Homeschool, Q & A

What Curriculum Should I Use?

This question is, by far, the toughest one I have gotten since I started homeschooling. There are plenty of different choices out there and sorting through can be somewhat mind-numbing.

I am far from an expert, but the majority of the people I talked to about homeschooling, have piece together their own curriculum (i.e. they use one set of books, sites, or printables for math, a different set from a different source for reading, etc).

My best advice I can give so far is:

1) Keep it simple. Focus on the core subjects and don’t stress yourself if you think things aren’t progressing the way you think it should.

2) Do not attempt to replicate a public school classroom. Tried to my first two months and failed miserably. You don’t have to do that. You get to create this whole thing to fit your family and your children that can be changed at the drop of a hat if needed. Education is all around us. It does NOT have to be a cookie-cutter education, nor should it be.

3) Struggling because the children are behind or you think you’re not doing enough? DON’T! Don’t stress yourself. Seriously, you’ll find a routine that will work for you and your family. The children will progress at their own pace.

Homeschool

Who knew… Learning Could Be Messy

As of right now, we have been homeschooling for about 5-6 months. As I reflect back, I have come to the conclusion learning and teaching is messy. If it requires glue, coloring, cutting and so on… The table, floor, and chairs become a colorful warzone. Sadly, I’m beginning to understand that this can be more messy then how the kiddos are normally playing.
💡👩🏻‍🏫🎨🖌️🖍️✂️ 😂🤣

Intro, Q & A

Why?

“Why do people take or keep their children out of school? Mostly for three reasons: they think that raising their children is their business not the government’s; they enjoy being with their children and watching and helping them learn, and don’t want to give that up to others; they want to keep them from being hurt, mentally, physically, and spiritually.”

― John Holt

The last reason and the pandemic is why we started. Now though it’s more of the second reason as to why we are continuing. Though I will eventually give the boys an opportunity to return to public school once we think it’s safe, it will be their decision if they want to return and we’ll go from there. So far all the kiddos want to continue to be homeschooled.