This post is by Katie, a homeschooling mother of two, and is from our contributing sponsor, Time4Learning.
I know it’s July, but I’m pretty sure many of you are already thinking about the upcoming, not-to-distant homeschool year that will be here before we know it. Right? Well, if you’re not, you should be. Even if you’ve been homeschooling since your now teenager was drinking from a sippy cup, there is always something new to learn and undiscovered information to consider when you’re a homeschooler. Below are a few things that help me as I start prepping for a new academic year. Consider each one of these carefully as you get your planning under way.
A Flexible Curriculum Goes a Long Way
I can’t say this enough: we have so much flexibility as homeschoolers! We are truly a lucky bunch. As such, you want the curriculum you use to be just as flexible. Why worry about having to complete “X” number of activities by a certain date. Besides, do you really want your child to rush through material that they may not be understanding, much less retaining. Neither you, nor your child need that stress. So if you’re in the market for a new curriculum this year, keep this in mind: find one that is flexible and allows your child to work and learn at their own pace, on their schedule.
Don’t Forget About Recordkeeping
Depending on where you live, you may need to keep a solid track of everything your child is learning, grades, and attendance. So for those of you who are new to homeschooling, make sure you find out what your state’s requirements are. Once you know, you’ll be able to determine whether you really need to keep tabs of your child’s work and progress, or whether you can focus on the heart of the matter: learning together and making unforgettable memories with your children. In your search for a flexible curriculum, you may be fortunate enough to find one that includes detailed recordkeeping and reports. Problem solved!
Plan a Solid, but Flexible Schedule
While we do have tons of flexibility when it comes to our schedule, you have to find what works best for your family. Some parents and children thrive on having a detailed list of what to do and when to do it. If this is the category your family falls under, consider this: don't burn yourself or your kiddos out and leave some wiggle room. You know that thing called life, well, it happens quite a bit. Kids get sick, exciting opportunities arise, and unexpected adventures call. So don’t stress out if things don’t go as planned a few times here and there. The beauty of homeschooling is you can make up any missed work any time.
Don’t Let Burnout Happen to You
So what do you do when both you and the kids need a break? Well, for starters, take advantage of the freedom that homeschooling provides and take a break...for a day, a week or longer if need be. Being a successful homeschooler means knowing when it’s time to hit the pause button. If you start to notice that the kids’ enthusiasm is lacking, they are getting cranky on a regular basis, and you’re losing your temper in the process, it may be time to take a few days off. Remember, you can always catch up on work later, and who says you can’t learn while on a break? A trip to the playground, a nature walk, even a family vacation are not only great ways to relax and de-stress, but they also serve as great learning opportunities if you really think about it.
Pencil in Some Fun
Learning doesn’t just happen on a computer or in a book. Do plan to make hands-on learning a part of your homeschool year. Fun adventures in nature, field trips to the science museum and zoo, and hands-on projects should be a part of your child’s curriculum, so be sure to make time for these as well. Bring other homeschoolers along for the fun too. This way, not only will your child be able to hang out with other kids, but you may be even score a group discount. Field trips and experiments are also a great way to bring concepts to life and give your children a new understanding and appreciation of a particular topic or subject.
Keeping these tips in mind will do wonders for you as you plan out your homeschool agenda in more ways than one. You’ll know what to look for and what to do to ensure that everyone will have a successful year, and learning will be at the top of your to do list.
Hi I’m a mom new to start homeschooling my 6 th grade daughter. I’ve been doing my research on finding and providing her own curriculum . i do not know where to start, there are many to choose from. Any feedback from anyone would be helpful. . I want this to be enjoyable experience and looking for some guidance .I have a few questions and appreciate any suggestions or tips to help us on our path. What’s a good curriculum that’s familiar? I would like to provide the core basic classes required by law first, math, reading , grammar, social studies, and science. Are there any free curriculums and any workbooks for these subjects ? if so are they compatible with ones that aren’t .,More for math reading and grammar, social studies. and last I’m leaning towards simple yet effective an easy to follow curriculum , easy way to learn not overwhelming or difficult? I understand there are more than enough to choose from . What are some that you are familiar with or would recommend? Any faith , religion or Christian based homeschool curriculums are of interest as well for certain subjects . Thank you for your time .
Hi Jennifer - Welcome to homeschooling! I highly recommend our Quickstart Guide to Homeschooling—I think it will allay your fears about choosing a curriculum right away.
During this stressful and uncertain time, the best thing that you can do with your child is deschool. Things are stressful enough without adding the daunting task of choosing a curriculum on top of it. Take advantage of letting go of the school routine, enjoy each other, and take a look at all of the wonderful free educational resources you can do from home during this period of social distancing.
Your 6th grader will continue to learn as she plays and reads and enjoys the freedom from a strict school schedule, and you will be ready to make a more informed decision about the best curriculum in a few months when you are preparing for fall.
Olá. Sou do Brasil. Estou muito feliz por ter encontrado este site. Que Deus os abençoe. Irei recomendá-lo, com certeza.
I know the site is homeschool mom but I am a dad that cares and wants to better my daughter's education. I enjoy the feedback most parents have left and as we enter our first year of homeschooling I want to do it right
Hi Tom - Thanks for your comment and best wishes in homeschooling your daughter!