This is something I have kept on my computer for several years and read each time I am planning school work for the next year.
10 Ways to Simplify Homeschooling
by Colette Longo
1) Keep everything as simple as you can. Jesus wrote with a stick in the dirt, and He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He used no curriculum or flannel graphs or lesson plans. Homeschooling can be made far more complicated than it should be. A simpler approach is much more effective.
2) Stick to the 3 R's. They form the foundation of life-long learning in every field because they are the tools of study. There will be no need to formalize any other subject if the children are doing their best in these 3, because people who are well grounded in reading, writing and math will approach other subjects boldly, independently and confidently.
3) Let the children teach themselves as much as they are able to. This teaches them responsibility, intellectual independence, and builds confidence. It's also better for the parent/child relationship because you can focus on parenting instead of playing schoolteacher.
4) Use the most direct method available. For reading, read. For writing, write, for math, do it, and for Bible, read it. Don't fall for catchy curriculums or methods that are really just something else for you and your child to learn.
5) Don't worry about your child's age or grade. Just let him do the best he can each day. Children grow intellectually like they do physically: in spurts. Although we may have an audience of skeptical relatives, homeschooling is not a circus, and we refuse to train our children to do tricks for people.
6) Minimize distractions in the home. Watch for excessiveness in entertainments, snacking, outings, phone conversations and the like. These sorts of things can easily get out of hand and compete with the effectiveness of a homeschool and sap the family of time and energy.
7) Seek quality over quantity. A few tapes of great music, a small case of carefully chosen books, a few special play mates, and an occasional outing is better than a large, but poor quality collection.
8) If you must document your school activities, do it after the fact. This way you will not make promises you cannot keep. If you are required to make lesson plans, be as vague as permissible. Don't let transcripts, diplomas, records and tests determine your academic plans. Focus on learning and the rest will follow.
9) Put the needs of your youngest, most vulnerable children first. If an older child gets a little behind in school, I'm sure you can forgive yourself. But if something happened to the toddler while you were busy homeschooling, I don't think you would be able to say the same.
10) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and don't neglect to seek him early...giving him the first fruits of your day and teach your children to do the same. I know that you are tired and that there aren't enough hours in your day, but we serve a God who can make the sun stand still.
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
I came across this the other day and thought it was so good that I printed it out and had my two teenage sons read it . . . and then I posted it on the refrigerator.
My Five Tips for Teens
By Tyler Hogan
1. Cultivate great relationships with your parents and siblings. Be a mentor and role-model for your younger siblings. If you’re fresh out of little brothers and sisters, find some. I seem to have a plethora of younger guys ages 2 to 13 who tag along after me. Younger kids look up to older kids, whether they admit it or not.
2. Discover your gifts, talents, and interests and then throw yourself into them. Put some effort into your hobbies. Extra-curricular activities, clubs, and ministry teams are great ways to develop and use your gifts. Ministry teams can be especially rewarding.
3. Don’t neglect your time with God. Take every opportunity to grow spiritually—don’t shy away from challenges. Get a devotional program and use it.
4. Don’t stress out over little things. This is one of my biggest failures. Instead, take your time, enjoy yourself, and focus on the important things. Along that line, don’t obsess over your GPA. Learning is more than knowing all the answers. For a long time my identity was wrapped up in being a walking encyclopedia. Certainly, schoolwork is important, and there’s nothing wrong with me trying to shine academically, but I have to remember I’m not defined by my test scores.
5. Get a God-sized vision for your life. Education isn’t an end in and of itself; it’s the means to fulfilling your life’s purpose. Talk to God, your parents, and your mentors about where you’re going.
Homeschooling is great—especially if you maximize its potential. You only have so many years at home. (There I go sounding old again…) Savor them. Enjoy them. Use them.
I came across this book on another website and just had to mention it because it sounds like something I would really enjoy reading! If you have read this, feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!
Homeschooling at the Speed of Life - by Marilyn Rockett -- What should I do next; grade the math test or tackle the laundry? Homeschooling at the Speed of Light gives busy homeschooling mothers a thoughtfully thorough resource for bringing order back to their home-turned-classroom. In tune with today's pace, the book provides basic home-management principles, teaching parents how to de-clutter their homes, develop life skills in their children, tame the paper monster and keep organized records. Also emphasized are ways to build relationships and use the home as a center for hospitality and outreach. The book even includes Rockett's easily adaptable File-a-Plan organizing system on a bonus CD-ROM. Homeschooling moms will be keeping with with their good work in no time! 240 pages, softcover. From Broadman and Holman.
Marilyn Rockett is like a homeschool version of Martha Stewart! However, she does not expect you to achieve a perfectly arranged magazine-quality home but to simply attain what is described as “functional neatness.” (Something I can live with!)
If you have never read The Homeschool Minute, take a few moments to check it out. This comes to my e-mail address each week and I always enjoy reading it -- great advice that is short and to the point. Here's a link to The Homeschool Minute archives (and you can also subscribe there).
Here is a blog I found several weeks ago. I re-read this article on it again tonight and still think it's a good reminder to us while we are planning and getting ready for a new school year.
When I first began homeschooling years ago, The Teaching Home was the only magazine I subscribed to. It was actually the only one I knew about at the time and it is where I learned sooooo much about homeschooling. I don't think it is in print anymore but there are archived newsletters that are great reading!
Grab a cup of coffee, sit down and click over to Homeschool Radio. You can listen to interviews with folks like Cindy Downes, Christine Field, Susan Wise Bauer, JoJo Tabares, Cindy Rushton, and many more! I was so glad when I found this site a few weeks ago and am working my way through the broadcast archives. For those of you who don't drink coffee, I guess you can listen to this with your cup of tea.
I am a homeschooling mom of four boys and have always homeschooled. I plan to use this blog for discussion on various curriculum, books, read-alouds, organizing and anything else to do with homeschooling. Feel free to add your comments!
