mucking through the same thought processes. I grew up in public schools, and just pulled my two boys out of public school this year. (2nd & 4th grades) I definitely believe there are certain things they need to know (whether they love it or not), but, like you, I want to work in time and space for them to pursue their interests. I have no idea how it will work, but this week I’m starting a new process whereby we leave Fridays pretty much open for “independent study”. And field trips, and learning games, etc. I’m trying to do a mix of mandatory basics (reading, writing, math, history, geography) and kid-led projects. We’re definitely tweaking things as we go…
hi kooky´s last [type] ..a gift for now and then
August 24th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I’ve been exploring this very question myself (well, perhaps not the teevee question which was hilarious!)
. I wonder how many of us are living the same search, finding the balance between interest-led learning and the learning we feel our kids need to/should have. It might be one of those life questions we mull over, read books about, and talk over with our friends, until our kids venture out on their own…… Or does that seem WAY too long to be thinking about such things?!
I’m really enjoying your blog and your humour—thanks for another great post!
Helena´s last [type] ..the colours in between…
August 24th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Ok. First thing, we are the same age. I knew it! LOL!
I know what you are saying. I like to check off the boxes. I kind of lean towards a classical education, but if I had to do it over again, it would be more relaxed. Some things I do believe can be interest led. Science, for example, is easily picked up later, yet I am very glad that I started grammar instruction early. I do argue with my oldest about his writing and things, and I do worry that it may change our relationsthip. I just think that is the nature of the beast. Homeschooling requires us to wear a lot of hats. But, he bought me a Diet Pepsi today with his own money, so we must not be doing too bad.
Great post!
Tressa´s last [type] ..My first harvest
August 24th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Tressa – I swear, 40 ought to buy me a drink if it’s gonna keep touching me like this. I am SO NOT into leaving my thirties. When my mom was my age, I was in COLLEGE!
August 24th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I’m totally with you on so many things that you said! I keep trying to figure out where to find a balance between more traditional workbook type of work, and the homeschooling that I imagine us having when I think of my ideal homeschool situation. I partially think that my college training as a teacher is part of what holds me back. But, then again, maybe it’s just all the years in school.
Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last [type] ..Ten Tips on Blogging Business-Law from SBSummit
August 24th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Deb, I wonder about these things as well. I suppose radical total unschooling may work for some children. Um, I can tell you it will NOT work for my mostly non-verbal autistic kid. Could you imagine, his knowing all the names of the Pokemon at age 23 but not how to use the potty? If we let children ONLY study what interests them, and they have some obsessive tendencies, it’s not going to be balanced.
SO MUCH depends on the child. But yeah! Let the child learn within those subjects what interests him. But for me… ya know… I’m thinking “potty” needs to be a subject for Mr. Woodjie when he is ready even if he shows no natural inclination to learn this skill.
Mrs. C´s last [type] ..Thanks- Blondee!
August 25th, 2010 at 5:59 am
This year I have struggled with the whole unschooling/interestled learning situtation. I have a child that would sit on the computer, watch tv, and play video games all day if I let her and would never choose much educational stuff if I left her to her own devices. But if I lead her daily on an educational journey she does pretty well. Unschooling is a great concept but not applicable in our home. I do love to read the blogs of people who actually do it and do it well.
Blessings
Diane
Diane´s last [type] ..Simple Living
August 25th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
That is so funny, I went to a christian school until 4th grade that used the same ACE workbooks. They *were* abysmal.
As for “nobody” wanting to learn algebra, I disagree. M. is *choosing* to take Calculus 3 as one of her college classes this semester; she LOVES math. A. is only 9 but he has started basic algebra, though he doesn’t realize that’s what it is, and hounds me all day to show him more. OTOH, the other two would rather not, thank you very much.
You know that I’m struggling, too, with where I am and where I would like to be. No answers here, but lots of virtual hugs!
Green V-Neck´s last [type] ..Word to the wise
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Ok…so I read the post and all the comments and am very disappointed that no one has ALL the answers! LOL! I too am struggling to find the balance between what I feel must be taught/learned and what can be student-led! Maybe I should just ask my daughter?!? Anyway, if anyone figures it out don’t forget to let me in on the secret!
@Deb,thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Our Homeschooling Timeline
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Love reading how everyone is led to homeschool!
I decided after last year of doing ABeka that it was too much. The kids were overwhelmed with all the paperwork as was I. This year we are trying a put together curriculum, and I’m a LOT less stressed and we are enjoying it a LOT more! 
Sherry´s last [type] ..Yeah- right! Me- homeschool Never! LOL!
October 27th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Yay for another homeschooling graduate/homeschooling mom!!
I waffle with the unschooly thing, too. I love the philosophy, but agree that no one would ever *want* to learn how to conjugate verbs, learn Latin or delve into advanced Maths. We tend to wax formal for a while, then wane relaxed for a while – so far, that’s working for us. I’m kind of an ADHD type, so the shifts seem to correspond to my mood, really. I do have to remind myself that there is PLENTY of time, and that no matter where they get an education, there will always be gaps.
Another often quoted to myself reminder is my main goal in educating them. I want them to learn *how* to learn, and to *want* to learn more than I want them to actually learn stuff (though there are things that they have to learn, too, because I’m the mom and I say so). I think that facilitating those two traits will serve them better than drilling useless facts into their sweet little noggins.
~h
P.S. I, too, was quite disappointed to learn that no one had all the answers. This is the internet, darn it! Answers should be free for the taking!
Heather´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday: Housekeeping and Homeschooling