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S. E. Bocker

Foundational Skills and Knowledge

It may not start pretty, but the results can be astounding. The deeper and stronger a foundation is, the more solid and steady a youth will be building into the sky in whatever style or to whatever heights they choose.



No matter the pursuits in academics or in life, there are foundational skills and knowledge that make everything easier to excel in. They are essential to absorbing, processing and exchanging information and ideas. They are key to less stress in academics and more independent learning in homeschool and life. Vocabulary, reading, mathematics, writing and discussion are foundational in just about any subject. Even for athletes, musicians, mechanics and artists, these foundational skills and knowledge vastly broaden their resource utilization and scope of effectiveness. For instance, artists who read extensively will find many unexpected inspirations, and articulate mechanics can train others, simplify complex processes and debate best practices. Plus, the better a student’s command of these foundational skills and knowledge, the more time is freed from each and every subject to spend on their interests and specialties.


Setting these foundational skills and knowledge as a top priority in homeschool curriculum, sets students up for general versatility and success. Not just learning the skills, but really honing these skills makes all the difference in all other subjects.



Vocabulary


As a student’s grasp of the English language broadens, their speed and comprehension accelerates dramatically, making every subject and assignment easier. This allows the focus of study to shift from deciphering what is communicated to the more important and more interesting concepts like interconnectedness, ethics, creative applications, etc.


Diverse vocabulary adds spice to a conversation, texture to make it memorable and depth for people’s thoughts to steep in. A robust repertoire of words empowers a communicator to guide the nuance of thought an audience experiences. In other words, the more words a student knows, the better they can not only articulate their thoughts in writing or conversation, but also actively (and subtly) lead things in the direction they choose.


Vocabulary is also a major component in higher education testing (SAT, ACT, etc.). Starting early builds a vast lexicon with strong foundations, so when the time for testing draws near, there is less anxiety, less cramming and more time to fortify other skills on trial.



Reading


Learn anything. If a student can read, the world is open to them; if that student can read well, they are far more likely to take advantage of it. To feel the vast accessibility of knowledge that is all around or to enjoy the peaceful escape of reading, literacy must be nourished with intrigue and ever increasing complexity. The more positive the reading experiences, the more likely an avid reader will develop.


For those wrestling with attention deficits or dyslexia, it will take patience, encouragement and lots of material that piques the reader’s interest, but it is well worth the time and effort. Reading improves focus and concentration. Persevering through challenges and establishing a competent reader also builds character and hope (for the student and teacher). There are many audiobooks and videos available, but it does not compare to the wealth of resources to be read in any field or genre.


Reading increases imagination and creativity. It bolsters vocabulary and writing skills. The more versatile the reading repertoire, the more it acclimates the mind to the many different ways others think or live, making more versatile members of society. As professionals, proficient readers have a much easier time keeping up with industry information, innovations and solutions from other arenas that could be repurposed. As college students, it is much easier to focus on the overarching arguments and meanings if the copious reading is merely time consuming rather than a daunting challenge. Reading well with a fluency that transcends any mechanics and animates writing into thought, opens doors unimagined and simplifies many complexities.



Mathematics


Math is rarely taught with a solid foundation of how, why and what exactly is represented, leaving so many with mere bits and pieces of memorized processes. Just as reading a great adventure is arduous and boring when having to sound words out, so too math is convoluted and drab when its concepts are barely stitched together.


Mathematics is more than calculations; it is a form of precision communication and a truth-check for perception. Once the language of math (at any level) slips into a roughly fluent functionality of thought, math becomes a fantastic shortcut for understanding mass data at a glance, or quickly adapting quantities to suit a situation. Mathematics can immediately clarify the relationships between factors, as well as the magnitude of effect that will occur by changing any given element. Math can even hold surprising little “magic” tricks.


With a variety of ways to portray the same information, math opens more possibilities to creative communicators and problem-solvers. The ability to move between formats and sense their unique utility is like wielding just the right analogy or anecdote to reach an audience and tap into their imagination.



Writing


Thoughts crafted in select words can entice an audience further and further into the stories and logic threads woven around the grander purpose of its humble writer. Not everyone needs to be an artist when they write, but being able to articulate one’s thoughts in a clear and effective manner is an essential skill in academics and most professions.


The process of working through ideas - organizing them, connecting or completing fragments, finding the right phraseologies - it not only establishes more coherent belief structures, but also better integrates new information into the mind of the writer. Write to understand. Write to remember.


Writing stretches a person’s ability to think abstractly as they consider how their audience could interpret and experience the piece. Without the aid of intonation and body language, words must stand alone, and thereby stand true or fall flat.


Tinkering with writing techniques can highlight different aspects while building an arsenal of on-the-fly responses to draw on when discussing the topic. Try a different approach. Tweak the tone. Play with literary devices. Edit grammatical glitches. Practicing the tactics of quality writing can also lead to vastly more interesting social media accounts, better marketing for acquiring online followers, more effective social issue campaigns and less misunderstandings in texts. College application essays are one of the first eliminators at the most competitive colleges, as well as for scholarships. Write to express. Write to impact.



Discussion


The volley of a good conversation will light up a mind and light up a room. Discussion is one of the most organic ways of processing, testing, clarifying and remembering information. Use it strategically. Use it playfully. Use it often, especially with auditory learners.


Whether exploring questions, learning about someone, arguing a point or hashing out similar ideas, the tactics and etiquette of discussion are powerful skills in professional, academic and personal arenas. Helping students cultivate the calm composure of a confident person with genuine interest in and regard for others develops the credibility, trust and healthy dynamics for open, honest and productive conversations. It often results in leadership roles, whether formal or not.


Quality discussion skills are pivotal in academic or professional interviews and can make the difference between seemingly equal candidates. (It certainly has for several of my children.)


An inoffensive and reasonable presentation of opposing ideas is also extremely useful when approaching academic or professional authority figures about ego-sensitive issues, such as potential errors, misunderstandings or faulty policies (all of which are common, and yes, homeschool authority figures are included :).



Since these skills and knowledge are foundational and therefore apply to all subjects, they can be exercised via any subject. It just takes the intentional inclusion of activities or assignments that progressively challenge students to expand their capabilities in each. To keep everyone’s attention, change up the manner in which these skills and knowledge are used, and throw in a playful twist here and there.


I will outline skill-specific tactics and ideas in future posts. Join my email community below to get notifications of new material to enhance your homeschool journey.


Prioritize proficiency in reading, mathematics, vocabulary, writing and discussion for a smoother learning experience in all fields of study, as well as greater opportunities beyond school. Build future success with solid foundations.


-S. E. Bocker





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