When reading a new piece of poetry, I like to read it out loud without any knowledge of the poet or meanings of new vocabulary. Then, after a read-through, you can slowly unpeel the onion of understanding. First, get to the know the poet. This often gives a whole new perspective on the piece. Then, break down any new language to get further meaning. After all of that, have a little discussion about it to explore individual feelings and ideas.

This is such a great way for students to develop communication, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills. If you want to get really fancy, you could encourage your student to start their own poetry journal. They can add new poems you read together along with some art, and maybe even some poetry of their own. 

Here's a new poem to explore. Find information about the poet by clicking on their name to read a full biography. After a read-through try some of the following questions with your student to expand their prospective.
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My November Guest

Robert Frost, 1874 - 1963

My sorrow, when she’s here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.

Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She’s glad the birds are gone away,
She’s glad her simple worsted grey
Is silver now with clinging mist.

The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.

Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise.

​As always, for homeschooling ideas go to Blossom Learning. Happy homeschooling!

Embracing Different Paths in Education: A Reflection on Homeschooling

Recently, I had lunch with a friend whose daughter struggles with severe dyslexia. We often share our parenting experiences, especially the challenges our children face in learning. Despite our different situations, we share a common hope: that our children find happiness and fulfillment in their lives.

For my friend, it was crucial that her daughter attend a private college preparatory high school. In contrast, my family chose the path of homeschooling.

The Homeschooling Journey

When we first started homeschooling, I was anxious about keeping up with traditional school subjects. I wanted my daughter to have the option to rejoin a conventional school system for high school or college if she chose to. This focus on sticking to standard subjects, however, was stifling her natural love for learning.

We found ourselves stuck in a cycle of completing textbook quizzes and checking off subjects, which made schoolwork feel like a chore. My daughter began to dread her lessons.

Everything changed when I decided to loosen my grip and let her explore subjects that truly interested her. The transformation was remarkable. Learning became a source of joy! She began to ask questions, make observations, and eagerly dive into books. Her curiosity about one topic would lead to another, creating a web of interconnected interests that felt almost magical.

This, I realized, was true learning.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
― Benjamin Franklin

Contrasting Approaches

During our lunch, my friend shared that her daughter was struggling with every class: Geometry, Physics, English – you name it. To help her manage, they’ve surrounded her with special tutors, and my friend spends hours each night assisting with homework. They’ve essentially built a support system to help her daughter get through school.

I couldn’t help but wonder, to what end?

Their goal is for their daughter to be happy, but the pursuit of a rigorous, out-of-reach education doesn’t seem to support that. The high school focuses on preparing students for college acceptance, but my friend is aware that her daughter may not be able to maintain this academic pace in college. They’re pushing her towards a goal that seems unattainable.

Rediscovering Our Path

As we talked, I felt a familiar panic from our early homeschooling days. Worries about my daughter’s future started creeping in: Will she be behind? Will she get into college? Will she find a job? Will she be independent? It’s easy to spiral into these dark thoughts.

But then I reminded myself that we chose a different path. What is education if not true learning? I don’t know exactly where my daughter’s journey will lead. No parent does. What I do know is that she is learning to be herself. She’s developing her own thoughts, expressing her intellect, and discovering the joy of learning for its own sake.

And that, to me, is the ultimate goal.

P.S. for more homeschooling ideas, go to Blossom Learning. ​