Questions

My mind generates questions faster than I can find answers. I think that is what makes the world such a fascinating place.

Children have lots of questions, too. Often, we tire of helping them find answers, or we tell them to stop asking questions. Personally, I believe that by fostering a questioning attitude in our children, we practically guarantee a lifetime of learning for them... a true and comprehensive education.

Right now, I'm wondering why the clouds I saw last week were so huge, and so breathtakingly formed. They were the largest clouds I have ever seen. They looked like hundreds of clouds had combined to form megaclouds. They were white, cream, gray and some even had splashes of pink and blue and yellow. They definitely were not billowy, which to me implies light and fluffy. These clouds were dense, and looked to be the consistency of egg whites that had been beaten until they were stiff and "formed peaks."

Another day, there was an even bigger storm cloud overhead. It seemed to cover three-fourths of the sky, and it was shaped like a flying saucer, smooth and dark. Why was it so smooth, and how did such a large cloud form?

Why do sun rays shine from behind the clouds in straight lines? Why aren't they simply a glowing aura around the clouds?

These are things that I am pondering. What questions are you thinking about today?


Photo by Tumble Fish Studio
Used under Creative Commons Attribution License

A 12 Year Old With A Message

Note: Adora Svitak is lives in the state of Washington, is homeschooled, and is a busy writer, speaker and teacher.

Don't Miss the Magic!

Image by Andrea_R via Flickr

 

I found this quote today, and it really captured my feelings perfectly:

Sometimes when your kids comprehend something new, it happens after a lot of effort and study. Sometimes it has to wait until their mind is ready to grasp the concepts. When my daughter has trouble fully understanding a math concept, for example, I’ve found it’s helpful to just leave it be, work on related but different lessons, and go back to the trouble topic in a couple of months. Always, she then understands the concept with no effort. I’ve been lucky to have been able to have so much time to study how my kids learn. Because of this, I am always on the lookout for those telltale signs of learning. Passion for a subject, paying attention with no difficulty, asking unexpected but completely relevant questions.wired.com, Keep Watching Your Kids Learn, Mar 2010

I hope you will read the entire article. It espouses exactly what I love most about the entire homeschooling adventure!

Not everyone enjoys spending time with their children. Not everyone gets excited about learning. Not everyone notices the unique abilities, interests, passions and gifts that their children possess. Too bad! They're missing so much!

 

 

Lifeskills Lessons

Too often, education focuses on traditional school subjects. Life skills don't always receive the attention they deserve. Our children may be able to function quite well in the world without having spent a year learning algebra, but they will not do well if they aren't able to prepare food.

Ree Drummond, better known as "Pioneer Woman" is a homeschool mom and a multi-talented, fascinating woman. Her website is filled with tons of useful, interesting information about her life on a ranch, her fascinating family, their homeschool experiences, her talent for photography AND her amazing culinary skills!

Ree has added a new area on her site, called Tasty Kitchen, Favorite Recipes from Real Kitchens! The Tasty Kitchen is filled with a wide range of recipes, from various contributors.

A recent post, by Erika, was titled The Theme Is … Homemade Ingredients! In the post, Erika shared links to numerous recipes on the Tasty Kitchen blog. Included were recipes for homemade baking mix, homemade brown sugar, homemade vanilla extract, and many other mainstay ingredients.

I immediately thought that this is something that young cooks should learn. So little attention is given these days to creating your own ingredients when your cupboard is lacking. I remember the surprised look on a group of teens faces, when I explained that I had to use applesauce in my brownies, because I had no vegetable oil in my cupboard. They had just been discussing how tasty the brownies were, but now they stopped mid-bite, and stared at the brownies in their hands. "You mean there's applesauce in these?" Total shock!

I reminded them that they had just been saying how good they were, and that applesauce can easily be used to replace oil if no oil is available, or just to make the brownies a little healthier.

Knowing how to create these homemade ingredients can, also, inspire young chefs to be a bit more creative. They will start to notice food textures and tastes, and may begin to experiment with making some substitutions of their own. It's a great learning experience!
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Photo by Kylia Radney, used with permission.
Salad created by Chef Katie

What did you learn today?

