About half of our homeschool classes were traditional, textbookish classes. The rest we were just Wild & Crazy Guys!
For fun, my son Kevin studied chess like crazy. One year we called it “Critical Thinking.” No kidding – if you have a kid who plays competitive chess, I’m sure you understand! The next year we called it “Public Speaking” because he was going to different classes around our area, teaching to various homeschool groups and public and private schools. The next year he was hired by a chess organization, and we called it “Occupational Education” since he dealt with paychecks, schedules, and tax forms. The next year we called him “Rich” because chess coaches make a lot of money!
For grins, Kevin read Napoleon, Dostoevsky, and Russian History. Perhaps it stemmed from his love of chess, I’m not sure. He asked for Teaching Company lectures on Russian history, and loved reading about it for fun. For fun, Alex studied economics every year of high school. For fun he learned (and taught) charcoal drawing.
As you are planning for next year, remember to leave enough free time for your children to be “wild and crazy guys” too! Whether its academics or something else, encourage them to follow their passion. Some unique areas of specialization that I have seen include bluegrass music, mycology, ornithology, vocal performance, Eagle Scouts. Some students want to spend their free time working as a dental assistant, vet assistant, or nursing assistant. Other’s want to dance all day every day! Don’t worry about other kids passions, just try to discover those in your own children!
Anyone have a kid with an unusual passion? Please let us all hear about it!
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Sharon - Momn4boys says:
How about knifemaking. He would love to become a bladesmith. Here is a link with a picture of his forge.
http://momn4boys.blogspot.com/2008/03/adams-forge.html
Sharon
May 31st, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Lee says:
Wow! That IS unusual! Did that passion start with a book? Johnny Tremain? How fun!
Blessings,
Lee
May 31st, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Sharon - Momn4boys says:
You know I don’t really know where it started…. It has just always been. He got his first knife at 6 yrs old. Yes it was young, we monitored it closely. He is now NEVER without a knife on his belt. (except where it is illegal, like airplanes etc) He would really like to learn about the fancy knives. special metals, designs in the metal itself. If anyone reading this has suggestions on where to find this type of training I’m all ears!
Sharon
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 am