Post Ideas

 I had an idea for a new blog post today, really I did, I just can't remember it now! 

Plans are under way for the new school year. I haven't made definite plans for a start date yet, but most of the curriculum is bought.  The kids love the German School Cones--I can't remember what they are called. In Germany they are big cones decorated and filled with goodies and school supplies for kindergarteners on the first day of school. I like doing them for our first day filled with cute school supplies and yummy snacks. I also have a fun breakfast planned----most years. 

I make the cones by rolling a posterboard into a cone shape and covering with wrapping paper. I then use tissue paper glued or taped around the top of the cone like a skirt. Once the cone is filled with all the stuff I fold the tissue paper up and gather it with a ribbon. The kids love it and it's a fun way to start the year.

Homeschool Curriculum Choices

  Choosing curriculum for the homeschool year can be daunting. There are so many options and promises of each being THE perfect choice. 

Wait one minute, let's back up, first things first. Let's take a deep look into home life. 

Does your family get up early in the morning?  Or are you late sleepers?  Are you super organized about your day? Or do you wake up and think 'it feels like a field trip day'?  Do you love to be out in nature or sitting at the table reading?  Arts and crafts or writing stories? Do enjoy hiking, boating, camping, long road trips? Or is your family homebodies? Do both parents work? As a parent do you prefer working side by side doing your own thing? Or would you enjoy teaching your child step by step?

Why does any of this matter?

Homeschooling is a lifestyle not a life sentence. By taking the time to assess your family's learning style and natural flow you can then pick curriculum that meets the needs and compliments the lifestyle you already live.

Ok now let's talk about learning styles. Your children will likely all learn differently, but that doesn't mean you can't have non negotiable studies for them. My non negotiable is a vocabulary curriculum call Wordly Wise that allow the kids to do to their best ability and interest. The goal is exposure to intelligent vocabulary. 

Hands on learners will benefit from a math program that uses manipulatives and a language arts program like Winston Grammar or Montessori Language arts. 

Auditory learners will do better with History of the World recording, audio books and video math lessons. 

Visual learners may also benefit from manipulatives and programs like Winston Grammar as well as charts and graphics explaining concepts.  

Now that you have defined and recognized learning styles and needs of your family let's talk about homeschooling styles.

School at Home. Many online programs are just this school at home. Parents have less say in schedule, curriculum and teaching methods. It is doing school at home. 

Traditional Homeschooling. This can look so many different ways, but usually consists of reading, writing and arithmetic taught in a one room schoolhouse fashion. It is also farm chores, homemaking skills, and arts and crafts.

Unschooling. I've done this with one child, he turned out amazing!! This kind of schooling happens as part of life and is mostly child directed. I would have books, workbooks available and occasionally we would pull them out, but the majority of the time this child could be found researching, creating and building. When he got older there were metals being melting, fires, smoke bombs (from scratch) and tack welders being built (we bought him his first welding machine after that when he was about 13). 

Classical Homeschooling. This would include reading classics, studying history focusing on the founding forefathers, writing stories, etc. 

Most families will use a mixture of any of these to teach their children. 

You should have gathered enough information at this point to define your family's educational philosophy. 

Our family philosophy is to teach our children to love learning and to teach them foundational skills that will allow them to learn anything they want. If a child can read they can learn anything, if they can do basic math they can understand and manage their finances and life skills, if they can write they can communicate. 

Once you have defined your styles in teaching, learning and lifestyle curriculum will be much easier to choose and use. 

Homeschooling should not be daunting, it is meant to be joyful. 

 Life sure does throw lots of curve balls. I put this blog down several years ago in the chaos of life. It has been brought to my attention in the last few months that maybe it is time to back to the blog if for no other reason than to record thoughts and experiences of being a stay at home, homeschooling, natural minded mother who also deals with chronic health issues and definitely thinks and lives outside the box.

I have been asked why homeschool so many, many times. 

Let's get into it but before we do if you would like to learn more about homeschooling from other veteran moms join the lunch and learn series here linktr.ee/moms4libertyccok 

First I was not your normal kid. In reality I probably would be diagnosed with ADHD these days. I was a daydreamer, I loved flowers, being in the kitchen, lining up dolls to play school and just being creative. I always wanted to be the smart kid but often found myself struggling just to be average, especially in the later years. I always loved learning new things.......I have my mother to thank for that. I really didn't want my kids to fall into the same scenario, I wanted better for them!

I think my other reason was probably selfish in some ways. I love my kids and wanted to be with them. I wanted to see them as the light bulb went on when they were learning how to read or do math. I also wanted to give them freedom to learn how the best learned. (One day I will tell you about my one unschooler who is a successful thriving adult now.

Adventures, who doesn't love a field trip? Zoos, museums, hikes, fishing swimming all these are great ways to learn and can't be used often enough in the school system because of budgets. My kids loved museums so much that some of them became volunteers in their teen years. 

Business, yes business. What better way to learn about economics and finances. Over the years we have made jewelry, created engineering kits, weeded flowerbeds, baked, and more. It wasn't always met with success but my adults now know how to be creative when they need to supplement their income. 

My biggest reason is curriculum. It doesn't matter to me what grade they are in (most the time my kids didn't even know what grade they were in). What did matter is that they were learning even if that meant they were in 3rd grade math and 6th grade reading----it just doesn't matter when you are homeschooling!

What would I change if I could go back? I would start with less anxiety about trying to duplicate a public classroom. I would let my kids play outside independently more. I would also be more proactive about getting my teens dual enrolled in college classes or trade school classes. I have no regrets though. I have 6 thriving, successful adults that I am extremely proud of!

If you would like to learn more about homeschooling from other veteran moms join the lunch and learn series here linktr.ee/moms4libertyccok