It's Not For Learning...

Mya Bella sits in church each week occupying herself with drawing and writing as she listens to the speakers. Two Sundays ago she was drawing pictures of levers, pulleys, fulcrums and other simple machines. She was inspired by a computer game my husband purchased which we call Crayon Physics, because her renderings looked very similar the game's graphics. She is constantly asking to play physics on the computer and when she cannot she creates other opportunities.

Today she was writing lists of words corresponding with letters of the alphabet. She chose A, B and C. She was sounding out words, switching out vowels and leaning over for an assist on more complex words that were very important to her. She wanted to see how many words she could write on her list. At one point she leans over and whispers in my ear, "It's not for learning Mom. I'm just having fun."

In the Middle of Johnny Tremain

My children and I are currently reading Johnny Tremain. We are loving the book. (Of coarse, what book don't we love.) Johnny is on the eve of the Boston Tea Party, 16 December 1773. Although, I love the colorful interactions between the protagonist and supporting characters as they illustrate, with words, the struggle of the Whigs and Tories at the commencement of the American Revolution. It is great to share a historical fiction with my children and know the excitement of the writing teaches the concepts and events of the America's struggle for freedom far better than I can, even though my heart swells with gratitude as I think of the patriots, both male and female. These stories invigorate the mind, inspire questions and stimulate the desire for more information. It is, probably, the most wonderful turn of events in reading with and to children, whatever their ages.

In the book Johnny Tremain, Johnny, the protagonist, is confronted early with his Achilles Heal. Pride. The designs for his life are uprooted and rearranged for something else. Possibly something greater! But, he has to face down the seeds of bitterness his pride plants in his heart. Luckily, the author inserts a wonderful supporting character and mentor in Rab. A character that teaches Johnny but shares brilliant lessons for the reader and teacher without sounding preachy or talking down to Johnny or the reader. He confronts Johnny's poor demeanor in a very kind, simple and straightforward way. It gave pause for my children and I to discuss the matter.

Johnny struggled with going off "half-cocked." Not only were we able to discuss the term and what it meant but discuss how there are times when we all face the same struggle. My eldest son struggles mercilessly with his temper. It has come to be a habit to always jump to an extreme with his siblings. He usually chooses frustration, anger or hurt. I cannot even begin to tell you how much he has improved but it is still quite the struggle for him. The book provide a great illustration of how a change in behavior creates positive consequences and opens doors for Johnny. Johnny expressed his gratitude too.

My children even commented that if there Mother was alive during this time period she would definitely be a Whig. Probably an inflammatory one too. I do not talk much politics: it gets me in trouble. I avoid it most times because it depresses me, but, like the characters that color the pages of this book, I love freedom. I would do anything for it. My children know that. It is hard to say whether I would be more like Abigail Adams or Molly Pitcher. I will have to find books about those individuals and see what my children think.

Ooooops!

Last week, Kaylee popped into the car after Seminary with a question. Would I be willing to teach Seminary on Tuesday while the teacher was in a meeting? When we signed her up for the class the teacher jokingly wrangled my husband and I into volunteering to teach; however, he did not expect us to say yes. I told her to let her teacher know I was willing.

I would love to share all these wonderful insights from the experience but, quite frankly, I failed miserably. Maybe because I allowed time to rush by me and read over the lesson at the last minute. Maybe because I did not get enough sleep. I rarely do. Maybe because the teacher's meeting got canceled, he sat in the class and I allowed myself to get nervous. Who knows? I do know that education is my dream, teaching is my love. Although I puttered along during this attempt and I am working with my already pummeled heart to keep my head up, I am going to keep working at it. And maybe I will find that if [I advance somewhat] confidently in the direction of [my] dreams, and [endeavor] to live the life which [I] ... imagined, [I] will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Hopefully, sooner than later.

