I think the homeschooling with a baby might depend a little on what ages you're trying to teach. In the past it's been good to focus on the basics, but this year I have a bit more actual work that needs to happen -- three of my kids will need some degree of focused instruction (before with toddlers and 1-2 kids who needed time, we could sort of confine to naptime and do a lot of books and outside play, which we will still do!). So I'm thinking through the change from the last baby, which is namely that I have 1 more kid who really needs actual school, but also have 2 kid who are at an age they can "mother's helper"... So my goal is that either the schoolwork can be independent, can be done in about 45 minutes 1:1 with me, or is Morning Time... I think we'll probably do a couple loops of material. And then I will have to be more disciplined about keeping to a rotation and perhaps math help will get bumped to Dad in the evenings? TBD. But independent work for readers, and doing as much as we can together is going to be key, I think.
I love this so much. I hope I never forget the difference I saw in my students when I switched from teaching religion to English. Suddenly, in my English classroom, students were much, much, much more willing to have an open and honest conversation about spirituality, morality, doubt, faith, calling, service, etc. than they ever were in my religion classroom. I truly believe that was the power of the story, holding up a mirror that allowed them to think critically about the kind of people they wanted to be in light of the people we were reading about.
I'm working my way through Everything Sad is Untrue right now too and absolutely loving it. So glad the ladies at Reading Revisited are hosting a conversation about this book -- I need to process it with others! <3
That is so interesting, but also doesn't surprise me. I think often -- and when I was looking up studies on it, some of them specifically mentioned mainline teens and the tendency towards this sort of moralistic thinking about faith -- the idea of "religion" brings up fixed answers, and while of course there is absolute Truth and Church teaching, there is also soooo much within the confines of those things that is a matter of discernment and story and God speaking in such unique and personal ways to His people! I could pull out a lot more threads, but I really appreciate your observation and reading (also -- look up the Close Reads podcast interview with Daniel Nayeri. I started listening today and it is so good)
This is such a great point, and I saw it play out all the time -- students would parrot out "right answers" to questions about God without diving into the mystery of it at all. But a story (or poem!) is a perfect place to explore mystery, get close to it, even comfortable with it, because there are often so many things to see and unpack in a really good story.
I also think that a story gives students a little bit of helpful space, especially when it comes to talking about morality. We weren't talking about *their* moral decision, we were talking about Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne's moral decision, but as you so beautifully point out in this post, we really were talking about *their* moral decision all along! It was just in a beautifully veiled way.
Thanks for this fun chat! And I'll definitely listen to that interview! :)
The mobile baby is definitely a different element! I struggle the most when they're in the phase between mobile and actually taking predictable naps. I think I'm going to have to get more organized and do a rotation of big kid 1:1 time where some of them are on baby/toddler play duty and I am 1:1 with one child, and then focus on Morning Time and making the other work that has to happen as independent as possible...but also I am lowering my expectations for some things ;)
Such a helpful reflection on story. I remember in my theology courses in college, realizing I had no idea how to handle the narrative genre of the Bible. That’s too bad, since it’s a huge part of Scripture. Obviously, since I grew up in the church, this wasn’t just a me problem. But in my case I think missing out on so much quality children’s literature really hampered me. I’m looking forward to your children’s literature corner. Reading good books with my children is one thing that has really helped me develop a more rounded-out understanding of God and His world.
Yes, I grew up and avoided the Old Testament entirely for quite some time, because without the lens of story, it is scary. When you're stuck in this reductionist mindset about the Bible that is simply, "read a passage and relate it to your behavior" the OT is like, well... I think maybe we shouldn't kill people? (But also, the good guys are killing people... and then they marry a bunch of other people... and are we *sure* these are the good guys?")
Hahaha yes. Reading Luther on Genesis was humbling for me. He talked about how faithful the patriarchs were because they trusted God’s Word without seeing its fulfillment in Christ, when all I’d heard was how wrong all those men were, all the time. It forced me to ask, “Well Leah, what if they wrote a detailed account of your life in those circumstances? In that story? Or…even in your own?”
