A typical Wednesday in 2014. This is what homeschool was for us.
Every Monday I will post some favorite books and resources. Today is throwback list from 2014 when my children were 4, 6, 8, 10, and 16.
The list remains the same list that I have given to others who have had initial questions. I have new resources to add as my children have grown and as I have found new things that I have tried.
Most of the resources on that list are good resources for understanding the motivations behind homeschooling.
My definition of homeschooling has had to expand over the last few years as I have expanded my students. I continue to teach my children but have now included their friends. Although my classes aren’t all taught at home, I still teach the same way as if I were in my home with my children. It is through exploration and conversation.
Yesterday I was reading a book and a quote by George Washington Carver summed up an answer to a question that I have been asked about homeschooling.
How do you know what they need or what to teach or what they want to learn?
“Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough. Not only have I found that when I talk to the little flower or to the little peanut they will give up their secrets, but I have found that when I silently commune with people they give up their secrets also – if you love them enough.”
By simply loving them, loving the child in front of me, my heart hears what story they need, what activity they might enjoy, what math problem will make them delight in the world, and what poem might act as a salve.
They tell us when they are ready. We just need to be there to listen.
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