Homeschooling is a vocation that takes commitment and teamwork. Everyone must work hard and do their part to make the days productive and fruitful. We do have a routine each day and ways of making sure everyone is actually learning. We use some textbooks and some living books (a Charlotte Mason approach). My children are versatile and like to learn in a variety of ways:
- workbooks
- nature drawings/ field guides/ fandex
- drawings/or pre-printed coloring pages
- board or card games (educational)
- computer
- hands on activities
- fieldtrips
- dictation/narration
Since I have 6 different children and each of them have their own curriculum, they have a chart to fill out each day. On the sides are the subjects and across the top the days of the week. Each day they turn this sheet in and I transfer each subject on to my chart.
( fifth grader's desk)
The kids work independently and I am at my desk ready to answer questions when they arise. I also spend my time correcting previous papers, researching options for curriculum, finding worksheets or ideas to go with the subjects they are currently working on.
(eighth grader's desk)
The children know their daily routine and they use their chart as a guide to see what assignments are next in line. Sometimes they share a science experiment or do a project together. Because some of them are close in age it is okay to combine certain activities. Sometimes it is good to let go of the whole "grade" concept.
( 10th grader's desk)
A set curriculum is always a good thing to have but I do not hesitate to be spontaneous if something is put in my path. I am always on the hunt for new learning items. I picked up this book at church last week on the give away table and it is now my son's religion assignment. He reads a set amount of pages each day and is keeping a journal about what he reads.
Nature study has been a part of our curriculum from the beginning. Usually in the spring we are more enthused about it and we set aside a day of the week to incorporate nature walks.
Gathering specimens and things we find along the way are great research starters. Reading, drawing, and writing about nature finds are all ways to practice spelling, english, art and science.
Everything can become an opportunity to learn something new. There are so many different styles out there and no one way is the best. I am drawn to Charlotte Mason and Montessori approaches. Short doable lessons are actually better than long lengthy drawn out lessons. Children will retain more and their minds will stay fresh in each subject this way.
Homeschool learning gives kids an opportunity to direct themselves and become independant in their skills. They are able to keep track of and be responsible for their daily school routine. They also have a vast variety of ways and techniques to be able to process the information they are obtaining from their curriculum. It takes dedication and hard work on each family members part. We all learn how to be independent but still work and pull together as a team.
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