Homeschool Methodology

After feeling like we were supposed to do TJED fully, I started studying about their 7 Keys of Great Teaching. I have to admit that if I had not come across this method and set out to home school on my own, I would have done the exact opposite of what this method teaches. Nate, on the other hand, LOVED this teaching method. It totally fits in with his love of Montessori teaching. Anyway, here are the keys:
1. Use Classics, Not Textbooks
This one is pretty self-explanatory. You read from classical literature to learn about things instead of using a text book. Not only can you learn core morals and values from classics, but you can also learn different subject matters as well. For instance, if I want my child to learn about science, we can learn the biographies of many of the world's great scientists and why and how they studied what they did. This could go for any subject.

2. Mentors, Not Professors
Rather than design curriculum for your children to study, you mentor them in the things that they want to learn about. Rather than handing out assignments, you guide your child in their learning that they are interested in.

3. Inspire, Not Require
This one is the hardest for me. Although I think learning is exciting and important, it is difficult for me to find ways to make learning seem really exciting. It is all about teaching our children about the world of possibilities and helping them to get passionate about learning. You try to "creatively encourage them to engage in learning on their own -- with excitement and interest."

4. Structure Time, Not Content
This is also a hard one for me. I was educated in the public schools where there was a specific amount of time set aside for every subject. You know, math for 15 minutes at 8:30, and Language for 30 minutes at 10:00. So in our TJED home school, we have a certain time set aside each day for our "free time." We spend several hours giving our children "great freedom to read and study and experiment according to their own interests."

5. Quality, Not Conformity
This one, I actually do naturally. I have been very frustrated in the public schools with teachers not holding my children to a high standard in the work performance. Obviously you don't do this with your younger children, but children who know they can do better need to be "called out" and made to do things at their best. Most kids will do the minimum work required. This is going to be really hard for my kids because when I try to require the best of the kids when they are at home, I have multiple break downs. They aren't used to it.

6. Simplicity, Not Complexity
This is pretty self-explanatory too. I like this one because it takes out the "busy work" for mom. We learn to read, write, do projects, and discuss. It is so great to read books as a family and discuss the meaning that they have. My kids have learned in abundance from us implementing this into our home.

7. You, Not Them
This is the HARDEST one for me. I am supposed to set an example of learning. I study right along side of the kids and share with them the knowledge that I learn. This helps them to see that learning is important to me and that it should be a life-long pursuit. Just squeezing that in to an already hectic life has been hard for me. Especially during our "free-time" when the kids are pulling on me in all different directions to help them with something. I have to try to do better with this!

They actually added an 8th Key later on:
8. Secure, Not Stressed
This is hard to do as well. When your kids have friends that are learning in a totally different way, you naturally compare your child to theirs. Maybe they're learning math that you haven't been teaching, or they are reading better than your kids. It is trusting in the system and knowing that in the end it will all work out. I have a feeling that I'll have the constant need to calm down and remember that this is what we are supposed to do. Everything will turn out OK.

Now that I've explained what we are actually trying to accomplish and how we are going to do it, the next few posts will be about things that we've implemented so far in trying to get there. We hope that it will lead us to do better at these 8 keys of great teaching!