To teach is to learn twice. ~Joseph Joubert, Pensées, 1842

One of my all-time favorite field trips during my elementary school years was a full day-trip to explore Strawberry Banke (http://www.strawberybanke.org) in Portsmouth, NH. This is a quaint, little, working museum of one of the authentic colonies in NH, first known as Puddle Dock. I fondly remember it as a few streets of original, renovated homes, store and museum complete with furnishings. The employees dress in costume of that era. You can walk through the different houses and see how people lived and worked in those days. I was only in fourth grade but I was immediately absorbed by the magic of the history during that time. I walked through the houses just absolutely mesmerized, feeling the energy of the past. I became obsessed with that period in American history for many years.

It was then that it was obvious I had a love for history. Throughout my school years, I thrived in my history lessons. During each period of time, I would try to imagine what it was like to live then. Most of my lessons throughout the years took place in America, just only touching on World History. However, even to learn about the ancient past was exciting to me.

I am finding that one of the most rewarding things about homeschooling Malachy, is that I get to relive the passion I have for history. At this point in his history lessons he is studying the end of the Middle Ages and the beginnings of the Renaissance periods. I love reading about the main characters that shaped the world at that time. I had been familiar with some of the important names of this period, but didn't know much (or had forgotten) about what they actually did or accomplished. The art program is tied into the history, so we learn about the art of this same period as well.

Who knew I'd be getting so much out of "his" history/art programs? If Malachy was learning this in a traditional school setting, I would only be getting fragmented bits and pieces of what he's learning. Because of my interest in this particular curriculum and the fact that I get to study alongside of him, I almost feel guilty, as if I'm getting away with "something"! And that "something" is a richer and deeper education for ME!

Now, on the other hand, I don't think it's any secret that math is another story all together, for me. Right now, third grade math is easy-peasy. Just wait a few more years and maybe I can figure out what went wrong for me, where I originally lost my way in mathematics and perhaps teaching him will teach me again too. At least one can hope......