How We Homeschool
Here you will find a glance into our silly, ordinary, and glorious life!
{August 2016}
I would love to share about how we homeschool for a glance into our life this month. I shared with you how I was super excited about school starting. Surprisingly, after five years of home schooling, this was the first time I was excited. If you have questions, feel free to email me! I’m going to share how we run our school time, my philosophy of eduction, and the most important thing I’ve learned (so far).
A Look at Our Week
Our school time runs different everyday. We attend a co-op (this is the first year for this) once a week on Monday mornings. By the time we make it home, I’m exhausted and we may or may not do any reading or math. However, we are excited to be able to add Classical Conversations. The three oldest are able to be in a classroom setting as well as study art, music, history, geography, and even Latin. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays look like typical days for us. We start school right after breakfast. I’ll switch it up every once awhile, so we don’t always start with Math or Spelling. I like to see what works best with various subjects at different times. On Fridays we have therapy in the late morning and early afternoon. So Fridays are a relaxed day with just the essentials (reading and math).
On a typical day, I begin with all four at the table with me. Liana works on puzzles, letters, and shapes. Emmalia does some independent work to get started. I give the boys basic instruction on Math or Spelling. They conclude their independent work with handwriting or journal time while I finish up with Emmalia’s one-one-one time.
As the morning goes on, I switch back and forth, giving the boys each one-on-one time. The one who is not working with me does independent work or gets to “take a break.” It means he can go and run around to release some energy! I like to finish before noon, but I’m finding as the boys get older we are doing good if we finish before nap time (around 2:00 p.m.).
My Philosophy of Homeschooling and Resources
If you ever have questions on the type of curriculum* I use, just shoot me an email. Basically, I use a combination of Saxon, Abeka, Bob Jones, this handwriting book, and this one, and this book for teaching them to read. One of my new favorite resources has been Elizabeth’s new book: Homeschooling Your Preschooler. I’m on my third pre-school little one and her book has been a breath of fresh air. It has been just what I need to boost my school time with my 4-year-old.
We use her activities at least once a week, and I have bookmarked the songs she sings everyday for calendar time. I love that it is so easy to read. But even more than that, I am in love with her Christ-centered learning approach. So many times we homeschooling moms just need to hear: GRACE FOR YOU!
One of my philosophy’s of education is to create life-long learners. After listening to Sarah’s Read Aloud Revival Podcast, I’ve found our family’s rhythm with books. We’ve implemented audiobooks as a part of our school day during breakfast and lunch. I organized every single book in the house and placed them on a shelf available to them anytime. Books are the perfect way to instill a lifetime passion for gaining knowledge.
My prayer is for my children to not only learn facts, but to learn the character of God. It is not about how far we get in the books or the test at the end of the year. My job is to tend to their hearts. Are they learning the faithfulness of God? Are they seeing His love and care in their own lives? I pray our homeschool year will be filled with truth from His Word.
The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned
Which leads me to the most important thing I’ve learned. To be successful as a homeschool parent, it isn’t about what you plan, it is how you plan. I’ve adopted the idea of flexible planning.
I no longer keep daily lessons plans. First I write out six-week goals to reach. Then I move forward each day, allowing God to direct us in our work. If a child is sick, I have to put aside my plans and not stress about check-lists. Sometimes we have an unexpected opportunity to spend time with friends, so I put aside my fear of “being behind” and enjoy the good gift of friendship for the day.
Tweet ThisFlexible planning has allowed my heart to rest in God’s leading. It allows me to practice letting go. As a control-freak-planner-loving gal, God definitely has to work extra hard on me in this area! I am happy to have found some rest in our homeschooling routines. Do I still get stressed? Oh yes! But, I am thankful for God’s tweaking of my heart and growth I’ve seen, even in the first four weeks.
If you are a homeschooling mom, I highly recommend Sarah’s book*, Teaching from Rest. It transformed my homeschooling mindset.
I also HIGHLY recommend the book, Homeschooling Your Preschooler. Whether you’ve homeschooled for years, or are just beginning, Elizabeth’s book will invigorate you and inspire you in your homeschooling journey!
Blessings friend,
*This post contains affiliate links. Please read my policy on the sidebar about affliates.
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