Tuesday 9 August 2016

What about Homeschool Planning?

Thinking back to when I was researching home educating one of my biggest concerns was how will I know how much to do and when to do it ?  I was petrified I would not do enough and as it turned out I was doing far too much and overwhelming my six and four year olds. Homeschool planning is as individual as homeschool families.  There is no one perfect way to do it. Today the Schoolhouse Review Crew are sharing their insights on homeschool planning.



To give you a little perspective on my approach to planning I would like to share a little background about our homeschool journey. Years ago when I was looking into Curriculum options there were a few available with planning sections semi-done for you.  One of my personal passions is literature and after months of prayer and searching we settled on using Sonlight Curriculum for our first year of home educating.   Two things swayed me towards using Sonlight.  The first was the wonderful literature which is the core of the program and the second was their instructor's guides!  It took all the stress of wondering what to do out of my day.  It was like having a veteran coach sitting with me and telling me exactly what to do next and how.  It was  my record book and activity guide all in one.  It set the pace and gave me samples of what to expect and equipped me the parent with all the information I needed.    We homeschooled for a few years using that then tried a few other options but to be honest the guidance I received from those guides has been my saving grace on more than one occasion and they still influence how I do things now 19 years later.

We have used many different types of home schooling over the last nearly two decades and at present we are pursuing a delight directed approach mixed with Charlotte Mason Philosphy/approach. I've become an eclectic homeschooler and do not follow a written plan. I do each day what we know and follow the same rhythm we have for the last few years.  We home educate year round and role onto the next thing on the list when we finish the thing we are currently on.

Things to consider
  • Find a planner that suits you. Some of us are natural planners and it's easy and for others its a journey of self discovery.  This is normal. There are a number of options from paper planners to digital support and planning. 
  • Research your local laws pertaining to homeschooling as this will influence how much detail you will need in your planning.
  • Your plan is your SERVANT.  It's there to serve you and help you homeschool your children successfully.  It should never be your task master.  
  • Decided what you need to do daily and set the list aside.  
  • Start SLOWLY!  Do one thing and then gradually add in one more thing until you have it all happening the way you want. I highly recommend Successful Homeschooling Made Easy eCourse to help you on your journey. 
  • Do NOT add in anything just because another family is doing it.  Remember to remain TRUE to yourself and who you and your family are. This is my number ONE RULE.  It's the true secret to freedom in your homeschool. 
  • Do not be afraid.  Fear will rob you of the joy of the wonderful years of home educating and enjoying your children fully as they grow. 
  • Schedule time out in your daily plan. 
  • Make regular time for Mother Culture in order to prevent burn out.

A word from my *Daughter Jane on Planning to Homeschool.

Take a deep breath and rest easy in the knowledge you are about to embark on one of the greatest journeys of your life.

Some days it's okay to just remember to take it at your own pace and to have patience with yourself. Often when you are weary, we are too. It's okay to take a day off to have a picnic.

Being home-schooled was one of the greatest blessings my mom has ever given me, and I am thankful every day. It enabled me to pursue the subjects that I was passionate about and helped me to work at my own pace.

I do believe you need to be willing to compromise and shape your curriculum to work around your family structure.

Make sure you remember to have fun, and it's okay to change things up!

Here on the blog
Over the years I have shared my thoughts on a number of different aspects of homeschool planning. Here are some of the posts I would encourage you to read: 
"Every lesson must have its own time, and no other time in this world is there for it. The sense of the preciousness of time, of the irreparable loss when a ten minutes' lesson is thrown away must be brought home." - Charlotte Mason Companion page 93

Recommended Resources
Charlotte Mason advised the teacher to replenish her soul with a continual supply of ideas. ...stimulates your educational thought in many directions and keeps you from drifting into mere routine... Do not think this is a selfish thing to do, because the advantage does not end with yourself."
 On Pinterest
For more information on planning and home educating the Schoolhouse Review Crew will be sharing their thoughts and linking up below.
 

5 Days of Homeschool 101

Monday 8 August 2016

Help! What is Homeschool Curriculum?

 Curriculum a subject that has become as wide as the oceans and can be a rather daunting tide to wade through when you're starting out. I was fortunate enough to begin home educating back in day when online hadn't even been invented yet and all my information was found through visiting friends.  I spent months visiting many patient and gracious home educating families to see what they did, how they did what they did and asking many many questions.  After months of searching my husband asked in desperation "What ARE we going to use?" because I would come home every week with something new and say "This is definitely the one!"

Through this experience I began a love affair with homeschool curriculum which lead to me joining the Schoolhouse Review Crew in 2013 as a homeschool Curriculum Reviewer. I enjoyed my first year looking over curriculum so much I reapplied and did a few more years on the crew as a reviewer (2014, 2015) This year I've been working for the Crew helping with their blog and done a few reviews on my blog of products I'm passionate about.


Whether you are new to home educating, looking into possibly homeschooling your children or a veteran homeschooler the word curriculum is one you will often hear.

What is Curriculum?
  • noun: curriculum; plural noun: curricula; plural noun: curriculums
  • the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college. "course components of the school curriculum" synonyms: syllabus, course of study/studies, programme of study/studies, educational programme, subjects, modules
Do I need a Curriculum to home educate?
NO!   In essence many curriculums out there are what someone else has created to meet a need within their own homeschool.  Other parents have liked what they see and asked to copy it and from this a new curriculum is birthed.   The rule of thumb for EVERY home educator to remember is: Curriculum can become a your best friend or your dreaded task master.  Curriculum needs to serve YOU.  Not you the curriculum.

