Freely Educate

An Open Email on What We Personally Use in Our Homeschool

This week, someone asked me what curriculum we use in our homeschool for our older kids (above grade 4). Although FreelyEducate.com is not only for homeschoolers - I post content for all educators here -  I thought my reply may be helpful to anyone wondering which sites, of the dozens (hundred/s?) I've highlighted for FreelyEducate.com, make their way into our tiny school.   Note:  This list does not include all of my favorites or the many sites I'd love to try out soon.  But it's an honest list of what we actually are using right now.

Here is my reply to the questions:  Are you the primary teacher or do you use an online program?  If you're the primary teacher, what curriculum do you use for your older children (above grade 4)?

I'm the primary teacher of our kids (grades 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th), although to be honest, I'm learning right alongside them!  I try to seek out the "masters" of whatever we're studying.  Instead of learning from a textbook or a computer curriculum written by somebody paid to write it, we want to learn from someone who is passionate about the subject, a master of it.  The passionate "teacher" might be National Geographic or Mythbusters as well as Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, and Amelia Earhart. 

Ambleside Online is the place I go for history and reading/literature books.  I don't follow the Ambleside levels, though, because it makes me crazy when I try to teach 4 different levels at once.  So we study just one level each year, together.  If I can't find a suggested book free online (to read off my Kindle), or at the library, I look for an alternative that's free, either by searching online for a good book or by looking at a different Ambleside level. 

For Math, we use Khan Academy, which is an online program.  This month, I've been printing off the math drill sheets at Donna Young's site, since the kids need to work on speed. 

For Science, it's Mythbusters (on TV) and experimenting with all sorts of kits and supplies and gadgets (rocketry, electronics, chemistry by baking, etc.).  Science is a natural around here -- we're curious, experimenting folk.  We supplement our experimenting with a few sites like Katz on nutrition,  Stossel's free DVDs, and this elements chart.  Also, our 8th grader is in the Civil Air Patrol where there is an emphasis on aeronautical science.

The 8th grader needed to start Grammar (online program) this year.  I felt like he was ready (but don't think it's needed in younger years). 

Our 6th and 8th graders also needed some Current Events.  I like Izzit for that.

For Art, the kids have the freedom of using any supplies they like when they like.  We completed every video from illustrator Jan Brett.  And this year, to give them some information on drawing basics, we're using Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes.   Our 1st and 4th graders also take a free art class at the local library and our 6th grader takes ballet lessons (not free!).

For writing, we do a lot of copywork (copying high quality literature from their reading books and often the Bible).  Dictation once a week (I read a passage; they write it down.  We then go over it together, discussing spelling and punctuation).  I find that it's best to learn spelling from words you're already using or reading, instead of from spelling lists, so the above methods (copywork, dictation) work well for us, but last year our then-5th grader was having a hard time because she was so-very-phonetic, that after reviewing All About Spelling, I started using it for her (here's a post on why).  I have our 8th grader "teach" it to her (90% of what you teach, you retain, so I've heard).  It's made a difference, but honestly, I think reading great books is making the biggest difference  of all.

p.s. Listen to this sometime, if you can: Sir Ken Robinson speaks on education for TED Talks

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Teaching Them to Love Learning

The post below was posted on my Just Pure Lovely blog this morning, but I would love it if you all would weigh in on this, too!  Read the below and let us know what you think (post your comments at Just Pure Lovely, to keep the discussion in one place).

Oh!  And, p.s. there is a good giveaway planned this week for a day that starts with a letter that represents a poor grade.  Got it?  If not, you get an "F." ;)

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I've had some awesomely thought-provoking email conversations with a couple of gals lately.  We've been discussing education, and the how and why of it.

A few years ago, I was introduced to a new way of thinking about education that shook me up and left me feeling dizzy with glee: Instead of teaching the children everything we think they need to know by a certain age, why not teach them to love learning?  If they love learning, and know how to learn, then they can continue their education far beyond K-12 and even college. 

Children are born loving to learn, don't you agree?

Unfortunately, much of modern academia strips children of this gift, leaving them disillusioned, listless, frustrated, and bored.  They can't wait to put down those school books at 18 and never pick one up again.   Or they leave college frustrated that they wasted all that time and money on a career they've realized they dislike, but don't think they can do anything else.  This is not just "regular school" specific, of course.  Many homeschoolers leave their home school and never look back at books or learning again, too. 

Why?  Because the learning process, as they knew it, was absolutely boring.   

Letting go of the textbooks and the "shoulds," we can instead notice education as it shows up in real life...

...as well as through great literature, well-written music, inspiring art, and through many other mediums.  By offering up an interesting education, learning becomes fun and the child keeps his gift from God: a love of learning.   

I was going to add a bit more, telling you how our family implements this into our days, but I'd first like to get your thoughts.  I love this article, and particularly this page, about actor Will Smith's thoughts on education. Read that, then let me know what you think at Just Pure Lovely.

~ Lori