HOMELEARNING...

Today I was reading one of my umpteen favorite blogs and was enlightened by her topic.  Homelearning.  We always call it homeschooling, but now I believe it should be called homelearning.  Here's why (that's the nice thing about blogging, I can rattle on without being stopped!).  Well, first for the obvious, we are at home and we are learning, duh!!  In a school you have desks, chalkboards and 1500 other students.  Here at home we have comfortable seating, food when we're hungry, access to the restroom when we need it (no hall pass required nor any lines) and your family surrounding you.  In a school you have to keep moving ahead with the rest of the class even when you don't understand what's going on.  Here at home we re-do that Algebra 2 assignment until we understand it, then we move on.  In a school you have to take 2 weeks to learn a new topic even if you understood it after the first lesson.  Here at home we move on once we get it.  In a school it takes 50 minutes to complete a subject.  Here at home less time than that - trust me!  Get it?

Here at home we are learning.  Even the twins.  New concepts are left out for them to attempt at their own pace and when the desire strikes them.  Once the concept is mastered, a new one is set out.  For example: the concept out on the tray now is lacing, after demonstrating this to the boys, brother S. felt the need to try it.  He mastered it the first time.  Brother J. thought it looked like fun, so he tried.  He wasn't able to do it.  He never returned to it that day.  The next day he passed by it and decided to try it again.  I quietly stood in the kitchen watching, he did it!  He was so excited with himself that he repeatedly laced the circles and squares.  When he was done he put them away.  He has been back to them a few times, brother S. hasn't.  He obviously feels no need to since he has mastered it.  Soon we will put out a new concept.

I like the term homelearning.  It says it all.  We don't teach to the test, instead we are hopefully instilling the love of learning.

Before I go I have to show you our little peanut's belly button!!  I took a picture of it this morning so that once it no longer looks like this (as she grows) we would have pictures to look back on.  Check it out, it is a perfect cross!!  Awesome huh?  Have a great night.  Talk to ya soon!