I’m blogging now about our lessons.  We have a most definite unschooling bent here, and my son is in 11th grade, so I think it might help me (and maybe you).  I can type so fast, but writing is sloooooow sometimes.  Blogging is a good way to keep records.

This morning we began to work through:  Prentice Hall Literature The American Experience.  Joe and I have had several very long conversations in the past about early American writers, including the Southern plantation writers.  Think William Byrd. 

In fact, much of Joe’s education centers around long conversations, talking of US and world history, famous writers, battles, people, and so on.  He is such an extremely auditory learner.  He has a keen mind for remembering spoken details.  It’s amazing.  Written language, however, has always stumped him. 

Now that he’s reading 500+ page novels all the time, I don’t worry about it so much, though we are working on spelling and writing skills.  The fact remains, though, that much of his education has been one-on-one great conversation!  Document that, why don’t you?  How do I?

I’m working on it, and I’ll share it when it’s done. 

Anyway, Prentice Hall Literature The American Experience is a great way to teach US history AND literature.  (And I also happen to like the choice of literary works put into the book.)

Today’s Lessons:

• Independent reading — 2+ hours
• Read pages 2-10 in Prentice Hall Literature The American Experience
• Printed timeline for our wall (1490-1740) – (this book has great timelines, by the way)
• Spent about two hours talking about Native Americans, Pilgrims, and Southern Planters
• Somehow got into a discussion about J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis
• Talked about the Navajo language and the movie Wind Talkers
• Had a discussion about the Salem Witch Trials and how much influence writers have over the thinking of their day.  This led to a talk about J.K. Rowling. 
• Talked about how it’s probably just as difficult to write a good screenplay as it is to write the original good novel that the screenplay comes from
• Looked at the United States map and talked of the different climates of the south and north and reminded ourselves of where Plymouth is, Cape Cod, the Mason-Dixon line, etc
• Ended up talking about The Civil War and Robert E. Lee and the fact that Arlington is on land that was Robert E. Lee’s
• The map led to a discussion of Ungava Bay and our long-ago study together of Very Last First Time (thanks to FIAR)
• Practiced cursive writing by beginning an outline of early American literature
• Talked about his own ideas for a fantasy book we wants to write
• Talked of religion and some things he heard spoken last night that touched his heart
• Math sheet
• Read the newspaper  — or at least skim through it

As you can see, we have spent MUCH time doing home education this morning.  We have had a wonderful depth of ideas and facts discussed.  Paperwise, however, there’s not much to show.  No large stack of boring worksheets, but we have a mind full of ideas on what to write in his own book.  Our relationship has grown.  I think that is worth something.

I have to go to work, so he’ll do more on his own today, i.e. math. 

As Joe worked on his cursive, I looked out the window and saw this really cute squirrel.

He seemed pretty relaxed, but then we he saw me he sat up, ready to take off.  He has something in his mouth.

Have a great Monday,
Lynn