The Big Picture

I have a 6 year old boy that just does not like to write.  His handwriting is actually really good for 6 years old.  It’s the physical act of writing that he so detests.

But part of his schooling is learning the correct way to form letters and write legibly.  So far he’s doing an excellent job.  He does his copywork when asked.  He’ll do fill-in-the-blank style answers.  And he will write the correct answer to his subtraction equation on his paper.

But all of this writing?

He just can’t stand it.

So it dawned on me this week: there are times he needs to write on real paper with a real pencil and there are other times I can let him slide and write his answers in another way.

Copywork and spelling words (affiliate link) are without question written on paper.  But math?  I’m very willing to let him write those answers on the white board.  We have an 8-ft. white board and a little 9 x 11 board.  He gets to choose which he’d prefer.

And 9 times out of 10 he chooses the 8-ft. board just so he can stand up and be wiggly.

Understanding the Big Picture

I must admit that I’m learning how to bend.  I definitely don’t consider myself a strict teacher.  I like for us to have fun in school and I learned quickly that the more fun it is, the more my children retain what we’re learning.

And despite my upbringing in a more traditional school setting, I’m learning that there is no one way to do something.  Who cares if the math answers are written on the white board instead of paper?  If he knows how to solve the equation correctly, I’m thrilled.  And who cares if he writes his Bible answers in marker or pencil?  I certainly don’t.

I’m (now) more concerned with whether he truly gets the passage we’ve just read rather than how he’s written then name ‘Jesus’ on his paper.

Last year was our first year homeschooling.  Boy, how my expectations and vision for our school have changed since then.  I’m so glad that God continues to refine and tweak the way our little homeschool operates.

I’m so grateful that God continues to refine and tweak me.

How are you being tweaked in your homeschool this year?

Lauren Hill

Lauren Hill is a Christian mom to 5, ages 19 to 7. She homeschools her children in the classical education tradition and is currently in her 15th year of homeschool. She creates engaging worksheets and hands-on printable activities for Preschool and Elementary age children to supplement their daily studies.

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