I have always said I don't think I have the self discipline to homeschool my kids. I am not a big fan of schedules and prefer things a little more loosy-goosy. However, the more time I spend with my oldest son, I realize he NEEDS a schedule, and it can change so long as he knows what is happening. I realized this a month or so back when I started scheduling his after-school time. He got so much time to unwind when he got home and then he had chores and homework (if the teacher didn't assign any, he got work from me). It works great! He doesn't fuss in the least when it's time to turn off the TV and clean the bathroom or fold clothes or work in his handwriting book. I came to realize I would need to continue this into the summer. Day #1 today (I take weekends off!). We went to the zoo, so that took up most of our day, but that was excersize (he had to walk) and outside time. Once home I knew everyone would need some "rest time" so they got to watch TV but no netflix, wii, or computer time. Then I gave him about 30 minutes on the computer until we could pick up dinner. We love Papa Johns pizza for cheap, quick dinners! After dinner it was chores and homework. Neither child fussed at all.
Summer homework consists of journaling for both boys. My little guy (age 4 yrs 1 month) has a poly-folder with 3 prongs that I inserted blank computer paper. He draws and dictates words to me. The younger one has "scissors" workbook as well as the preschool Handwriting without Tears workbook.
My big guy (age 6 yrs 11 months) has blank pages at the top and double lines (ala handwriting without tears) at the bottom for him to write. The older one is almost finished with the Kindergarten level of Handwriting without tears, and the 1st grade level (the grade he is going into) should be here within the week. He also has a Kindergarten level math book, but really his only issue this year is knowing the names of coins. It's an easy fix to teach those. If he can tell me the name of the coin and the value, he can keep each coin I show him. I don't think he will be missing too many more. I also bought a 1st grade "reading book" where you copy the stories to make mini-books, the boy will read it and fill out the comprehension worksheets at the end. Honestly, his ability to read is his strongest asset to him. I intend to keep it that way.
And in our "regular" (non "field trip" days) I am scheduling in time to play outside. And time to play inside (with electronics off).
From what I know of my friends and other blogs I follow, who homeschool, this is what their days look like. Yes, there is more curriculum involved for science and social studies, but I have always sold myself short, saying I didn't think I could. I can and really I do! Not planning to pull the boy from regular school anytime soon. Just happy to know that if the need ever arose, I could do it!
I'm not all that organized and I still manage it =)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure (in fact, I know!) that homeschooling looks very different for other families. But for me, the biggest thing is LOTS of unstructured play and running around outside, weather permitting. They still have their workbooks and seatwork stuff for when they need to buckle down, but I can't expect my bundles of energy to sit for 6 hours a day - it doesn't work for them and I don't find it healthy.
Thankfully the school that mine are in doesn't expect sitting all day and 1st grade still has 3 recesses! :) And even 6-8 graders are kicked outside for recess each day. It's one of the things I like best about the school, it ranks second after a Christian education/environment. For me it was just good to realize that if there ever came a time we needed to, I could do it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd organized, kinda, self-discipline is lacking with my time management most days :( Working on that ;)