Sharing the teaching

We've started something new lately that I'd like to share. My dear friend (who is a cousin by marriage) and I have both been homeschooling for many years. We've both been through all the metamorphosis: One year something works for one of us, the next year the other one tries it. We've mixed and matched and played musical homeschool curriculum through the years. Recently we both have settled into a familiar pattern and realized that what we use matters not. As long as learning remains a joyful experience and real books are available, learning will take place.

Ok...enough about our background. We have started sharing a couple of 'classes'. I agreed to teach a Christian charm/etiquette/personal care course for young ladies to her 3 daughters and my oldest daughter. She agreed to teach science to the same.
I am so excited about this because I don't relish doing science experiments and when it gets left up to me the experiments tend to get neglected. I can always think of something else we could do. :).

Yesterday she spent an hour with the girls and they did some wonderful experiments demonstrating force, motion, friction, and inertia. We are using a printed curriculum as a jumping off point. I learned a bit more about science just listening in occasionally. The rest of the time I was bouncing one of the babies.

I took about 30 minutes for our little 'finishing school' class during which time we had lots of giggles. I plan to touch on lots of fun subjects including: grooming, what not to wear, what to wear for special occasions, walking, talking, sitting and standing like a lady, how to allow someone to help you with your coat and chair and doors, eating and restaurant manners, what fabrics go together, choosing hairstyles, and diet and excercise. All of this will be in light of being Christians who bring honor to the Lord.
We are using a printed curriculum as a starting point for this also. I like this subject so I'll be adding lots of fun things as we go along.

I'm so excited about this arrangement because it allows each person's passion for a subject to rub off on the young ones. I also like the fact that we're doing this with dear friends and relatives...no trust issues to worry about.

I don't know how long we'll be doing this but I hope for a long time...and maybe we can expand it to include a few other things...I love literature and art and music...anybody want to volunteer to help me with math? My oldest is sweet not to criticize my lack in this area but I think he sees it. I can't really answer any of his questions in a clear way without using the teachers book and even then I have to wade in a little at a time with lots of "uuuhhm.... I thiiink.... you... should probably... do thiiis" thrown in.
He always gets it and then later explains it to me. :-) Hurray for homeschooling!

Sunydazy

• Jun. 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Hutcheson (4.154.11.60)
That's sounds like a great idea and a fun way to teach and learn. Being with friends makes everything more enjoyable. God bless, Tammy

Labels: Homeschool