A Book Review and thoughts there after...

So last school year I was asked by Beth from "Classical Conversations at Home" to be a part of a book club that would review education books. First and foremost I was so honored that she had included me and my small blog in her idea. I was excited and agreed right away- even with a move lurking over my shoulder. I was still in "super mom" mode and thought I could get it all done. Well, I got the book, read it right away, did the giveaway, and had planned to write about it before we made our move and publish it on the road. But like in my last post, God changed my plans. He asked me to be silent.

Silent? Yep! That's right, I felt the need to be silent about the book. I mean didn't the Lord know that I "blogged" and that was the point of my blog???  I thought silence was the hardest command  after fasting. And yet every person that knows me can testify that "silent" has never been the way people describe me. But all my friends and prayer partners confirmed in me that I should not write the review over the time period laid out. So I reluctantly emailed the other bloggers and said I was busy moving and couldn't do it. I felt bad that I had "backed out," but promised a later date.  

I was in the middle of the move and knew that I would not do any service to the CC community to do it in a hurry, with the jumbled up thoughts that I had then. 

So many months later, here is my most thoughtful and prayed over review.

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The book I'm referring to is called Teaching the Trivium by the Bluedorns. First off I read their book wanting to gain more insight on Classical education and looked forward to ways I could teach my kids and myself in that way. 

The book is filled with a compiled collection of articles that they had written over the years, some chapters are specifically dedicated to teaching Latin, some to the Trivium, some to questions from subscribers all over the country. The articles, although written years ago, were saved and made into one book. Essentially it was their newsletters published as an anthology of sorts. 

There were some articles that I felt were harder to agree with than others, and as I read through them I actually felt the need to put the book down a few times as my blood pressure would rise and I would say, "What?" out loud. Thus, explaining God's command. 

They spoke of many wonderful points about how to make your home a peaceful educational place, and they also spoke of keeping things simple and your teaching of the classics simple. Those parts I agreed with wholeheartedly, even though I had done huge projects that were a blast, I knew what point she was making and could see her perspective. 

However, there were other things said that I really had to take time to digest. She had very strong opinions on literature that wasn't "classical" and libraries. They had extremely narrow views about the girls' upbringing in terms of expectations and jobs that she felt they were expected to do by age 15 or so.  She discouraged all computer and TV watching claiming things that were not researched however opinionated. They discouraged sports for girls and went on to say that they should learn to knit, crochet and sew above other things. She also had views about college that I had rarely heard and spoke with authority over those who had doctorates and how they were "more confused" than when they had began. (A little side note my husband has many degrees and one of which is a doctorate. ) They had very strong opinions about public and private school and misquoted scripture to state we all must do it "this" way. They also spoke of how teachers often couldn't transition from school teaching to home schooling well and often didn't make the best home schooling moms because of our past experiences. (So as you know, the former teacher in me, hollered, "What?" right about then as well.) She spoke about how children learned and in her experience she felt it was ok to have a non reader in your family up until around 9 or 10 years old (approximately 3rd or 4th grade). And that is when I had a screeching halt.

You see I could understand all of the above to a point. I saw the value of the "other side" of her views as adding to my discussion in life with those who think differently than me. I enjoy conversations that sharpen me and get me to think about what I truly believe. And for that I thank Mr. and Mrs. Bluedorn as their book solidified in me my own beliefs about education.

As you know I have a daughter and son and as you can figure our hope for them is to both go to college one day and follow God in whatever fashion they feel led. If however, God were to lead them down another path I would gladly cheer their obedience to God. I do feel strongly about many things such as too much TV is bad for them, too much computer time or the wrong video games are not for us. I limit all of that, but I do allow them to watch TV once a week under our supervision and really try to teach them how to pick out quality shows that are honoring to God and our family. I also think Starfall and other great sites are wonderful for kids under certain perimeters.  All electronics are closely monitored in our home and use thereof. A tall order in today's world, but nonetheless important. I also believe that children should help out around the house and that boys and girls should learn to prepare food and clean before they leave the home. I want independence for both of them in regards to home life. I do believe my daughter and son can benefit from athletic organizations outside of the home and if so chose to learn to knit or sew I'd be happy to teach them.

I also value classical literature (for as a teacher, I loved what the classics of Homer and Shakespeare give us), but I do not void going to the library today since it is filled with other books that are not classical. I still see value to teaching them how to chose good books and make choices that are pleasing to God.

I also understood her opinion of how former teachers had a rough time transitioning to home school as we often thought our houses could become a classroom at home. I related to some of it, but never felt like God's call on my life to teach my children was any different as other moms, regardless of me being a teacher. 

But in the case of reading, I completely and admittedly disagreed. Here's why and here's me getting very personal about my childhood...

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I was raised in the inner city, I was raised by two hard working parents that did their best to find schools that were "academic" and "known" for their reputations. My parents sacrificed a lot to send me and my siblings to a private school till 8th grade. We all went to a private school K-8th. If I calculated the math, that would mean a lot of money, even back then. My parents felt strongly about influence and wanted us to be in a great school. For that I thank my parents today.

