How to Learn

Can the Cabela's Master Catalog teach a 7 year old boy anything? My answer is a resounding yes!! Take the knife section, Lee has learned how to measure out to the nearest 1/16" by using a ruler to check the lengths, widths and thicknesses of each and every knife blade in the catalog. He is learning that each line on the ruler stands for either 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 or 1 whole inch. He is comparing lengths and thinking about the use for each different knife. In the binocular section he is learning that the higher the number the higher the magnification. He now knows how magnification is written (9 x 21 for ex.). He's learned the difference between bi and mono, as in binoculars and monoculars. ("Dad, did you know they came out with monoculars, so you only have to use one eye to look?") A young boy can also learn the different types of terrain, landscapes, leaf patterns and seasons by studying the huge variety of camo patterns. ("Mom, now that only the oak leaves are left on the trees, do you think I would need Mossy Oak or Realtree camo?") And don't forget the all important math concept of rounding money to the nearest dollar. ("I'd need about $15.00 for this $14.95 face mask.")

Here's another way we learn at our house. Marbles are named according to the states that were introduced during map skills. Then Grace teaches Lou how to say each name and where that marble should "play" according to where it's located in relation to Wisconsin. This sounds like a confusing game, but for some unknown reason they like to play this.

And another. If you fall in the ditch during cranberry harvest and your hip waders get wet, you'll learn quickly, when you put your boots on the PEET boot dryer, that heat rises.

I would not call us unschoolers, however, I do have unschooling tendencies and the idea is so tempting to me. Children learn so much by living and enjoying life. I learn so much by patiently watching my children live and enjoy life.