Duet of Sisters

Where do you teach? Do you have a schoolroom and a blackboard?

While the thought of a room full of old-fashioned school desks, a huge globe, and a big green chalkboard at first appealed to me, the reality is that children learn best in a natural setting, and Mama needs easy kitchen access.  Therefore, school happens wherever it works best.  That generally means that bodies are strewn across sofa cushions and floor pillows during readings, surrounding the kitchen table for experiments, and spread throughout the house for quiet reading time, writing, or other tasks that require focus.  You will often find us exploring and observing outside, dissecting around the kitchen island, researching on the computer, listening to recordings in the van, learning via the (gasp) television, erupting things in the yard…you name it!

Our most memorable lessons are almost always away from home, and almost always under Daddy’s tutelage.  The coffee and sugar plantations in Hawaii led to Hannah’s fabulous report on the state.  Our cross-country travels and national park visits offer unparalleled history and science lessons.  Nature hikes are always a favorite, and far more memorable than reading from a book.  (Mind you, this book addict has nothing against books!)  Everywhere we go we find lessons and teachers. When people find out we are homeschoolers with an interest in learning about their areas of expertise, they are generally more than willing to give us our own personal teaching sessions.  Just last month, while camping in the mountains, we received our own personal lizard lesson (complete with a chuck walla attack on Marissa) from an Americorp volunteer on his day off. Similar experiences have educated us on locks, farm animals, fossils, and more.

Math on a tricycle.

School is wherever the learning is, and the learning is wherever we are.  We are always learning. Our home is set up as a natural learning environment. Each room has an inviting and comfortable reading corner. Quality books (no Disney, thank you!) line shelves, sit atop night stands and along windowsills, and are mounded on the floor patiently awaiting a stellar deal on some used shelving. Nature guides are in easy reach to help us identify whatever strange creature makes its way into the sight of the curious. Collections of rocks, pine cones, acorns, and other accents of nature are dotted throughout the house, brought in by enthusiastic little hands. Reference books and art supplies are always at the ready. A map for imaginary exploration resides on the breakfast table under a clear table cloth. The kitchen with its limitless possibilities is off limits to nobody, no matter how small the hands. Computer programs are legitimately educational. The piano and guitar are always buzzing, and there is no shortage of quality music for discerning young ears. Books and prints of fine art are readily available for anyone to admire, critique, or discuss. Foreign language materials are available for the curious. Building materials of all sorts occupy the play spaces, waiting for young imaginations to bring them to life. Most importantly, there are enough Bibles for all hands save the smallest who is quite enthusiastic about the sound of ripping paper.

Learning on the go!

This is not to say that we do not have regular lessons, assignments, and table work as well as individual and group teaching sessions.  While traditional study methods have their place, true learning and indeed the most effective education is not reserved for the scheduled school hours. Given the right opportunity and guidance, as well as a parent willing to step out of the way at times, a child will learn, and learn well. In fact, wiser homeschoolers than I have noticed this same phenomenon: the children seem to learn better what remains untaught. It is not the teaching that spells success for the homeschooled child; rather it is the learning. Learning, like living, can take place anywhere!

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