This month seems to be already a blur and it hasn't even really started. So many things are happening. Personally, I have a few days to celebrate myself, birthdays, anniversaries, closing of our new home. But on to the fun stuff.
As everyone else knows St. Patrick's Day is coming up. What a perfect time to discuss the history of none other than the Patron Saint of Ireland. Don't forget to let your children know that March 17 isn't just for wearing green and getting pinched if you don't. Remind them of the fun of a treasure hunt (OK a trivia hunt, but close enough).
Cindy over at Skip to My Lou featured a fun St. Patricks Day craft that her 11 year old son made. At Kaboos, there are a few more ideas to tempt you pinching fingers. I wish you lot's o' luck in you St. Patrick's Day Crafts.
Ahhh, just one short week later, as many of us know, Easter is early this year. Another holiday to learn from. Here is some history of this day. Here you can find how the date to celebrate it is. Here is several games. Here are some activities.
I've got to admit, I've fallen head over heel's for jennwa's site Ramblings of a Crazy Woman. Her children and her have made the most adorable Easter Wreaths, I love these heart felt Easter Cards, but don't forget these beautiful Napkin Rings, guaranteed to bring you all together at the dinner table.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Saint Patrick's Day and Easter
Child-led / Unschooling Teaching Method and Free Curriculum
I thought that a good beginning post to the Three R's Academy would be to explore some of the teaching styles that are available to homeschoolers everywhere. As I started listing them, I thought, "I'd like to see more information on them in one place, as well". That is where this got long.
So I'm going to do a series on teaching styles. Today I'll be focusing on Child-led or Unschooling.
The term unschooling was coined by John Holt. After many years supporting and speaking for school reform, Holt felt that the changes he as working for was not supported. He had been labeled "a 'social critic' or 'public intellectual' rather than just a school reformer." As soon as he heard about homeschooling, Holt was an instant supporter.
In John Holt's opinion, "People, even children, are educated much more by the whole society around them and the general quality of life in it than they are by what happens in schools."
Not everyone is on board with the unschooling or child led way of learning. The Best and Wisest Parent by Susan Douglas Franzosa suggests:
John Holt visualizes exemplary parents, exemplary children—and an excrable society.
Today unschooling is understood to be the use of no formal curriculum but make use of the all the learning opportunities that you find in every day in life. Unschooling does not force information on children before they are ready for it. In theory a child will ask you to explain things and that is when you teach them.
Some free curriculum that follows the Unschooling method can be found right in your home. Anything that you do with your child can be a learning experience; from baking great grandma's secret cake recipe (history, science, cooking, math, and communication) to taking a walk in a flower garden (life cycle of a plant, types of plants, earth science, math, history, and communication).
Be sure to come back to see more about other teaching styles, for instance:
- Charlotte Mason Teaching Style
- Classical Education
- Computer Learning
- Eclectic
- The Moore Formula
- Textbook Learning
- Unit Studies
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Charlotte Mason Teaching Method and Free Curriculum
I thought that a good beginning post to the Three R's Academy would be to explore some of the teaching styles that are available to homeschoolers everywhere. As I started listing them, I thought, "I'd like to see more information on them in one place, as well". That is where this got long.
So I'm going to do a series on teaching styles. Today I'll be focusing on Charlotte Mason.
Charlotte Mason or CM, developed her vision for "a liberal education for all", in the 1800's. She did this because English children were educated according to social class; the poorer were taught a trade, and the fine arts and literature were reserved for the richer class.
According to Charlotte, she envision "liberal," to be a generous and broad curriculum for all children, regardless of social class.
According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), "Liberal education is termed "a philosophy of education that empowers individuals with broad knowledge and transferable skills, and a stronger sense of values, ethics, and civic engagement ... characterized by challenging encounters with important issues, and more a way of studying than a specific course or field of study".
Using the CM Method your subjects are taught using "living books" In other words, you don't use textbooks, but you do use books which make the subject more interesting for the student. It uses nature study as a way to learn about science and the world around you.
You can find a free curriculum that follows the Charlotte Mason Teaching Style at Ambleside Online.
Be sure to come back to see more about other teaching styles, for instance:
- Child-led / Unschooling
- Classical Education
- Computer Learning
- Eclectic
- The Moore Formula
- Textbook Learning
- Unit Studies
