I remember the first time I attended a homeschooling conference. It was in Houston by the Astrodome before the Reliant Stadium was even thought of and we still had the Houston Oilers.
I didn’t even have kids – in fact, I was in high school.
My Mom homeschooled my siblings and asked me to go. She went to one part of the conference and sent me to spy out another part. I remember it so well.
The speaker was from a curricula that used a theme-based or unit study. This particular year she had taught about the Olympics.
She had me captivated. Remember, I was a teenager – I couldn’t care less about teaching others or even having kids.
She taught her children by doing a mini-Olympics with her neighborhood. They had run the torch through their streets. All the neighbors came out and cheered the kids on. One of the children was the reporter and took pictures of all the happenings.
In other parts of their study – they had a Toga Party, representing part of the historical Olympics.
They studied the Olympic Rings. Each child had to do an individual study on each of the rings and give the meaning.
After her speech was over – I knew my invisible children’s lives were changed. AND I wished all teachers would have taught me with the same gusto!
What does this all have to do with me and you?
It gave me a vision for my children – when I didn’t even have plans to have children.
This is how I teach my real-life children. Bringing history to life. Never wanting to miss an opportunity to give vision or provoke learning. All because I was given opportunity to look in on someone’s teaching.
Who knows who is looking at my teaching or your children?
You or I could be influencing the next Einstein, Henry Ford, Mark E. Zuckerberg, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, or so many more.
Plus you may NEVER realize it.
AND – they don’t even have to be your children! They could just be the neighbors’ children who are just visiting for the summer.
Be encouraged! You are making a difference to someone!
By the way - London is hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics!
July 27th to August 12, 2012
You still have time to encourage and plan for a fantastic learning experience!
One day, I would love to be able to take my children to see the Olympics – talk about a “World’s Largest” field trip!
Blessings to you! You are loved!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
In 1980, when I was 11 years old, the winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid, NY. I was lucky enough to live in upstate NY and my grandmother lived in a small town right along the torch route. My parents took us out of school for the day and we joined the festivities — the town built huge ice/snow sculptures and decorated the main street. The runners came through, there was a short ceremony and then we were able to get photos and autographs from the runners. It was amazing. I feel that I learned so much more from experiences like that than from any of my time in school.
Nice! And cool!
Indeed, we are always teaching – someone. And sometimes it isn’t even a kid. I’ve learned so much as an adult from watching others – especially my sisters and how they mom their kids. I’m the oldest person among us, but the youngest mom. So the Doodle learns from them, I learn from them, and maybe sometimes they still learn a little from the big sis.
Thanks Lana!