Quiet

A good friend of mine is fond of saying, “Western Civilization was built on private tutoring.” It is true that many of the great minds over the centuries have been nurtured and trained by personal tutors who focused on the students’ gifts, engaged them in stimulating conversation, and provided immediate feedback for optimal learning.

Large numbers of age-segregated students in classrooms is a recent phenomenon historically. Although it is cost effective and provides parents a place to put their children for much of the day, it is not the ideal situation for every child.

I am currently reading the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Although I am extremely extroverted, I am familiar with introverts in that I am married to one, and I spent eighteen years homeschooling my introverted daughter. Introverts enjoy working alone for hours on projects that engage them. One or two friends over for a play date is often preferred to loud and overwhelming crowds of children that sap their energy.

Many children who struggle at school would benefit from one-on-one tutoring, away from the distractions and noise of the classroom. Private tutoring is an expensive option. However, for many children, the expense is worth the calmer present and brighter future that it brings.

Surrogate Homeschool Mom

During the Easter break, I had the privilege and honor of being a homeschool tutor for some students whose parents were out of town for the week. Interestingly, I had never officially met this family before, but they knew that I tutored because they had been to several Civil War Balls.

The mother of these students did not want her children to miss out on their studies while their parents were traveling, so she asked me to come and teach them at their grandmother’s home. She said that she wanted me to work on math for part of the time, and the rest of the time, I could teach them anything I was passionate about. Oh, the choices! I am passionate about so many things! I finally settled on logic, Greek and Latin root words, note taking and starting a nature journal. We made root word flash cards and played games with them, discussed the difference between Red Herring, Ad Hominem and Tu Quoque logical fallacies, and made contour and diagrammatic drawings of shells and leaves. The students were interested and enthusiastic, and I realized yet again how fortunate I am to be part of so many people’s lives.

Sewing Bee

Women have been sewing together for centuries. Mothers and daughters have gathered around roaring fires on winter evenings, hands busy and conversation lively.  Groups of ladies have combined their efforts onto single quilts made for dear friends, those in need or a lucky bride.  Today, I had the opportunity to participate in a modern version of this ancient ritual. At our “sewing bee,” each lady brought her own sewing machine and project. While the day included quilting for some, others covered cushions, designed curtains or made a hammock. But some things do not change. Hands were busy, the conversation lively, and beautiful and useful items were created.