I set foot in a public school in 7th grade for 9 weeks and then headed back to my private school as I was instantly picked on and stalked by students that frightened me. Needless to say, my private school was in a "different" neighborhood and all my friends were 10X wealthier than us. I didn't fit in, but tried my hardest to belong. 

When I was young, very young, I remember thinking I had something wrong with my brain. I couldn't read a text without letters reversing order, I had to re read a text over and over to get comprehension. If I was ever called on to read out loud, (a personal nightmare of mine) I had to go ahead and read the text many times, often making me lose my place in the class as I prepped for the read aloud. I was not in the "A" group, and remember struggling to get out of the "C" group. Most importantly, I thought I was dumb. I thought I was just not as smart as my peers and really hated reading in school. 

Eventually things got a bit easier, but I always carried those thoughts with me, even today I have to fight them off at times when I speak to friends about certain things. So I rarely discuss my own childhood feelings, I don't even remember telling my mom, because I knew that my school was the best she could offer. 

I went off to public high school and made my way. I was outspoken and persistent. I requested honors classes because I wanted to work harder and promised myself that I could do it if I worked, no matter the extra hours it took for me to learn. I made it. I went on to college and got a degree in elementary education because I wanted to help other kids read. As I was in college I heard about learning disabilities and things like ADD and ADHD. I learned about their characteristics and all the ways they surfaced. It was then that I did a self diagnosis and deemed myself not "dumb" but with ADD. I'm sure I had a reading disability as well, but eventually I learned to cope and was able to get past it. I still see my ADD surface as an adult. 

I say all this to say, I understand when a child struggles. I get it. When I became a teacher and worked with kids who struggled with reading I worked with all my heart to get those kids to believe one thing, they were not "dumb" they were just needing it in a different way. I can tell you stories and stories of how I did this, as my passion grew from one experience to the next. 

I never wanted a child to leave my class thinking they were "dumb"- never! 

Fast forward to last year. I met incredible moms in my CC community. Many of which had degrees of all sorts. They're husbands had graduate degrees as well, we were all in the same boat- we all wanted the best for our kids and felt God had led us there.

Many of which spent hours and hours doing research and teaching their children all the work related to CC. Some even spoke to me personally about their concerns for their kids' reading level. Some noticed they were behind and some questioned what curriculum would best fit their needs. I never once thought, "Oh just don't worry, they will get it eventually." In fact as home schooling moms I ask you all to hear me, if you have taken the insurmountable task of educating your children, we have taken on the great task of getting them resources when needed. I encourage all of you to not settle if you see your child struggling to read or write or whatever, but to adapt, supplement, ask others and be an advocate for your child. I do this not because I solely believe in what a child is capable of, but I do this as a former child with learning disabilities. 

For there are many things I wish to never pass on to my kids and one of which is my idea of not being smart enough.

Did you know that at one point, the state of Indiana chose how many prison cells they needed to build based on reading scores from a child's third grade reading test? In fact the research is out there that struggling readers will have a much harder time in their entire schooling and most tend to fall behind if not caught by 2nd grade. So what does this mean for us? What does it mean for me as a mom?

It means I will NOT give up or settle for my child to not read by 1st grade or catch up by 2nd. It does mean that I do believe my kids need to be at grade level even if that means I have to find a new curriculum or find outside resources. It means even if I am exhausted and tired and don't want to spend the energy to teach my kids to decode words or work on sounds that I will do it. 

Please hear my heart in this post, I know many moms who are very stretched and very busy holding up all the balls in the air. I'm one of them. So this is not a guilt post for you, it's really a look at what is most important for their overall success in learning. I do not believe that any home schooled child who is struggling to read by 3rd grade will always struggle or end up in prison. But I do believe reading is serious. 

So when I read books (such as the Bluedorns') that contradict those ideals I have to take a step back and evaluate why. I pray that you would hear God as He leads all of you to a successful year and pray that you would consider all resources for your children. 

But never give up. 

Never let go of the goal to teach them that they are not "dumb" but truly just learn differently. 

Please do not assume they will not notice their struggle. It is real to them and all children who struggle need our help. They know even if you do not tell them, all children who struggle know this about themselves. But let us encourage one another, be or resource to one another. The things available now are amazing! No one should have to struggle, we have too many resources out there to help us now.

If your reading curriculum works for you, great, but if not, seek others. There are too many out there to not find one that fits your child. I joke about buying many different curriculums, naming myself an curriculum-oholic. But truly it's the greatest thing I can do to meet the individual needs of my kids in such a specific way. 

With that said, I hope you know I value all the other things I can learn from this book and hope we can always come to an agreement that no matter the road God has us on, whether home schooling, private, or public, 99% parents do it for their child's best intent and some actually feel called to do it differently than me. I feel that is okay as well. I trust God can take on the job of leading everyone in His will for their child's life. 

Might I also encourage you that your hard work and long hours will pay off. You will never regret being there when your child soars and reads through a book with fluency. The road to get there might be difficult, but well worth it. 

As a side note, I have loved and appreciated other books on classical education, two of which I own as well, The Core by Leigh Bortins and The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. Definitely both echo my beliefs a little better. And if you haven't' read the children's book titled Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polocco, you should. It makes for a great conversation piece for any child that struggles in reading.

Blessings to you all as we journey this road together. 

Ephesians 3:20