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The Need
For
Structure in the
Learning
Process
The following is an excerpt from
a section
in Book #1, Chapter 2 of
Wisdom's
Way of Learning
by
Marilyn
Howshall
What do we see when we walk into a classroom or a typical homeschool? Are
Godly qualities present? For example, some that are demonstrated in God's
creation that should also be in the homeschool are: individual expression,
life-passion, delight, color-diversity, vital-activity, and growth. What about
valuable productivity with a purpose? What is most evident? Structure or a
vital learning process?
Similar to God's plan for creation, the educational structure as well can be
less apparent than the vital learning process itself. To be truly biblical,
the learning approach should be producing the aforementioned godly qualities
in our children's lives. If these are not apparent, our structure could be the
source of the problem, actually restricting these wonderful qualities from
having a chance to come forth.
Maybe our problem is that we are trying to structure the right things in the
wrong way. Maybe our structures contain too much rigid, formal duty where
there should be more informal delight. Maybe out structures violate our children's natural growth and development timetable. Maybe God even has a
natural structure or framework already hidden in His Word for us to discover!
Maybe the key to a successful transition toward more natural learning is found
in our own mindset. Rather than structuring our lives and homeschools with
visible, yet superficially organized systems, educational procedures, and
techniques, we simply need to learn a few lifestyle-changing biblical principles that would ultimately and naturally produce the fruit desired.
Even when the need for change is evident, it must be approached thoughtfully.
We all need a frame of reference in which to operate. Without it, change of
any kind can be dangerous. Lack of structure can lead to the eventual loss of
the desired biblical nature of education if we are ignorant of God's Word in
the matter. We may accept an unfortunate low standard in place of our ideal.
The key to the creation of a new structure is that it must be founded on
biblical principles. Jesus must be at the head of the family. Biblical principles and goals will provide an anchor for learning
activities.
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Marilyn's
Definition
of
"Natural
Learning"
"A biblical natural learning
process is goal-oriented and delight-directed. The formal and informal methods
that are used allow for the peculiar personality traits, unique interests,
ability levels, and growth time-tables of each child. The plan is facilitated
within a structure that allows the freedom necessary to focus on these ideals.
At the same time it provides the needed order and framework in which to meet
goals." |
What you have
just read is just a
delicious "taste" of what's in Wisdom's
Way of Learning.
Unfortunately, for reasons we have not been
made aware, the Howshall's have discontinued all
publication of their materials. The only ones
that are left
that we know of are on
this page of our website.
(We purchased the remainder of
their inventory.)
I
got these graphics from:
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