How to Teach at Home |
3) I’ll stop worrying about what “they” think. And also about traditional standards. I mostly don’t worry about either – particularly not the standards part, as they’re bogus - but sometimes I do. I admit I peek at state standards to spot check our progress . . . and then laugh evilly about it. But I still check. Because there’s a lot to know in this world and having a common frame of reference helps. Or something. I think I need to just stop checking actually. Waste of time.
But what about "them." If you read my previous post, you know that I have little patience for Homeschool Haters. Very. Little. I resolve to not write any more posts about them. (And why would I when this post really captures it all! haha!) 4) I’ll find a new name for what we do. This last point might be the heart of all my problems. I’ve been saying we “unschool” for a while now – because we do. But it’s not textbook “unschool.” Funny adjective aside, our learning (and it’s “we,” as I learn right along with him) is not child-lead, but more child-driven. I’m the co-pilot holding the map and making sure the boy navigates toward (and makes) all the required stops – math, science, history, writing and grammar with current events, ethics, philosophy, art, music, latin and just all kinds of interesting diversions along the way. Some days he has a list of “must do” items that may include most of the list above, other days he does Math all day and breaks it up with riding his bike. Some days will find him Java coding and completing a crazy complicated puzzle. And other days, many days, we sit down and read about science and history together and then read more about whatever topic we’ve diverted to online - and even visit places in person. It’s unstructured chaos that I make little effort to contain. And between that and the science and drama groups, music lessons and field trips each week – I couldn’t contain it if I tried. Who’d want to? What he takes away from this experience amazes and inspires me. And I resolve to be happy with that - whatever I end up calling it. The rest is all noise.
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