time & place: kuala lumpur, malaysia. we moved here this april. we live in a high-rise condominum: a 3+1 bedroom/3 bathroom apartment on the 8th floor.
we subscribe to audible.com .. finished "reading" jane eyre (unabridged audiobook) 2 weeks ago. a great read. have promised the girls (bernadette & myrddin) that i will order the DVD movie from america.
we are now in the middle of pride & prejudice (unabridged audiobook). lizzie has spurned mr. darcy's unexpected proposal, and has just finished reading his letter - written in defence against her accusations (regarding mr. wickham & the jane/mr. bingley affair).
we finished the hobbit 2 days ago. myrddin pushed me on so eagerly in this book that we finished it in 2 weeks. i read this book aloud.
we are currently on the 4th chapter of (book 1) in the fellowship of the ring. unfortunately, i cannot find an unabridged audiobook of the lord of the rings trilogy, so i am reading this epic aloud. (we'll see how i manage...)
darma is teaching himself to read and write words. it's not a perfect science, but he is quite happy to learn by himself - with an occasional 'what does this say?' and 'how do you write a ch sound?' from time to time. inspired by calvin & hobbes, he's very much into drawing cartoons. as per darma: when he grows up, he would like to be an artist.
outside tutorship:
myrddin is currently taking ballet classes 3x a week - tuesday, thursday, and saturday. more on that later.
bernadette is taking violin lessons - 1/2 hour of tutorship every thursday evening. more on that later.
bernadette, myrddin, and darma are attending art school - 2 hours every friday afternoon. more on that later.
=========================
to expound on this post, here is what i'd written in response to aunt cheryl via facebook messaging:
******
good to hear from you both. :) and i appreciate any feedback; i do need the wisdom of those who have gone before me and are even in the midst of it all.
outside tutored classes: ballet (myrddin), violin (nadi), and art school (3 oldest, for 2 hrs/week). it's a full sched, since myrddin is taking ballet 3x a week now. her teachers desire for her to catch up with her age group, so she is taking 1 foundations class (with the 4 & 5 yr olds) and 2 primary classes (with her age group). it's a challenge; i was intimidated by the posted grade list the other night - and my child wasn't even on it yet! myrddin, i think, will soon see that it takes more than natural ability to pursue ballet; she must be attentive and apply herself. this will be good for her character development...
nadi is back to square 1 in violin. i feel badly for the lost 3 years; she was doing so well when she first picked up the instrument at 6. i am not allowed to observe the lessons, so i don't know how her new teacher will instruct her. i will have to trust that God has His hand on nadi's heart, ears, and hands as she pursues excellence through this instrument. she has a 1/2 hour lesson every thursday evening; i bounce between the music studio and the dance studio on that night, since myrddin has ballet at the same time. (ian keeps the 2 younger ones at home.)
as for art school: the 3 older children look forward to the 2 hours every friday afternoon. and i look forward to the starbucks (across the street) with rae every week. :) (i take advantage of great coffee & wireless internet; rae listens to songs/stories on my mp3 player whilst "reading" and coloring.) nadi, myrddin, and darma are learning new mediums and gaining such confidence in paints/pastels/etc.. they are allowed to bring their school supplies home for personal experimentation. there 3-5 other kids in that class (besides my 3).
we allowed raewyn (at her request) to attend both art and ballet for trial classes. - and decided that she is not ready yet. she doesn't have the attention span (or real desire) for class instruction at this time. that said: darma seems to be doing fine in art school. he still struggles with frustration in his work, but art really is his true love. his teacher, a gifted artist, seems to have the patience needed for such little boys - cus darma isn't the only quirky kid in his class. :)
some thoughts as i mull over aunt cheryl's response:
"Recognizing that doing what you love is the best way to learn.."
i'm trying to own this one. ian said much the same thing several days ago, as i was lamenting the fact that i was not a "natural teacher" like barb (our team leader's wife) - who is *everything* grand about an elementary school teacher: perky, fun, creative, adventurous, kid-magnet; my kids *love* spending time with aunt barb cus she always has a game or field trip in mind. i'd told ian, "if the method isn't flawed (because there are those who can do the method well), then it's me that's flawed. it seems that i'm just lacking the discipline to learn the traditional method well...?"
