Tuesday, July 7, 2009

proof of learning



Sometimes I start to freak out getting worried that stuff isn't getting done. You know stuff- the proof that learning is happening. I'll ask 6yob to get his Letterland workbooks and 8yog to find her copywork and 9yob to show me his book he was working on a few weeks ago. And when I hear groans and complaints I feel irritated that the children aren't happy just to do as I ask, and I end up having a confrontational discussion with my 6yob about how this is not hard and what on earth is wrong!! and he tells me his brain is just not working.

Then I realise that this is just stuff. That's all it is. Its not true learning and its not what I keep my kids home for.
And so I send the 6yo outside and make muffins and tea with the little one. We all have morning tea around a story and they all talk at once telling their excited thing, and 6yob shows his curly leaf with the creature inside and his eyes are all sparkly with wonder and imagination and I see again-the proof that learning is happening...its all in those sparkly eyes.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I once heard a saying, and I'm not even sure where it came from, now.

Children will all learn, just not necessarily in the same way, or on the same day.

Keep the sparkle in those eyes - that's what homeschooling is all about.
Blessings,
Jillian
<><

milkandhoney said...

Enjoying reading your blog.
I agree with your homeschooling style and that's what we do too.
Hope you're having a great week and hopefully catch up soon. :)

Anonymous said...

what a great blog. Nice to 'meet' you. I too look for proof of learning and freak out at times. I'm still finding my homeschooling style.

Lori said...

this is one of the reasons i love journaling. there are just too many things in their days that you can’t punch holes in and put into a three-ring binder -- stories, moments, questions, insights! a photo stuck in my journal really does tell a whole story, and i can use my journal to flip back and reassure myself that yes, we really have been doing a lot! :^)