30 May 2010

29 May 2010

Yup, some days are hard


They're abandoned, sprawling, chaotic. And somewhere, somehow, we'll learn something from them.

28 May 2010

We don't take anyone's wisdom for granted


And we never receive a wisdom passively, without thought, or without question. No, we can't do that. We expect to experiment, and discover it for ourselves. I call that learning; the children call it having fun.

27 May 2010

If it's not fun, we're not interested.


You can bet that if there was no fun to be had, even from having accomplished something scary, we wouldn't do it. Would you?

26 May 2010

Our 3Rs


Responsibility. Resourcefulness. Respect. We find we can apply one of those to most circumstances.

25 May 2010

Determination...


...sometimes requires courage, not to be knocked off-course. And sometimes what we have to do is easy, and blindingly obvious.

24 May 2010

Self motivation...


...is a quality we value highly. You never know where it will lead, nor what will come from it. And to me, that is wonderful; like living a surprise every day of your life.

23 May 2010

The problem with home ed kids?


You can't tell how bright and sure they are, until you track them down, spend time, and talk to them. They sure don't present themselves to you, telling you how good they are at going to school and passing tests.

22 May 2010

Children are resolute learners


When they really want to find out something, they do. Stop them at your peril.

21 May 2010

Curiosity is wonderful


And we can follow that impulse, wherever it leads us.

20 May 2010

I'm able to follow my own ambitions


That's what this home educated child says is the best thing about her days.

19 May 2010

Won't ever stop learning


Thanks to museums, galleries, discovery centres, places to explore. And showing that home educators take their resources from everyplace, everywhere.

18 May 2010

Socialisation?


Bring people together, hire a room, talk to an education officer, plan an activity. Or join a club, make a date, arrange a place, create an event, find a group, talk about what's around, arrange to meet, ask if anyone's coming along, say we'll meet you there. Is that how social people organise themselves? Home educators are no different.

17 May 2010

You don't have to work in a school to be a teacher


Once a child is out of school, they find the world is filled with teachers. And every one of you is a teacher. You teach about life, people, society, humanity, attitude.

16 May 2010

If there's a problem?


We try and fix it. We rely on our intelligence, perception, understanding, awareness. We do not rely on armies of staff to sort the problem for us. We work together, travel as far as we can, and seek help when we genuinely need. That is how we take responsibility.

15 May 2010

Inspiring and creative lessons, home ed style


Stopwatch at the ready? Just follow our lead. Home educators are, everyday, inspiring children to think, plan, observe, discuss, enjoy. For that, we don't need walls or a pre-set test.

14 May 2010

We imagined how to live differently


And then we started on the journey.

13 May 2010

12 May 2010

11 May 2010

10 May 2010

Sit where you're told?


With so much of this world to explore, staying in the same field might be an achievement.

9 May 2010

In an average school, how much time is spent waiting?

So if anyone's interested in maximising productivity in the learning environment, then really, there's no competition. Home ed is 100% learning 100% of the time.

8 May 2010

You want formal lessons?


Then go ahead and set them up, one-to-one or with a group. There are plenty of teachers out here who choose to teach rather than manage 30 kids locked in an institution all day long.

7 May 2010

Kids must wait hours before playtime?


Nope. Round here, learning is playtime and playtime is learning.

6 May 2010

Election day 2010


Our kids came too, asking questions about the law, the tellers, the ballot papers, the procedure. I think, this far, we taught them well.

5 May 2010

Did someone say home ed kids are only taught by their parents?


But one thing I'll say in praise of the ignorant. Every week they give me a real good bellylaugh.

4 May 2010

And then we talked about the Stuarts...


...discussed the events leading up to the Civil War, and joked about the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. But you could never tell by looking. Now to anyone who looks, and just sees kids 'out of school', remember that appearances deceive.

3 May 2010

You want to know how we study geology?


Then this is how we begin.

2 May 2010

What a beautiful classroom we live in


Anyone want to join us?

1 May 2010

Bedtime at 7pm?


Not for us. No need to rise at 7am to wash and breakfast by 8 and out the house at 8.15. We take advantage of longer nights; play out until dark, come in, read, sleep sound, wake unhurried, without bells. We made that decision - to reject the timetable made for us by school, and find our own routine. Who wouldn't want that freedom?