Often times large families have a wide age range of children. Other families have large age gaps between children. These broad age ranges can cause confusion and frustration for the homechooling parent. Here are a few helpful pointers to ease the stress of teaching in your one room school house...ok maybe you have more than one room in your house, but you get the idea.
Determine what are your youngest children's best independent times of day. If your younger children like to have a schedule activity in the morning, but enjoy playing independently before lunch, choose to teach a non-youngster friendly lesson during the hour before lunch. You will have less interruptions if you follow the littletons internal schedule.
Plan a few small scheduled activities for littletons each day, as you would your other lessons. These activities should be primarily for the littletons. There is sooooo much you can do in 15-20 min. On a typical day, we cover letters, writing, memory verses, math, and one other topic in 30 minutes or less. This gives them something to look forward to first thing in the morning. Sometimes being first with school is best for littletons. When that 20-30 minute period of learning is over, your littletons will likely give you an hour or so break from scheduled activity. It is the planning these activities that is important. Having the plans on paper with your other lessons, gives them an importance and for the "list" mom, a sense of accomplishment when she crosses it off each day.
When is nap time and how long does it last? In our home we only have one littleton who still naps. She may go down anywhere between 1-3, depending ont he day's activities and her crankiness level. During this time, I will read to the non-napping littletons (1 book). The rest of nap time is devoted to answer questions and helping the elderly kids. If it is a quiet day assistance wise, I can get a few chores done. Nap time can be a critical time period to accomplish thought intensive tasks without interruptions.
Think about recess. Do you have recess each day? How long is recess? What do you do for recess? If you have a day per week that consists of the littletons playing freely outside, use that time to bask in the fresh air and read aloud with the elderly.
What lessons can be tailored to all age groups? We do spelling very early in our day. My littletons like to participate in this activity. Although they are easy spellers, they are excited to be part of the elderly school time. They take turns listening to each sibling do spelling dictation. When it comes to their turn they get the same paper and pencils and I ask random 3-4 letter words. Even littletons who are not writing letters yet can partake of this activity, because whatever they write on the paper is not of consequence. The important thing is the training of them to participate respectfully and non-disruptively.
If you study scripture at home, consider including everyone at one time. While reading a lengthy Bible passage may be much for littletons to adhere to in its entirety, you will find they are picking up more and more. As you ask questions, the littletons will become excited to participate and share their knowledge. Always reward answers that show that they have paid attention with lots of praise! For answers that are off base, consider praise such as,"very good effort" or "that was an awesome try. I can tell you are thinking."
Do you have family read aloud time. Consider having 2 read aloud books for each session. One that is more on th elevel of your littletons and then one for the elderly. Always read the littleton passage first. This way, if they don't stick with the story for the elderly, they won't feel left out. Also, enphasize that the littletons sit quietly and still. This will continue to be a benefit during other times and activities.
Break up your day. Look at your school schedule. Can you rearrange your schedule to accomodate 2-3 20 minute times with the littletons. They are more likely to play on their own for a longer period of time with set activities inbetween.
Think up daily stations that the littletons can work at independently (in our house this means No paint); reading, puppets, puzzles, games, scraps and glue, drawing, coloring, etc. Have a different station planned for each day. Use it during a time when your elderly need your full attention. Restrict the playtime at this station to be only as long as the teaching of the elderly. This will help keep them from boredom, and again, something to look forward to.
Stagger lessons. Consider staggering certain lesson of the elderly to incorporate them in the littleton entertainment field. If you are teaching algebra to your teens, have an elderly child who is not studying algebra tend to the children.
When the day rolls around that the littletons are constantly calling for your attention, take a deep breath. Look at their faces and remember they will not be looking to you forever. Discuss good manners regarding interruptions and ask the elderly if they can take a 15 minute break so you can regroup the littletons. The elderly will remember that you made time for even the smallest child important at a time when that child seemed to need you most.
There are millions of ways to homeschool your children for little to no money. Any experienced homeschooler knows curriculum bought, can turn into curriculum unused. Here are some ways to cut the costs associated with homeschooling. If you have any great tips, please add them to the list.
