Apr. 29, 2006 - New Breakthroughs
Well, sometimes it seems as if the things you've been praying for are far from being answered. Homeschool is a struggle at times, but can also be very rewarding. I've been praying about making learning more fun for my kids, especially my son, but I tend to believe learning is more about developing disciplines and focus. I never developed that growing up, but my kids will even if learning is not fun.
So, even though it was planned and the kids wanted it, I gave them a spring break. I planned absolutely nothing and accidentally ignored them (preoccupied with other things). Well, it was the worst week of our life. Don't try this at home...as they say...Not a suggested method, but one I'm glad happened, because now they have a greater appreciation for school than they did before. They're accepting the responsibilities of homeschool now. I think subconsciously they thought we wouldn't do much now that they're not in school this year. Well, we certainly don't spend our time like they did at school, but the same exact requirements are expected. After a "BORING" week, I was ready to get back in the groove, but I still was frustrated with my schedule. Well, instead of starting on time Monday morning (as you might think I'd do after not having school for a week), I was going to update the schedule real quick when suddenly I got inspired...and BOOM! I finally got...not only the needs of my kids...but also my own personal needs. I thought I would have to sacrifice some of that for them, but thought I'd try fitting all our needs and see if it works. It does! I am so relieved. I get to remain a night owl.
Before I even get to the new schedule, I also wanted to mention that I've been frantically searching for a way to redeem myself from the year I taught first grade. I had never taught lower elem grades before, but had such a bad year, that I was trying to figure out how to do it better so someday I could overcome this (other things that occupy my mind). The good news is that I've come across some books that helped me with that, which also contributed to my new breakthrough in homeschooling. Who would have ever thought that classroom management principles apply to homeschool management? That's where the breakthough came in. I realized the beauty (not just the function) of read-aloud time and came up with a way of fitting all my other subjects into it (might seem like a duh factor, but something clicked).
Anyway, according to my new schedule, I get to: sleep in, not rush through my subject time periods, walk everyday, and stay uplate. These were some things missing from my old schedule. Now, I get up at 8:45a (instead of 7:30a), have breakfast, and start schooling at 9:30a (bed at 12a for me-Yeah!). We do Bible, Math, and Spelling/English>basic routines that don't change. We used to mix the other subjects on different days. The problem with that is it's more planning than I want to do (since Principle Approach education requires my own study before teaching). So, I decided to have what I'll name (to my self) read aloud time. This happens everyday after lunch (I wanted to do that before but never did). This is another basic routine that helps us stay disciplined (good thing). Then, we go out doors for a walk somewhere (store, park, beach, library). This is where I am forced to get exercise. Then, we come back for a little independent reading (not as established as I'd like it to be right now). The thing about the read aloud time is not just reading aloud, but a time to 4 R more specifically. I read to them (Reasearch, Reason, and Relate). We write (Record, using my Noah Plan lessons or curriculum guides) something down from our study and spend time enriching it by doing a craft, skit, activity. This is where the planning becomes doable. The thing is that I'm taking Lit/His/Sci and rotating them: 5 wks Lit, 2 wks His, 3 wks Sci or something like that. Any content that did not fit into that quarterly overview with this rotation, we study over the summer. So, now, not only is our daily schedule more predictable, but it's easier to plan. I can focus on the same subject all week for as many weeks as I've planned and we can really get into the subject and make it an experience they'll never forget (Lord willing). The other thing, I don't try to fit in a subject right before bed, which is what I used to do. No more! Nights are for mom now! Yeah!
As soon as I started this, the entire school day and week just flowed. It was almost like the moans and groans of previous days have vanished. They know what to expect, they get better at learning and hopefully develop the habits of learning (a totally boring week helps reinforce this too). School becomes disciplined, but also enjoyable. I think the kids like it. So far, this week was like icing on a cake: smooth, creamy, and sweet. We'll see if it sticks.
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