About Education...

In Our School
In our school
There will be no boring lectures,
No politically-correct textbooks,
No required courses,
No graffiti-covered walls,
No overcrowded classrooms,
No high-stakes testing,
No strict schedules,
And no dress codes…
But the whole world will be an open book
As we run free to windsung poems,
And we will rejoice as we explore
The wonders of God's creations.
~Teri Ann Berg Olsen

I found this lovely poem on my friend Tammy's blog. It really says what I feel about education. What it should be about - especially in the elementary years. As I commented to her, I have always felt that children should be taught to love learning, not to achieve a certain grade or score on a test. The way to teach a love of learning is to instill a sense of wonder in them, and show them how to explore, and then give them the freedom to do so. I remember as a child being frustrated when I was not allowed to learn what I was interested in, or to continue on in studying something that caught my interest. Now, as a homeschooling mom, I have to fight against all the social programming I went through and really allow my children that freedom in their education. When I do, I am so pleasantly suprised at the difference in attitude and the amazing progress that is made. Childhood should be a time of beauty and magic, I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to participate in the unfolding of my children's souls!