“Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive–it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there?”
Anne of Green Gables
As I ponder the planning of the boys’ curriculum for the upcoming homeschooling year, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the decision-making progress of what to study . . . what should they learn? There is so much knowledge to be gained these days, and so many ways to know what needs to be known — and SO many curricula options! And thus I find myself wondering yet again if our summer days shouldn’t be a bit more structured with learning? But in truth, my boys are constantly learning, discovering and experiencing, with and without my planning and assistance! And when I embrace these days filled with a whole lot of element of unknown, I usually find that there are exciting, unplanned journeys of discovery just waiting for us . . . I was reminded of this when my 10 year old was trying to get a formerly forgotten globe to hover with its magical magnetic properties and noticed how close Alaska and Russia appeared on the shiny sphere. He then proceeded to ask me about how close they were to each other — this led to a discussion of the Bering Strait and the history of human migration and a personal anecdote as I excitedly told my son about the trip I once took to the little island of Dutch Harbor, Alaska! We pulled out a geography resource and took a little time to practice our mapping skills and knowledge of geographical terms with reinforcement in the form of a puzzle word search. I was so glad that I took time out from my own busyness, including the busyness of planning, to appreciate the random wondering, and be fully immersed in the “interestingness” of the present moment, by helping to guide and explore alongside my most inquisitive son. And he is inquisitive. Tapping the wall in a pattern with two fingers at separate times, trying to figure out the physics of why one sounded different than other — everything is interesting! As summertime games, activities or story telling adventures float lazily into one another, I see my sons laughing and oohing and ahhhing (and sometimes “oww”ing) as they delightfully discover what’s interesting to them. Often, what’s most interesting arises from little questions and bits of wondering, fertilized with a whole lot of imagination! Thus I hear of ancient treasures (grandma’s costume jewelry box), encounter undercover secret agents who spring out in the cavelike darkness on an unsuspecting Mom, witness the creation of outlandish headdresses providing just the right touch for a storyline, sigh at scientific experiments re the property of magic putty that creates unremovable stains on bedsheets, and proudly admire the fashioning of wooden swords decorated with intricate and beautiful designs by way of one son’s self-taught pyrography (the art of wood-burning) — well, now I am truly reminded why summertime is an ideal time to encourage unstructured learning and experiences! I reflect on how wonderful is our Creator and the gifts He gives us with every sunrise — a daily opportunity to know Him deeper and better as our intellects and imagination joyfully discover the beauty and wonder of His majesty revealed in this oh-so-interesting world!