Education, Full Circle

A cool thing happened yesterday afternoon.

I was sitting in our living room beginning to plan our homeschool curriculum for next year. This time last year, I already had everything planned out for the next school year; books were bought and weekly lists were even made. This year, I've just now begun thinking about it.

Samantha, my 14-year-old, sat down with me and wanted to see her reading list for next year. She'll be doing ancient history, so her reading list consists of Homer, Plato, Aristotle, and such. She'll read plays, histories, and big chunks of the Bible, that she's already read in the past.

As we went over the list, Andy, who's getting ready to enter his second full year of college (with two years of credits under his belt) sat down with us. Andy is majoring in Classical Studies at a local university, so he was very interested in what Sam will study next year. He remembers studying this same curriculum in the 9th grade. His first reading of Homer's Iliad is what gave him a taste for ancient literature and brought him to where he is today.

Andy pointed out, however, the flaws in his own 9th grade education. He showed me how going through the ancient list chronologically, is much more difficult. He explained that the histories need to be read first, and then the plays and stories will make more sense when put into the historical context. We had a great discussion about the differences (and similarities) between ancient Greece and Rome, and I learned a lot of new things.

All in all, *I* felt more educated at the end of it.

Andy also pointed out that he has copies of every book on Sam's reading list, and that although he'll be 45 minutes away in the dorm this fall, she can use his books and they can discuss things over the phone and email.

When we finished up, I thanked Andy for his insight and I was thankful once again that he's home. We've come full circle...

I began teaching him more than eleven years ago, when I first took him out of school in the second grade. At some point along the way, he began learning independently and taking his own initiative; I was no longer really teaching him, but rather, guiding him and learning WITH him. Today, he is teaching me, and we are still learning together.

Sometimes I wonder if homeschooling is still the best thing for my kids. Sometimes I get discouraged and want to quit. Sometimes I just want them all to go to school and leave me alone to lie in the sun or play on my computer.

But then a day like yesterday happens and I remember how precious these times are. I also realize our time together is slowly dwindling away. My babies are almost all grown up. Yesterday, God gave me the reminder (and encouragement) I needed to carry on.

Copyright © 2007 - Paulla Estes