having rethought aunt cheryl's & ian's advice, i am confronted with my own sin. admittedly- and altho i admire and love barb: i don't love the same things barb does; i don't enjoy her lifestyle or share her busy interests. i simply envy the joy she gives my children. oh, what a covetous heart i have... i praise God for His mercy and grace upon me.
so i am learning to outsource. kristy has agreed to teach culinary arts for me. she has nadi & myrddin over at her place every other wednesday for an afternoon in her kitchen. once a month, they will do baking (she has an oven in her home); once a month, they will create a meal for our families to share together that evening. i provide the ingredients; kristy provides the time and instruction. the girls are enjoying this arrangement; i think nadi, especially, has inherited the love for "domestic arts", which are the gifted talents of my mom and sister. while i regret that mom and debi are not available to instruct the girls, i am thankful for kristy's willingness to step in.
as the girls gain more experience, i think i will invest in a small electric oven and hand-mixer so they can expand their personal interests at home. i hate to cook, but maybe my kids will find a love for it...
"The joys and purposes of Documentation.."
i do try to save the things we work on, altho i've never really organised anything. but i haven't done any documentation of our daily "inner" lives - reading together, learning independently. i do see the value of this - if anything, for personal affirmation and encouragement. so, i've been thinking: what about a blog journal? it would be fairly simple - if i can remember to keep it simple. and my mom/HS-mentors and co-learners (like you guys) could easily access it, as well as give me some semblance of accountability.
"Accountable to no one???? Only God. [etc, etc.]"
ah, those were my exact thoughts as i'd written about accountability. :) as a christian homeschooler (sort of), i can quote our legion's mantra in deuteronomy 11, or even 1 peter 3. i've begun to suspect, tho, that "proper Godly teaching" has become narrowly defined as "HS diploma (or GED equivalent) plus catechism (or some baptist equivalent)" by current standards; "education is next to godliness - but only after cleanliness", and all that.
so i am unraveling the notion of "education", seeking a definition that is holistic and without intellectual/cultural/historical prejudice. (good luck, dar.) living between worlds - with my children fast in my footsteps - i have the Bible to give me solid footing. i am accountable to God for discipling my children in the character of Christ. the rest of what is called "education" is, i believe, cultural and for our good pleasure and use. we can't all be carpenters like Jesus...
"Eventually there comes a time for textbooks"
yes, you are right. and while i haven't feared the eventual need for textbooks, i have feared that my children will never "take" to them because of lack of prior "discipline" in them. but you are right, aunt cheryl: i cannot under-estimate drive and passion for subjects of interest; "their brains may actually learn it more quickly because it is old enough to do so.."
here, i am realising, is the discipline of patience. i am asking God - through time and experience - to shape the calling of each child. traditional school fears "wasted time" and - in responsible concern - creates a timely system for a culturally-acceptable general education. it makes some sense, altho the definition of "acceptable general education" has varied so widely in history and culture. in agricultural and early industrial societies, an early GED (grade 6-8 standard?) is/was sufficient; for poor and lower-middle class families, an early GED is/was a luxury.
while i cannot say that, as of yet, i've achieved any culture's acceptable standard of GED in teaching my children, i can safely say that we are taking a leisurely tour in some GED direction. (here, ian laughs.) we thank God that He has given our family the ability to live and learn comfortably (at this time) without fear or need of early outside employment and/or young marriage arrangements for our children. we are, in truth, a rich family. we can afford (within our budget, ofcourse) to pursue our own passions and interests in an unhurried manner.
"real life"
setting aside "traditional" homeschool has actually improved our real life. (this week.) i've been battling the voices in my head, but this is better than battling my children. household chores have been carried out fairly peacefully, because i'm not in a hurry to move the family on in "formal studies". the truth is: i've been less bitchy and unreasonably demanding since i gave up on "homeschool". ian doesn't have that hunted look on his face when we cross paths. that's got to count for something.
we're on chapter 4 of "fellowship of the ring". and lizzie has just spurned mr. darcy's abrupt proposal in "pride & prejudice." we gave the recent "P&P" (borrowed from my niece) a second chance, and i disliked it all over again. myrddin is asking when we can watch our own "P&P" (with colin firth) again; i told her we would do this when tasha (my niece) returns it.
darma is teaching himself to read and write words. it's not a perfect science, but he's quite happy to learn by himself - with an occassional "what does this say?" and "how do you write a 'ch' sound?" from time to time. inspired by "calvin & hobbes", he's very much into drawing cartoons. as per darma: when he grows up, he would like to be an artist.
more later. (haven't had a chance to read lisa's recent post.) i wrote most of this at starbucks, continued on while rae took a late nap at 4.30 pm, took a break to make PB&Js and cut apples for supper @ 6.30, and now must get everyone ready for our church "cell group" meeting tonight (8.30-midnight). our cell group is about 8 families - with 2 to 4 kids (infant-middle school age) per family. it's crazy, but our kids love it.