Every day is filled with hundreds of learning experiences. How many of them do you notice? Most of us are so busy trying to complete the items on our to-do list that we fail to see situations that hold important and helpful lessons.

My mom always kept a journal. It wasn't something she wrote in at length each morning or evening, rather it was a stenographers pad, in which she jotted brief notes about things she noticed during the day. She wrote titles of songs she enjoyed, quotes that inspired her, recipes that sounded tasty, books that tickled her fancy and intriguing and funny things she saw and heard.

Because my mom paid attention to what was happening around her, all the time, she was an interesting and intelligent conversationalist. As a teacher, she always had new ideas to share with her students. Most of the time, she could solve problems that arose, quickly and easily. If it was beyond her abilities, she knew who to call to assist her. She paid attention to the world around her, and her life and the lives of her family, her friends and her students were enriched because of it.

I began keeping a "learning journal" many years ago. I note many of the same types of things that my mother did. Because I am self-employed, I also pay attention to things that will help me become more efficient, more productive and a better business person.

I jot down ideas, questions, insights, problems, the names of people I meet, places I hear about, and websites that sound interesting or helpful. I pay attention to situations that arise or conversations that I have, and note my actions, reactions and fears. Sometimes I jot things down when they occur. Other times, I may take a 5 minute break and write what I have seen, done and heard recently.

For example, in a recent conversation with a married couple, the wife said, "My husband is a very talented woodcarver!"

"That's fascinating!" I said. "What do you like to carve?"

The husband answered, "Oh, I never actually carve anything, because I don't know if I would be happy with the end result."

That made me wonder if there are things that I hesitate to try because I am unsure of the outcome. Are my fears holding me back? I made a brief note about the conversation in my learning journal. Once a week, or whenever I am waiting for an appointment or have a few minutes to spare, I read through my notes to refresh my memory, and to see if I am making use of the information I have learned. Have I implemented new ideas or techniques that I meant to try?

My learning journal has helped me to find positive solutions to problems that occur in my life and in my business. It has enabled me to complete more of my goals, and to reach them more quickly. Reading about funny things that happened brightens my day, and reminds me not to take things too seriously. I am more organized and have better focus, because I remember helpful tips and tools that I may have forgotten if I had not noted them in my learning journal.

Many people have told me that they prefer to keep their notes electronically. If that works for you, then do that. I have found that I am not as likely to reread electronically filed notes, and without rereading, much of the benefit of the journal is lost. I also think that writing, as opposed to typing, seems to make information more memorable. For those reasons, I recommend a small notebook, that fits in your pocket or purse, so that you can access it quickly and easily, to make notes, and to reread notes you have previously written.

I hope you will give this a try! You may be surprised by what you learn!

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Think you would like to try a Learning Journal, but not sure that you would remember to use it? Why not join the 15 day Learning Journal Challenge at Ruzuku.com! There you will find support, encouragment and maybe even a few new friends! To learn more, visit: http://ruzuku.com/group_challenges/39/challenges/new

Shhhh... Don't Say A Word!

It seems that today most people spend their time running, doing, hurrying. It’s a fast-paced world. Conversations are filled with descriptions of errands to be run, tasks to be completed and places to go.

Several months ago, I read a quote related to listening, and it struck a chord. Although I don’t recall the exact words, the essence was that to increase what we learn, we must increase the time we spend listening.

As I paid attention to my own actions, and observed the actions of others, I found that there is very little time spent listening. We listen while we are doing other things. We are not really focused on listening. I am very guilty of typing at the computer, and telling my daughters, “Keep talking. I’m listening.” Type, type, type... “I can listen while I’m cooking dinner. Oh, now, I spilled something. Give me that dishcloth. Keep talking. No, not that dishcloth. I’m listening.” That is what passes for listening in many homes. And we do hear much of what is said, but we also, miss a lot.

