The Learning Curve

Mine that is...  Although today went very well with the same high levels of enthusiasm, I confess my self-doubt has gotten the better of me today.  I sat down with Thing 1 to teach a math lesson and realized I don't know how to teach math.  I mean, I can read the concepts out of the book but presenting them in a dynamic format is a talent I have not yet mastered.  I wish I could say I handled it with grace and faked my way through, but instead I blurted out to Thing 1, "Honey, I don't know how to teach math!"  She replied without hesitation and with the unbridled confidence of a 9 year old, "Just give me the sheet and let me do it!"  And do it she did.  Bless her heart.  Tomorrow, I shall have to be better prepared.  But this little incident has me wondering if I can possibly teach my children anything at all.

Thing 2 and I worked on correcting some of his poor handwriting habits.  He worked willingly and patiently.  I think he'll do well in kindergarten this year.  As he sat down at the table to work with me, he said "I'm so glad we finally started homeschooling."  I asked, "Why?"  He quickly replied, "because it's so fun!"  (As I said, enthusiasm remains high, thankfully.)

After some handwriting and math for each child, we spent recess at the park, meeting up with some old friends from preschool.  It was great to see familiar faces.  After the park, we did our science lesson and then it was off to the zoo for our field trip.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera; the dolphin show that we had planned to attend wasn't until later in the afternoon, and it was (as Thing 1 would say) 'bee-sting' hot.  So instead of the dolphin show, we ate our picnic lunch, hit the stingray tank, and then took the zoo tram to see the wolves and bears.  The kids both drew/wrote in their science journals so all was not lost.  But, it looks like a repeat field trip is in our near future (the dolphin is our mascot and we have to see the show, and I need to get photos for our yearbook).  Thank goodness for zoo membership and the flexibility of homeschooling!