Repost: Who controls the information?

As the end of the year draws near. . I am often in a quandary as to whether I should finish a textbook.  I found this post in the archives and reposted for me. . I hope it helps you. 

I think in theory most of us know that we are in charge of our home education.  We make plans, we decide what to study, and we tell the textbook what to do.  Well. . most of the time.  Sometimes I think we let the textbook decide what is best for our students.  We let the text decide how many problems our students need to do for mastery of a math concept, we let the text decide what stories are good to read, how much grammar should be included, and when our students should take a test.  In a way we give the text book authority in our lives, and it comes with enough stuff to keep us all busy.

Back in my Reading Masters program  I remember having this discussion with one my professors in our class.  He said that most of us will trust the text book over our ability to teach our students.  We will listen to what it says without questioning.  I was fascinated with that.  I am a rule follower and it is easy for me to follow the rules of the text book.

Knowing this about myself so  I try to modify how I deal with my math texts, and some other ones.

1. In Math if there are too many problems I  have my student do just the even numbered ones or just the odd numbered ones.  Some kids need a great deal of practice in some areas and less in others.  The textbook is just a resource.

2.  I remember that I do not have to do every question, activity, or suggestion in the book.  There is no textbook police.

3.  I do not have to finish the text book.  I remember my first year teaching I thought I did have to finish the Social Studies textbook.  I made sure we covered all 50 states in the text.  If the students wanted to work more on a state I said no . . we must finish all 50.  We trudged through.  I remember telling one of the other 4th grade teachers and she said.  "Wow, really??  We have never finished a text. "  I remember thinking, really??  I appreciated her for her wisdom.

4. Textbooks and books can be wrong. I can disagree with them.

5.  If a students knows the materiel I can have them take an end of the unit test and if they do well skip that section of the text.  Or we can just decide to.

6.  I try to remember that I know my students' needs better than the text.   So do you!


Do you feel the need to follow the text?    Let me know.

Contest: for TWO Amazon cards.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Recently I completed a genetics test and confirmed my English/Irish heritage.  In celebration of my Irish heritage, my wonderful followers, and all things good I want to give away  TWO  $25 Amazon cards!  Hopefully the Luck of the Irish will be with you and you will win!   
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Bug Science

One of my favorite part about spring is studying bugs. Kids love bugs.  Finding them, observing them, studying them etc.  We love  insects.  

I came across a web site from Orkin.  It is filled with free resources on insects with printables and lesson plans.  A quote from their site. . .

At Orkin, we’re passionate about the science of bugs. That’s why our entomologists and pest control experts worked together to create fun, interactive resources to help children become as passionate about science as we are.

https://www.orkin.com/scienceeducation/

Maybe there is something for you there.  Some other resources I like for studying insects. . .

---Becky

The Best Seat In the House

This is a reflection on homeschooling and having a senior.



Time . . . .I remember when my 17 year old son was young.  I remember when I had 4 children 4 and under.  The days were so long and I honestly thought they would last forever. . or maybe they just seemed like they would last forever.  I got up, got people dressed, fed everyone, cleaned up, played with everyone, fed them again, cleaned up again, more playtime, nap time (yeah!!), quickly ran around and tried to do laundry, cleaning or anything else I could do all the while watching the clock, put dinner together, survive the worst hour of the day between 4:00pm and 5:00pm and would wait for my husband to come home.  I added in home education, and I was convinced my life would go on forever in about the same way.

I have this feeling lately that I am looking at an hourglass that is emptying.  My son is a senior in high school.  I am not sure how that happened.  I am watching the end of the sand run out.  Though I am thrilled to see him grow up, and become a young man I can't help remembering that little guy I helped with math.  The one who danced with his sister just home from China on the train table.

I watch him interact with others, write essays, and explain his home education with pride at college and scholarship interviews.   He has embraced his uniqueness and he is happy.  Everything I could have hoped for I am watching play out.

Now to watch the last of the sand run out, and know another part of his life will begin.  Hoping and praying I have prepared him well.  So glad I home educated and had so much time with him. Glad I got to watch him become the person he was created to be. Glad I endured those long early days so I could I rejoice with him now.

So hold on friends.  The journey is worth it, and you will be so glad you stuck it out.  You have the best seat in the house.