Sometimes a curriculum can seem like an answer to prayer. You make the decision to buy it, and begin implementing it, only to find it doesn't fit your needs. This can be a costly mistake, even if you prucahsed used curriculum. To avoid this, ask people in your homeschool group or even here on Homeschoolblogger and Homesteadblogger, if anyone has used the curriculum. If they still own the curriculum, would they be willing to loan it to you for say, 30 days?
Keep your eyes open for sales. Make sure you know your prices, so you know if you are really getting a good deal.
Organize a curriculum swap with your local homeschool group, co-op or several area groups.
Look for FREE supplies in the oddest of places. Ever visit an Expo, a dentist or dr office, a bank, Sam's club, a sales kiosk, etc where they have free items for the taking, like pencils? Ask if you may have a handful. I have never been told no, and I never buy pencils!!! This goes for other items like sticky memo pads, mouse pads, plain memo pads, pens, erasers, stress reliever balls, caluclator (never bought one of these either). FYI, when I was with another salesman's wife at a builder's expo, we noticed a table with little pocket calculators. I told the man I was a homeschooler and sales rep's wife and asked if I could have 3. The other woman was a school teacher. She explained where and what she taught and asked if she could have enough for her whole class to hand out for rewards. The man said yes to us both!
If you can manage this, attend a homeschool conference, convention, or expo without your children. This will give you a chance to take the time needed to peruse curriculum thoroughly. I have made the mistake of not doing this soooo many times.
Wait. If you find something you like, or a few mom's recommend a particular program, find a place that you can view it hands on, then wait. Don't purchase when your emotions are high. You will be thinking about all the wonderful exciting things your friends have said. Purchasing on emotion is never a good thing (OH, when will I ever master this lesson?). When you wait and think about it and begin to plan how you will incorporate this into your school, then you can make a better educated decision as to whether or not it will work for you.
Where do all those text books go when the school system is finished with them? Usually, to a central warehouse. Call your school board and ask about discarded curriculum. Many areas offer a few days open to the public and there are mountains of texts. BE CAREFUL not to overload yourself, it can be very easy while staring at free stuff. I have picked up items like basic history, math, grammar texts, etc. But I have also come home with tons of stuff that takes up my garage and I try desperately to give away to other families. LOL!
This brings me to another tip. It is good to think ahead, but don't think too far ahead. Children change. Family dynamics change. Parents change. Pre purchasing years worht of curriculum is not always the best policy, even if it can be the cheapest. What your child may like at age 7-10, may change when she turns 11. What works for children 1 & 2, may not work for child 3. For example, we have done a few programs that involve volumes. These can be purchased a discounted rate together, or separately at a higher rate. There is no savings if you buy the package at the lesser rate, and then only use volumes 1 & 2 of a 6 volume set. Keep in touch with your children's interests, learning style, and lifestyle when making purchases.
Sharing curriculum can be a very fun and frugal way to homeschool. If you can find a family to partner with for a particular subject, you can share curriculum and have one or 2 days/nights per month where you get together for a small co-op.
Along the same lines, you can share the cost of teacher's guides if you are purchasing the same curriculum as a another family. For example, if you and a friend both purchase the same science curriculum, you can share the cost and use of the teacher guide. This can significantly reduce the cost.
I was emailed this news story yesteday pertaining to unschooling. Honestly, I was holding my breathe while reading, because often times people equate unschooling with no learning, and judge all homeschoolers by that misconceptions. This really shows that when applied properly, unschooling is a wonderful form of education. I tis good to see something positive in the mainstream media.
As an added kudos for properly applied unschooling, here are some pics of my friend's unschooling daughter at a black locust outting in upstate NY.
When discussing curriculum and the financial costs of homeschooling the concept that the government should give us money for our students who are not attending public schools is often brought up. I strongly oppose this argument. Yes, I pay taxes for schools, and yes, I know that for states with the voucher program a hefty sum is tagged on to each potential student and if a homeschooling family was able to access this money things would be easier. Really? Hmmmm....
