A new sensation

As I was hanging out with Zac at the skateboard park, ignoring my paid job for another hour, giving him pointers and encouragement, I felt very satisfied in my role as mentor. I could see how all our actions that day, and all our little "educational" conversations, were being absorbed by my happy son. I could see how thirsty he was to learn, how curious he was about the world. I was able and motivated to answer all those little questions, which in school he would have no chance to ask and the teacher no time to answer, needing to focus on her prepared plans with a group of students. Our lessons are not all planned; indeed the ones which stick may be the ones entirely kicked off by a question. I need to be ready to tackle his questions and not dismiss them because it doesn't fit my schedule. When he asks, his brain is ready to absorb. His interest should be pounced on and rewarded. Perhaps in the morning you can even ask him if there's anything in particular he wants to do or learn! Yes, let's try that.

I enjoy this feeling of pride in teaching. Let's build on it today.

Curriculum Week 2 Day 1

With Mel: Math; French; reading time (Alex Rider) 100 pages by end of day!!; English.
With me: Wrote and answered questions about book; swim time with time in deep end (treading water and breaststroke); bicycle trip with road safety practice; discussed gil scott-heron and the lyrics for the song The Revolution Will Not Be Televised; took photos of nature outsite house for website natureonmystreet; skateboard practice at skatepark (first time!); Memorial Day discussion and creation of mini-altar for Papa Arthur; lots of little discussions and answered questions.