Develop Their Voice: Creating Warrior Scholars

One of the best things about homeschooling is that you have a chance to develop your warrior scholar far beyond what can and is being done in the public fool system.

Giving your child a voice in the matters of their education ranks high on the list. 

In schools, if the child has any voice at all, it comes in the form of raising their hands to answer questions or offer opinions when the teacher prompts them. This type of expression is low level expression. More can be done. 

As a school aged boy, I longed to read something other than old, dead white people. If I voiced that opinion, which happened many times in high school, my peers would look at me crazy. I’m sure you have stories about yourself or other students who vocalized unauthorized opinions in the classroom and the ramifications that followed. 

That does not have to be the case in our homeschool environments. In fact, I advise all homeschool parents to at least consult their young warriors when it comes to questions of curriculum and assessments. This involves asking them for input and feedback on the who, what, when, where, and how of their education. 

Ultimately, you still have final say, but the goodwill engendered could help the road go smoother. Consulting can also include sitting down with them to learn about the best ways they like to learn and catering lessons to their liking.

"But, but, but….school ain’t for their liking,” I can hear some of you saying. That’s a topic for another post. Let’s carry on.

However, where we want to get in the process of developing their voice is to participation and partnership. With participation, the young warrior takes ownership of their own education and learning process by identifying and articulating to the parent their learning goals and how they plan to meet those goals. 

As a partner in the process, they contribute by helping with the design of lessons, topics, projects, and assessments. 

Now, that takes a lot of power out of the hands of the parents and can fill parents with anxiety. But allowing them to have a voice in their own educational journey will do wonders for their self-esteem and personal power. 

You do not have to start with participation and partnership as soon as you start your homeschool journey. Frankly, many of our children have been voiceless for so long in the public fool system that when you ask them to participate or partner, they will look at you like a deer caught in headlights.

Start with simple expression and consultation, but know that participation and partnership is a great goal if you desire to develop warrior scholars who have a voice. 

This educational voice will certainly carry over to life. And isn’t that what education is all about?

Revolutionary Love,

Baba Dr. Samori Camara