Jun. 18, 2007 - Homeschool Tips
Okay, so in response to Pass the Torch asking for everyone's best tips I am posting a few. Keep in mind we've just completed our first year of homeschooling, so you could look at this in two ways: 1) wow, this was only her first year? What great tips! *or* 2) a few decent tips, yes, but she has quite a bit to learn! 
I'm hoping that I get the first reaction of course, but I'm always on the prowl for good tips. I'm really looking forward to what everyone posts on Friday at Pass the Torch. Here are some of mine.
1. The first year, especially, just relax. Take some time to do fun things. I know some people that freaked out their first year about missing a math lesson (even if it was review) and missed some really fun trips to the park or zoo. You don't have to do every lesson from every book. Get a grip!
2. On the other hand, don't overschedule yourself with outside activities. Don't load yourself up with so many field trips and play dates that you struggle to get any work done by the end of the week.
3. Plan as much as you can in advance, then dump ideas as needed. During the summer, I plan the schoolyear out as much as possible. I try to list a couple of hands-on activities for most history or science lessons, then when we get to that lesson I use whichever idea seems best for us to do at the time. (either because we happen to have the supplies already on hand, or because I think one of the kids would get a bigger kick out of one of the ideas than the other) I may dump both hands-on ideas because we are running short on time, or the kids are tired and cranky, etc. Just because you have planned it doesn't mean you have to use it!!!
4. Remember that each of your children are different! They probably have different learning styles, levels of distractability, etc. Plan accordingly.
5. It's not good to try to do "school at home", but some kids need more structure than others. This is a continuation of the thought above. Big Man (7) is very easily distracted. He does best when we do our work in our "school area" that's in the basement. When his little brother is sick on the couch upstairs, we do our work at the kitchen table. These are the days where I decide a quick math lesson and some reading are all that we're doing that day! Nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to keep his brain focused for long. On the other hand, Little Monkey (4) can do his work anywhere, anytime. If we need to do our work at the kitchen table, outside, or whereever, Little Monkey is just as productive as if we were in our "school area".
6. Here's a great idea I saw somewhere more than a year ago, but I can't remember where. To keep their favorite crafts/projects displayed we use a soft rope strung near the top of the wall. It's held up by clear suction cups with hooks on them. You can make it as long or short as you like. We use laundry clips to attach the work to the rope. The work is easily replaced, and when you want to take the whole rope system down, there are no marks on your walls. Here is a picture of it "in action" (the rope is white against a white wall, so it doesn't show up well, but you can see it because of the pictures hung from it)
7. Binders. My favorite things. The things that keep me sane :). I plan to have a post in the near future about my binders and how they keep me organized. Below is a picture of my teaching binder. It contains all of my lesson plans for both kids, attendance sheet/calendar, supply list, field trip ideas, etc. You can put anything in there that is helpful to you.
8. Shelves/Bookcases. Get as many of them as your house can hold!!! We have shelves with toys specifically to keep Peanut (2) busy as we work. We have bookcases filled with books and kits. We need more! I plan on posting about this more specifically in the near future as well.
9. Use your library on-line database to look up books before leaving your house. This can save me great pain and suffering while trying to find books for the week.
10. Use the internet to find great ideas for projects, crafts, etc. But also watch your time online. I can easily spend the entire day looking up things. There are fantastic sites such as Enchanted Learning, DTLK, Mr. Donn's, and on, and on, and on. Then there are these fantastic homeschool blogs. I've learned so much from them, seen their trials and errors, and genuinelly like these people.
Well, that's what I can think of at the moment. I know there's more in this wee little brain of mine, but it isn't coming out right now.
* Edited: See the above post for more on my binder systems. (Or follow this link: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/myquiversfull/344714/) Also, follow this link to read "Why We Homeschool" http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/myquiversfull/324024/
Comments
Jun. 18, 2007 - Hello!
Posted by kcmyworld
I'm enjoying your recent posts. Your husband does sound like a true blessing. Isn't it great how God puts the right people together?!
Robin
Jun. 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
This is a fantastic list! Thanks so much for joining us!
I published the <a href="http://2passthetorch.com/2007/06/21/homeschool-tips-and-advice-share-your-best-links/">Homeschool Tips and Advice</a> post. So please include your permalink in Mr. Linky.
Thanks!
Kelly
Jun. 22, 2007 - Good Stuff!
Posted by Anonymous
Thanks for your tips! I'm just starting and I found your information to be most helpful. I really liked hearing about your binders b/c I bought a binder, but I haven't really decided what all to put in it. Also, I liked the idea of writing down a few hands on activities per lesson so they are on hand when you get there. I can do that this summer. I would not have thought to look that far ahead. Thanks!
brenda
www.familyrevised.blogspot.com
Jun. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeschoolingmommaof4
Great post! It does sound like you've been homeschooling longer than one year.
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