In an article on World Net Daily it has been reported that a government program providing financial backing for homeschoolers has been established. "The plan was to entice homeschoolers with a package of goodies, including computers, access to instructional resources, assistance from certified teachers, guidance from a network of field representatives who are also homeschooling parents, plus a cash allotment for non-religious educational materials. " While this didn't entice me as a homeschooler, the monetary value given to each family per student had me raise an eyebrow. "The cash allotments are the big draw for homeschooling families: $1,600 per student for kindergarten through third grade, $1,800 for grades 4-8, and $2,000 for grades 9-12." Parent can choose any curricula they want, except religious. The monies cannot be used to buy any reiligious curricula. This would narrow the choices of curricula considerably. You would not be able to purchase curriculum from Bright Ideas, Apologia, Tapestry of Grace, etc. Any curricula teaching from a religious perspective would be out. CRASH!
Part of choosing to homeschool usually involves a desire to educate one's children seperate from what the government determines is appropriate. With a government program such as this, families might choose the large sums of money over their spirtual beliefs. This coould mean a large pull away from training our children in teh admonition of the Lord.
While I don't spend nearly that amount of money on all of our children combined, I can see the enticement. With $2000 for a high schooler, I could purchase a really nice chemistry set. However I would have to also purchase a secualr chemistry curriculum. If I choose to do so, that is fine, but being forced to choose that is the problem.
If people want to preserve their rights to homeschool, they must do so without the economic "help" of the government. Homeschoolers have an advantage of choice. I wanted choice cloaked in government mandated curriculum, I would send my children to school.
I try to keep my eyes on the school choice situation in Florida, as it could impact homeschoolers in the future. Gov. Jeb Bush, has made large waves with his voucher program. More than 30,000 disabled students have been offered options for education. 80,000 students have benefitted from the approximately 200 Charter schools under Bush. When Bush took office, educational reform was a top priority. He believed that creating competition for funding would promote schools who were constantly striving to be better for students.
All statistics aside, I read this article, that outlined what has been done, and chuckled at the obvious babyish kicking and screaming remakrs from opponents. For example, ''This is a scheme he created for Florida to undermine the public school system,'' said Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, a group of teachers unions." The chosen words, scheme and undermine, almost made me chuckle. Mr. Ford, your personal offense really shone here. Do the teachers in the unions truly believe that offering competition for funding is a scheme that is undermining public schools? None of the ones I have talked with.
Another whine, ''We made it too easy in Florida to get a charter, but what it did provide was a choice for parents, an alternative,'' Arza said. ``The quality of education might not be supremely better, but it might be an environment that they're pleased with.'' The terms "too easy", "not be supremely better", and "environment that they're pleased with" indicates that choice has nothing to do with qulaity of education. While I do not have any expertise or facts to back whether or not charter schools provide a better education, in this line of thinking, if parents are looking for a better environment, which inspires their children to want to go to school, doesn't that account for something. Perhaps something so basic isn't worthy of true consideration.
Yet another derrogatory remark regarding giving parents the right to choose their child's education: ''The objective was the paint the teachers union into a corner and make them look bad,'' said Warford, now the executive director of the Florida Association of School Administrators." The impication that the sole purpose and goal of the effort was to make teachers look bad, is completely insane. Couldn't it be as simple as giving parent's choices to have a say in their children's education? Why do the spoke's people for teacher's unions feel the need to make it seem as though it's all a coup against them, instead of the true focus...THE CHILDREN!
"But Bush's relentless push for vouchers and charters also permanently poisoned his relationship with with some teachers unions and local school systems, which saw the movement as an attack." An attack? Strained relationships? Aren't we all on the same side. Isn't the goal to offer the best education for all students? If so, then why would any teacher or union feel undermined by efforts to offer choices instead of attendance mandates which would require students to attend schools that are inferior and not impacting students? If they are doing a fabulous job and the schools are offering such qulaity education, then parents will choose their school, so their shouldn't be any real "threat".
On the flip side, this comment:
''I feel parents are becoming more consumers in this education industry,'' said Jon Hage, president of Charter Schools USA, which manages 17 charters. ``If you only have one choice of school -- the one you're ZIP-coded into -- you're not going to take the time and effort to educate yourself about the school.'' Parents are just beginning to become consumers? Weren't we always? Regardless of choice, isn't the responsibility of parents to be informed and active in their children's education?
