Educating Today

Archive for April, 2009

The 7 Signs of a Self-Directed Learner

So you’ve decided that you don’t want to use the standard textbook/workbook approach in homeschooling your children.

So what are you going to do? You want your children to enjoy learning and, better yet, you want them to learn how to be self-directed learners. One question that always comes up when discussing self-directed learning is “how do you evaluate if your child is really learning?”

Bettina Langerfeldt of www.FreedomPioneer.com is an expert on how to do self-directed learning. She says there are 7 signs or signals you should look for to see if your child is truly learning.

7 Signals That Show Self-Directed Learning Is Happening

1. Learning is individualized.

2. It’s fun.

3. It’s based on real life.

4. Learning is actively being pursued which means a true product is being created, not an artificial product like a completed workbook.

5. The child has a passion for what he’s learning. Passion is an inner drive to accomplish something. (You know, they have that “glow of delight.”)

6. Learning must be focused–they need to have a vision for what they’re doing.

7. The learner will show growth (or develop fruit) as he advances one season to another.

Wow! What a Civics Lesson!

April 15, 2009, gave all homeschoolers a great opportunity to be involved in our great American Republic.

Tax Day Tea Parties were organized and held in large and small communities all over America.

My little community had a great gathering at the town square of more than 400 people. We heard community leaders, government officials, retired military and everyday citizens voice their opinions in a public open forum.

Many people carried signs that focused on the issues of government spending, out of control taxes and federal interference in the lives of American citizens.

Many speakers encouraged those who gathered to

  • become educated voters
  • take the time to look at your elected officials’ voting records

Why was the Tax Day Tea Party such an important event for Homeschool Families?

  • Our children need to know that our country is a Constitutional Republic and not a democracy. 
  • Our children need to know that since our country is a Republic, our elected officials are to represent us and our beliefs and values.  

  ”All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

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