Why Didn’t I Think Of That?

A homeschool group I am a part of, had a New and Used Curriculum Fair this last weekend.  I usually don’t go just because I don’t have available funds or I don’t want to chase my little one around.  Over the years friends have given me there used or unused curriculum so I have used what the Lord brings my way, which brings another reason for not attending.  For the frugal type it saves money, but I do have to admit it is a bit overwhelming at times to have a whole bunch of random curriculum to use.

Anyway, it was the first curriculum fair this group  has actually put on.  I decided to go…plus my oldest son who just turned 12 got his first little paying job.  He was hired to put up tables and tear them down for the fair, totally cool for him.

There was a speaker who has 8 children and 7 grandchildren.  She is a definite pioneer in the home school world.  She had a great sense of humor and was very humble about homeschooling for so long.   I had no idea I could relate so much to another home schooler with so many years under her belt, it is nice to know we are not alone!

Usually I have a hard time listening any speaker unless it is good information, and humor is always my favorite.  She was very easy to  listen to, even while my almost 2 year old busy body had his own agenda of running around at the back of the audience.

It inspired me to keep on trying , and maybe think a little more outside the box come fall.  Through her homeschooling experience she has found some concepts that she swears by and now sells.

The first concept has had me all day saying to myself, “why didn’t I think of that?”…UNIT STUDIES.

A huge struggle with us homeschooling parents is all these kids with different ages.  The more kids you have the more of a challenge it is to help them all, when ever they need it.

So we spend tons of time jumping back and forth from subject to subject in different grade levels to help our kids understand and learn from their ‘work books’.  I don’t know about any of you, but for me it is mentally exhausting.  I find myself out of patience with my kids, especially if they are not understanding what I am trying to get them to learn.

Now how UNFAIR is that?  It is not their fault.  I am feeling pulled in so many directions that some times I really do a poor job as a teacher.

So UNIT STUDIES…

This is a simple concept where you learn together.  You teach them about a subject all together.  So you pick a topic, lets say ‘weather’.  You go to the library, you make charts, you find fiction and non-fiction books.  You all read out loud together, and you all learn together.  Then they have time where they do their independent learning as well…math, language, reading.

I will be the first to say, I did not retain tons of information from school. I paid enough attention to get good grades for all my extra curricular activities.  I did not remember much of it.  So when I teach the kids on a unit study on weather, I am learning too, hopefully not as much as the kids (LOL)!  I am so jazzed about it!

Now I might of informally done this with the kids when we found some cool books at the library and every one wanted to read them.  Or even better when one child is jealous of the other child’s  books they picked out… so they actually have to share.  I am going to make it more formal, a consistent activity.  The older kids can write reports, you can make up your own tests…there is so much possibility.

Another great thing about this is that your kids and you are all engaging with each other, it is a group learning experience.  They have you spending quality time learning with them.  I think that is probably a heavenly thought for a home schooled child. 

Such a simple concept and I just keep thinking why didn’t I think of that?  How silly!  That is why you go and listen to others who home school, and read blogs, and find resources… for this very reason.

I think our human nature is to just follow a path and don’t even think about getting off that path. Getting off seems harder and harder as we get comfortable in what we know.  YUCK!  That is another great reason we have the Lord, and that is also why we should constantly strive to be better.

Gods way is so much better and His way is through wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”  Proverbs 21:30

It seems like I am never going to get there but I have to keep trying.  I believe that we won’t truly have that full circle until we are in heaven with our king, but I still want to do as much as I can to get as close to that as I can.

So if you aren’t already doing this Unit Study concept you might want to consider it, it seems like a wonderful thing.

Keep on keepin’ on!