The article never mentions homeschooling as a choice, nor does it mention the large rise in families choosing this option. The number does not include children who are enrolled in a private school using a homeschool option! We don't get federal money, so that may be part of the reason. However, I believe that it helps to prove that parents are making their own choices based on what is best for their children, instead of the unions trying to hold its death grip and force their education on children.
As time and the battle rages on, I am often lead to thinking about the fact that education is NOT a right. It is an opportunity. With that opportunity, parents have the right to choose how they will embrace that opportunity. The school systems may change, or upgrade, or whatever, but for parents who believe that imposing the curriculum and course of study (including the most up to date politically correct ideas) of the state, Homeschooling is a better option.
We take a fair amount of trips to The Home Depot with the Fam. This sometimes entails an extended amount of time, depending on whether we are looking or have a specific need. I have found a great way of keeping the littles entertained without destroying the store or disturbing others. When I know we will be there for a lengthy amount of time (an hour or so) I speak with the littles before entering the store. I tell them what we are here for, remind them of their good shopping manners, and tell them there will be allowed to pick paint chips if they use these good manners.
About halfway through the trip, when we notice they are getting antsy, we head to the paint section. The Home Depot carries Disney paint and the colors are displaued in Mickey Mouse head shaped chips. The children are allowed to pick 5 colors each. While I am aware these aren't freebies, somehow I justify that we buy enough paint (including Disney colors) and other supplies at the store to compensate for this. However, please don't blast me if you do not agree with this. We have been collecting these cards for some time.
I had thought of making an art project with the chips, but the kids like to play with them as is. Now, if you are teaching colors, especially to a very little, these are perfect! The shape is interesting. The size is perfect for small hands. The colors are vibrant and varied. We play all types of games with these chips and the children play with them on their own as well.
Recently, the littlest little (2 yo) has been carrying them around in a small purse. She sits down, pulls them out one at a time, and names the color. When she is finished, she says, "I done. I win." Here's a visual for those who need it.
As homeschoolers, our schedule generally follows the local school session. We begin school in the late summer and finish in the spring. We take breaks when the schools are out, sometimes. We have summers open for whatever may come our way.
However, someone came to our house the other day and noted that things are always changing. We had switched from colors to letters. We had finished the steps regarding the writing process. Nature was abound. We had finished school weeks ago.
I had come to realize that although we weren't "schooling", we were still learning. Homeschooling is more than academic education, it is life. Learning life skills, learning about things that aren't necessarily academic, experiencing different cultures. Looking for sharks teeth on our beach, along with interesting shells, is educational. Homeschoolers are always learning. It is our way of life. It is a driving force, to learn as much as we can about the world around us, not just the facts.
I recently had a friend comment to me that my kids are "different". She struggled to say it in a way that wasn't offensive, which caused me to giggle. While she thinks my oldest can be "weird" (he isn't a jock, he's a comic book geek), she says she finds my kids are on a completely different level than her own or others she is around. I took it as a compliment. However, thought later that the main difference is in my kids is that they are thinking constantly, not just about the facts, but how a whole concept meshes with everything around it.
There is a vast difference between high level thinking and drone thinking. Homeschoolers are far from drone thinkers, and that is the way I prefer it. Interestingly, my Pastor commented that he sees homeschoolers as being the area where God's leaders will rise, because the Word says they will be trained away from others. Very cool! Homeschool: A Way of Life.
I read this article late last night and had planned on blogging about it today. However, Spunky already wrote a fabulous post. I have nothing much to add, because she made such clear and concise statements. Check out her entry.
We haven't made volcanoes in a looooong time! However, my 4 yo has been intrigued by them recently. I haven't had time to look for my "recipe" (because I am here blogging). You can imagine my joy when I found that Nancy had posted about it. Check out her Volcano info!
