Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Leonie
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Posted: March 18 2007 at 9:00pm | IP Logged Quote Leonie

I found a nice blog, by the homescholing parents of eleven children.

This post is about "Teaching Vs Learning."

Snip <<<I have learned for myself, over and over again, that many students enjoy being

1) given ideas to look for,
2) material to look in and
3) time to explore, research, discover and come to conclusions.
4) And all of this on their own or with a sibling or parent.

At that point,
5) a group discussion may further enhance the experience of the learner. By group, I mean a parent and child, or a child and brothers and sisters, or a child and friends.

Further. I can't tell you how many times this process led to questions that Cyndy didn't have an answer for, but said, "Let's go together to the Library and see what we can find about that. We can learn together." So much for being the "Teacher who is the fountain of all knowledge." Trusting children to "Learn" on their own, through their own research and effort, and helping them in "their" efforts

1) communicates to children that parents trust them
2) communicates to children that they are capable.
3) communicates to children that learning things line upon line, a bit at a time is just fine.
4) communicates to children that learning together is fun.
5) communicates to children lifelong learning is the norm, not the exception.>>>>>


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Leonie in Sydney
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Mary G
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Posted: March 18 2007 at 10:04pm | IP Logged Quote Mary G

Leonie -- thanks for the link to the blog -- it does look quite interesting. Off to read some more....

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JuliaT
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Posted: March 19 2007 at 3:15pm | IP Logged Quote JuliaT

Leonie, thanks for this link. I am finally able to do exactly what the excerpt referred to. I am finding that giving the child time to explore, discover and enjoy the what is around them is very important. I am also discovering the art of strewing and how important it is in leading the child on their path of learning.

Thanks again,
Julia
mom to 3(7,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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Leonie
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Posted: March 19 2007 at 4:13pm | IP Logged Quote Leonie

JuliaT wrote:
I am finding that giving the child time to explore, discover and enjoy the what is around them is very important.


It sounds like you are in a good place right now! I agree that time to explore, read, whatever is important - simply time. For me, there is always a fine line to walk for a balance. You seem like you have found that balance.

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Cindy
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Posted: May 11 2007 at 9:32am | IP Logged Quote Cindy

Hello Leonie and all-

I am sitting in Florida, the family is all either fishing or sleeping so I have extra computer time and so found 4 real again-- haven't been here in a while! Nice to drop in..:)

I love this topic... Trust the Children. I love also the snip from above that Julia wrote... yes, I think that children sense when we trust them to learn, that it then is the norm and becomes a lifelong habit.

I think it has become especially poignant as my sons are both teens. You know how 13 year olds suddenly see things very clearly and don't mince words? I was 'prepping' my sons for a visit to relatives and helping them get answers ready for the standard questions, ie
"What grade are you in?" (we don't really pay attention to grades othat than for outside purposes) and
"What is your favorte subject?" (we usually classify learning into subjects after the fact... well, though I do search for resources in areas that the boys don't naturally lean toward.. but we don't have lessons by subject these days... I know, not very CMish..!)

But, anyway, as I was giving ideas to my son, he said,
"I know Mom... I know what I learn."
He proceeded to spout off about a dozen educational-eese terms that related to what we had just been living and learning.

The boys are very comfortable with how they learn. I find often it is still my background and de-schooling needs that drive me to distraction. I feel blessed that they have not been schooled so much that they have to be de-schooled. They know they are learning. And they trust themselves that they are.

I have worried that they may not think they are 'measuring up' to what other dc are doing since we don't do lessons or tradiational subjects. But they seem very comfortable when we talk- it has helped maybe that we have a friend who went back to high school this year and he shares his studies with us and we find in many areas we do compare well. And also making up credits from real life makes it more concrete.

Over all I think my boys just feel fortunate they are not loaded down with work so have time to peruse life. And they know they are lucky when they see the neighbor kids get on the school bus or hear what their friends have to do lesson-wise.... Wow, wish my childhood had been like that. And they are learning. It has been harder for me to trust that then them. lol

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Leonie
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Posted: May 11 2007 at 6:17pm | IP Logged Quote Leonie

Cindy wrote:
The boys are very comfortable with how they learn. I find often it is still my background and de-schooling needs that drive me to distraction. I feel blessed that they have not been schooled so much that they have to be de-schooled. They know they are learning. And they trust themselves that they are.


Interesting observation.

I know my boys tend to be very confident wrt their learning and learning ability - and don't mind ever admitting to others that they don't know something
( but are willing to learn).

We all tend to jokingly call it the "Westenberg self confidence" - but I do wonder if it is a result of more relaxed homeschooling, not worrying about grade levels, etc....

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Leonie in Sydney
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Willa
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Posted: May 12 2007 at 9:15am | IP Logged Quote Willa

Cindy has a post on trust:
Trusting Myself (and God and the dc)

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lapazfarm
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Posted: May 12 2007 at 10:05am | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm

That post is definitely a keeper.

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Mary G
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Posted: May 12 2007 at 10:54am | IP Logged Quote Mary G

lapazfarm wrote:
That post is definitely a keeper.
So many of her posts are worth keeping .... maybe we should just get her to adopt all of us

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MaryG
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Leonie
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Posted: May 12 2007 at 7:35pm | IP Logged Quote Leonie

Mary G wrote:
lapazfarm wrote:
That post is definitely a keeper.
So many of her posts are worth keeping .... maybe we should just get her to adopt all of us




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Leonie in Sydney
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