(What better title for a Valentine's Day post than an allusion to a film about murdering psychopaths, right? [NB: I have not seen the aforementioned film])
How about some love?
Some homeschooling love, that is!
Dave, the brilliant artist who did the artwork for the covers of the MathTacular series, sent me a link to bornlearning.org. I haven't had time to really delve into the content of the site, but it looks like a great promotion for homeschooling.
...but it's not.
At least, it's not aware that it's a site dedicated to homeschooling. Instead, it seems to believe that it is about preparing children for school; in their words, they're trying to "boost school readiness."
It would be incredibly amusing, if it weren't so sad, that people so often miss the link between caring for your newborn and growing children and homeschooling. I want to shout: IT'S THE SAME THING!
Teaching your children to read is little different than teaching them to walk. Helping your daughter learn to eat with utensils is very similar to teaching her handwriting. Getting your son to know when to say "Geese" instead of "Gooses" is much like teaching him to spell. And if your child learned 2+2 while still at home, you've started teaching Algebra*. And so, this site dedicated to "early learning" is demonstrating how easy, possible, and enjoyable it is to teach your children at home, at the park, and on the go.
That's a lesson homeschooling parents all over the world have learned.
I just wish that educational theorists would learn this lesson as well. It amazes me that despite having an entire section dedicated to the importance of connection in learning, the good people at bornlearning.org do not connect the dots and realize that homeschooling is one of the best ways to make that happen.
So...
Here's to Homeschooling!
Happy Valentine's Day. Have a great weekend full of love and affection for your friends and family.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
*2+2=? is an Algebraic equation. You are solving for an unknown. It's just that in this case, the unknown is a ? instead of an x.
Thanks! <smile>
~Luke
Well said!
Amy, glad you liked my Algebra example <smile>. And, you are absolutely right: You need not fear homeschooling... you've been doing it from the start.
~Luke
Exactly! People homeschool their children through the early years and don't even stop to realize that. Many teach the alphabet, numbers, and basic counting. Some even teach reading.
Yet they fear homeschooling their children.
2+2=? is algebra? I love it!
Amy
Lisa, well, it wasn't exactly romantic, but it was a nice evening <smile>.
Jenn and Kim, glad you both feel the same way <smile>.
Jan, you have been added to my feed. I look forward to getting to know you better in the coming days <smile>.
Kaylee, you are not alone, but I'm glad I could be encouraging. You are absolutely right. Exactly. Amen. Right on! <smile>
~Luke
Just when I was starting to feel like the only person on the planet who thought these things!
All I hear, day after day, from everyone around me is, "Oh, I could never homeschool. I would just clash with my kids. I don't have what it takes." I could just scream! What???? Maybe you should send your babies somewhere else to learn what love is, or how to say Mama, or how to share, or how to be gentle, or how to walk, etc., etc.
I agree with you and sometimes I feel like the only person who has figured this out. It's called "Parenting"!
I was blog walking today, and your site caught my eye. I'm a children's author and new (one month) to blogging.
My blog is especially for parents, teachers, and writers. Please come visit! I'm anxious to meet more homeschooling families!
Yep.....I agree wholeheartedly, Luke!!!
Part of why I homeschool!
Happy Valentine's Day to you & yours, too!
Exactly! This is what homeschooling is all about! It starts from the very beginning and is a part of everything we do.
Nice post to remind us of why we're homeschooling :0) Happy Valentines to you guys - hope you have something romantic planned!
Lisa