Just Beginning~~~

Maybe you’ve decided to take your child out of a traditional educational setting or maybe this will be the first time you’re trying to have some “structured” educational time.  If you have a preschooler or elementary age child that you’ve decided to home school, let me give you just one phrase to consider—“Enjoy your time together.”   

News flash~~   You don’t have to mimic the traditional school setting, time schedule or curriculum.  I think that we feel like we have to in order to validate our home school.  When my girls were little, we did have a “school room.”  I started out having them “do their work” at the table we had set up in a bedroom.  I had some wire storage racks that housed books and supplies because I was trying to “contain” it all in one room.  Notice that I didn’t call it a spare bedroom because it wasn’t spare…..all three girls slept in one room.  Thank goodness for 2 sets of bunk beds!

We did work out of that room, but it didn't take long before we spilled out into the living space….kitchen table, living room floor, island in the kitchen, etc.  The reality was that I found it difficult to work with them while I was cooking or completing tasks around the house.

We didn’t have a strict time frame for school work.   We got up, ate breakfast, got dressed and started their activities.  We finished the school day when they finished with their work.  Some days were longer than others.   

As far as curriculum, you can get overwhelmed very easily because there are so many options available.  Everyone’s curriculum style is going to be very different.  When it comes to curriculum, there are no rights and wrongs, as long as you choose something that best fits your child.   There are some who like a “one size fits all” curriculum.  For example, private schools will use a particular curriculum across the board. Many times when parents take their child out of a private school, they will continue to use the curriculum because the student is familiar with it.  Also, you can use a computer based curriculum.  I chose the eclectic style…using all kinds of different curriculum.  When my girls were preschool and elementary aged, we used unit studies in order that we could sit down and learn together.  We learned so much together…..the key word being “together.”  If you were to ask any of my girls what there favorite part of home schooling was, they would invariably tell you “Sitting on the couch and reading a story together.”  I used a unit study,   http://fiveinarow.com/. that focused on reading a book and then you would study science, social studies, math, art, history, etc based on the book.   Math was my only supplement in terms of a textbook subject until middle school.

When choosing a curriculum, do your research.  Ask other home school parents what they use and why.  Check out:  http://www.rainbowresource.com/   They have a 1300 page catalog that has detailed descriptions of all the home school material they sell.   You can download the catalog or request one via mail.  Prepare to be overwhelmed though because it’s 2-3 inches thick, but a great resource to have.  Christian Book Distributors, http://www.christianbook.com/  , has a tab dedicated to home schooling products.

Finally, I would have been lost without a friend who shared with me about the curriculum she used and why…among many other home school matters.  She made such an impact in my life as a friend and a fellow home school mom.  Find someone and talk to them.  Life isn’t meant to be lived as the Lone Range.

Until Next Time,

Johnna