Homeschooling for Real Moms {Part 2}
1. Plan
Okay, you’re laughing at me. But at some point I realized that if my kids’ education was really important to me, I’d have to put some time into planning. Realistically, I knew I wouldn’t keep up with daily lesson plans. But I discovered that I could sit down once a month and write monthly objectives.
What works best for you?
- A summer planning marathon?
- Monthly?
- Weekly updates?
- Or nightly reviews of what you got done that day and hope to accomplish the next?
2. Consolidate teaching time
How many times a week do you teach history or science?
Do you and your children function best with a little every day?
A medium amount 2 or 3 times per week?
Or a big chunk once a week?
For us it worked best to teach these two courses twice a week through about 5th grade, then once a week in the upper grades. On the days when I wasn’t specifically teaching, my boys had reading and other assignments to work on. I found that doing history or science in one or two big chunks was more interesting because we were able to dig deeper into the subject before running out of time.
Bonus: Combine courses. Study literature with history, history with geography, or geography with science.
3. Think outside the box
Creative map and timeline work can count for history, geography, and art. Pay attention to community service hours, Scout projects, sports, church events, family trips, and other “non-school” endeavors that are actually educational.
4. Choose your time wisely
Know your students, yourself, and your household. What is the most productive time for each lesson or task? Personally, I couldn’t care less about Alexander the Great at 8:00 a.m., but I find him truly fascinating later in the day!
5. Bedtime bonus
One ritual that was consistent in our home when the boys were younger was a story at bedtime. We often used compelling history books or books with science topics during this special time.
In my next post on this topic, I’ll share 5 more tips I’ve learned the hard way that will make your homeschooling easier!
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Author
Maggie is Bright Ideas Press's Founder and Creative Director. She is a wife, mom, grandmom, author, and speaker. Her favorite things are Jesus, playing with her granddaughters, reading, writing, traveling, encouraging moms, and drinking coffee. Find Maggie on Twitter @MaggieSHogan or on Google +.
Comments (3)
Even after 7 years of homeschooling, I always benefit from reminders such as are mentioned in this post. Thank you!
Thank you Kathy and YES! I always need reminders – preaching to the choir here 😉
And even though my sons have graduated I still, as a mom, grandmom, author, speaker, and business owner, REALLY need to keep working on simple and practical ways to get and stay organized. God bless you in your homeschool journey.
Maggie
As I migrate out of a box….i am migrating towards goals and objects for a week right now…soon, will for a month, I am sure…and yes, our time is spread through out the day….I”m still looking for a balance with my youngest, but feeling more confident in my ability to help each of my children learn in their various styles. Thank you for this post.