My 8 Year Old Chooses to Learn

My youngest who detests anything that has to do with physically writing asked to learn cursive this week. Out of the blue she requests not only to learn cursive, but she wants a cursive book.

I immediately ordered a book and it is set to arrive this next week. I am not certain why she suddenly has this interest, but she does. I simply roll with it and encourage her.

She spends most of her day playing, reading and watching videos about animals, adding videos to her Youtube channel, doing a bit of math, and this week we will add in some cursive. Love how this little one chooses to learn.

Those Who Judge Our Choice to Home School

It is the time of year when I get asked one question over and over again. Where do your children go to school?

I quite simply answer, "They don't." Most often people ask if I home school and then spend the next fifteen minutes explaining to me how they would love to be able to home school, but they could NEVER do it.  

Today was a new day, yet the questions about how we school were the same, but my response was answered with raised eyebrows, many questions, and a look of disapproval. When a child sitting near by started to share how much they wish they could home school, the mother who raised her eyebrows stated, "Think of all that you like about school." 

Needless to say the child shrugged, and no longer participated in the conversation. 

I get that not everyone can wrap their head around the idea of home schooling, let alone the idea of unschooling. I simply ask that if you can't wrap your head around a concept please refrain from casting judgement and squelching others curiosity. 

I understand why some believe that they could never teach their own children, and can not imagine taking them out of school. I completely disagree, but I can understand how someone can believe this. I simply ask those who have difficulty understanding why I would home school, or unschool my children to put down their judgmental glances and comments. 

I ask these people to take some time to read and learn about the topic of home schooling or unschooling. Don't squash inquisitive children, because they are curious about a topic you are fearful of. Most importantly, don't judge with words or body language. I am not judging you for keeping your children in public school. 

Time and Unschooling

TIME is the most joyful part of unschooling. My house often looks like this, because my kids can spend an entire day working on something they love without worrying about being interrupted. They have time to dive deeply into topics. 

I also enjoy the TIME we spend sharing and discussing topics. Olivia is writing and researching a couple of ideas for new novels. She is excited and we have the time to hash out her ideas. Sometimes this will take up most of a day, other times it occurs in fleeting moments. Simply knowing our time is basically limitless allows us to enjoy the writing and discussion process.

I also enjoy my TIME more since we have started unschooling. Working on my own interests has inspired my children to spend more time exploring their own interests. Currently Natalie is excited about all things ocean related and Ella is captivated by wolves. 

I am not sure how long these topics will be at the top of my kids interest list, but it is exciting to know that there is no need to hurry. After all, we are unschooler's and we have as much TIME as we desire. 

A NEW site to us for learning!

Why Don't Spider's Get Caught in Their Webs? A fantastic fall wonder from Wonderopolis!

I have spent the weekend searching and reading the website Wonderopolis. 

This website is an unschooling families dream! Wonderopolis is a site full of information about topics people wonder about. Each "wonder" includes a video, article, links, vocabulary, and more! 

Natalie LOVED the listen button. She doesn't like to read on the computer screen, so listening to the article was a GREAT feature for her.

 Ella has her own "wonders" to ask, but is excited to get answers to some of the most popular "wonders" on the site. 

Olivia liked the site as well. She is interested in exploring it more on her own. 

This website covers so many topics that are fascinating. We will be using this and the app as part of our daily learning. 

I LOVE finding wonderful ways to learn. At my house technology is our favorite method of learning. 

Thanks Wonderopolis!

Technology and Learning

My youngest loves technology. Specifically she loves the computer. I recently read an article about digital tools helping to improve teen writing. As I read this article my first thought was of course it improves teen writing, but then I thought do these teachers and pollsters believe this is only true of teens? Perhaps as a homeschooling mom I have more of an opportunity to see the positive effects of technology and learning. I know that since we have moved to a more self directed approach towards learning I have witnessed the power of technology and learning even more. 

My youngest is teaching herself how to spell and write using email, text, Youtube, Facebook, and Skype. She loves to write to friends and family through email and we send each other notes back and forth. It is a great way for me to see the natural  improvement of her writing. Ella also uses my phone to text friends. She often asks how to spell words she is uncertain of and when she doesn't she gets replies from friends that let her know they don't understand what she is asking or saying. When Ella creates Youtube videos of her Webkinz she likes to use the title and subtitle feature of the movie editing program. Since she is publishing these on Youtube and other people besides mom will read or see her finished product she is very concerned about spelling, and writing mechanics. The instant messaging features of Facebook and Skype are improving her writing skills as she uses my accounts to chat with her friends. 

I see that digital tools can help improve teen writing. I have witnessed how these tools help elementary age children who have an aversion to writing learn to write. In my experience technology and digital tools are a great learning method for all ages.