Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Ideas for Helping Children with Writing
(continued)

I have never dismissed early childhood learning ideas as being exclusive to the domain of early childhood. Often they are really valid for older children too, with some extra sophistication chucked in. Why I love using blank books, as opposed to lined exercise books, is that they encourage children of all ages to explore the page creatively - they can used a lined sheet underneath to guide their writing (I used to love doing this), and then paste things in, draw, paint, doodle..... decorate.... just like the ancient manuscripts of old....

You could purchase a Student Diary for your children to record their home education studies in, especially if you are following regular curriculum subjects. These are good for young children because there is only a small space for each day which allows the children to keep their entries short and sweet. This is really popular with most children. I have used Memo Books for the same purpose - a page a day. It isn't hard for a child to complete a page of that size!

Over the year the diary becomes a comprehensive record of their home learning program. The organisational and managerial skills developed will stand them in good stead as they approach
their late teens, and look at tertiary studies or employment.

Another great writing idea is fostering the love of corresponding with others - pen friends. There are so many pen friend lists available on home education web sites, or in newsletters, but you can start with just writing to your own friends - the people you see regularly!

Children love to receive mail and parcels, and are quite happy to write back, but need some guidance and support until the idea really takes off. I liked to keep it very simple at first, and we focussed on postcards. These have limited space so are quick to write, usually filled with short sentences. Thomas feels less intimidated with the amount of handwriting. The whole exercise only takes a few minutes. We even make our own postcards, reusing old cards with interesting pictures on them that are sent to us, or old photographs.

Over time the children began to send letters, drawings, homemade magazines, puzzles, etc, to their pen friends. The to and for of correspondence naturally reinforced the activity.

Writing can sometimes be even more enjoyable when the writing implement is varied. We have lots of different implements around, from lead pencils of varying grades and thickness, different types of colour pencils, biros, ink pens (cartridge and nib), chalk, texta (fine and thick felts), charcoal - all the regular art materials plus things like lemon juice and candles for secret stuff! It is good to vary the colour and texture of the paper too. Our children really enjoyed making paper, and cards and envelopes appeared all over the place, resulting in a lot of letters sent. But just don't stop at paper and card to write on, try blackboards, brick walls, pavements, round surfaces...

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More than 60 essays covering a wide range of home schooling concerns and issues, such as late readers, value of play, socialisation, learning maths, part time school, and thoughts on testing. Learning in the Absence of Education is an intimate and honest look at day-to-day homeschooling life spanning several years. Includes articles on learning maths, reading and writing, spelling, socialisation, part time schooling, fathers and homeschooling, value of play, grading and testing, coping with stress and illness, and much more.

"These essays are the real life experiences of a long term home educator and activist and make inspiring reading... a valuable resource for all those interested in home education.... What I particularly appreciate are the personal day-to-day stories that are so specific in the incident or outcome These are essays written over time that reflect natural learning (read life) as it really happens.

I really enjoy Beverley's writing style in this book. It is very direct, sometimes even challenging the reader. She tries to be scrupulously honest always so we read of advantages and disadvantages of whatever topic she is discussing. She will also point out the ideal situation and how she thinks she falls short. Sometimes she is self-deprecating; sometimes she glows with enthusiasm for their successful lifestyle. There are touches of humour and sometimes wry cynicism.

Hopefully this book will answer many people's questions and fears about natural learning. It is all in here: how right it feels when natural learning is working well, what happens when we have insecurities ourselves, and the results so far. By presenting the natural learning case in this essay style, Beverley has been able to reflect the different moods, the ups and downs, that make the book a valuable resource for all those interested in home education, whatever their current style."
Janine Banks, home educator, Qld

ISBN 1876651016, 128 pages... $22.95

available from
ALWAYS LEARNING BOOKS

Homeschool Australia SA HE Network Unschool~Kidz! About Beverley Paine

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Always seek qualified legal advice if in any doubt as to your legal position.