Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Homeschool: The first days
Hullo, dear reader. My name is Jenn and I have been homeschooling my children, both boys, since the eldest was five... I never actually intended to homeschool and so was not really prepared to do so when the need to do so arose. I tell you this because I suspect many people find themselves in a similar situation and I wanted to let you know that, if this is where you are, you are not alone. In this first post, I will offer suggestions about how to start and where to go to find help as well as a few personal anecdotes. Shall we start? Well, then, welcome to my homeschool.
Sigh. Such a pretty picture, isn't it? Well, much as I could wish this is how my house and days are, I would be lying if I said so. My home is chaotic -- two teenage boys, three large dogs, four cats, a Russian tortoise, two leopard geckos, one African clawed frog, a husband and a Grandma... oh... and books. Books. More books. Some days it is all I can do to get everyone fed, a few chores done, errands run and some form of learning encouraged. The days that work best, honestly, are a mixture of planning and acceptance. It is that last sentence that sums up my experience of homeschooling. Have a plan but be willing to adapt.
So... first days homeschooling:
Suggestions for how to start:
I. No matter what age(s)/grade(s) your child is/children are AND you have the time to spend -- take a day or two to just spend time learning about them. Ask them what they are interested in learning. Ask them what music they like -- or don't. Ask them what books they prefer. Ask them what they liked about school -- and what they didn't. Keep a journal of what you learn. Believe it or not, this will help in future planning.
Resources for planning and journaling:
II. If you have elementary aged children, focus on the three Rs -- Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmatic. With beginning readers -- you read to them. If they are just starting out, have them sit beside you and, as you read, run your finger underneath the words. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book and it works. Also, read the same book over and over. Yes, I know. You wonder why. The answer is simple. If you are reading the way I suggest, your child will 'learn' the book and one of the things they will learn, perhaps the most important piece, is that the sounds you are making are directly related to the written words on the page.
Resources for Teaching Reading:
Resources for Teaching writing:
Resources for Teaching Math:
Resources for teaching Fun:
III. If you have teens and they have been attending a public or private school, they are already used to a routine - but it is a routine over which they have very little control. This last is key. This is your chance and theirs to learn how to manage time. It is a very, VERY good thing to learn now before they end up in a job or at college. Students who have good time management and decision making skills succeed. So take a positive attitude to the situation. Take the time to sit down with them and discuss the idea of time management. Explain how you do it in your life/job. Find out what their priorities are and help them create their own schedules. Believe me, I taught Freshmen students at University -- first University of Hawaii then University of Washington and the Seattle U. In all cases, my first job was teaching students how to figure out and manage time and priorities. Older students who already had these skills always did better. Here are some resources to get you started:
Resources for teaching/learning time management:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/time-management-12253837 (You will need to register for a free account but, believe me, it is worth it.)
Resources for Teens and parents to track plans:
(Free Online Planner/Tracker) http://www.homeschoolskedtrack.com/HomeSchool/displayLogin.do
The beginning of our Homeschool journey:
I started homeschooling when my eldest was five. We had enrolled him at a local elementary school but within the first two months, he went from being a joy-filled child to one who begged not to have to go. After a fraught meeting with his teacher and the school principal, we decided to pull him out and start homeschooling. Sigh. I was, quite frankly, terrified. I had no idea what to do but... in for a penny, in for a pound.
We began with walks, lots of walks. And built things from legos. We went to the library and borrowed piles and piles of books. We read together constantly. We cooked bread - made glorious messes. We built things out of scrap wood and rocks in the backyard. We drew and practiced letters and numbers and studied words. And we had fun. At the ages of five and three, learning was a simple thing - everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was an opportunity to learn. Children are by nature curious creatures and young children believe in their parents.
Okay. Enough for now. Take a breath. Hug your kids. This is an opportunity, a blessing in disguise. You can do this. You are capable, competent and you love your kids. They love you. It will be alright.
Until we talk again, stay safe, stay healthy, have fun.
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