God wants us to trust Him, and is gracious to lead us when our trust leads to questionable situations, or circular stories, rather than the steady linear heroic progression you mentioned Christians often expect. He knows what He is writing, and that can be enough.
Children’s literature is definitely literature! Was it Katherine Paterson or Madeline L’Engle that said something like if the story is too much for adults, you write it for children (bad paraphrase!)?
I think you might be referencing this part of "Walking on Water" (L'Engle) One of my very favorite books about writing and life!
"About half way through the course, one of the students came up to me after class and said, "I do hope you're going to teach us something about writing for children. That's really why I'm taking this course."
"What have I been teaching you?"
"Well -- writing."
"Don't you write when you write for children?"
"Well -- but isn't it different?"
No, it is not different. The techniques of fiction are the techniques of fiction. They hold as true for Beatrix Potter as they do for Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Characterization, style, theme, are as important in a children's book as in a novel for grown-ups. Taste, as always, will differ... A child is not likely to identify with the characters in Faulkner's Sanctuary. Books like A Wrinkle in Time may seem too difficult to some parents. But if a book is not good enough for a grown-up, it is not good enough for a child." (115)
Ah I love these ideas and will continue to ponder! I love how you said that the moralistic stories don't actually resonate bc no one is that black and white. I just reread the hunger games trilogy and the two new prequels and it's so true... They're such interesting stories because the people are so real. Like, I want to keep reading about them and their lives!!
Thanks for reading, Julie. And yes! So far I'm enjoying the whimsy of these pieces of art. It is not picture perfect decoration, but I hope it also makes the kids feel like their creations are valuable.
Yes please to book recommendations! And I'm all ears for any tips on home educating with a mobile baby.
I think the homeschooling with a baby might depend a little on what ages you're trying to teach. In the past it's been good to focus on the basics, but this year I have a bit more actual work that needs to happen -- three of my kids will need some degree of focused instruction (before with toddlers and 1-2 kids who needed time, we could sort of confine to naptime and do a lot of books and outside play, which we will still do!). So I'm thinking through the change from the last baby, which is namely that I have 1 more kid who really needs actual school, but also have 2 kid who are at an age they can "mother's helper"... So my goal is that either the schoolwork can be independent, can be done in about 45 minutes 1:1 with me, or is Morning Time... I think we'll probably do a couple loops of material. And then I will have to be more disciplined about keeping to a rotation and perhaps math help will get bumped to Dad in the evenings? TBD. But independent work for readers, and doing as much as we can together is going to be key, I think.
I love this so much. I hope I never forget the difference I saw in my students when I switched from teaching religion to English. Suddenly, in my English classroom, students were much, much, much more willing to have an open and honest conversation about spirituality, morality, doubt, faith, calling, service, etc. than they ever were in my religion classroom. I truly believe that was the power of the story, holding up a mirror that allowed them to think critically about the kind of people they wanted to be in light of the people we were reading about.
I'm working my way through Everything Sad is Untrue right now too and absolutely loving it. So glad the ladies at Reading Revisited are hosting a conversation about this book -- I need to process it with others! <3
That is so interesting, but also doesn't surprise me. I think often -- and when I was looking up studies on it, some of them specifically mentioned mainline teens and the tendency towards this sort of moralistic thinking about faith -- the idea of "religion" brings up fixed answers, and while of course there is absolute Truth and Church teaching, there is also soooo much within the confines of those things that is a matter of discernment and story and God speaking in such unique and personal ways to His people! I could pull out a lot more threads, but I really appreciate your observation and reading (also -- look up the Close Reads podcast interview with Daniel Nayeri. I started listening today and it is so good)
This is such a great point, and I saw it play out all the time -- students would parrot out "right answers" to questions about God without diving into the mystery of it at all. But a story (or poem!) is a perfect place to explore mystery, get close to it, even comfortable with it, because there are often so many things to see and unpack in a really good story.
