So, if you've ever read this blog, you will see that my earlier homeschooling posts make clear that I am-well, am and was- a huge fan of the Charlotte Mason Method of teaching. I still truly believe that children learn best from REAL books, from REAL conversation, from the REAL world-God's wonders of nature, and from REAL life.
Nonetheless, ahhh, the joys of reality crept into our daily routine last year, and, by the end of last May (2012), I found myself completely disoriented as to our goals. I needed change. I needed accountability. What I REALLY needed was a break! Just a tinny-tiny one...operation fail on that one. I needed help.
Enter Classical Conversations. I am not going to detail that transition right now. Suffice to say I was a skeptic. Memorization??? Grammar? (Okay, don't kill me, but I believe-still- that grammar is learned through reading and writing. okay I could go on forever about this one. I won't. I see both sides now, though). There was a LOT I had HEARD about CC. Never believe what other people say-well, at least if what "they" say is negative...because...Classical Conversations is amazing! My kids-all the kids- are excited, are learning, are held accountable by their peers AND another adult..and it's fun!
But, that's not why I write today.
Spencer is in Challenge B this year (her first year with CC). This is a rigorous course to say the least, and she has excelled. Woohoo for Spencer, everyone! So, anywho, she was assigned to read Where the Red Fern Grows ( of which she had read when she was 8 or so but not with the level of understanding she has now!) Her assignment was to write about something SHE desired and intends to or is working towards just like the boy in the book labored to get his dogs. There was much dialectic discussion in class about how kids today have no yearning, no determination to strive towards something because they are given everything.
I was so excited that Spencer explained to her peers how she keeps a "dream" journal (think "Bucket List" but without the connotation). She was fervent about how she makes her dreams a reality, how she is not as some of the adults suggested-without an understanding of what it means and how it feels to yearn for the unattainable.
She let unfold in the class, and then in her writing, just what this blog is all about and exactly what I desire my kids to really GET!
Dream! And, then? DO!
Oh, Mommy is happy, happy, happy! Maybe I'll share her paper with you! (But, if I do, I'm not editing it first....so go easy oh her!)
I just love witnessing the fruits of God's work in my kids! Have a great day. God is good. All the time.
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