Rebecca, of One pea in a pod has asked about teaching Spanish to her son, Josiah. Here's her question:
So my husband and I think it is very important that Josiah learn Spanish. We think it will be very beneficial for him to learn. Marco Josiah grandpa is from South America. My question is how do we go about teaching him Spanish? There are so many different curriculum's out there that I am not sure what would really work and what is not worth paying for. Money is tight so getting something that works is really important to us. Does anyone have any great suggestions? Something that has worked in your family? When should you start teaching a foreign language?
I would ask my father in law to teach him but with his condition he is unable to teach him.
I have asked about foreign language curriculum before, without much feedback. If you have advice or recommendations about Foreign Language instruction, Spanish in particular, please hop on over to her blog and let her know your thoughts!
I just read this article (not online) that discusses schools seeing a need to teach children to think for themselves, instead of just being able to fill in the right circle on a test. I was shocked. Schools are just thinking about this? Hmmm...
I also read an article that discussed school curriculum not giving kids the classic education they need to succeed in life beyond high school. Ya think?
Lastly, I heard a woman speaking about the low level of education in our state. She was emphasizing the need for parental support on the home front. She was very clear to distinguish between parents involvement on the homefront and their involvement in school. By all means, please don't come to school and help.
I don't mean to sound so sarcastic, but it seems to me that many court decisions have placed the parents with no options, rights, or voice as to what their children learn in school. It has also been well documented that parents are unwlecome in many schools (which I will never understand).
It seems to me from the above ideas, that perhaps the school boards should begin to look towards homeschoolers for advice. What homeschooler can't offer a variety of ideas for teaching styles, i.e. classic, unschooling, unit studies, narrations, etc. If the schools would start thinking about developing children's mind t think for themselves as well as becoming discerning, instead of spoon feeding them a lot of watered down stuff, there would be a lot less work to do within the educational system. It's a little difficult to rally parental support on the homefront when you blatantly disreagrd parents on your own campuses in addition to telling them they have no rights to their children's education if they send them to school.
Perhaps a seminar in Biblical principles regarding respect, authority, and general day to day life style would greatly benefit the cause.
Today we participated in our homeschool Co-op. This month's lesson was about states. Each child (or family) chose a state to research and give a presentation about. Afterwards, each child participated in 5 stations, each with an acitivity pertaining to learning about the united states. Today's activities included map skills, writing, poetry, photography, bingo, and creative thinking.
A Family giving a presentation about Texas
Evan decided to help Kelsey give her presentation about Alabama.
One of my favorite aspects of homechooling, is all ages of children working together. Here are the kids at their stations.
I know these pics are nothing overly special. Any homeschooler would have similar pics from any group function. However, I just so love the way everyone works together. You can see God working through our children, learning from each other, helping each other. Just a wonder how God works. It warms my heart!
After many attempts, I finally got a pic that I think will show up here of the sand granules from Japan. The sand is the star shaped off white pices. The fine blue art sand is just to offer a contrast. Not sure if you can see these well or not, but it is soooo COOL! God surely is an awesome Creator!~
Recently, our neighbors travelled to Japan. On their trip they picked up some things for our homeschooing family. One very interesting thing were little bottles of sand. not just any sand, but star shaped sand. I am sorry to say I don't have a pic of that. It is the only beach in the world that has this type of sand. However, one of the most fun parts of their presentation to us, was the food. They picked up all sorts of candy and chips from the gas stations there. We tried them all. Very different from American snacks. Their chocloate is delicious, and not nearly as sweet as ours. But other things were a surprise, like the chips that tasted like seaweed.
We are so grateful to have such wonderful neighbors who think of us often. Here are a few pics of teh wrappers from some of the treats.
Nope...it's not chickens. Nope...not turtles either. Actually it's one more of our exciting insect activities. This year we decided to try something new in the insect world. Praying Mantis' seemed as good an insect as any, since I am not really all that crazy about have insects in my home. Well, this super light weight egg that resembles a round piece of fried pork rinds has been sitting in a bug net for weeks. I was actually beginning to wonder if they were going to hatch at all. One of the cooles things, was that there was around 300 of them! And the old wman in teh shoe thought she had a lot of children!
We just woke up and there they were. Here are some pics of us letting the majority of them go...I certainly can not feed that many mouths on our tight budget. LOL!
Ok, this one is fuzzy, but it is the egg.
