Ah, the joy of learning. We discover it as toddlers learning to speak; and yet often the joy gathers dust in highschool, when learning is reduced to mere studying answers for a test. As a highschool senior, having been homeschooled since kindergarten, I’m often questioned whether I’ve enjoyed my time homeschooling. How has my mom borne it? Do I get to wear pajamas to class every morning? Do I miss not going to a “real” school? Have I been able to properly socialize? I usually stutter, “Um…yes? It’s been…uh…a great learning experience.” To be honest, I haven’t known anything else.
Yet I have noticed from the tone of the questions that often the joy of learning is supposed to come from the peers that I “should” be learning with; the joy doesn’t come from simply learning itself. I suppose that is something special about my education experience. Thus far, the joy has been found in learning, practicing, gaining excellence, and then applying it to real life. Sure, the joy has often been an experience without peers, but the deeper relationship I have with my parents, brother and sisters must count for something as well. With them around, I cannot say for a moment that I’ve lacked socialization.
However, not all homeschooling circles are equal. Some teaching styles possess that special, indefinable ability to infuse students with joy and love for aggressive learning. Other styles and curriculum only manage to pile on homework and frustrated tears.
One thing that I’ve noticed about the other students at Creative Arts is that they are often so very eager to learn. They haven’t forgotten the joy. Unlike so many others, the students that gather in the coffee shop don’t simply like literature, poetry, philosophy, music, art and drama; they relish these subjects. They critique each other’s writing and discuss the symbolism in Animal Farm for the pure enjoyment of it all.
Being relatively new to Creative Arts, this atmosphere still surprises me. Whatever it is that nurtures joy in learning has been found here. And that’s something special.
1 Comment
November 3, 2007 at 12:12 am
Great entry! Thank you for sharing your experience as someone who was homeschooled.