Raised by a homeschooling mom in the 1990s and early 2000s, I learned very well the words "Discipline", "Obedience," "Thoroughness," and "Love."  You couldn't have one of those words without having the others. The other watchwords she held herself to were "Patience," "Originality" and "Fun."  Every day brought both regularity and something special.  We started the school year singing "This is My Father's World."  I always loved that last week of August, gorging myself on the smells of paper, erasers, pencils, pens and ink, new clothes, books and (if Dad had a raise) something special like a new purse with glittery beads from the mall.

     Mom required us to sit up straight, just as if we were in a classroom instead of at the kitchen table; raise our hands before speaking; and always be polite.  If we had questions, she certainly answered them, and took time diligently to look up the answers if she didn't know.  Math was a hard one for her to teach, because it never made much sense to her, so Dad was our Math teacher past 5th grade.  For science we did simple experiments, like making a volcano (baking soda plus vinegar); and for art we often did finger painting and drying flowers to make bookmarks for grandparents. I learned to do math the old way, on my fingers, as well as embroidery cooking for Home Ech., and reading books that would be considered 5 grades advanced.

     When I was teaching school for elementary grade students, I found myself in a very interesting position.  Not only was I an educator.  I was also a Talent Acquisition Team Advisor who must be able to pick out the future lawyers, chefs, statesmen and doctors of the world, and harvest their talents into capability instead of destruction.  I was also a mentor, for the many children who found everyone else in the school or neighborhood impossible to bear.  Obviously since I was a teacher, I knew everything there was to know.  The other teachers seemed to think so too.  In the realm of doing that is.  I found myself the school secretary.  And principal, in sole charge of disciplinary action should any moments arise (and they did on a regular basis--so it was up to me to whip the male teachers into order so that they would support my rulership.  Hm.  Is that how it's supposed to work?)

     Teaching is fun, grilling, amazing, humdrum, and definately requires a lot of faithfulness on your part.  But it's worth it!  But by the way. If you don't have the burden to be a teacher, don't try.  There are way too many who simply sit behind the desk, plop the book in front of the student, flip on the TV so they can watch their educational movie, or send them off to their games, and paint their nails or text.  We have too many of those kind of workers at the hamburger joints.  Go to MacDonald's if all you're gonna do is flip over the kids like beef patties.

     Take some ideas from my stash below!  Enjoy your learning and teaching experience! I have compiled collections for you to browse.  Students, both in elementary, and adults learning English, as well as tuders and teachers, will enjoy my collection of ideas.  Please help yourself and contact me to let me know how it's going in your classroom!