Ah, homeschooling...it is what we believe the Lord has called us to do, yet there are days when I feel inadequate. Last year was my first "heavy duty" year with a first-grader and I took on too much. I felt so overwhelmed and disorganized and I knew---this year HAD to be different! It is no easy task homeschooling a 2nd grader and kindergartener while also caring for a 2-year-old, household responsibilities, church responsibilities, tutoring part-time, trying to sell our house and many other things I won't bore you with. I thought to myself, "this can be done....look at all the mothers of 3, 4 and even more children who do it and are caring for a newborn, too! So I sought advice from friends, strangers, and of course, my Heavenly Father. I took a tidbit from here and a gem from there and came up with a schedule that works for us (with occasional tweaking). Here is the gist of it:
We are a bit slow-moving in the a.m., (ok, I mean *me*) so we don't rush too much unless we have to be somewhere that day (co-op, Bible study, etc.). We finish breakfast and clean-up a little after 8 a.m. and I try to get the kids to start on their chores by 8:20 or 8:30 at the latest.
Then, I try to do all the work that can be done for both girls together. Maggie can play in the other room or sit on my lap, or color at the table (some days this works better than others). I encourage the older girls to play with Maggie during their breaks, and Mary Beth is loves to read to Maggie.
8:45-9, Girls start on independent work from their folders (usually copy work such a spelling list or Bible verse)
9-9:20, Bible lesson, review verse, sing, pray
9:20-9:30, Review CC memory work (all subjects, including Latin) for the week and up to five previous weeks
9:30-9:45 English/Writing lesson for both girls taken from First Language Lessons Levels 1 &2 (this includes mostly English Grammar and poetry) and Writing With Ease workbook.
9:45-10 Geography- We work on memorizing states and capitals for the week (Mary Beth traces and lables; Abigail labels some but mostly points and says).
10- Abigail takes a recess while I work with Mary Beth individually.
10-10:30 Math (Combination of Saxon worksheets and math facts/drills)
10:30-10:45 Spelling review and Cursive writing practice.
10:45-11:00 Reading, Mary Beth reads her lesson aloud to me (McGuffey Reader or Rod and Staff Reader), and then reads library books silently.
11:00 recess for Mary Beth
11:30-12:00 Abigail Reading lesson (phonics, sight words, easy phonics reader) and Math (skip counting and adding/subtracting with manipulatives and other kindergarten/1st grade math skills).
12:00-12:30 lunch
After lunch, we finish up any unfinished work, read books related to history and science, and do any fun projects we have planned (currently making a "Mayflower" ship out of old o.j. containers, construction paper, and straws).
Maggie takes her nap while the older girls play quietly, play video games and/or watch a video.
So that's what it looks like right now, more or less. I try to focus on weekly goals more than daily goals, that way we have flexibility--which is a great plus of homeschooling.
Of course, there is also the issue of space. We do not have a "homeschooling room," so most of our schooling happens at the kitchen table (besides field trips and other learning experiences at places like the grocery store, bank, etc.). I only have one small bookshelf (crazy for a book addict like myself...yes, I have books crammed in other random place in my home) in the living room and a coat closet to use for storage. I had to purge my home of many unused items and organize the rest of it. Here are some pics of what my homeschool storage areas look like. The bottom line is that I just can't keep everything I would like to keep or buy all the resources I would like to buy. The public library has definitely become my friend!
We keep the girls' daily folders, workbooks, etc., in their personal book bags. A friend of mine keeps her children's work in baskets or bins.
Then there is the issue of motivation. A tip I found very helpful is to reward the children for a job well done. I found some gently-used and inexpensive toys and videos that I set out each week and let the girls pick one item as a reward for completing their schoolwork (and household chores ;) with a good attitude. This is a great tool to motivate them throughout the week. Of course, as a Christian family, we try to live by the verse, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31 ESV.
I have also started planning only 2 weeks ahead (in detail) and then, in pencil! I plan to type up all final plans at the end of the week to have a nice record of all instruction but we will see if that happens.
I hope this is an encouragement to others that homeschooling can be done with limited space and limited time, brain power, whatever. If you are truly willing and lean on the Lord for strength and help, it is possible! I am not saying I will always be homeschooling, but for now I am making it work! (I cannot forget to mention that our weekly homeschool community, Classical Conversations, helps to keep us accountable, on track, and encouraged!)
I have also started planning only 2 weeks ahead (in detail) and then, in pencil! I plan to type up all final plans at the end of the week to have a nice record of all instruction but we will see if that happens.
I hope this is an encouragement to others that homeschooling can be done with limited space and limited time, brain power, whatever. If you are truly willing and lean on the Lord for strength and help, it is possible! I am not saying I will always be homeschooling, but for now I am making it work! (I cannot forget to mention that our weekly homeschool community, Classical Conversations, helps to keep us accountable, on track, and encouraged!)
