|
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
|
Intro
from Barb...
I believe that the greatest
excuse from homeschoolers for why they are unable to "loosen
up" and lay down text and workbooks (and I'm talking about the
over-use of them for "school at home") is this statement that
I have heard from literally hundreds of homeschool moms: "I'm
the type that has to have structure," often adding: "I
just can't have a free-for-all!" Here are two deadly underlying
misperceptions the above statements
reveal:
1)
They are assuming that text/workbooks ARE able to accomplish "true
education."
2) They are
assuming that "natural learning" has no structure.
While the
world's idea of "natural learning" often has
"free-for-all," undisciplined connotations, God's idea doesn't. And
since He is the one who created nature, whatever inherent nature it has
has to reflect its maker. Is God haphazard?
Disorderly? Goal-less? Hardly! He has placed amazing
structure in everything He created. But the structure He designed
for education is far different from the structure the world designed for
it! Marilyn Howshall presents the truth of what it is eloquently
and simply.
|
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.
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.
For more information on Lifestyle of Learning, please
check out their websites:
www.influentialparenting.org
www.lifestyleoflearning.org
www.lolache.com
And on Facebook do a search for "HEM" (= Home
Educated Mom)
Article
Chart /
Main
Lobby
Homeschool Course Description
|