- dar
*******
=========================
to expound on this post, here is what i'd written in response to aunt cheryl via facebook messaging:
******
good to hear from you both. :) and i appreciate any feedback; i do need the wisdom of those who have gone before me and are even in the midst of it all.
outside tutored classes: ballet (myrddin), violin (nadi), and art school (3 oldest, for 2 hrs/week). it's a full sched, since myrddin is taking ballet 3x a week now. her teachers desire for her to catch up with her age group, so she is taking 1 foundations class (with the 4 & 5 yr olds) and 2 primary classes (with her age group). it's a challenge; i was intimidated by the posted grade list the other night - and my child wasn't even on it yet! myrddin, i think, will soon see that it takes more than natural ability to pursue ballet; she must be attentive and apply herself. this will be good for her character development...
nadi is back to square 1 in violin. i feel badly for the lost 3 years; she was doing so well when she first picked up the instrument at 6. i am not allowed to observe the lessons, so i don't know how her new teacher will instruct her. i will have to trust that God has His hand on nadi's heart, ears, and hands as she pursues excellence through this instrument. she has a 1/2 hour lesson every thursday evening; i bounce between the music studio and the dance studio on that night, since myrddin has ballet at the same time. (ian keeps the 2 younger ones at home.)
as for art school: the 3 older children look forward to the 2 hours every friday afternoon. and i look forward to the starbucks (across the street) with rae every week. :) (i take advantage of great coffee & wireless internet; rae listens to songs/stories on my mp3 player whilst "reading" and coloring.) nadi, myrddin, and darma are learning new mediums and gaining such confidence in paints/pastels/etc.. they are allowed to bring their school supplies home for personal experimentation. there 3-5 other kids in that class (besides my 3).
we allowed raewyn (at her request) to attend both art and ballet for trial classes. - and decided that she is not ready yet. she doesn't have the attention span (or real desire) for class instruction at this time. that said: darma seems to be doing fine in art school. he still struggles with frustration in his work, but art really is his true love. his teacher, a gifted artist, seems to have the patience needed for such little boys - cus darma isn't the only quirky kid in his class. :)
some thoughts as i mull over aunt cheryl's response:
"Recognizing that doing what you love is the best way to learn.."
i'm trying to own this one. ian said much the same thing several days ago, as i was lamenting the fact that i was not a "natural teacher" like barb (our team leader's wife) - who is *everything* grand about an elementary school teacher: perky, fun, creative, adventurous, kid-magnet; my kids *love* spending time with aunt barb cus she always has a game or field trip in mind. i'd told ian, "if the method isn't flawed (because there are those who can do the method well), then it's me that's flawed. it seems that i'm just lacking the discipline to learn the traditional method well...?"
having rethought aunt cheryl's & ian's advice, i am confronted with my own sin. admittedly- and altho i admire and love barb: i don't love the same things barb does; i don't enjoy her lifestyle or share her busy interests. i simply envy the joy she gives my children. oh, what a covetous heart i have... i praise God for His mercy and grace upon me.
so i am learning to outsource. kristy has agreed to teach culinary arts for me. she has nadi & myrddin over at her place every other wednesday for an afternoon in her kitchen. once a month, they will do baking (she has an oven in her home); once a month, they will create a meal for our families to share together that evening. i provide the ingredients; kristy provides the time and instruction. the girls are enjoying this arrangement; i think nadi, especially, has inherited the love for "domestic arts", which are the gifted talents of my mom and sister. while i regret that mom and debi are not available to instruct the girls, i am thankful for kristy's willingness to step in.
as the girls gain more experience, i think i will invest in a small electric oven and hand-mixer so they can expand their personal interests at home. i hate to cook, but maybe my kids will find a love for it...
