On a homeschooling newsletter list I belong to, one mom wanted to know which tests she could administer to see if her children had any gaps. Another mom offered a response that nailed it. She pointed out how it is not possible, to NOT have gaps. No one can know it all. She used the example of history/geography. Pointing out that there are over 200 countries in the world, if you were to study each one of them over the course of a 12 year education, you would need to spend only 2 weeks studying each country. How much detail could you retain studying a country for only 2 weeks?
What also came to my mind is how the borders, leadership and cultures of those 200 plus countries are going to change over the course of 12 years. Education is an eternal process, because change is a fact of life.
With so much out there in the world to learn, a person has to decide what's important to know. My personal conviction is that you should be free to follow your God given curiosity. Each one of us is unique. We aren't all born to be gardeners or brain surgeons or song writers.
(Of course if given the chance, our government would like us all to be good consumers, but that's another soapbox.)
So getting back to testing for gaps, why is it important to see if you know or don't know, what someone else thinks you should? Why allow someone else to tell you what it is that you need to know, unless you want to fit into their mold? Wouldn't you be giving up your freedom doing so?
Maybe some don't want that freedom? For them, it may be easier to choose to follow someone else's path. Maybe its a desire to fit in, to belong and maybe that stems from an insecurity? Too bad, because I believe we are born to be creators and trail blazers. Fear and insecurity will keep us from soaring achievements.
Testing isn't perfect either, and it often fails to match action methods needed to accomplish a goal. (But this too is another soapbox.)
I'd much rather my children pass life tests. Can they show respect for others? Can they be self motivated? Do they demonstrate strong work ethic? Do they practice healthy judgment? Have they figured out that God has a plan designed exclusively for them? Can they forgive? Can they love?
The gaps will always be there, for everyone, whether you attended a traditional school, schooled at home, or unschooled. You can worry about the gaps or you can choose to build bridges over them when the time comes you need to get across. Life is a journey of discovery. Its your journey and you should decide the destination, when you want to go and how you'll travel.
8 comments:
I definitely agree we can not know all there is to know. :o) I'm guessing the parent who wrote that question may be new to home schooling, just wants to do his/her best for their child in trying to cover all those gaps or may not have been exposed to parents who may different methods for education than they do. I think at some point during our homeschooling journeys we find ourselves asking that very same question.
I see gaps when Alex interacts with other kids. While they may be learning one thing in school, Alex may be learning something else. Of course in their minds, they can't understand why Alex may not know something they do.......Alex just knows she knows what she knows and never really questions others about what they know. :o)
I have found myself concerned that she know it all, but am slowly letting go of that feeling.
Interesting....... I went to public school. But was raised by 2 grandparents that never graduated beyone 6th grade. Yet they were the most intelligent people I have ever known. Not about History, but real life lessons........
I do think today's society is putting more pressure to memorize books, than to be a better person.
( Coming from someone with 6 yrs of college education, Master's in Commercial Art & Psychology)
Hugs
Kat
It is so refreshing to know you, Dawning!! You are RIGHT ON!! How perfect to foster the uniqueness in each person, rather than pound everyone into the same old round hole! Gaps exist, but the gaps are different for everyone! Thank you for saying it so well.
Another great point to consider is that as long as we are willing to learn we learn. We keep learning even after graduation and college. We find new interests and soak up the knowledge we gain like a sponge. :o)
I think there's more of an appreciation for those who are intelligent about life and their surroundings more so than those who learn only from 'book learnin'. :o)
>>>Life is a journey of discovery. Its your journey and you should decide the destination, when you want to go and how you'll travel.<<<<<
Very nicely put. I totally agree. ;)
You hit the nail on the head with this one
I like your soapboxes. : )
You go Girl!!!!
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