The Best Memories of Homeschooling

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This week’s challenge from the Homeschool Review Crew is “Favourite Memories”.  I have lots of good memories from my life, but since this is primarily a homeschooling blog, it’s appropriate to share my best memories of homeschooling. 

The “I got it moments”

Math has long been a struggle in our household, not because we don’t like math, but because the lad and I think differently about math.  So when he struggles with a concept it can be a challenge to figure out what method will work for him. 

I can distinctly remember the problem we had with division.  He understand that it’s basically the opposite of multiplication which made TONS of sense to him, but the reverse?  Oh my.  We were reviewing a product called Stinky Kid Math and their variations on how to teach division made sense to him.  He was able to review these different methods and then let them sit overnight in his brain and the next day doing division was no problem for him.   The relief on his face when it finally all made sense to him.  MARVELLOUS!

That pivotal moment taught him far more than I thought it would.  Now if he struggles with learning a concept he’ll review from a number of different perspectives and teaching methods until it makes sense to him. Review it, walk away from it, let your brain work it all through, and then GOT IT.  I love that as a teenager he is still free to share with me those “I was struggling with this, and I learned to do it from this person” moments. 

Field Trips

Face it, if you homeschool and don’t take field trips what is WRONG with you?  🙂   (other than family logistics are sometimes hard to figure out)

Field trips give so much organic learning from learning about the Christmas 1914, soldiers in training for WW1, black history, or even browsing museums and watching what catches your child’s eye.   You may end up walking on stilts as you discover old games children played, or have fun racing cars you built at the science museum.   So much hands-on, interactive ways to learn, and chances to practice your reading and listening skills. You can cover history, science, geography, nature, social studies and so much more in just one trip out of the house. 

Learning Alongside

When the lad was young we would do our history by reading coffee table books and history encyclopedias together.  So much fascinating information in tidbit form.  Just enough to stimulate a lad’s curiousity and give us things to talk about. It was so much fun comparing author’s points of view and how it affected what they wrote.   As he got older we did our geography the same way.  Loved this way of learning together. 

I think next year I’ll work through The Master and His Apprentices with my lad.   Make for an art and history program at the same time. 

Watching Growth

My boy has changed from being a Mom has to be right beside me in order for him to learn and work to… if mom’s in the room WHY is she there?

I remember fondly playing in the rain, learning about how currents of water flow.  Of digging in the garden and seeing the different types of dirt, learning we have mostly clay soil and watching my lad grab hold of that and starting working with clay.  Observing toads and earthworms, of large collections of insects, and books upon books to read together.  A lad playing on the floor as we explore the world of Forest Cats, and travelled into the past, or learned more of the people of God.  Such good times. 

Now that he’s older our homeschooling as changed.  He is so independent now.  Just requires me to check in on him from time to time, mark tests and talk.  Talk about what he’s learning, what he is thinking, and the joy of new discoveries. 

We now discuss curricula together, deciding what would be best to use given his style of learning.  Sometimes we choose courses from SchoolhouseTeachers.com and other times we buy it. What subjects are most important and how to organize his learning.. as in how many chapters need to be covered in a week or month so he can stay on track.  He is such an independent learner, it’s wonderful! 

Friendships

We are a quiet living family and making friends is hard, so homeschooling has helped us expand our circles.  My lad has friends!  It’s a very good thing.  I have friends too which is so surprising.  It’s great!

Do you have some favourite memories…. of homeschooling or just life in general?   Stop in with a post, or link to instagram, or facebook or whatever.  It’s good to share in the joys of others.  I hope that you have enjoyed my best memories of homeschooling.