"The joys and purposes of Documentation.."
i do try to save the things we work on, altho i've never really organised anything. but i haven't done any documentation of our daily "inner" lives - reading together, learning independently. i do see the value of this - if anything, for personal affirmation and encouragement. so, i've been thinking: what about a blog journal? it would be fairly simple - if i can remember to keep it simple. and my mom/HS-mentors and co-learners (like you guys) could easily access it, as well as give me some semblance of accountability.
"Accountable to no one???? Only God. [etc, etc.]"
ah, those were my exact thoughts as i'd written about accountability. :) as a christian homeschooler (sort of), i can quote our legion's mantra in deuteronomy 11, or even 1 peter 3. i've begun to suspect, tho, that "proper Godly teaching" has become narrowly defined as "HS diploma (or GED equivalent) plus catechism (or some baptist equivalent)" by current standards; "education is next to godliness - but only after cleanliness", and all that.
so i am unraveling the notion of "education", seeking a definition that is holistic and without intellectual/cultural/historical prejudice. (good luck, dar.) living between worlds - with my children fast in my footsteps - i have the Bible to give me solid footing. i am accountable to God for discipling my children in the character of Christ. the rest of what is called "education" is, i believe, cultural and for our good pleasure and use. we can't all be carpenters like Jesus...
"Eventually there comes a time for textbooks"
yes, you are right. and while i haven't feared the eventual need for textbooks, i have feared that my children will never "take" to them because of lack of prior "discipline" in them. but you are right, aunt cheryl: i cannot under-estimate drive and passion for subjects of interest; "their brains may actually learn it more quickly because it is old enough to do so.."
here, i am realising, is the discipline of patience. i am asking God - through time and experience - to shape the calling of each child. traditional school fears "wasted time" and - in responsible concern - creates a timely system for a culturally-acceptable general education. it makes some sense, altho the definition of "acceptable general education" has varied so widely in history and culture. in agricultural and early industrial societies, an early GED (grade 6-8 standard?) is/was sufficient; for poor and lower-middle class families, an early GED is/was a luxury.
while i cannot say that, as of yet, i've achieved any culture's acceptable standard of GED in teaching my children, i can safely say that we are taking a leisurely tour in some GED direction. (here, ian laughs.) we thank God that He has given our family the ability to live and learn comfortably (at this time) without fear or need of early outside employment and/or young marriage arrangements for our children. we are, in truth, a rich family. we can afford (within our budget, ofcourse) to pursue our own passions and interests in an unhurried manner.
"real life"
setting aside "traditional" homeschool has actually improved our real life. (this week.) i've been battling the voices in my head, but this is better than battling my children. household chores have been carried out fairly peacefully, because i'm not in a hurry to move the family on in "formal studies". the truth is: i've been less bitchy and unreasonably demanding since i gave up on "homeschool". ian doesn't have that hunted look on his face when we cross paths. that's got to count for something.
we're on chapter 4 of "fellowship of the ring". and lizzie has just spurned mr. darcy's abrupt proposal in "pride & prejudice." we gave the recent "P&P" (borrowed from my niece) a second chance, and i disliked it all over again. myrddin is asking when we can watch our own "P&P" (with colin firth) again; i told her we would do this when tasha (my niece) returns it.
darma is teaching himself to read and write words. it's not a perfect science, but he's quite happy to learn by himself - with an occassional "what does this say?" and "how do you write a 'ch' sound?" from time to time. inspired by "calvin & hobbes", he's very much into drawing cartoons. as per darma: when he grows up, he would like to be an artist.
more later. (haven't had a chance to read lisa's recent post.) i wrote most of this at starbucks, continued on while rae took a late nap at 4.30 pm, took a break to make PB&Js and cut apples for supper @ 6.30, and now must get everyone ready for our church "cell group" meeting tonight (8.30-midnight). our cell group is about 8 families - with 2 to 4 kids (infant-middle school age) per family. it's crazy, but our kids love it.
- dar
*******
2 comments:
Great idea!
Sounds like there are plenty of places where discipline is required in this schedule of classes!!
A good idea is to try and document in picture form some of what the kids are doing, so in a few months, or at the end of the year, they can SEE how different they look when holding the violin or striking a ballet pose or have the artist redraw something he did earlier in the year and compare the art work...( You are most likely doing these kind of things, but I mention them just in case.) You *know* a picture is worth a thousand words! :>)when encouraging someone who is frustrated about their progress!
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