I also think that a story gives students a little bit of helpful space, especially when it comes to talking about morality. We weren't talking about *their* moral decision, we were talking about Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne's moral decision, but as you so beautifully point out in this post, we really were talking about *their* moral decision all along! It was just in a beautifully veiled way.
Thanks for this fun chat! And I'll definitely listen to that interview! :)
Entering our third year of homeschooling, but with a newly mobile baby, and I’m not ready either! Godspeed to us and not them 😂
Looking forward to the books lists! That’s one of my favorite things to share here and I love seeing others’ recs!
The mobile baby is definitely a different element! I struggle the most when they're in the phase between mobile and actually taking predictable naps. I think I'm going to have to get more organized and do a rotation of big kid 1:1 time where some of them are on baby/toddler play duty and I am 1:1 with one child, and then focus on Morning Time and making the other work that has to happen as independent as possible...but also I am lowering my expectations for some things ;)
Such a helpful reflection on story. I remember in my theology courses in college, realizing I had no idea how to handle the narrative genre of the Bible. That’s too bad, since it’s a huge part of Scripture. Obviously, since I grew up in the church, this wasn’t just a me problem. But in my case I think missing out on so much quality children’s literature really hampered me. I’m looking forward to your children’s literature corner. Reading good books with my children is one thing that has really helped me develop a more rounded-out understanding of God and His world.
Yes, I grew up and avoided the Old Testament entirely for quite some time, because without the lens of story, it is scary. When you're stuck in this reductionist mindset about the Bible that is simply, "read a passage and relate it to your behavior" the OT is like, well... I think maybe we shouldn't kill people? (But also, the good guys are killing people... and then they marry a bunch of other people... and are we *sure* these are the good guys?")
Hahaha yes. Reading Luther on Genesis was humbling for me. He talked about how faithful the patriarchs were because they trusted God’s Word without seeing its fulfillment in Christ, when all I’d heard was how wrong all those men were, all the time. It forced me to ask, “Well Leah, what if they wrote a detailed account of your life in those circumstances? In that story? Or…even in your own?”
God wants us to trust Him, and is gracious to lead us when our trust leads to questionable situations, or circular stories, rather than the steady linear heroic progression you mentioned Christians often expect. He knows what He is writing, and that can be enough.
Children’s literature is definitely literature! Was it Katherine Paterson or Madeline L’Engle that said something like if the story is too much for adults, you write it for children (bad paraphrase!)?
I think you might be referencing this part of "Walking on Water" (L'Engle) One of my very favorite books about writing and life!
"About half way through the course, one of the students came up to me after class and said, "I do hope you're going to teach us something about writing for children. That's really why I'm taking this course."
"What have I been teaching you?"
"Well -- writing."
"Don't you write when you write for children?"
"Well -- but isn't it different?"
No, it is not different. The techniques of fiction are the techniques of fiction. They hold as true for Beatrix Potter as they do for Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Characterization, style, theme, are as important in a children's book as in a novel for grown-ups. Taste, as always, will differ... A child is not likely to identify with the characters in Faulkner's Sanctuary. Books like A Wrinkle in Time may seem too difficult to some parents. But if a book is not good enough for a grown-up, it is not good enough for a child." (115)
Love that book! Thanks :)
Ah I love these ideas and will continue to ponder! I love how you said that the moralistic stories don't actually resonate bc no one is that black and white. I just reread the hunger games trilogy and the two new prequels and it's so true... They're such interesting stories because the people are so real. Like, I want to keep reading about them and their lives!!
Yes, real characters are complicated! But that's what makes them so good.
Thank you my friend for all of this. Yes yes yes.
Also, I like the idea of how to display artwork Sorry:).
Thanks for reading, Julie. And yes! So far I'm enjoying the whimsy of these pieces of art. It is not picture perfect decoration, but I hope it also makes the kids feel like their creations are valuable.