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Homeschooling - day to day
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Question:
Could
some of the moms and dads who homeschool describe what a typical day,
week and month are? It seems overwhelming to me, but that might be
because I am an old mom! (Okay, 43 isn't that old, but you get my
drift....).
Answer:
-First off, you are not old! Old is a state of mind. Perhaps you are
just tired. That's how I feel sometimes.
We get our homeschool programs designed by the National Accademy of
Child Development. They give us specific exercises and accademics
and prescribe a set number of minutes to do each. Some are done more
than once per day. We don't set a certain number of hours aside for
school. Since the traditional school approach didn't work for us, we
don't emulate something that didn't work to begin with.
I break up the homeschool program into 15-20 minute segments. This
keeps the interest (intensity) level high. In between the segments, the
children get a break to do what they wish,(puzzles, computer, outside
play, read a book) while I do a 15-20 minute segment with another child
(I am presently working with 3, well 4 if you include nursing the baby
and carrying him about in my sling...)
We are usually not done until 5 or 6 in the evening, but we do other
things besides what is on the program. I usually reserve Fridays
for social activities with other kids.
The 15 minute periods are good because sometimes, in between kids, I can
do the dishes or put in a load of laundry, or even start dinner. It's
kind of become a way of life. This approach also allows me to spend
alot of time with the kids doing fun things. The idea is to make most
of the activities gamelike and to strive for a positive atmosphere.
Everyone has bad days, but I try to keep them to a minimum and change
my approach if something is not working. Also, the 15 minute periods
keep the intensity level high and end before the brain gets
overstimulated. If you spend too much time doing something, the brain
gets overloaded and actually is detrimental to the learning process.
It took me a long time to unlearn that more is not always better.
If you are wondering how the kids do, I can only say they are
acceleurated in their academics. Socially, they are very well adjusted.
They get along well with children of all ages, as well as adults.
No, my house is never clean and usually we eat dinner late, but I do
cook most of the meals during the week and Brett cooks on Saturday and
Sunday. Sometimes I don't do the dishes at night because I'm too tired
but they get done eventually. I'd rather spend the time with the kids
then have a clean house.
I'd really be interested in hearing
-Homeschooling is a wonderful experience, if you feel called to do it. I have
counseled lots of moms who wanted to homeschool but were intimidated about it.
It's really not as difficult as it would appear. There are homeschool
associations in every state (e-mail me and I can put you in touch with yours),
books you can read, and conferences you can attend to get ideas and see
curriculums. And the rewards are great -- family closeness
-I started a SIMPLE homeschool type program with Sara for the summer. Basically
we work in the mornings on her goals from her IEP, the little girl I keep is
also involved. I live in a high Academic area so I do this to keep ahead of
their curriculum. Afternoons we work on pool stuff (moms favorite!!) and I am
also attempting to teach Sara how to ride a bike.
Dad teaches her how to sit in movies, library,
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