When we are in a conversation and someone says something to which we can relate, we often wish the other person would hurry so that we could tell them our experience. I know that I am guilty of this. What I have to say usually relates to what the other person just mentioned, but often I notice, too late, that my comment or experience shifted the direction of the conversation, and the other person may have had more that they wanted to say. Now, it’s difficult, if not impossible for them to return to the point where they stopped.

I once heard someone say that there is no such thing as a conversation these days, only long monologues told by different people who happen to be facing each other. Is that the way it should be? I don’t think so. I am resolving to become a better listener. I, actually, love to listen to what other people tell me, I just become overeager to share my own stories. If I can stifle that need to talk, and instead, just listen, I think I will learn some very interesting things.


“Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf.” ~Native American Indian Proverb

“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk.” ~Doug Larson

Photo Credit: "you're not listening" by kalandrakas.

The Bounty of Nine!

Today is September 9, 2009... 9-9-09! Although I could probably list 999 great things in my life, I thought I would limit this post to the top nine:

1. I have two lovely, thoughtful and caring daughters. They encourage me when there are challenges, and make me laugh when I feel sad. When we have experienced difficult times, they have never complained. They see that we are rich, no matter how much or how little money we have.
   
2. Although my parents are both deceased, the lessons they taught me and the love they gave me lives on, encouraging me in so many ways. There is not a day that goes by that I don't remember their words, their actions and their caring.
3. I love my crazy, kind and funny family... brothers, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins. So many caring, loving people, most of whom live life with a twinkle in their eyes and a smile on their face. The sense of humor I learned from my family has carried me through every difficulty.
4. I earn a living doing things I love to do! I teach enrichment classes to wonderful, caring children and teens who are interested in learning. I help families find resources to enrich their learning experiences. I write and publish a newsletter filled with ideas and events that inspire learning. And on the weekends, I am surrounded by beautiful sights and wonderful people, when I work at Elements Gallery, which is owned by my friends, Steve and Debra Bures, and located in the quaint village of Peninsula, Ohio, in the middle of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park! What could be better!
5. My friends are my second family! They are supportive, encouraging, loving, caring, kind, understanding, thoughtful and FUN! Without them, I may never have started my learning resources business, and I definitely would not have experienced the success I have enjoyed.
6. I amazed by the number of wise and wonderful teachers I've encountered. Some teachers I met in school; others I met at sports events, workshops and churches. Some of my greatest teachers were past supervisors or co-workers, and many were people I just happened to meet. People from all walks of life have shared their insights, their understanding and their passions with me. They have enriched my life!
7. When I was in college, I thought every person I met had a fascinating major. As a result, I changed majors frequently. At one time, I was embarrassed by my inability to "just choose one." Now I see that my indecision was actually perfect for my current vocation. Students and parents seeking resources for learning and careers, ask me how I know about so many things. It's because I thought everything was fascinating. My "lack of focus" was perfect for what I now do. I can teach classes in many subject areas, and I'm told they're usually fun and interesting. I'm sure the reason is because I think all these subjects are "fun and interesting."
8. And where would I be without the powerful writers whose works have influenced me in so many ways. Their writings have inspired me to cry, laugh, shout and grow. Newspapers, magazines, books, blogs and tweets... so many wise and wonderful writers!
9. The ninth thing? September! In Ohio, September is a time of clear blue skies, crisp fall air and breathtakingly beautiful fall foliage. It is the busy season of harvest. In this ninth month of the year, I consider what I planted earlier this year, how I cultivated what was planted, and what harvest I am reaping. Did some of my plantings need more care, a longer growing season, a more hospitable climate? I can't change what I have done in the past, but I can apply what I learned to the future, so that the next growing season will be even better. I am enjoying the bountiful harvest of those plantings that flourished.

And I can be grateful for all of these things!

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The number nine is the center of attention at the Joyful Jubilant Learning Community this month. Stop by and read the wonderful postings on this intriguing number.

The Joy of Reading

Recently, one of the guests on a local morning talk show was a reading specialist. The host was commenting about how difficult it was to get her child to read during the summer months. The reading specialist nodded, and asked if the school had provided the students with a summer reading list of recommended books. The host explained that they had the list, but her daughter wasn't very excited about reading the books.

