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Mary G
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 7:53am | IP Logged
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I've spent this summer reading all kinds of education theory books -- from Montessori to Steiner/Waldorf, from CM to John Holt/Unschooling, to everything else. I've been trying to figure out in my own head what 4Real learning is and how best to bring that into my home. So, if I may, I'd like to think out-loud here for a minute.
We've had lots of discussions on the various sub-boards about Montessori, Unschooling, Classical, Waldorf, even Seton and how those mesh with a 4real education.
So, first, what is 4Real? Elizabeth and the gang subtitled this forum "education in the context of real life"; additionally, the specific "real learning" where I'm posting is described:
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an education that includes real books, real life, and the Real Presence. |
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So, for me, I take this to say that "real learning" is my helping my kids to love ALL forms of learning in the context of each of their lives and the gifts/talents God has given them. Real Learning takes into account God's wish for EACH of us -- from the littles to the bigs (incl adults) -- in light of Catholic teachings. It's using everything God has given us -- books, nature, art, all creation, really -- and making the most of them.
OK, so now that I've defined it,how do I get IT? Well, it can't be a one-size-fits-all curriculum. It can't be any one specific theory, altho I think CM comes closest with her masterly inactivity, living books, nurturing beauty through art/music/nature, etc. But even CM can't cover all the bases for all my children.
So what do I do? An eclectic mix of all the best (most fitting) curricula, resources and manipulatives that will get my three littles - to learn to know, love and serve God
- to learn to love to learn
- to learn what God wants them to do later on and help them get to that level (whether it's carpentry, medicine or the religious life)
My blog, St. Athanasius Academy is subtitled: living, loving and learning in the heart of the home with God at the center of all we do.
I've been trying to right this post since yesterday, but real life kept getting in the way. Last night, I finally got a chance to sit down (at 10:15!) in peace and quiet and post ... but John-Paul needed hugging, cuddling and carrying to bed. That's 4Real! That's why one thing won't fit my home ... real life gets in the way of theorizing and "me time".
So is that 4Real? Am I on the right track? Am I right in thinking it's got to be a mix (with a healthy dose of CM) of theories? What's your definition? How do you do "4Real" teaching in your home?
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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missionfamily
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A mix of theory and a lot of reality! One thing that kills us about this wonderful virtual world of homeschooling philosophies and ideas is that we can come to articulate it sowell that it sounds perfect. When we talk educational philosophy, we all have to take it with a healthy dose of reality mixed in. The reason I love Elizabeth's version of CM philosophy and the way she lays it out in her book is because it prioritizes Catholicism and the real life of family, allowing for new babymoons, first trimester sickness, ear infections, and tempermental toddlers--and all the other things that may usurp your well-laid virtual plans. So if your house is full of real loving relationships, real experiences of the faith, real books, and real ideas, then I think you're "doing it right." And if your life stops to nurse a sick baby, tend to a family member in need, visit someone in the hospital or welcome out of town guests, that is your chldren's very real education in action. Let them be the heroes of their own education by learning the quiet, untold lessons of love, self-sacrifice, service, kindness on the days when you are not able to "teach" them anything!
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Colleen
dh Greg
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Maryan
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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Mary and Colleen great points!!
As I am still finishing my lesson plans,  these are questions that I am asking myself. How to combine love of God, love of learning, how to be a functioning and charitable apostle-in-training. I'll love reading the responses from those more experienced than I!!
Here's how we're trying to be 4Real:
- Real books: Elizabeth's lists, Mater Amabilis's suggestions, Cay's Mosaic, FIAR...
- Real life: Nature study of God's creation, Math, Writing, Practical CHORES, Basic etiquette, Studying people and places past and present,study of beauty in art and music (but delving into them through SINGING and drawing as well)...
- the Real Presence: living the liturgical year, getting to Mass as often as we can, Holy hours when we can, Atrium for my littles, learning the chants of the ages for Mass...
But Colleen points makes me realize that I haven't tried to incorporate corporal and spiritual works of mercy. They will come up no doubt without my planning, but it seems like I should be trying to teach them that charity begins at home, but also moves outside our home to others in need. It seems like those actions are very 4Real.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
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KerryK
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As someone who is new to homeschooling this year, and just attempting to figure out how I want everything to fit together, this is a great discussion. For me, it is helpful to break Real Learning down to the basics in that way. It gives me the chance to see that I am at least attempting to incorporate the ideas into our days!
I look forward to reading the ideas of others on this topic!
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Kerry
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Mary (6)
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onemoretracy
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Great points everyone. What seems to be a key theme in 4Real learning is true flexibility. A generous, charitable, and rightly prioritized flexibility is what I am seeking to build in my heart as the teacher in our homeschool.
Mary G. I like how you verbalized your goals. To give to our children the opportunity
1.to learn to know, love and serve God
2.to learn to love to learn
3. to learn what God wants them to do later on and help them get to that level (whether it's carpentry, medicine or the religious life)
This is clearly and precisely my purpose, my primary vocation. I love it! 
Thank you for stating this so simply.
For us, this really has played out in a mix of educational theories along with a daily reality check and inevitably some sort of flexibility demanded of all of us, that we may or may not handle graciously. How very 4real!
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Tracy
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Mary G
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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missionfamily wrote:
| The reason I love Elizabeth's version of CM philosophy and the way she lays it out in her book is because it prioritizes Catholicism and the real life of family, allowing for new babymoons, first trimester sickness, ear infections, and tempermental toddlers--and all the other things that may usurp your well-laid virtual plans. So if your house is full of real loving relationships, real experiences of the faith, real books, and real ideas, then I think you're "doing it right." And if your life stops to nurse a sick baby, tend to a family member in need, visit someone in the hospital or welcome out of town guests, that is your chldren's very real education in action. Let them be the heroes of their own education by learning the quiet, untold lessons of love, self-sacrifice, service, kindness on the days when you are not able to "teach" them anything! |
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Colleen -- EXACTLY! And the funny thing is, and why I'm so active on this Forum, is that I agree with much of what works for Elizabeth. One thing that really helps me get around "teacher's block" is re-reading E's book -- because she is eclectic too -- and coming on here to get advice/suggestions/comments from all y'all!!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: What and HOW is 4Real?
