Baskets of knowledge

When I sat down to write this post, I was going to muse over learning styles and the importance of role modelling (with a dreary explanation as to an absence of blog-presence over this last school term).

But something better happened.

How the post started:

 I wanted to share where I had been the last few months:
 

These last few months (entire school term for those at school), I've been shrouded in cloak of single-minded-ness as I bumbled through a work contract and readied our whare (house) for sale. I took little time to 'stock take' how I was feeling, how things were going home school-wise, and forgot to make time for me. 

Where the post was going

Because I'd been so busy being a good worker and 'mum', I'd forgotten to recharge my batteries. This week, I've pushed aside everything in the evenings to work on a crochet project I've been wanting to try for months. I'm a novice when it comes to crochet, I only learnt this January, but I am fully addicted. Miss K was watching me flit round the rounds of the basket and lamented that she couldn't crochet.

So I offered to teach her.

First hurdle (simply holding the hook), she lost it.

We tried again.

Next hurdle (holding the yarn), she lost it.

We persevered.

Third hurdle (making a chain) the plot was completely gone.

At this point I'm not entirely sure if it's my teaching style or her learning style that isn't compatible. We talked about 'trying' and practice (I've already had to restart the base of the basket about four times!), but she's not really open to it. We leave crochet for now.

That evening, I race through and complete my basket. It's lopsided. Somewhere I added in too many stitches (ah the importance of counting and sitting in good light). I take a photo to show my effort, then undo it and show photo and unwound basket to the kids the next morning. Miss K is astounded that I'd done what looked like an 'ok' basket, but started again.

(I apologise for the quality of the photo, but you get the idea... it was supposed to look more like this one)

I explain it's not so much about the perfection of the finished product, but learning how to do it that is really interesting. I start off on the rounds again.

This evening, after careful scrutiny I conclude that I've done it inside out! - not that it matters too much with crochet...

While we haven't revisited the crochet 'lesson', I've persevered with my project and the house has become a hub of woollen activity. Miss K has pulled out her knitting needles and is busy making 'nest strands' for her 'Wild Aotearoa' production she wants to put on (she saw a local production of 'Cats' in the weekend)... and that's another post. Master A is doing full-body string games with yarn and the wee tot (turning one next week) LOVES the big balls of chunky wool to unwind and play in. (For those still thinking in 'educational terms', tick boxes for co-ordination, patience, perseverance, mathematics, logic and science and technology).

What I wasn't expecting:

And here's where good ol' serendipity went and manifested itself right into this post!

In the last weeks of the school term, the MOTH was involved in the Class 5 play at Te Ra, where he has been teaching. The play (most excellent) enacted many Maori myths, including the retrieval of the three baskets of knowledge by Tane. I liked the idea of my 'basket' sort of tied up with the idea of knowledge building/sharing and went online in search of the myth. There are many versions, but I liked this one, particularly this discussion:

To some it is a metaphor for the ideal life, a journey of striving for knowledge and education and enlightenment, to become better people...But it is more. It is also a metaphor for the archetypal inner journey of the mystic, as he or she travels inwards, seeking always to find unity with the universe, and to become one with his or her concept or knowing of Io or God or the Supreme Being or the Way...

 

In creating and thinking about this funny little basket I'm crafting, I am reminded of the truths that home-schooling teaches me and that I need reminding of. When I strive for knowledge, when I model different ways of being in environments, interacting with materials and people, and seeking my peace/place in the world, I am guiding my children as they create and fill their baskets of knowledge. When I fill my basket, I can better fill theirs because a calm, content and peaceful Mum is most conducive to learning.

 

What we do all day is less about the 'outputs' of the kids, and so much more about all the 'input', we as a whanau (family) contribute.

 Now to finish this project (finishing... a lesson I definitely need to revisit!)

Dignity Champion!

A quick post... I'm coming up for air between writing a report and trying to get our house on the market... yes many changes afoot in this household.

The Man of the House (MOTH) was nominated as a Dignity Champion by Age Concern. In going to accept the award, the MOTH thought it might be an opportunity for Miss K to 'socialise' with elderly members of the community. If we'd been in school, this chance would have been completely missed. The MOTH often explores how the children can be involved in the things he's doing, and I think he's doing an amazingly creative job!

On the morning of the presentation, Miss K carefully selected her outfit (a vintage Japanese school uniform - yes, it was mine), explained the style of hair she wanted (compliantly provided by me) and headed off with great aplomb with the MOTH. The MOTH reported back that she behaved impeccably. Miss K reported back that it really wasn't something her brother would have sat through as there was a lot of talking, there were some tea and cakes and that she got a kiss from a nice old man.