"Reading a book each week is very important," explained the specialist. "Help your child choose a book each week, and then tell your child that they will need to read the book, AND write a report on the book. You will want to be sure that they are actually reading the book you helped them choose. Children often want to read other books that they think are more interesting, but it is important that they understand that we don't just read books for fun."

To me, that is the basic problem in education today. Reading and learning have become our children's jobs, not something that could and should be a joy for a lifetime. It is a task to be completed, so that another task can be started. Education has become a "daily grind." For so many bright young scholars, there is little, if any, joy in learning.

This summer, take your children to the library, and let them choose fun and interesting books. Pick up a few yourself. Pack a picnic lunch, and spend some time reading together. Read aloud to your children, even if they are old enough to read for themselves. Read exciting books, funny books, amazing books and let your imagination soar!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Young children never seem to run out of questions... Why are there birds in so many different colors? Where does the gas go after you put it in the car? Why are toes shorter than fingers? How do fish breathe underwater? Why do people have hair? Where does the wind come from? Some questions make parents smile. Other questions make them squirm. Many questions leave parents scratching their heads.

There are parents, and teachers, who think children ask too many questions. Questions can interrupt other tasks. They can cause embarrassment, if the wrong questions are asked at the wrong time, or in the wrong place. Sometimes there are questions that seem so nonsensical that they don't deserve an answer.

When my children were young, a flood of questions would begin the moment they opened their eyes each morning. I answered the questions I could, and helped them find the answers to those questions that had me stumped. Sometimes I would give them hints to help them discover the answers on their own.

Many children stop asking questions as they grow older. Some stop because they are told that it is annoying when they ask too many questions. Others stop because their questions are met with laughter, or because they hear comments about the silliness of their questions. Many stop because they worry that everyone will think they are ignorant if they ask. That's sad, because questions are one of the greatest learning tools we have.

I have discovered that when children find answers to their questions, in many cases, it leads to more questions. If you are looking for a way to inspire learning in your child, and in yourself, be grateful for those questions. Let your children know that you are glad they asked.

Today, take time to listen to your children's questions and help them find the answers. And, while you're at it, ask a few questions yourself! Asking questions and discovering answers can lead to a lifetime learning adventure!

What is your best time?

I had big plans for today. A thorough cleaning of the living room, organizing my lessons plans, mopping the kitchen floor, and a few other little tasks, were all on my list. But, this is one of those rare days, that my oldest daughter and I are both free of other people's schedules, so we decided to begin the day with breakfast at a local "mornings only" café.

On the way to the café, we stopped to meet friends, who were on their way to a wonderful campground, where my younger daughter was already enjoying herself. I had found a couple things that she had forgotten to pack, and our friends were kind enough to make a quick stop to pick up the forgotten items. A quick chat, and then on to the local gas station that offered the valuable liquid for a few pennies less per gallon, than others in the area.

By 10:00 am, we were seated at the café and ready to enjoy a leisurely breakfast of delicious omelettes. Several cups of coffee and a lot of conversation later, we were headed toward home. After a quick stop at the bank, we arrived home a few minutes after noon.

These days seem so few and far between, why not take the time for a game of Carcassonne. It's one of our favorite games, and there never seems to be time to play it.

OK, time to get to work on those "to do" items. Unfortunately, by this time, my get up and go, got up and went. Although I still have the desire to do the things, I seem to be moving in a very low gear.

I know from experience that morning is my best time for accomplishing things. After noon, it is often a struggle to get motivated, and to really get things done. I have to force myself to do it, and everything seems to be more difficult, and take more time to complete.

Most of us have a time of day, or night, that is our peak performance time. It doesn't matter if you're young or old, there are times that things are easier for you, and when you have more energy.

This is an important thing to keep in mind when doling out tasks or reviewing lessons or planning field trips with your children. Sometimes, when your child seems less cooperative, or unable to grasp concepts you think they should understand, it may be a time of day when they are low in energy, or reasoning ability. If it's possible to try again at a different time, one that you know is usually good for them, think about rescheduling. It will probably make everyone's life easier.