Teaching Tools

HOMESCHOOLING

You will be challenged in all of these areas. There will come a time that you will be tired and things aren’t going as planned. You will stop and ask yourself, “What in the world was I thinking?”

In our preconceived ideas, we think our children will always want to be with us, sitting around the kitchen table or in front of the fireplace with books in hand and eager to learn.

In reality, they will do everything in their might to get out of doing their work. They will even dread what we see as fun.

Homeschool if done right is a lot of work. I learned real quick that there are not any substitute teachers. If you are sick, tired, pulled beyond your limits, don’t plan on anyone stepping up and asking to help homeschool your kids for the day.

My homeschool Mom friend told me there will be days you will look at the school bus drive by. Silently, you are begging them to take your kids to school so you can have a break even for a few hours.

Of course, if someone did take your children within just the first hour, you realize how much of their life that your are missing and want them right back.

Keep your list handy and remind yourself of all the reasons why you started to homeschool in the first place. Keep your priorities straight and always remember why you started. That reason usually doesn’t change. 🙂

So, buckle up. It is a wild ride and enjoy every moment. 🙂

Plan your work and work your plan

I believe education has a scope and sequence. It is very dangerous to our children’s education when we jump from one curriculum to another and grab a sheet from here or there. There will be huge gaps and holes in their education.

I suggest that you pick a good curriculum. I am not saying you have to pick the hardest curriculum out there. Pick one that that works with your child’s learning ability. Challenge them but don’t frustrate them.

Get a lesson plan book and write out the goals per day, week, and month. Plan your work and work your plan. Finish the program to the fullest. Stopping in the middle is hurting your child. Yes, there are times when we need to supplement, or stop the curriculum and reteach a concept. But, master that concept before moving on to the next lesson. As one concept is built on another and then another. Make sure the foundation of your child’s education is solid.

Try to make it fun. Let your child know what is expected each day. Be consisitent.