It’s time for a tweak to that wonderful system I was going on about just a couple of short months ago. Thank goodness I have the sense to read other homeschooling mothers’ blogs and can plainly see that tweaking is just what we do – otherwise I might begin to think I was a bit flighty.
We were attempting to use the workbox system, modified so that the kids could choose what they wanted to do throughout the week from a long list of subjects, rather than have set tasks to do each day. I thought that it would set parameters and goals for our learning, while at the same time allow for the flexibility that they seem to crave. It was a beautiful system – a joy to behold – and it would have worked perfectly too, were it not for that pesky problem of Human Nature.
No, Dear Reader, we’re not immune to it either. You know how it goes: “I’ll get to my math later. I’m doing art right now.” “I’m researching about the first king of England. I’ll feed the cat in a minute.” “No, I haven’t practised the piano for two days, but I’ll do extra on Saturday, I promise!” Those subjects and tasks which were less appealing were simply never undertaken voluntarily. (I suddenly hear my husband’s voice in the back of my head saying, “I could have told you that!”)
I was feeling increasingly unsettled about this. I took a good look at myself. What was I doing while the kids were happily engaged in following their whims? Getting caught up on all that housework, perhaps? Um…no. I don’t much like housework. I did manage to follow my own whims and spend extra time online researching topics of interest to me.
So, we were all learning and we were all happy. Unschoolers reading this must be shaking their heads and asking, “What, exactly, is the problem?” (The problems are a lack of self-discipline, the potential for spoiled children, and many unfinished tasks, but it is a question of priorities and I appreciate that others will not see it the same way.)
The Need for Good Habits
I decided to go back to my homeschooling roots and get a little refresher. I had started reading about the Charlotte Mason educational philosophy before beginning to homeschool, and it really resonated with me as being a sound and appealing approach, although I didn’t end up implementing it entirely.
For those who are unaware of the CM philosophy, its hallmarks include a broad introduction to many subjects, taught in short lessons; the extensive use of living books and interesting materials, rather than dry textbooks; the appreciation of art, music and nature, as well as great literature; and considerable free time for children to pursue appropriate interests (not to have unproductive idle time).
Another matter on which she wrote extensively was “habit-forming”. Granted, she was teaching in Victorian times, when society was more formalized and there were, perhaps, greater expectations that people would adhere to certain moral and behavioural standards. Still, the instillation of good habits into our young people, and ourselves, would go a long way to counteracting some of our self-indulgent behaviours that are so prevalent today.
It was interesting to note how, while enjoying the freedom of the of the weekly workbox system, the children stopped doing their household chores each day. They also stopped practising the piano as often. BioBoy went nearly four weeks (albeit over the slower Christmas season) without doing mathematics. I don’t think SciGuy, who dislikes writing, picked up a pencil during that time. There was no place for routine in their concept of freedom and, clearly, good habits had not been sufficiently formed to withstand the absence of a schedule telling them what needed to be accomplished.
Hence the need for a little tweaking. I have now reintroduced some scheduling into our system. We spent the last week starting our days with our chores and those subjects which really need daily attention: Creative Writing, Math, Spelling, French, and Piano are some of them. There is still plenty of time for the kids to pursue their own interests, but since those can be time-consuming, a little work on habit-forming will ensure that our responsibilities get looked after first and foremost and don’t get lost in the shuffle.
As for me, I have the important job of Setting A Good Example. So, I won’t be turning on the computer first thing in the morning to peruse my emails while sipping my coffee. I’ll be doing housework. (Cue the violins.)
Watch this space for the next instalment of Homeschool Tweaking: Does it Ever End?
Filed under: Education Philosophies, Workboxes | Tagged: Charlotte Mason, education, organizing, schedules, Workboxes | 8 Comments »