There have been many, many lessons I have learned during these past 10 years trying to teach my children. I just have to say, that I was NOT supposed to be the one learning here. But, as we all know about how God works with us, here I am all the richer and wiser about homeschooling. Instead of making a novel-style blog post about them all, I'm going to peel them back one at a time for you.
So my first lesson I'll share with you: Don't stop trying new things!
If a new fun idea only lasts a few days, that's okay! Don't stop trying new things. Your kids are worth the effort!! I have tried so so many different things over the years, that I can't even begin to remember them all. This process of trying has taken me farther away from my public school vision into something so different that I could never imagined it at the beginning. I'm so blessed by these past 10 years.
There are times that my kids aren't doing their school because they simply would rather play, or do just about anything else. But, I've learned that I need to step back and see that sometimes the defiance is because something just isn't working. It can be hard, but I try not to take it personally.
Each year I have it all planned out perfectly from the beginning of the year! I've spent hours and hours making everything ready so that our school year goes smoothly. Then, when something needs to be adjusted, I stand there like a sentinel refusing to budge. I'll refuse for a while because I need to make sure that it's not the sinful nature of my children that is requiring me to scrap hours worth of work, but the need of something different to reach them.
Each year, when this happens (because there's never a year without a creative adjustment) I suck up my pride, and learn that God had a creative idea waiting for me in the wings. When I stop fighting, I realize that His idea is WAAAAY better than refusing to budge. Sometimes I have to start over on a curriculum, but most of the time I just need to get creative with how I'm presenting it, or what I'm expecting of them.
Some of the things I've tried:
Changing curriculum part way through the year:
I have adjusted curriculum in the middle of the year, but by no means am I a curriculum jumper! I have friends that try one after another, after another. If that works for them, or you, then great. Sorry, but I don't buy into it. I do my research, buy what I think is best for our family. Then, allow myself a bit of freedom with deciding that it's not working after giving it a good (3-4 month) try.
During the years I have changed things up here and there. Allowing the kids the option of saying 'no' when they are seriously fighting my choice of curriculum has really helped us in the long run. For example, we had a grammar curriculum that we were using, and it caused tears. Lots of tears. Finally in my frustration I walked away, again. A couple hours later, God spoke to me. 'Give it up. Let it go. It's okay.' So after I prayed about it, I went to my daughter and asked her, 'What if we try something different?' She was so excited! She helped me pick the next one (at 8 years old, I gave her 2 new options to pick from). Giving her that control was helpful for us both.
My rule when we change is that they can NOT change again until we are done that year. The kids find that it's frustrating trying to get a new curriculum one up and running. And we have found ones that work for us, so we haven't had to do this in a couple years.
Changing the Presentation:
I'm not one to sit down with my kids for hours at a time to present them all their school material. I've tried, but the feeling is mutual. I limit my teaching time for all of our sanities. Any time I can get a video, book, quizlet, etc. to help me present the material, they are much happier. It sounds backwards, doesn't it?
"Aren't YOU supposed to be the one teaching them?" my nagging inner child asks. I am. *sticking out my tongue like a petulant child* But, my kids get tired of me talking. And frankly, I get tired of hearing myself. So, I've found you tube videos, websites, etc. to help.
Apologia has prerecorded classes that don't cost too much that we have used. Shormann Math has saved the day after RightStart was over.
Recently I have recorded myself giving my kids their history discussion and then sent them the video. Ha! Take that argumentative son. Try to argue with a recording! It works!! He can pause it, but I don't have to repeat every stinking sentence because he's too busy screwing around instead of taking notes.
When the kids were young, I've shown up as the character we're learning about. What that means is I put a piece of batting on my head like a wig and became George Washington. I donned a silly voice for a minute or two. It didn't last long, but the kids got a kick out of it.
Changing up the setting:
I routinely rearrange their school room
move their desk to a different part of the house
create a new space, or designated space for a kid or subject
purchase/make a special something (new lamp, desk chair, notebook, pillow, fun pencil, just about anything that connects to your child) for their school area
Thinking outside the box:
Figure out what YOU think school looks like, and then do the opposite. Remove the school desks, blackboard, and flag in the corner.
Cover the dining table with a sheet and do school in a spaceship
Sing songs to remember things
Draw pictures to remember things
Create fun 'subjects' that they already love to do (cooking, play-doh, legos, etc.)
Play games!! Lots of games. You can teach ANY subject using games. It doesn't even have to be 'school games'. Pull out SORRY, Querkle, or UNO.
Try the fun/interesting curriculum. Don't ever buy curriculum because 'that's how I learned it, and it makes sense to me.' You're NOT the one learning it, your kids are!! Research, and borrow/buy curriculum that makes sense in the long run. It's a marathon, not a race. Let those fun curriculums shine and learn with your kids!
Let an energetic child take 30 minute outside breaks
Bring club activities into school (4H, Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, etc.)
What creative things have you used in your school?
-Rebecca
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