Pedagogy
We've been homeschooling for three years, with each of us choosing this lifestyle time and again. We began when we were in Montana, when the boys were in fifth, third, and first grade. Again, I was working three, twelve-hour shifts a week, overnight. My non-traditional schedule is what allowed us to even try. I certainly recognize that not every family has this ability, let alone the desire to homeschool.
We made the decision to homeschool for a variety of reasons. From a lofty, pedagogical perspective, we were bored with the assembly line approach to learning in traditional school. I don't fault the schools and I have enormous regard for teachers; trying to make lemonade out of lemons while having to buy the sugar themselves! There is just no other way to manage a room full of twenty-five ten year-olds; there has to assigned seats, hand raising, and designated play time. I like to quip that if I can’t trust my boys to manage their own bathroom needs, I’ve got bigger problems.
Logistically, we knew we wanted to travel more, so it made sense to have the education piece worked out. Socially, I was struggling with some of the culture that came along with life in an incredibly affluent resort town. The pressure to keep up with the Jones’ in terms of new Nike’s, toys, gaming systems, etc., was palpable and often at odds with the values I try to impart on my boys. This stuff was particularly present, it seemed, with the kids at Riley’s grade level. Couple that with some devastating allegations involving a parent in that grade, which divided his age group in some really ugly ways, and I found myself wanting to back away slowly. There was only one elementary, middle and high school in Whitefish, so he was stuck with the same kids throughout. What’s more, fifth grade went to the middle school. There is a huge difference between a ten year-old and a fourteen year-old and I felt like this was bringing a premature end to his childhood. It was at this point that we decided public school was no longer right for us.
We decided to tailor the boys' education to our values. Our goal is to teach our boys HOW to learn and use their resources. This world is changing so fast, there is no way that we can anticipate the work force they will enter; the jobs they will do. The best we can do for them is teach them to adapt, and that is not what the schools were set up to do. In our home/school we talk a lot about taking risks, setting goals, failing (see: sailing), and character. We also get to focus on more 'life skills'; cooking, cleaning, nutrition, money management, and the trades. These pursuits have lead to a ton of internalized learning and experience that just can’t be gained in 2-D.
We actually check in with the boys on their school experience often and they know they can choose to go to traditional school anytime. At this point, they are happy with the lifestyle homeschooling enables. It is pretty apparent to me that my boys are not going to work in a bank, office, or really any setting involving cubicles. I don’t even know that they will go to a four year university, and I am fine with that. More than fine, actually. Please do not mistake this for a dismissal of education. I love to learn and think that being a life-long learner is vital to survival. I just want to recognize that learning doesn’t have to happen in traditional institutions. The conversation in our family revolves around building a fulfilling life. I encourage my guys to travel after high school, before they even think about what they want to do to pay the bills. If that leads them to pursuing a degree at a university or trade school, then by all means! Ultimately, my success will be measured by three well-rounded individuals who have the skills and courage to pursue their passions and crush their goals.
