This year in our homeschool I have three kids, in three different grades, three different personalities,and energy levels. It is fun to say the least. No, really it is fun. It was not long after school started that I was having doubts about the lessons. One of the biggest reasons that I homeschool is because each day I want to be part of their learning. Just shoving a textbook in front of them was something that was haunting me. So I changed my process.
Set a Tentative Schedule
First, I set a time schedule. Now it is a guide, but I have a plan of what needs to be done and the direction we go each day. When you have multiple children in various levels it is helpful to give each one on one time.
A schedule allows for each child to obtain individual learning time and fun time with mom. Each day I am looking forward to homeschooling my children. The challenge is when I prepare lessons, what extra activities and manipulatives can I use for each child. Now, I am the student learning and it is a blessing to watch them enjoy our days.
Insert the Important Subjects First
Setting up the most important subjects first that required book work is important. Our days start with reading, Bible, lang. arts, then math. Now, along with each of these I have started to pull out different activities that are important for them to know from the teachers’ manual and make games. We do not spend all day on games, but something fun is incorporated into each subject.
Lesson Planning and Preparation
Preparation is a work in progress for me. As I read the manuals visualizing how I want to adapt the needed material to our style of learning. Children do need to know how to sit and work in a textbook, but not for hours.
Creativity is one of my strong points so just like for blogging I will watch videos’, search Pinterest and Google for ideas and incorporate them to my style. Learning how to teach is a fun process, and it allows for a whole lot of creativity.
If I was working on a marathon, then each day I would train and eat to do better time when I run. Doing my best if very important to me and so is homeschooling. My children deserve my marathon training. One day they will be grown to hopefully say “Mom taught us to the best of her ability”.
Fun learning stations, textbooks, games, activities, and field trips are part of the lesson planning process. A game for me is “How many ways can I teach this subject”?
There are some days where we do book work, or add in extra read aloud time. Some days we may add in an extra math lesson, or phonics sheet. But variety in the homeschool goes along way. I want to enjoy my work, and I want them to enjoy my work.
Do you plan activities into your day? Is it harder with more children?
Cheers,
Michelle
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