The Tennessee Home

March 8, 2006

Less-Stress Homeschool

(cartoon courtesy of Family Man Ministries)

Last year at the Smoky Mountain Women's Retreat, I led a workshop on the Less-Stress Homeschool. I thought I'd share my outline here, just in case it might help someone out.

Less-stress Morning

begin with Prayer (Phil 4:6)
start out with RECESS
start laundry early
plan daily meals in the morning
tidy up the night before.

Less-stress Schedule

Be flexible!
Two hours in the morning; 2 hour break at lunch; two hours in the afternoon
Frequent breaks; enjoy your children!

Less-stress Lesson Plans

Make them in the summer
Numerical plans (Day One, etc, not M-F)
Take days off at your leisure
Extra curricular once each week; basics once each day
Year-Around School

Less-stress Curriculum

Buy used if possible, that way you don't feel stressed by not using it!
not necessary to use all activities in the Teacher’s Editions

Less-stress Record Keeping

folders of quarterly work
report cards if you choose
permanent records, especially for high school

Less-stress Motivation

Points for weekly over all grade, points can be spent on TV time
Extra activities are privileges for doing well.
Each child has different learning abilities and talents.

Less-stress Academics

If they are doing the work they are at grade level.
One on one is like having a private tutor for your child.
2 Corinthians 10:12

Less-stress with Siblings

keep little ones busy
learn to wait their turn
work with one at a time
do multi-aged activities

Less-stress Home Life

Meal Prep

Food list or menu list
prepare double sizes
chop foods and freeze

Chores

daily cleaning
children’s responsibilities

Free Time

limit (or eliminate) TV
less stress shopping

Less-stress over Socialization

The misconception: that we learn our social skills in classrooms run by government institutions
less time in actual class, so MORE time to socialize
social graces are not learned from your peers!

“The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education,
but the means of an education.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Check out this link to see all about this year's Smoky Mountain Women's Retreat.
May 19, 20, Johnson Bible College (7 miles SE of Knoxville)
~Betsy

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Comments

March 9, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mrssulli

That is a wonderful list - I am printing it up for a reminder! :)

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March 10, 2006 - Thanks

Posted by writmm

for stopping by fellow research associate! This is a great post and I needed it today. I am going to print it out as a guideline to live by:) Have a great day!

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March 12, 2006 - love the comic

Posted by berrymorin

It's very funny. I appreciate you sharing it with us. I'll have to show it to my family. There have been days that I've felt that way.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you had a great weekend.

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