Sweet Success: The fruits of my labor!

One of my biggest goals for Will in home school is that he become a self directed, self motivated learner. This week I have been clearing out and cleaning out. We have done our regular reading but my mom shares have been light. What's happened is thrilling to me. Yesterday, Will asked if we were doing mom share, I kept saying later because I was pulling everything out and cleaning and clearing. Finally, he found a book I had gotten on ideas for writing for kids called "Kids Can Write." He looked through it and started asking if we could do the activities for mom share. I said I was a little busy but I could pull what he needed out and he could work on it. We went over what the project was and off we went. In the end he created two spy device props and wrote a story (a full page of text) for a readers theater that wants to enlist friends to participate in and act out. (Do you know how the Bronte sisters started, yep, just like that writing stories and acting them out!) Today, even though we did a mom share he came to me again with another project. Again, I gave him the needed materials and off he went. AH, the comfort and joy of success!! I am seriously excited. I know it sounds minute, but to me it is just proof that what we have chosen to do is right. YAY!

MOSIACS

Today was art day and we did Mosiacs. This was really fun and I liked it because all the kids could participate as it could be done on a variety of levels. For Cadey I drew a simple shape and she happily glued the little bits of paper every which way. Will drew Ian a Shadow and he did pretty good filling in his shape and Will drew a full Sonic and was pretty good about being a little more detailed. I thought another time I could use coloring book pages and use those as nice guides as well and for more complete and full pictures. When we study Rome, I will do this again, but I think I will get some glass and tile pieces from the craft store and make a stepping stone or something. Very fun.

Sculptor In The Making

One day Will decided he wanted to sculpt something in the area of developing a talent in his Faith and God book. He got really frustrated and really wanted me to help and show him how to create his Sonic he was working on. I kept telling him I didn't know any more than he did and showed him one little piece I had sculpted a long time ago that was not at all like he wanted his so that got him to stop asking but still he complained and worried his project wouldn't work. He took about 90 minutes and in the end he created an awesome Sonic that wowed me! How could he just sit and do this??? I was so proud he didn't give up and that even though it was hard for him he continued through and solved his problems and ended up creating a sculpture of a Sonic he could be proud of. This to me is the beauty of home schooling. When in school would he choose his own project and be given the time needed for him to work and finish a project like this? He not only worked on a talent but also on a life skill of diligence and persistence. The possibilities are endless of what this kid will be able to accomplish!