Bettering Ourselves

Yes, we are all having fun here and trying and doing lots of different things on a daily basis.  But, we are also making sure to work hard, stay healthy and better ourselves in the process.  I think that it is fair to say that all of the kids are having to work harder in school and all have more homework.  The whole philosophy of learning is different.  It is taught much more as a learning and thinking process than it is as a "memorize for the test".  I told you before that Calvin often has to write papers for math class to explain how and why things are done the way that they are.  Tabitha has a whole class called the Theory of Knowledge where they discuss and learn about how knowledge is gained.  Here is a summary of the school philosophy as explained by a friend of mine...

School unit introductions include:

• how learning takes place
• providing students with strategies to use in their own learning
• encouraging them to think about their learning as something over which they have control 
• talking to the students about how everyone learns sometimes similarly and sometimes differently
• getting them excited about learning
•  how we can help ourselves to become better learners by studying, diet, exercise and sleep

Students are assessed in math and reading through a variety of methods.  The multiple intelligence model is used for the curriculum... basically that there is more to a person than IQ.  Each person has their individual strengths whether it's verbal, logical, musical, artistic, etc.  The curriculum is tailored to each individual student's needs.  

Calvin sums it up by saying that school is not necessarily harder but that it has made him have to think in different ways to get the results that he wants or needs.

Because the kids are also taking music lessons, chess club, speech team, and learning Swedish, they are certainly putting their minds to work!

Josh and I are also working hard at learning Swedish and picking up many other new skills along the way!  Even my exercise routine is harder than anything that I have done in a long time...

This morning's "toning" class

So, with less access to "easy" things and convenience foods, we rely on our knowledge and skills and perseverance to get what we want and need.  Sometimes it feels like a challenge, sometimes a bigger challenge than others, but I think that in the end, it can only be good for all of us!

Our "backyard"

After our cold day yesterday, it was  fantastic to wake up to 41 degrees and sunshine!  Yesterday, I needed to be bundled up and to wear my hat.  Today, I didn't even need gloves!

We won't have Thanksgiving tomorrow with the rest of you, but we will be celebrating on Saturday with friends.  I started some of my baking today and without access to our familiar soft dinner rolls, I had to make sure to make some of those!