365 Day Challenge So Far

Grrrr....there isn't much else to say, really. Like New Year's Resolutions gone awry, my personal challenge to read to my children for 365 days is lacking consistency. Consistency is a constant struggle for me! I am finding weekend outings, birthdays and holidays to be some of my obstacles. I am problem solving these situations to overcome them. Weekend outings are a relatively easy fix: take the book on the trip and read while we are traveling. (My husband's idea.) Birthdays are a little more difficult I can think of a thousand things to do to preoccupy myself on these days but I am going to hunker down and do it or get over not having a perfect track record, but why would I want to lower my expectations. Holidays are another stumbling block. My husband is home then and I would much rather spend time with him and stay in bed. My normal expectation is to read to the children in the morning. I struggle to complete an activity if I miss its schedule time. I am going to have to work on adjusting my expectations on holidays. And again I am probably going to have to hunker down and just get it down, whenever or give up sleep to get it done. I guess I am looking at a little more effort, discipline, dedication and possibly an adjustment in my expectations.

365 Days of Reading Aloud

One of my educational goals for this year is to read aloud to my children for an entire year. Reading aloud is an important component of literacy often over looked by teachers and parents. It is one of my favorites.

I recently read Reading Magic by Mem Fox. I also reread The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. Both authors had great insights. Although, I did find I disagreed with Ms. Fox on a few points. I can validate many of their points from my experience of reading to my children. I also agree with their insights as a child who was read to. In fact, some of my best memories included listening to my Father read White Fang by Jack London, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.

Since starting this adventure with my children I have read the Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis and Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Today we finished The Secret School by Avi. Tomorrow we start Frindle by Andrew Clements. I am not completely consistent yet but I am almost there.

So far my experience with this adventure is absolutely wonderful. It provides opportunities I never imagined. Books are probably the best mentors available not just in teaching knowledge but values and morals. Even if the book fundamentally disagrees with your families values and morals: It is those moments where my kids and me have great discussions about choices and consequences. They leave with little doubt as to what my expectations are and how I measure my expectations.

If I could give a gift to every child it would be the simple act of reading and being reading aloud. It is an amazing opportunity and a lot of fun.

The First Day of School

I love education. Probably because I love learning. I wish I could figure out how to learn more, faster. It is amazing because no matter how much I love it the school year always seems to sneak up on me.

This year I was forced to think about school much sooner than usual. My eldest, Kaylee, turns 14 this year and decided it was time to start LDS Seminary. Technically, she could have waited until next year but she was undeterred. In her mind, it was time. I am glad she wants to take on this adventure. I am not sure I am too excited about the schedule. Attending Seminary means we get to wake up at five in the morning. Thrilling right?

So our school day starts at five in the morning. Kaylee gets ready for the day and I get ready for the gym. We usually are so quick about it that we spend a bit of time getting morning chores done. It is our fun time when we get to talk about whatever. After I drop her off I hustle over to the gym. It is the only time I get to myself all day. So, even though, I trudge along doing my best to improve my running time and endurance I cherish this time I get to carve out.

When we get home my husband, Thomas, gets the other children up for the day. Before he leaves for work we gather as a family to read the Scriptures. We are back to basics: The Book of Mormon. I get breakfast together for my husband. (I have made him breakfast almost every morning since moving into this house.) Then the children rustle up some grub. They usually want such different things that they make their own breakfast. I am not too fond of playing short order cook. We finish the rest of our chores then start our open exercises.

This year both of my boys, Lije and Chance, are in Cub Scouts. Lije is a Webelo. (Lije managed to finish is Bear three days before his birthday. Congratulations.) Chance is a Wolf, but is working on his Bobcat. I am excited for both of them but somehow this makes me feel way too busy. To ease the craziness of Cub Scouts, we are incorporating it into our school day. As part of the open exercises, we go over all the scout ideals. I am hoping Chance is able to pass off his Bobcat requirements sooner than later.

In order to give my girls a fair shake, after making them recite all the Cub Scout ideals, we do the LDS Young Women's theme. Slightly modified for the boys because girls are yucky and have cooties! (Thank goodness.) We are also working on their Faith in God requirements.

After opening exercises we break off into individual lessons. This sounds a lot more formal than it actual is. I must admit I lean towards the un-schooling philosophy. Now that I look back on my children's development I do not regret that decision at all. We do not delineate between learning, fun and playtime. They all exist together. Every moment is a learning moment. Every moment is a fun moment. Even if I am the only who thinks so!