Science is no different than learning a foreign language. There are mechanics to understand, rules to learn, and lots and lots of vocabulary. That makes revisiting subjects ever so important. It is not simply about memorization of vocabulary, it is also understanding how to use what is learned – just like a foreign language.
Today we revisted human anatomy, cell biology, and ethics:
- How does aging effect cellular processes?
- What are the effects of space travel on body function at the cellular level?
- Why can genetic mutation expose our bodies to disease and what role does the thymus play?
- What are the societal dangers of genetic engineering?
- Why are ribosomes critical to cellular repair?
- What are the various pathways for nerve transmission in the body?
I realized, while we were discussing these issues, that even though my kids understand quite a bit we will need to circle back on human anatomy and cell biology after they learn more physics and math. All subjects are tightly interwoven. Everything you learn depends on understanding some other discipline in order to comprehend deeply.
And thus we will revisit and revisit, each time with more detail and understanding.
Many people talk about how smart and successful homeschoolers become in relation to kids who attend public school. But I think that people overlook the benefits reaped by the mothers and fathers who guide and educate their homeschoolers. They shore up the weaknesses in their own education, spend long hours learning to explain subjects to their children, and develop and cultivate their own philosophies and beliefs.
These parents become stronger simply because they make the sacrifice to education their children themselves, in the way that they decide is important. Everyone, both children and their parents, becomes stronger for having revisited.