Statement of the Whole: Where is the line between scaffolding and handholding? Educators build steps of mastery into their curricula, but doing so well (like our awesome guest, Tim Kemper!) requires being able to perceive students’ abilities. Too much scaffolding can turn into handholding, which also has its place. In this episode, Tim and Jason converse about when each tactic ought to be employed as we aid our students in their growth.
Statement of the Whole: A listener poses the challenge and Jason and Steve almost refuse to respond. But a lot of fun ensues when they try to figure out how to get around the challenge. What books are indispensable to a sane life? Really, just ten, is that all? Or what ten would you pack for the proverbial desert island? Join in this fun adventure by listing your top ten in the comments.
Statement of the Whole: This question, from a listener, has elements of several issues in it. What do we do when we have multiple students learning in a given classroom with differing levels of performance and ability? And what do we do, especially in home education, when we have differing ages and levels of maturity in the same context? Jason and Steve consider all this and more on this episode from the Backporch.
Statement of the Whole: Expectations come from our estimate of what a student should be able to do. How do we avoid either over or under estimating our students? Jason and Steve respond to this question from a listener. Join in the discussion of how low or high the bar should be set.
Statement of the Whole: Some folk copy the state school curriculum and just teach at home. Some call almost any activity a part of the curriculum. One of the great joys of home educating is the freedom to choose what is right for your child. Jason and Steve tease out the happy medium in home education between a draconian curriculum and none at all. Can curriculum come out and play?
On the wide level of a mountain’s head, (I knew not where, but ’twas some faery place) Their pinions, ostrich-like, for sails out-spread, Two lovely children run an endless race, A sister and a brother ! This far outstripp’d the other ; Yet ever runs she with reverted face, And looks and listens for the boy behind : For he, alas ! is blind ! O’er rough and smooth with even step he passed, And knows not whether he be first or last.
Statement of the Whole: What role should a clock play in the life of a home school? Jason and Steve admonish those who are teaching in the home to use scheduling only so much as it helps accomplish your goals, but enjoy the flexibility built into this choice of education. The best moments in education are those timeless ones when the clock is forgotten and the counting of time is forgotten. Join them in their quest for education outside the ringing of bells.
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“Wonder acts upon a man like a shock, he is “moved” and “shaken”, and in the dislocation that succeeds all that he had taken for granted as being natural or self-evident loses its compact solidity and obviousness; he is literally dislocated and no longer knows where he is.” Josef Pieper
“For it is owing to their wonder that men both now begin and at first began to philosophize.” ― Aristotle, Metaphysics
Statement of the Whole: When a parent decides to teach their own child in the place of a school, or to home educate, how does this affect their role as parent? Can home education enhance parenting, or burden it, or is it neutral? Jason and Steve take this question on and consider the dangers and benefits of this choice, focusing on the ends possible when a parent is also the main educator.
Statement of the Whole: Do you remember when Toto pulled back the curtain on the Wizard of Oz? This episode resembles that scene in some regards. The cast of The Backporch Education podcast have some things to reveal, some things to remember, and general mayhem to produce. Listen at your own risk.
Statement of the Whole: What is the modern college experience? Are all colleges and universities working off the same basic plan? Why do colleges in Europe seem so different? In this episode, Steve interviews Josey Parker, who is a graduate of England’s Cambridge University and now pursuing her Masters there. They discuss how the U.S. and Europe forms of higher education are alike and are different. And in doing so, shed some light on the higher purposes of attending college in the first place.
Statement of the Whole: As soon as summer starts, the clock starts clicking loudly. What do good teachers do with their summers? How do you start a new school year off better than ever before? Jason and Steve dig into what makes the first month of school so special and important on this “Back to School Special” episode of the Backporch Education podcast.
