Every time I doubt the process...

...of this unschooling thing (as in, kids will continually and naturally learn through living their life, through enjoying and expanding on their interests and through their play - providing that the environment for that learning to happen is present) I find my self surprised and affirmed all over again that it will work out OK. So even though I know the three R's aren't the be all and end all at this age, it's still nice to see him keen to absorb and figure out the ways this knowledge fits in and assists in living life. Just as I start to feel some anxiety in needing to purposely "expose" him to examples, the opportunities just present themselves.

We had a pretty relaxing morning, then after lunch we went to the library and then off to hunt for more storage solutions for our ever expanding games/puzzles/resources before returning home to hang out (but returned home empty handed).

After watching some DVD's, Nathan got out his lego and decided he wanted to build the Eiffel tower again. We first read of the Eiffel tower in one of the Magic Tree House books and we just seem to stumble across a picture or a mention of it quite regularly (latest has been in the PC geography game) where it keeps his interest going. He was trying to recall how to build it, so I suggested he draw a plan of how he might like it to look and we'll figure out how to build it. This was the original design plan.

He was quite keen on having it look symmetrical (not his words lol, but wanted it the same on both sides) rather than the supporting uprights just put anywhere. So we chatted how to make that happen - estimating as well as measuring/counting/comparing the upright supports. When initially setting up the two sets of steps coming up each side I showed him how to "eyeball" the structure down low to see if things were in line and he was really taken with doing that and was fascinated to realise that what he originally estimated as being correct could be different when getting a different perspective on it.

So, as per last time, I was required as an assistant builder and he directed how he wanted it to look.

Later on we sat down to read some of our new library books - it's been neat to see his confidence when he recognises the odd word in new-to-us books as he gets the grasp of reading.

This evening he asked to play the PC game again, this time we stumbled across a quiz. We chose the Easy level (well beyond him, and also me!) and it was just as well for the multiple choice I tell you! It was lovely to see his joy in recognising a couple of things (we were quizzed on our Capital city, which because of the multiple choice, he recognised one city name so was super pleased to know the answer, one question was also where was the Eiffel tower found and between the three choices he quickly rattled off Paris).