Aprendemos Academy

We don’t fit in any mold.  I don’t follow any one theroy or philosophy of education, a la Charlotte Mason.  We aren’t as unrestricted as Unschoolers, yet are no where near as demanding as Classicals.

My philosphy of education is:

Do whatever works.

That said, what worked last week may not work this week. Heck, what worked yesterday may not work today!  But we keep trying.

The only problem with this approach, is that it is very easy for me to get discouraged while reading through “support group” emails and newsletters.  Homeschool has become a big business.  There are catalogs to look through, and advertisements every where all claiming that with this product your life as a homeschool will be so much easier.  Don’t fall for it.  I love this quote:

“No curriculum will miraculously turn you into the happy teacher, or your children into the happy taught, because those roles are won only with much prayer and relationship-building.” – Jenni @ One Thing

Because it’s so true!  The same is said for approaches, methods, and educational philosophies.  There is no one sizes fits all package.  It gets discourageing to read about the child prodigy who was reading before he could even speak.  (exaggeration, yes…  but only slighty.)  It’s like that book I read a few months ago, Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe, I so need to re-read this one, on an almost weekly basis until the truth settles in.

So while it seems so hodge-podge and so much like we aren’t doing a blessed thing…  The proof is there.  Whatever it is we are, or are not doing…  It works.

GeekBoy is steadily blowing through 3rd grade math and masters the concepts at an almost frightening speed.  Keep in mind, he’s only 7, and according to the state should be in 2nd grade.  He is requesting more Science experiments, and is a whiz at complex games.  True, our history is sorely lacking, but he understand economics better then most of our Nation’s Senators, including the ones running for President!  In today’s world, a firm grasp on how our country’s economy works is far more importnat then knowing who started Babylonia back in the BCs (Hammurabi, btw, we just covered that in Story of the World).

ThePinkDiva can read, when she wants to.  She can also add and even subtract, when she wants to.  The key there is “when she wants to.”  Believe me, if she is not feeling it right now, it will do you no good to press the matter.  She will do it when she is good and ready and not one milli-second before that.  She’s proven, by reading the text on her video games, that she is light years ahead of our phonics program’s sticker chart.  But try to get her to read a book is like pulling teeth!  She likes to just make up words instead of reading what’s on the page.  It’s frustrating!  It’s maddening!  It’s just like my baby sister was at Diva’s age.  I remember it was me who got Nani to focus on the pages in front of her to “find the fun” 20 years ago.  Diva laughs at me.  I think I’ve lost my touch.

BigBoy.  He’s my baby, but don’t tell him I said that.  His little face is my solace after a morning of fighting and arguing.  He’s also very, very physical.  And he’s another one that can do things when he’s not really thinking about it…  Example, I asked him to count to ten, and he couldn’t.  He got to five, then skipped to 9, 12, 16.  Not a big deal, I mean, he got the order correct even if he skipped a few.  So we started working on counting to ten.  Then, a few days later, while waiting for me to get his snack, I told him I need I minute, and he began counting super fast! 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16! Well, ok he missed 13, but dangitall if he can’t count all the way to 12!!!  And again got the order correct all the way to 16!!  When did this happen?  I surely have not been working on this with him.

So the proof is there.  What we are doing is working.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!  Now I just need to keep reminding myself to utilize that delete key and quit beating myself up.  They are thriving.  That’s what counts.