The Tennessee Home

October 9, 2007

My Article on Crosswalk.com

I forgot that when TOS publishes one of your articles it may appear in other publications that they are affiliated with. A kind commenter from my post on the Summer 2007 TOS mentioned that she read my article at Crosswalk.com. I just thought I'd link that article here so that others who don't subscribe to TOS or haven't had the chance to read it, could find this article on-line:

Harmonious Homeschool: Ways We Have De-Stressed our Home

I certainly appreciate all those lovely comments that I've been getting. You all don't necessarily have to agree with me, but I really appreciate all your support!

~Betsy

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March 8, 2006

Less-Stress Homeschool

Posted in less stress

(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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My Purpose

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2,3)

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