Here's what was left in our bug box after we tried to free most of them.
Here are some enjoying their new found home in our yard. I hope I can post these big enough for you to see, as these pics are ReALly cool!
Then there are those children who just have a hard time leaving their home and family.
We just set our newest friends free! We hatch butterflies each spring. This year is the first where every catterpillar has made the full transformation! Here are some pics of us letting the go. Sorry some are fuzzy, I had the camera set incorrectly; still getting used to it. And yes, my son is standing in our front yard in his boxers to do this.
I am almost afraid to admit this, but we have yet to start a foreign language. So many tell us to start with Latin. I am so intimidated, and I had 5 years of Latin. I remember some, but do not feel adequate to pick a curriculum. Does anyone have recommendations for Latin curriculum? I would like to choose one that will allow me to teach to different levels at the same time. I have seen in catalogs Rosetta Stone and Power Glide. However, I cannot afford invest in such a program without trying it and getting some very good references. I have asked many here, and no one has used these, they don't seem to do much in the way of teaching language.
Any other recommendations for other language programs, would be greatly appreciated.
Just the other day I had lamented about not spending enough time with my Evan (4). Low and behold he just started reading on his own, showing I had not been as neglectful as I had thought. While I admit that homeschooling the upper grades has proven to be a growing challenge, especially with multiple olders, today God showed me part of His marvelous plan.
Since Evan started reading, we have been doing some fun on our grease board with writing words and having him read them to us. Today, I decided we would use our magnetic letters and megnetic board to reinforce what he had learned. My plan was to say a vocabulary word and have him find the letters and spell the words on the board.
The first few words went well, then I started to notice a lack of interest. He began telling me all sorts of other things, relating to letters however. The 2 yo showed me a C turned sideways makes a rainbow shape. Then came the type of miracle that really brings me to His feet.
Evan picked up 2 numbers (2,5) and made 25, the number of his favorite hockey player, Dave Andreychuck. He giggled and thought himself grand. As I tried to redirect back to our words, God made sure that I didn't miss the lesson, by having Evan pursue his idea. He put up 2 other numbers and told me the correspnding player. He went through the entire Lightning team. Then he changed gears. He started his own number line. 1, 2, 3, 4... I thought he would stop at ten, because we don;t have many numbers, but he didn't. He placed a 1 and a 1 for 11. Then he took the second 1 away and replaced it with a 2. This continued til 20. Again he kept going. He kept right on going until 40! That little bugger turned language arts into math. Now that is amazing!
Thank you God for allowing me the ability to see when you are working on a different area with my children. Thank you for the opportunity to see my children learning and helping guide them along. My abundant gratitude for allowing me to be the type of mom that can step back from my own plan and let the children lead with their own thoughts.
This is themost common question I am asked as a homeschooler. I recently found, that others battle this question as well. BORING! I really wish people could come to me with an original or thought provoking question. Alas, it seems socialization is at the forefront of their concerns.
Why is this? Are they so concerned with socialization in general that they have a pre-disposed paranoia? Is this coming from within themselves or from concerns about children who are homeschooled? I am immediately sure they do not know any homeschoolers, because if they did, it would be the last question they asked. Homeschoolers are so busy with so many different ages of people involved in so many different walks of life, how could they be anything BUT socialized? Well, then there are the cases, such as this. Why is it that just the most negative extreme cases involving homeschoolers is placed in the media's eye? Hmmm....
Our general response to the socialization question is, "They are more socialized now, then when they attended school. Our children are involved in activities such as yours in addition to activities that involve other groups of people such as the elderly. Community service is integral in our lives." That usually stops them dead in their tracks. Mostly, because we find they start thinking rapidly. We can almost see the wheels turning.
What is your response when bombarded with the socialization issue?
Daily scribblings, views, stories, opinions, reviews, inspiration, basic journaling, whatever flies from my heart to my brain to my fingertips. May God guide each and every word. =)
Posted in School
Blessings Leslie
Kelly sawing black locust
Kelly making a maul
Kelly learning to remove bark
Black locust bench the kids made for Main St.
Coat rack Kelly made.
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