Who says you needs desks and a chalkboard to have a school room?!! Seriously, half of our schooling happens in the car, lots happens while all students are flopped out on the floor, and some even happens at the table, but that one is in the minority.
I have wanted to post this since someone asked me if we have a full classroom in our house, I laughed...hard!! Really, we do not have a big house, and there is no extra room to devote to a class room space, at least not right now. Currently we do papers and math worksheets at the table, generally while I am cooking dinner, or prepping something for a future dinner, or making lunch(I do a lot of cooking). The girls will often sit and lean on the cupboards, near me, and read, then I am available if they get stuck on a word. Math often happens at the table, mostly because they need to write, but sometimes happens on their bedroom floor if we are doing hands on stuff with Legos, or in the kitchen learning to read and figure out recipes. Science often happens in the kitchen, or the bathroom, depending on the project, but rarely at the table, and reading happens everywhere! the car is often the space where we have very deep discussions of a scientific nature, or about history/social studies. Today we had a discussion on theology, and other cultures, and how the worlds cultures and politics are often driven by their religion. We will likely devote a year to an in depth study of world religion and culture when they are a bit older, as Jon and I feel it it necessary for them to at least understand the major religions and the various cultural communities around the world. It is not likely that this study will be confined to the table or class space either.
The library is also a great school room we have found, as anything that interests us can be found there, and since we have a wonderful librarian who is willing to involve herself in our educational endeavors it is even better!
I have plans for a nicely equipped schoolroom in the future, with a sink and long counter, for those messy science experiments we love to do, and for art, to keep the mess out of my kitchen. Large walls of shelves and desk space are also much desired, but for now, we spread out all over the house, with one learning how to read a clock at the table(handmade paper clock in hand), another learning how to follow lines and trace shapes in the middle of the floor, and one drawing elaborate pictures of the world on the bedroom floor. The whole world is our schoolroom, and that is how we like it, no limits, no barriers, learning is everywhere, if you just look for it!!!
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