Unconventional Lessons

Time to grab a cup of coffee and do my midyear review. What's first? Bible. Can't slack off there because the kids remind us every day. Hmmm...Math. Doing well with math concepts. Getting the hang of counting money. More focus needed on math facts. Writing. Bible verses for copywork. Real life writing practice. Dictation in journal. Okay, but we need more consistency. Science. So far so good. Make a note to let the kids plant something this spring. And a zoo visit is in order. Galloping the Globe. Love it; it's a keeper. Let's see, what else? Reading. Oh. Now here is something to savor. Reading. Yes, we've come a long way.

Jonathan is at the threshold of moving from the Learning to Read stage to the Reading to Learn stage. It thrills me to no end when I see him curled up on the sofa with a book. Nothing makes me happier than to hear him say, "Can I read just a little bit longer?" And I especially love it when I catch him reading aloud to Elizabeth and Daniel.

What makes this especially sweet to me is that he didn't get to this stage easily. Last spring we hit a wall with phonics. We had gotten to a certain level of proficiency, but we couldn't seem to break through to the next level. Even though we had tried several highly rated curricula, things just weren't clicking. For months, both student and teacher were quite discouraged. So we prayed.

Then a window of understanding opened. Thanks to the detailed recommendations of our insightful Neurodevelopmentalist (a veteran homeschooler), we started to see progress once again by using sight reading techniques. I used to think sight reading was less effective than phonics, but have since realized that for some kids it's the key to fluency. I am thankful for the revelation and for the renewed hope. Jonathan is learning, and he isn't the only one.

As a teacher, I am learning that each child is equipped with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. I am learning that it's important to be flexible in my teaching approaches. I am learning to take conventional wisdom with a grain of salt. I am learning that despite my occasional feelings to the contrary God knew what He was doing when He called us to homeschool our kids.

As a Mom, I am learning the value of an encouraging word, especially on tough days. I am learning how excruciatingly difficult it is to be patient when I want my son to succeed. I am learning that God hears the prayers of a mother's heart and is faithful to equip me for the task to which I'm called.

God is not idle. He leads; He guides; He teaches. He even arranges unconventional lessons.

When Daniel was potty training last fall, I'd keep him company in the bathroom and read aloud to him while we waited for "things to happen." But there were times I couldn't stay with him for long; I had to cook or do the laundry or answer the phone. Daniel was not a happy camper to be sitting alone but I couldn't think of a workable solution.

One day, out of the blue, Jonathan appointed himself Daniel's potty training buddy. Whenever Daniel went to the bathroom, Jonathan followed him in with a book. First came, "Hey Daniel, want a story?," then "Thank you, Jonathan!" and then I'd hear music to my ears--a familiar voice slowly reading aloud to an appreciative audience of one.

Daniel soon became a potty-going expert. And Jonathan? He must have paid his dues in that bathroom because not long after that his reading ability took off.

Whoever said school had to be boring? ;-)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6