Weekly Reflections - Week Thirty-Four....

At Home

Rain, rain, go away! After having a week of gorgeous weather, it was hard to regress back to below normal temps, frost, and rain. Of course, on the other hand, we have boys, big and small, who live for puddles and mud. Levi loves riding his bike in the rain. Aside from the dismal weather, it was a good week.

We went to Como Zoo midweek. Levi didn't remember being there so it was especially fun for him. The big kids remembered most, but not all of the exhibits so they enjoyed it as well. Como Zoo is a wonderful free will donation park with a large variety of animals and we are fortunate to live within driving distance. It made a great day trip.

Our formal academic studies are definitely winding down. I told Ruben he could be done with his math this week. We also finished The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. Riley finished geography, science, and several living books she was reading over the third term. We plan to call it quits at the end of next week.

Around the Web

Karen Glass posted an interesting blog on whether Charlotte Mason was Classical or Not? It's a little long, but poses many excellent points. It also begs a question I had, what are the principles of classical education? Because there are no one set of principles or standards, understanding classical ed can be confusing. Many educators have differing opinions as classical ed has morphed over the centuries.

I also read a couple of articles by Heidi White over at CiRCE. Teacher, Teach Thyself offers a reminder that if we want to be imitated, we must first be worthy of imitation.

If classical educators must do for ourselves what we ask of our students, we must develop liturgies of lifelong learning in our lives.

Secondly, in Reading is Not Enough, White prompts us to read with purpose. She defines the difference between intentional and hobby reading. White admits to currently reading Charlotte Mason's A Philosophy of Education, which isn't surprising given the ideas presented in her post.

I've never thought of Latin as being the next step after phonics, however, in How Latin Helps Us Learn, Annie Holmquist presents her case with research and findings from other countries and a quote from Cheryl Lowe, founder of Memoria Press.

As mentioned last week, I'm working through The Online Homeschool Convention for Parents of 5-12 Year Olds. I watched Annette Breedlove talk on Transitioning Our Kids To The Next Big Phases: Kindergarten and Middle School, Dr. Christopher Perrin on Teaching Our Kids (And Ourselves) To Learn From Rest, Beth Bruno on Moms & Daughters: Preparing Our Girls To Become Women, Janice Campbell talking about Secret Weapons For Our Kid's Growth: Handwriting & Literature, Robert Bortins on Classical Conversations For Our Kids: A Community Approach, and Asheritah Ciuciu on Keys For Moms Being Closer To God Despite Our Busy Lives. Below are some take away thoughts I had....

Dr. Christopher Perrin

"...most effective means of teaching is tutoring" - puts me in mind of A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille.
- go deep with a few things
- make haste slowly (Festina Lente)
- humility and love are chief virtues...be encouraged because you are a tutor and truly love your kids, let that override any deficiencies

Beth Bruno

I plan to check out her free e-book, "Before the Clock Strikes Twelve, Preparing to Parent Teens".

Janice Campbell

- simplify and relax
- live creatively with art, music, great books, and nature

Asheritah Ciuciu

- has a sweet heart for ministering to women/moms
- practical ideas for time with God in the mist of the chaos of mothering