Taken from the Kapiti Observer

When she saw the photo in the paper, Miss K was most surprised, then noted: "Oh the man said he would take our photo and put it in the paper and what he said was true!" She has since taken an increasing interest in things that appear in the local newspaper!

You can read the paper's take on it here.

Happy learning days!

What I'm learning everyday

It's a bit of a sad state of affairs when I realise that it's been over a month since my last post. It's not that we're not doing anything, we seem to be doing a lot of all sorts of things, I just haven't had as much time to capture, record and blog, and I think the need to prove to myself (and the rest of the world) that we're doing 'learning stuff', has slowly started to subside.

I'm learning that the choices we make are good ones. What we do might not look like 'school' to anyone else, but that's okay. It doesn't have to. What's important is we know what's taking place, at what pace and the balance and joy that resounds in our household because of it.

I'm learning to respect and trust my children's desire and capacity to direct, manage and focus their 'learning'. My enthusiasm is appreciated, but not always wanted. I'm learning to accept that!

I'm learning that I have found an inner peace in making this choice. That's good for me (and consequently everyone around me).

I'm learning I still need to work out how to respond to those who try and 'test' and to some extent 'teach' (in a well meaning 'schooly way') our children. That'll come, it's early days.

I'm learning that there is much love and support for our whanau, from friends, colleagues and so many in the wider Kapiti Community.

I'm learning to take each day with more intent and presence. It's tiring, hard, but worthwhile work. And while some days it looks like utter chaos, there's a lot of peace too.

Thomas Edison and Picasso

I assume that the activities that go on in our house are not new to the converted and are probably carried out by the curious about homeschooling, but that's kind of  the point...you don't have to a home educator to channel Thomas Edison or Picasso and get nice and messy! So what did we do today?

The Science Bit...

Akira manipulates gloop

GLOOP!

We recently acquired (by this I mean bought as a result of my bag-a-book bargain addiction) an early 'chapter book' about Thomas Edison as a young boy. This has sparked discussion about history (in particular steam trains and transport) and a healthy interest in experiments, laboratories and science in general. Pulling out one of our 'things to make' books I found a recipe for 'gloop'. Keilani perused the same book and discovered a 'volcano', so this morning became a bit of a 'science' morning, although our kids called it 'making stuff'.

If you haven't tried making gloop, it's fascinating. It involves measuring and mixing (maths - tick) and discovering what happens with 'collodials' (that's the science bit).

To Make: Mix together -1 cup of cornflour 1/2 cup of water and a drop of food colouring, then experiment stirring it fast, running it through your fingers and banging it. It's not too hard to clean up and diluting it with water means it does wash away OK. Lots of messy fun.

We are currently building our volcano with salt dough pushed around a plastic bottle. Just waiting for the dough to dry, which might take a wee while given current weather conditions! We'll keep you posted as this develops.

Building the volcano

The Arty Bit

Since homeschooling Keilani had been expressing a real reluctance to draw. After some discussion, it emerged that she didn't like drawing because she 'couldn't draw real' and other people's drawings were better than hers. She had been quite an avid painter (painting her face and entire body at kindergarten once in khaki green - she was being a dinosaur) and I was curious if talking about and looking at other styles of painting and art might encourage that creativity again. We came across a book in the library called The boy who bit Picasso.  After thoroughly enjoying the account, we've found some other books about Picasso and Keilani is fascinated by him and his work.

I also read somewhere that homeschooling parents should worry less about buying books for their children, and invest in books for themselves that inspire them. By exploring what you are interested in will encourage children to see and learn from that enthusiasm for your interest/passion (a thinly veiled justification for book acquiring). They might not want to do the same thing, but as a 'tour guide' you make the offering. I love art and creating. I borrowed the Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas from the library (added it to my wish list on book depository). Keilani has pointed out several things she wants to try (hurrah) and I think it might be fun to try at least one new art medium a week, or fortnight, or month... maybe...

Artists at work

This week we tried blow painting. Wet watercolour paper with water (available really cheaply at the 'Gold Store' or the 1-2-3 dollar shop), drop food colouring onto paper (highly recommend pouring the colouring into small containers and using an eye-dropper after several near messy accidents), and using straw, blow colour about. We're also going to try with diluted water colours.

Keilani likened her efforts today to that of Picasso - YAY :-)

After being arty and scientific, we had a play date and went to ballet - tick boxes for 'socialisation' and 'culture and physical education'.

By the way... we just got to the bit in the book where we learn... Thomas Edison was homeschooled!