Wednesday, October 26, 2011 (SWORDS OF HONOR school year)
Today I was asked a question I've been asked several times:
"How do you do complete the curriculum make sure every kid learns all they need to learn? In other words, How do you feel successful at the end of the year?"
FIRST ANSWER: Lower your expectations. Really.
SECOND ANSWER:
1) Take lots of photos of what you DO get done, even little inquiries, even children reading, looking at books in the library, writing in their journals.
Help you children put those photos in journals of discovery. These will be treasures for your children. Binders are good for school things, but journals are good for memories. My children still like to look at journals and binders, even my teenagers. I used to spend Sunday afternoon with my children, helping them with their personal journals. I hadn't made up the Journals of Discovery name at that point. Giselle and I still take time on Sunday to updates our school journals. These are part of our personal histories.
2) Create emotional ties to the year--sing the school year song, go on field trips, present key points in a unique way--even if it's just going outside to do something different. These memories will stick when the emotions are involved. This beats textbooks hands down, even when you think your child isn't really learning a lot. Make the emotional tie--like meeting Lady Godiva, then come home and study a little more about the feudal system.
3) Pray for inspiration. I know you do this. I've had so many miracles happen--from finding the right visitor to finding just the right thing to entice a child to want to learn.
4) Lower your expectations. You won't get it all done--just plan that you won't be able to do all the wonderful things you hoped for when we wrote the year.
5) Pat yourself on the back at the end of the year. Look at those journals and be amazed. One year I went to Carol's home to see her Star Wars school year. We had schooled together before and I wanted to see what she and her children were doing that year. They sang their song, they shared posters, inquiries, and photos of field trips. Later she told me that she had felt that they really hadn't done much so far that year, but as she shared with us she realized how much they really did do.
As an aside--this is a great reason to have celebration open houses at the end of the year, where your children can display what they have learned. When they prepare to share what they've learned, it brings back all the memories and they realize what a great year it was.
You're doing a wonderful job because you're giving your best for your children. Remember that all those children who are educated in the schools cram for tests to get their A's. I told this to Autumn Heather one time and she said that that's what her friend did. Her friend said that she had to cram one night, so she could forget everything the day after the test! Your children won't forget it all.
Hugs, Jeanne
"I'm going to print this up and hang it on my mirror :) -- Brittany
"Great idea! That is where I need it too! This is such great advice and extremely helpful! THank you!" -- Crystal
"Amen, Brittany! I will be pointing this on my mirror as well! Thanks for the reminders, Jeanne."
