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juliecinci
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| Posted: Dec 27 2005 at 1:39pm | IP Logged
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I wanted to share about the end of fall semester with my oldest son (18) who took New Testament Greek with me at Xavier University.
The course covered the equivalent of a year's worth of Greek in one semester, hence the pace was ridiculous! We were blazing through the book and trying to hang on for dear life most of the time. Fortunately for us, our professor made it very clear at the beginning that he wasn't interested in our getting everything "right" but rather that we work at our own pace and take chances, make mistakes etc. He chose not to give grades to any homework, and let us turn in our assignments as we completed them (without due dates).
Our first "exam" was called a diagnostic. He didn't grade it, but he did correct it. The diagnostic consisted of New Testament passages we had already translated that we were to translate within the three hours of class using our books and notes to help us.
We did a second "diagnostic" a few weeks later where we translated a longer passage we'd never seen in groups. Then we read our translations aloud and he gave feeback.
The final exam, then, was a take home where we were given two sections of Scripture to translate: Matt 21:1-7 and all of the book of Philemon. We were given rhetorical notes so that we could make good translations. Our grade would be based on how we did with the final.
It was a really fun final exam. I loved it.
Anyway, here's what I really wanted to share. During the course, this professor repeatedly made it possible to grow as students of Greek. He was uniformly enthusiastic about the language, provided support and help throughout without ever judging our performance while we were still learning. He made it possible, in other words, to relax and learn the language rather than fearing failure or poor marks.
I often fell into my old patterns of striving and worrying. My 18 year old, on the other hand, studied when he felt like it, bought a copy of Harrius Potterus (Ancient Greek version!) and started translating that in addition to the Bible and didn't fret at all. He used the book, but didn't slave to complete it.
He did fine on all the diagnostics, participated in class and turned in half of the assignments. Freaked me out, I tell you. I tried to hold back but sometimes my frustration broke through and I'd get on his case for not being more systematic. Never helped, by the way.
The day of the final, he hadn't finished the exam when class began. I freaked. What? How can you show up to the final without the final finished? No matter. He told the professor that he was almost done and wanted to send it email. Our professor said that was fine.
So we went home, he finished up and sent it that night.
Today, we got our grades. Both of us received A's. Amazing.
It struck me that Noah's approach to Greek didn't hinder him from total success and that mine, while it was also effective, wasn't nearly as relaxed as his. He enjoyed the course because he, well, enjoyed it! He didn't care about his grade. He did, however, care about Greek. Isn't that funny? Our professor loved Noah. They had a great relationship going.
So, even though Noah isn't interested in college yet (this class was perfect for him because it was so "not structured" similar to how he currently lives his life), he had a wonderfully positive first experience in college. This is my unschooled boy living the unschooled life of a young adult. Foreign territory to me, but I'm watching and learning about how it looks and what it's like.
I so appreciated the teaching stype of this professor. Really affirmed how many of us teach our kids in homeschool.
And for Christmas, I got a brand new Greek New Testament. Can't wait to start working on my own translation. 
Julie
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Julie
Homeschooling five for fourteen years
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Cindy
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| Posted: Dec 27 2005 at 2:51pm | IP Logged
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Wonderful to hear Julie!
You may have answered the question I had in the thread I just posted.... !
Thanks for sharing that, and what a wonderful experiecne that must have been for you.. to have that shared experience with your ds.
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Cindy in Texas
It Is About The Journey
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Willa
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| Posted: Dec 28 2005 at 1:11am | IP Logged
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So great to hear that story, Julie!
Congrats on the As and on your learning experience!
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Leonie
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| Posted: Jan 01 2006 at 6:11pm | IP Logged
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Julie, it sounds like you and your son had some great experiences this semester.
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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alicegunther
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| Posted: Jan 01 2006 at 7:27pm | IP Logged
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Julie, that is a great story! Congratulations to you and your son!
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Love, Alice
mother of seven!
     
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Proud Mama Moment