How do I find the RIGHT curriculum?
When it comes to it you need to consider a few things which come with experience and you need to ask yourself a few questions before you begin.
  1. What are the country/state legal requirements for me to home educate my children. In some countries this will determine the type of curriculum you may need to use.
  2. IF you are bringing your children from traditional school to home take some time to detox school from your system, build new routines and get to know your students.  Find out where they are at and build a relationship with them. Find your own personal rhythm. This will go a long way in helping you determine what will work for your family. In homeschooling we educate according to where our child is at in each subject area.  In other words my 5th grade student may be doing third grade math, seventh grade spelling and fifth grade history. 
  3. Choose something that you will enjoy doing.  As the saying goes "If Mama aint happy no one is going to be happy"
  4. Remember Curriculum is NOT set in stone.  Use what you've chosen for four months.  Write down what you like and what you don't and then let that guide your choice for a new path.
HELP! I'm overwhelmed with where to start...
  1. Ignore Google, go and buy an ice cream and relax.
  2. Go to the library find a couple of twaddle free books (here is a list of our 6 favourites) and Read Aloud Together Everyday. (You can find a list of my book list resources here.)
  3. Become equipped: Know What YOU think and Why.
  4. Request a couple of curriculum catalogs: Sonlight, Rainbow Resources and Christian Book Depository. Take some time to read them become acquainted with what you like and the terminology.
  5. Set a budget and then purchase what you need.  This can be from numerous sources OR you can buy a complete curriculum in a box.  IF you have the time then attend a local curriculum fair. 
  6. If you can't attend a fair then be sure to check out the following posts:
Curriculum Choices 
Click on any of the graphics below to find out more about some curriculum options for that subject.



What if there is NO money for curriculum ?
No problem.  There is a lot of FREE curriculum available today courtesy of many clever home educating families and the internet.

One word of caution don't become overwhelmed!  Pinterest is another fabulous resource and there are many wonderful homeschool people on their who share amazing ideas and resources but don't measure your own success based upon their polished presentations!

I have written more on this topic here: HELP There's NO money for Curriculum! 



You CAN homeschool for FREE
Here are some links to get you started, click on any of the graphics to find out more:
On Pinterest
For more information on Curriculum and home educating the Schoolhouse Review Crew will be sharing their thoughts and linking up below.


5 Days of Homeschool 101

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Super Science Homeschool Giveaway

August is a wonderful time in the year for me as it signals that the end of winter is coming and that soon spring will be here in all it's fine glory and the promise of warmer days and summer.  It means a greater desire to be out of doors exploring nature and pursing nature journaling.  I love looking over the web to find resources and going through my resource list of over a hundred links. For those of you wondering if nature study is possible in winter I would like to encourage you that yes it is.  The Homeschool Blogging Connection team  would like to invite my USA homeschool friends to an exciting Super Science Giveaway which is sure to inspire you in your science studies this new homeschool year .



Here’s what you could win:

OMAX 40X-2500X Lab Binocular Compound LED Microscope with Double Layer Mechanical Stage and Digital Camera $239
  • This is a digital biological binocular compound microscope that includes a digital imaging system. 
  • The digital microscopy comes with a 45° inclined 360° swiveling binocular sliding viewing head, two pairs of widefield eyepieces, four achromatic objectives, stain-resistant double layer mechanical stage with scales, coarse & fine focusing, NA 1.25 Abbe condenser and variable intensity LED transmitted illumination system. 
  • It offers six levels of magnification power: 40X-100X-250X-400X-1000X-2500X. 
  • The USB digital imaging system that captures microscope images and live video on computer. The included software compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 can be used to make measurements.
  •  You can view and capture the images on iMac or Macbook with Mac OS too. It is easy to mount a dark field condenser to switch a bright field microscope to a dark field microscope. This type of digital compound microscopy is perfect for teaching demonstration and clinical examination, laboratories and advanced applications.

An awesome (and useful) I Believe in Homeschooling tote ($12) Perfect for the library, field trips, church activities, and more!
  • Large main compartment with a snap closure. 
  • Front pocket with Velcro closure. 
  • Shoulder strap is 22". Navy/natural 
  • Dimensions are 16: x 11.5" x 4.5"

Exploring Creation with Biology (high school) from Apologia Educational Ministries  $256.50

This is an award-winning, college-prep biology course that provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. With a strong emphasis on vocabulary and experiments, the course provides the student with a solid background in biology which is presented an in a readable, conversational tone.

The Biology Super Set includes five items from Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Biology product line: the textbook, tests & solutions manual, student notebook, MP3 audio CD, and video instruction DVD.

Please Note: Winner may alternatively choose any science curriculum from Apologia’s Elementary Science sets (Zoology, Astronomy, Botany, Human Anatomy, Chemistry/Physics). Prize includes the textbook, choice of notebooking journal, and audio MP3. ($95)


The Deluxe Adventure Pack with 10 Unit Studies from Adventure Homeschool $190.00
  • The Adventure Pack – Hands on Learning Kit comes with binoculars, magnifying glass, fossil kit, shell kit, owl pellet king & much more. 
  • It includes 10 complete weekly Unit Studies for the family. Help them learn to recognize the fingerprints of the Creator!
 The total retail value for this giveaway is over $685+

Please note:
  1. Entry is open to residents of the USA only.
  2. You must be 18 years old or older to participate.
  3. You need to have a shipping address in the United States to enter. 
  4. Prize fulfillment is dependent on each individual company represented and is not the responsibility of Homeschool Blogging Connection
  5. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeit prize to a new winner. 
  6. Please use a current, valid email address to enter so that you receive the winning notification should you win. We will not be sending you any other emails.

 Entries for this giveaway end on August 8th. a Rafflecopter giveaway