|
Well,
thanks to the LORD and the generosity of His people, the building
project is in full swing! Already, we are enjoying the blessing of the
roughed-in extra space which we are very much hoping to have fully
finished for full use by the time the weather shuts our doors and
windows.
I’ve heard my mom say many times (quoting her grand-mother in reference
to progress), “Sometimes, it has to get worse before it can get better!”
Still, I was more than slightly intimidated by the thought of digging
the Michigan version of the Grand Canyon in my front yard and ripping a
gaping hole in the side of my house—all in the name of progress of
course—so that the girls could get a little hands-on learning
experience. But, as a parent I learned a long time ago that, in order
for them to really learn, there are times when you just gotta get out of
the way and give the younguns a go at it. They really worked hard at
delivering quality craftsmanship and their loving servanthood is
reflected in the finished product. It truly has been a learning
experience—for all of us!
Hopefully, our approach to homeschooling will not conjure the stereotype
tomboy image of girls who try to be like boys, rather than “ribbons and
lace” type of girls who are well-rounded and strong enough emotionally
to jump in and work hard or get dirty or break a fingernail (without
crying over it) whenever the need should arise. These girls are
definitely strong (in body and in the Spirit), but they are not hardened
by any means!
Trying to determine a practical direction for each one of my children
has been challenging because every one of them is so multi-directional
in their talents, abilities, interests and areas of expertise. Out of
all six of my children, no two are alike. They all have different strong
points (and weak) points. Each has a different learning style—auditory,
kinesthetic, hands-on, etc. or, with most of them, a combination of two
or more styles. So, I have sought to establish opportunities for
learning that enhance their natural abilities yet correct their inherant
negative traits or tendencies.
We are often asked to define our educational philosophy or describe our
approach to homeschooling. When TIME magazine interviewed us they chose
to categorize our family as “THE UNSCHOOLER’S.” (That bold label
appeared under a halfway decent picture of us taken in our 4000+ book
library—I guess maybe they thought we were using all those books to
provide extra insulation and soundproofing throughout the house.) Well,
at least it gave our friends a good laugh to think of us as “unschoolers.”
And, anyone who spent even one day around here definitely would not call
our homeschooling style “relaxed”! (HA!) So, while we are certainly not
“traditional” in our approach to education, I guess I would define our
educational approach as “natural” or “real-life” education that is very
focused and purpose-driven while remaining flexible and not overly
structured.
Although we have applied ourselves strategically to formal/traditional
forms of study (textbooks, tests, reports/essays), most of our education
has come from a practical, hands-on, real-life context rather than from
a textbook. High school graduation has never been held as the ultimate
goal for these youngsters. We understand that to live is to learn.
Learning is an inseparable part of our lifestyle.
The traditional testing/grading system can leave a child with a wrong
impression of what learning is all about —as if memorization of rote
facts or getting top grades is the ultimate goal. But, striving for
academic excellence for the purpose of eventual, practical application
toward effective service converts “knowledge” into “wisdom”—which you
just can’t get out of a textbook. (As a business owner, I’ve encountered
many a college graduate who came with papers in hand looking for a job
yet lacked common sense for even the most basic applications.)
It won’t be many more years until my girls will probably marry and
settle into homes and lifestyles of their own. Meanwhile, all the girls
seem to be in no hurry to leave home and are, along with their brother,
an invaluable part of the daily ministry of Wisdom’s Gate.
The character traits of self-discipline, personal responsibility,
cooperation, faithfulness and so much more are developed in all of these
endeavors. And, I’ve never heard my children complain that they were
BORED! I’ve known many young people the ages of these children who are
wondering what they are going to do with their life. Last week, one of
my girls commented that she wonders how (even if she lives to be 100)
there will ever be time to do all that she would like to learn to do!
And, at my age, I can really echo those sentiments!
And, lest it sounds like it’s all work and no play around here, these
guys all still manage to find time for playing on the trampoline,
competing in softball and volleyball, participating in music
fellowships, and holding marathon Scrabble matches!
Despite the diverse interests of our educational direction, instilling
strong moral character was always a primary goal of our educational
focus. Even more important than “head knowledge” is “heart wisdom.”
Without moral character, all the “book-learning” in the world will not
equip a person for true success. We’ve all known brilliant, gifted men
and women who ended up losing everything, or even landing in prison,
because they lacked moral integrity. So, to us, education—regardless of
its depth and scope—is incomplete unless a person has learned to do
whatever it is they do with humility and integrity, and a spirit of
cooperation in working together with others for a purpose outside of
themselves.
Because
we, like many folks, are very busy, as a defense against
self-centeredness, we make an extra effort to make sure that we set our
personal agendas aside and make ourselves available to others when a
genuine need arises—such as helping to pack and load a moving truck for
a friend, or preparing meals and cleaning the home of someone who is
sick or injured, or helping to get the neighbors crops in before the
rains.
Jesus taught that
those who want to be great should strive to be the servants of all. If
the sum of our learning equals a better quality of life not only for
ourselves but also FOR OTHERS, then we will be truly successful. If, in
the process of all our learning, we master the ability to “love our
neighbor as ourselves” we will have truly learned something of value.
Skeet Savage is a
veteran homeschooling mother of six children (now all Homeschool
Graduates), a grandmother, the Founder of
Wisdom's Gate Publishing Company
and the Senior Editor of Home
School Digest, An
Encouraging Word, and
Brush Arbor Quarterly. She is a featured speaker at the Wisdom's
Gate Homeschooling Seminars, & author of the book,
Homeschooling For
Eternity. All
rights reserved.
|
