Other
First Year Homeschooling
When I first started homeschooling my 6th grader this year, I felt I could do this and it would be fairly simple. After all, I am a credentialed teacher with a degree in education. Now, after my first semester of homeschooling my son, I feel completely different.
First of all, teaching your child at home is so different than teaching a classroom of 20 or 30. For the most part, I think having taught in the public school system has been more of a hinderance to me than anything. I am constantly worried about things that were drilled in me from teaching. It took me at least a month to realize that my son doesn't really need his name on all his papers and yes, it is okay to take a break and go for a walk, even during math!
For those moms and dads that have been doing this for years, my hat is off to all of you! I am constantly learning, have changed curriculums several times already, and pray that we will be well adjusted by the end of this first year.
You are all very inspiring, so keep up the work with your children! I am trying to do the same! :) | | ginamv |
Handwriting
Make It Fun
My children always dreaded penmanship practice. To make it a little more tolerable, we use colored paper, and gel pens (any colored pens or pencils will work). The glitter or glimmer ones were/are their favorites.
At first we concentrate on proper letter formation and then getting it ''down to size''. Allowing them to draw a little picture to go with the letter sound lets them do a bit of art everyday. And I have found that this makes them able to concentrate better on the next lessons.
Also, it's a good idea to do penmanship and then move to a subject that doesn't requires precise movements -- reading or being read to is a nice break for the young ones' hands. | | 1914wife |
| | Homeschool helps
Make It Your Own
As a veteran homeschool mom of 15 years, I've learned a thing or two. Mostly I've learned what not to do.
Methods come and go, but the key is finding what works best for your family and your child/children. Any change in method must be given ample time to work. Don't expect instant results. Don't get bogged down trying to live up to the model homeschool families often featured in national homeschool magazines.
Most of us have average children, with average abilities. I let the model, above-average celebrities rob me and my children of a lot of joy because I thought all homeschooled children excelled simply as a matter of course.
My academically-average children are thankful that I have figured out that they are just average.
Don't push your child/children too soon or too hard. Find the pace, books, and/or methods that work best for your family and style of teaching and the child's style of learning. | | 1914wife |
Foreign language
French, Spanish...
CD Roms work great for teaching languages but when a computer isn't handy or you simply want the child not to be on the computer, tapes or audio CD's are a real help.
Our son puts his CD's on when he gets in bed. He often tells us that he says that in his dreams he is speaking fluent french.
The subconscious mind -- who knows the full impact of this practice? | | 1914wife |
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