by Oliver DeMille Draw a Picture “But I told him exactly what to do,” I said slowly, emphatically. “I even repeated it, then had him echo the expectation back to me to make sure he got it.” I shook my head in frustration. “Four hours [...]
by Oliver DeMille A Blank Paper and A Name Did you make any plans or goals for the coming week for your family and/or homeschool? Did get a blank piece of paper and brainstorm what your child needs most in his or her life right [...]
by Oliver DeMille Weather of Reading “Dad, can you read to me more?” Meri asked me. Surprised, I looked up from my book and responded, “Oh, sure.” I took the book she was reading and read a chapter aloud to her. When I finished, I [...]
by Oliver DeMille Embracing the Challenge I read somewhere a while back that while in Western nations we tend to think of student educational success as the result of being smart, Oriental cultures assume everyone will struggle with learning (because learning is supposed to be [...]
by Oliver DeMille Abigail’s Crayon Drawing She looked at Abigail’s crayon drawing and praised it. And this was no ordinary praising. Vernie’s comments were specific and insightful, and went on and on and on. Eight-year-old Abi beamed with happiness. I sat and watched, a little [...]
The New Problem Time magazine and The Economist recently ran articles on education and career, and how the changing economy has made the current conveyor-belt style of schooling almost entirely obsolete—for everything except low-paying jobs. The Atlantic ran a similar article showing that American workers [...]
By Oliver DeMille “How will math ever help me in real life?” Every math teacher and a lot of parents have heard this question—more than once! And what homeschooler hasn’t heard the familiar query: “But what about your kids’ social development?” A new question in [...]
Note from Rachel DeMille: I put this out last year, and thought it might be of use to some of our newer subscribers - or perhaps for a second read to those who've already seen it. Take note of the new, expanded and totally [...]
by Oliver DeMille Some things work, and some things don’t. If you are trying to help a young person, or any person, get a truly great education, you’d better allow him—or, even better, help him—to fall in love with learning. And you’d better help him [...]
This week I was reminded of “the best math curriculum.” In fact, there were three reminders, and when the third one came it finally made me pause and take notice.
