I'm finally getting to type up my notes from one of the classes I took at the homeschool convention. I kind of love that it's taken me this long to get to it. Mainly because I've hit that time in the school year when I start to slack off and get stuck in a rut of nothingness. Sound familiar to anyone else?
As I've looked at my notes and thought about what I want to remember and share in this post, I have felt more excited about my upcoming week and all the things that I want to do with my children during school time. First things first: I need to remember to set aside everything of mine for just the first three hours of the day, and focus completely on my children and their learning.
So, having just said that, here are my notes from the class entitled, "Homeschooling: The First Three Years." (Again, this post is simply because I need somewhere to put all these notes. It's just for me so I can look back and remember.) :-)
** I will learn more about me during the years we homeschool. **
What is education? -- Discipleship
Where are my priorities?
1) God
2) Jon
3) Children
4) Church
5) Others
First Steps:
1) Decompress
As I've looked at my notes and thought about what I want to remember and share in this post, I have felt more excited about my upcoming week and all the things that I want to do with my children during school time. First things first: I need to remember to set aside everything of mine for just the first three hours of the day, and focus completely on my children and their learning.
So, having just said that, here are my notes from the class entitled, "Homeschooling: The First Three Years." (Again, this post is simply because I need somewhere to put all these notes. It's just for me so I can look back and remember.) :-)
** I will learn more about me during the years we homeschool. **
What is education? -- Discipleship
Where are my priorities?
1) God
2) Jon
3) Children
4) Church
5) Others
First Steps:
1) Decompress
- Homeschool is not like traditional school. (** Ask Heavenly Father what homeschooling looks for us. ** )
- Take time to adjust.
- Child training comes first.
- Trust in the Lord.
2) Relax
- Spend time in scripture study
- Scriptures come before the schedule
- Nurture your marriage
- Dad's need to encourage mothers
- Thank hubby for opportunity to homeschool
- Relationship are more important than academics
3) Catch a vision!
- Know why homeschooling
- Find support
4) Have confidence
- What makes a good teacher?
- It's all about resolve
- Passion for the students
- Love
- Courage
- Determination
- Learning Styles (Find mine and Jon's as well as the children's)
- Visual
- Need to see everything
- Learn by reading
- Wants to read aloud
- Auditory
- Process info through their ears
- Tactile/Kinesthetic
- Needs to do something with hands
- Not sit still
- Resources:
- Discover Your Child's Learning Style
- The Way They Learn
- Online Learning Style Quizzes
Choosing curriculum
Ask:
- Does it overwhelm me?
- Does it fit our learning styles?
- Am I choosing it out of fear?
You don't have to be married to the curriculum.
It is not the MAIN thing.
Remember:
It doesn't have to be expensive.
It may not work (if not, shelve it).
It's the assistant/tool, not the educator.
FAQ:
- Don't put children on display
- Avoid comparison traps
- Be real; don't try to be "supermom"
The Myth of Socialization:
Our children will be as weird as we are.
Chose children's friends and social atmospheres.
Homeschooling through high school:
-Yes ... You CAN do it!
-Colleges are actively seeking homeschoolers
-Don't get scared
***What do I want my children to remember of the homeschool years?***
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