As Tip #7 indicates, sometimes you find yourself in a position where your curriculum is not working out for you. If that’s the case, check out Global Student Network. At www.globalstudentnetwork.com you will find a wide selection of the best curricula and courses available. It’s like one-stop shopping – saves time and money!!
Thank you Brenda Kaye Ruffener for allowing us to post your article below:
http://www.homeschooldiaries.com/10-pieces-of-advice-for-the-new-homeschool-year/
10 Pieces of Advice for the New Homeschool Year
My advice for the new homeschool year comes from a list of to-dos, goals and challenges that I created for myself a few months ago.
In actuality, this list should contain a hundred bullet points. Every year is a learning process for student and teacher. Especially teacher.
#1 – Travel more
Stick to field trip Friday.
Don’t wait until toddler gets old enough to behave predictably and perfectly – just do it. When there’s a tight budget, look for for local and low cost places to visit. Nature walks won’t break the bank.
#2 – Avoid forum frenzy
Limit time on the forums (especially when you are done shopping).
While I adore the Well Trained Mind Forum and a couple others – keeping up with the homeschool Joneses is exhausting. There’s always a better program, finer curriculum choice, or more effective method of teaching – be open to change but don’t second-guess your instincts. You know your kids better than anyone. The grass is not always greener.
#3 – Watch the mood swings
Calm. Cool. Collected.
Correction from a place of love will never steer you astray. But, if you yell, cry or pout – don’t beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day and your children are wonderful forgivers.
#4 – Get lots of fresh air
Outdoor time is a must. Get more of it.
Picnics in the park, science on the patio and walks in the woods – all ages benefit from a lot of outdoor time.
#5 – Don’t box yourself in or bog yourself down
This goes for curricula, schedules, testing – everything.
Getting it done for the sake of checking a box does nothing for your child. Don’t be bound by the book, calendar or schedule. We all benefit with some freedom. Curriculum can be used as a guideline, not a rule.
#6 – Loosen the reigns you control freak
Remember, this was initially a list to myself.
Homeschooling has helped me overcome my Type A personality and everyone is benefiting – even the dogs. Let the toddler get dirty, your tween write from the heart and turn the kitchen into a mad scientist lab.
#7 – Be open to scrapping curricula sooner than later
And willing to do it no matter what the cost.
This is tough. You know how much money you spent and you want it to be effective. I did this with a writing program that bored my oldest to tears. Repetition, once the skill is mastered, does nothing for my child. I should have paid attention to the cues earlier than later. Now, the book is scrapped and we will begin a creative program that allows freedom to move, breath and learn.
#8 – Take more breaks
Any age flourishes from an occasional break.
There are times when it is impossible to learn if toddler is, well…acting like a toddler. Instead of playing damage-control-cop all day long, take a walk, go out for coffee and cocoa, or even move the classroom to the deck. Change benefits everyone.
#9 – Keep better records
Confession time.
I guide others on homeschool records while mine need improvement. Am I the only one who completed months of attendance records in June?
#10 – Stop supervising the kids
If all we do is supervise our children – are we truly homeschooling?
I don’t want to lose the purity of homeschool. But, I do when I maintain a supervisory role. Laughter, adventure, curiosity and love – now that’s homeschool.
Brenda Kaye Rufener’s passion is offering advice and experiential wisdom to parents embarking on the journey of home education through her popular blog Homeschool Diaries. Her blog has been described by critics as “Humorous, slightly irreverent and always honest.” One fan recently told her she was, “the bloggess of homeschooling… minus the swearing.” Her post here is copied by permission. You can read more about and from Brenda at www.homeschooldiaries.com.
Received 8/21/13