This is great, Shannon! Good on you for writing those courses. I homeschooled for nearly 30 years and I wish I would have e worked harder to instill a love of reading in my 7 kids. Maybe 4 out of 7? Three definitely are big readers. I'm not reading as much now that I'm on Substack. I read a lot on here. But I miss reading a good book. As you get older you get more selective.
I have been homeschooling about six years now and love reading classic literature and any literature really to the kids. I hate analyzing it though. My son haaates analyzing it. I have to do some questions or a report or something for our portfolio for the state. I've been exposed to more classic literature since homeschooling than I ever was when I was in public school, which is sad really. I've mostly read to the kids but they have read some on their own.
We think so much alike, it seems! 21 years of home education here, 4 down and 4 to go. I fully agree with you about the value of literature. For history in particular, I've learned so much more by reading historical fiction than merely textbooks. Textbooks do have their place (they can be a great 'spine'/guide if one wants to be chronological and thorough), but I most always prefer to read aloud excellent literature to my kids or have them read it silently. I love that Jane Austen quote, by the way - going to have to copy it down for my commonplace book.
Wow. My wife mostly homeschooled our 8 kids as well over 32 years. The last is in high school local small town with her nephew 2 years older than her. Bravo for your writing those curriculums.
"We don’t dig around for meanings and implications that were never intended by authors and only planted by dry language arts classes." Thank goodness for that. Sometimes it's just way over pretentious.
There is a multitude of wisdom tucked in this post. Especially about language and communication. I got ripped for years by a bunch of random folks because of my vocabulary. I learned to keep the big ones to a minimum until I started listening to Dr. Jordan Peterson about 3 years ago. It took me about ten hours of listening to him to wake up and dust off my brain. Never let random yahoos convince you of some nebulous quality about yourself when in fact, it's just jealousy rearing it's miserable head.
Great post! Spectacular job with your kiddos. I doff my hat to you, fair lady!! (Said as if I were a dude. 😏 Wonder what the equivalent would be for a chick?)
This is great, Shannon! Good on you for writing those courses. I homeschooled for nearly 30 years and I wish I would have e worked harder to instill a love of reading in my 7 kids. Maybe 4 out of 7? Three definitely are big readers. I'm not reading as much now that I'm on Substack. I read a lot on here. But I miss reading a good book. As you get older you get more selective.
Thank you! Not all of ours are huge readers either, but I’m praying that will change. I became a better reader once I was an adult.
I have been homeschooling about six years now and love reading classic literature and any literature really to the kids. I hate analyzing it though. My son haaates analyzing it. I have to do some questions or a report or something for our portfolio for the state. I've been exposed to more classic literature since homeschooling than I ever was when I was in public school, which is sad really. I've mostly read to the kids but they have read some on their own.
Thank you for this post!]
We think so much alike, it seems! 21 years of home education here, 4 down and 4 to go. I fully agree with you about the value of literature. For history in particular, I've learned so much more by reading historical fiction than merely textbooks. Textbooks do have their place (they can be a great 'spine'/guide if one wants to be chronological and thorough), but I most always prefer to read aloud excellent literature to my kids or have them read it silently. I love that Jane Austen quote, by the way - going to have to copy it down for my commonplace book.
Ahh, Melisa, that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing. So glad to connect with you.
Wow. My wife mostly homeschooled our 8 kids as well over 32 years. The last is in high school local small town with her nephew 2 years older than her. Bravo for your writing those curriculums.
Thanks Donald! And wow, 32 years…I’m doing the math, and by the time our youngest graduates, it’ll be 32 years for us, too. 🤯👊🏻
"We don’t dig around for meanings and implications that were never intended by authors and only planted by dry language arts classes." Thank goodness for that. Sometimes it's just way over pretentious.
There is a multitude of wisdom tucked in this post. Especially about language and communication. I got ripped for years by a bunch of random folks because of my vocabulary. I learned to keep the big ones to a minimum until I started listening to Dr. Jordan Peterson about 3 years ago. It took me about ten hours of listening to him to wake up and dust off my brain. Never let random yahoos convince you of some nebulous quality about yourself when in fact, it's just jealousy rearing it's miserable head.
Great post! Spectacular job with your kiddos. I doff my hat to you, fair lady!! (Said as if I were a dude. 😏 Wonder what the equivalent would be for a chick?)
Haha, thanks! 😁🤍