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The Eyes Have It
We started in the previous post on a short series about Learning Modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, which are three routes by which new information can be received by our brains. Though we may use any of these different routes, it is helpful to know that...
The Eyes Have It
We started in the previous post on a short series about Learning Modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, which are three routes by which new information can be received by our brains. Though we may use any of these different routes, it is helpful to know that there will always be one that is easiest for our own brain. And, when a student is struggling to learn something new, knowing about...
All Past Posts
The Satisfaction of Learning
What does it mean to have "satisfaction" when we learn? To answer, let me introduce you to one of my former mentors, the brilliant international educator with Youth With A Mission, Rosalie Pedder. When Rosalie walked into a classroom, you never knew what would...
The Power of Enjoyment in Learning
Well here's a wild thought for you: In the seventeenth century, a Christian teacher named John Comenius, came to believe that it was possible for students to enjoy learning. But before we get into that, let's look at educational ideas that had come before. I'd like...
The Gift of Laughter And Learning Every Homeschooler Should Know
Ten years ago, I shared one of the most important tips for homeschooling on my blog — The Power of Laughter in Learning. After the difficulties and losses of the past few years, though, it seemed time for an updated blog about this amazing gift. Especially when we...
Actively Engage Learning. . .
In the last five blogs, we have considered these things: the possibility that our students, including high schoolers, can enjoy learning; the notion that learning, though hard work, can be pleasurable; the concept that all learning has the possibility of being studied...
Artificial Homeschool Curriculum?
Here's a homeschool riddle for you: How are a muffin and a curriculum alike? Answer: Whether or not we devour it!! The story Some years ago, I was asked to make muffins in a hurry by my mother, using a store-bought mix she handed to me. Since I enjoy cooking, I was...
Artificial Curriculum? Part 2
Last week, I shared the story of making blueberry muffins two different ways. . . And then compared that to homeschool curriculum. (Read it here.) Realistically, is it possible for our kids to enjoy an appetizing experience in learning, one that leaves them wanting...
Why engage your child’s interests?
A mom recently asked me about the idea of following our kids interests. After reading Why Quit Homeschooling, she wrote, “I ended with the same question that I often do when I read about moms who've 'ditched' the textbook method and are allowing their kids interests...
Learning like a Buffalo
Many years ago, while living in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Bill and I decided one afternoon that it was time to take time. Bidding our teens a fond adieu, we headed off to parts unknown for the evening. Remembering the injunction, "Go West, Young Man, Go...
Learning Like a Buffalo, Part Two
Gazing at the IMMENSE hole of a buffalo jump in Beulah, Wyoming (as described in the previous post), I suddenly saw a relationship between making it easy to process buffalo for winter and making it easy for kids to learn. To explain, let me start with a few questions:...
Demystifying Education, Part One
In our quest to educate our children, sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. You know what I mean. There you are, trying to manueuver three children (or 1 or 6 or 12) through math (or lit or science or history), and it doesn't look anything like school. ...
Demystifying Education, Part Two
In the last post, we looked at the first Demystifier—children are always learning. Today, we'll take that a step further. Demystifier #2: It's not really learning until it changes you. Learning changes you. Getting it right on the test doesn't mean you have learned...
Are We Teaching Our Kids or Helping Them Learn?
When it comes to homeschooling, are we teaching our kids or are we helping them learn?I'd never really thought about the difference until I took my high school daughter to her first violin lesson with a new teacher, but the lesson I learned from Mr. Peacock completely...
Are we teaching our kids or helping them learn?
When it comes to teaching your kids, what model of a "teacher" do you have in your mind? For me, one of the wisest teachers I ever met was the man who taught my daughter violin. His approach to education transformed my understanding of what it means to be a teacher. ....
Pondering Our Priorities
When we consider how—or if—we are going to accomplish all the things on our to-do list (especially as we consider the upcoming school year), we need to ponder our priorities. Here are four steps to help you: Step One. Ask yourself these critical—though often...
Teaching Tip 1—You are ALL smart!
Is it true? Are we all smart? The answer, believe it or not, is YES! Does that surprise you? If your experience in school was to convince you of the exact opposite, you may want to keep reading. . . Today begins a series of tutorials on my History Revealed curriculum....
Teaching Tip 2—The Introduction
If you’ve ever watched the Food Network show, Chopped, you know that one of the most important elements the judges consider is presentation. Without that, your tasty dish loses some of its value. And, yet, a tomato tastes like a tomato, regardless of how it looks,...
Teaching Tip 3—The Connection
Last week in this series, we considered the importance of a first impression when introducing our students to an academic subject, or, in this case, a historical era. We looked at how to make this initial introduction through an auditory, visual, and kinesthetic...
Teaching Tip 4 — Learning Styles
If you think back to your days in a classroom, can you remember the kid that was always fidgeting? And, what about the one who was always talking? You probably noticed the studious types who knew every answer in English, history or science class, and the gregarious...
Teaching Tip 5—Different Tastes
If you were only allowed one kind of taste in your cooking, which one would it be? Categories of Taste You’ve probably taught your kids about the four basic taste categories in food—sweet, sour, salt, and bitter. (Note: There is a fifth and sixth category, too—umami...
Teaching Tip 6 — Storytelling
The art of storytelling has been valued for millennia. From tribal peoples to Hollywood producers, telling a good story is one of the most powerful means of teaching the next generation. Stories well told capture our minds, inspire our hearts, provide a...
Teaching Tip 7 — Comprehension
Language is one of our greatest gifts, showering us with a richness of communication, of thoughts and ideas, of new horizons and ancient peoples, of beauty and tragedy, of redemption and deliverance. How shallow life would be if we were limited to mere grunts and...
Teaching Tip 8—The Spiritual Focus
I love seeing whales and birds in the wild, even though it requires a lot of patience. . .and a good pair of binoculars. But, just being in the right place at the right time with a good pair of binoculars does not necessarily ensure success. Why? Because...
Teaching Tip 9: Pause & Play
Here’s a question for you: How do we engage our kids’ self-motivation? Do you remember what it was like to walk into a classroom where you were expected to sit still, listen quietly, take notes, read the chapter, and take a test? It seldom actually engaged your...
Teaching Tip 10 — Talk Together
Let’s talk about talking, shall we? Have you noticed that some people are “natural” talkers? They effortlessly put together words and ideas whenever the opportunity arises. For these people, whether young or old, discussion is easy, free-flowing, and not always deeply...
Top 5 Reasons to Use The Library Teaching Tip #11
Homeschoolers have traditionally used the library. However, so much has changed in the digital world that you may be wondering if it's worth the hassle to pack up the kids, drive to the library, and then deal with all of the books that flood into your home! I think...