The notion that a homeschooling parent is their child's teacher is on the list of absurd assumptions about how homeschooling works around here. Because honestly. Blacksmithing? Knifesmithing? Fencing? I have nothing to bring to the table.
Yet these are the things that Sage is passionate about.
So I encourage his research and do my best to help him find resources and connect him to mentors and teachers out there in the world. Basically I facilitate, then get out of the way. I'm a liaison.
And that was how it happened that Sage and I loaded up the camper and left the Driftless on Thursday – one part nerves and three parts excitement – and headed for the south shore of Lake Superior to a gathering of strangers. People who actually know what they are doing when it comes to forging hot steel, and had a lot to share with Sage about how it's done.
These were the people he needed.
And this crew of artists and craftsmen took Sage in and taught him the basics. He worked on several blacksmithing projects with a rotating support crew of seasoned smiths, helped build a smelting furnace where taconite was (with much excitement and enthusiasm) smelted into iron, and was even guided through the basics of fencing – another skill he has wanted to learn for years.
And as I stood back, watching Sage discuss curie point with a knife smith, norse mythology with an artist, and spar with someone more than twice his age, it was a good moment for me as a parent. Because I taught him none of that. That belongs to Sage alone, and the handful of people who have stood by him to guide him on this path.
By rising to the occasion of inspiring and teaching a thirteen year old, they have kindled a fire that is unlikely to be quenched.
This is how we learn. I don't need all the answers or all of the skills. That is what community is for.
Thanks to Scott and family at Big Rock Forge as well as AJ, Cody, Jai, John, Tim, and the rest for all you shared with Sage. He is transformed. (Like iron into bronze. or… something.)
This is so good to read as I feel pressure to show my family “what my girls have learned”.
Oh my gosh! You were literally in my back yard! That’s an awesome story. My 17 year old (who has always been homeschooled) is passionate about green wood spoon carving. He has had great mentors and I have encouraged then gotten out of the way! He has learned so much and developed quite a talent. He is actually traveling to England this summer for Spoonfest. What 17 year old carves spoons for enjoyment? A homeschooled kid! I’m so glad Sage had that opportunity. If you ever need a place to crash in this neck of the woods, you are welcome!
Our son is eighteen. He bought a wood lathe a few years ago. He learned to make pens and bowls and last year he started turning musical instruments. He sold his first set of bagpipes a couple of months ago. His highschool years were full of things like that. All the while he was battling Lyme disease. When his brain fog was to bad to do algebra, he was making whistles and flutes out of pvc. He never stopped loving learning becuase “school” was a springboard to follow his passion for creating things. Now that he is doing better, we’re doing some catch up academically so that he has all roads open to him for the future. But I wouldnt trade all the skills and lessons learned by the way we did things. Can you imagine how short his wings would have been cut if we didn’t homeschool? Now he already selling his work in a shop. If he chooses to go that route, he has a jumpstart on a career that wouldnt be possible if we had refused to think outside the box. Yeah for homeschooling!
Terrific post! Perfectly timed as I prepare for next year. I struggle between allowing them to follow their interests and pushing my agenda (math, reading and writing). I find it even harder as they get to middle school and high school. Fear of the unknown. My son loves hanging out with smiths as well. We are hoping to build a forge in our backyard this fall so he can experiment and learn.
I would love to homeschool however we do not. My children attend public school. My 13 y.o. Son though has developed an intense interest in anything solar panel and survivalism (word?). I encourage knowledge of both these interests during the school year and during the breaks…
I guess I want to show that encouraging passions can be done with public schooling as well. I think part of it is the matter of parents. I do know a mom whose child is gifted in a particular area and I have tried to encourage her to do other than school activities to provide more /sustain interest and challenge….her response was that there was no time or finances were the culprit.
Hello-
We are moving to Vernon County next month (Aug)and are happy homeschoolers who have a very similar ‘learning while living’ type of philosphy on our days..
Nature and family connection is our biggest teachers.. So reading thru your homeschooling blog truly resinates with me.
My son (10) is very interested in the craft of leatherworks as well as the craft of bow making (as in archery). In your search to find your son someone to teach him blacksmithing- did you see any group out there that teaches these skills? Or anything that teaches pioneer skills?
If you have any leads, Id greatly appreciate it.
It was a joy to read your article..
Keep ‘learning while livin’ : )
M. S. –
This is really inspiring. I hope we can take advantage of this kind of thing someday.
Wonderful post! I also see one of the chief roles of a homeschooling parent to be a facilitator and an encourager. I’m looking forward to seeing my children discover passions and doing the same thing. This is a great example to follow. Thanks.
Very good read, and very inspiring.