A Genius of a Man

Albert Einstein lived from March 14, 1879 - April 18, 1955. He was a theoretical physicist widely regarded as the most important scientist of the 21st century. He was the author of the special and general theories of relativity and made significant contributions to quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and cosmology. He was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect in 1905 and for his services to theoretical physics.

I would love to share some of his quotes and how they can relate to homeschooling families.

"I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious."

The homeschooling conference season is upon us. As moms (and dads) we get so excited about what to use next year. We get a "natural high" (for lack of better words) at the smell of fresh new material. Here is the best advice I can think of.... "Ordering curricula sight unseen is never a safe bet." It is IMPORTANT to view curriculum. If you can't make it to a conference, ask your friends if they know anyone who uses the particular curriculum and make plans to "view it". Be curious !

"Love is a better teacher than duty."

Remember, that even the best curriculum and the best laid out plans aren't going to replace experiences and love. Make sure whatever you decide to get is filled with experiences that will provide your children with life long memories of devotion and love.

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school."

Scott Sommerville (HSDL) has a question he often asks, "Are we FUNschooling yet ?" Mr. Sommerville, explores the possible need for a new word to really capture what homeschooling families are doing: having FUN while learning. If our children remember having fun learning and how to learn - they will ALWAYS succeed !

"Information is not knowledge."

Curriculum is not as important as the development of the mind. Our families goal for homeschooling Shayna is to teach her how to be a lifelong learner. We want her to be passionate about learning. We love sharing "read alouds" so they can lead to fruitful discussions. In study after study out there on homeschooling, it has shown us that "tutored students outdistance 98 percent of those taught in conventional group settings. One on one instruction or very small group instruction followed by one on one reviews is what homeschooling is all about."

"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."

Here is the question, do homeschoolers need a formal education (meaning "school" in a "school building" with hundreds of children) to prepare for college. Homeschoolers are sending their children to community college classes at younger ages. Four year institutions are opening their doors to homeschoolers for FT classes at younger ages. Homeschoolers often have the curiosity and drive to make college "happen" and make sense.

"A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years, but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of mother or father taken many years ago. You see them as you remember them."

I will end here with the reminder that Mother's Day is this weekend. Remember to take pictures of the happy times. Remember to take lots of pictures. Remember to enjoy the moments with your children. These moments are what they are going to remember the most when they look back at these "photographs" of earlier times. Make the most of those moments. These happy times of homeschooling, having fun, doing projects, laughing, playing games, being curious about life... this is what our children will remember. When our children look back at these photographs... you want them to remember all the time we spent "molding them" into the people they will become.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL !