merry gardens Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 On one hand, I feel like I need to re-examine our schedule and materials because I'm not sure how well my homeschooling is working right now. While I like the materials we use, I'm just not excited about homeschooling and I haven't been in a long time. I feel like I should take this time to organize our homeschooling better and get the materials that I want to use in January all prepared for the New Year. On the other hand, I feel like a need to take a rest from homeschooling because maybe the biggest source of my concern is that I need a break. Maybe I need both a break and a better organized schedule. We've been having fun playing the educational games my children got for Christmas and we have a lot more where those came from. It would be nice to someone incorporate more fun and games into our normal school day. But I already had some other materials that I like that I had planned to add in January, such as a formal study of logic with my 11 and 14 yo's and some new science materials I don't know how to do everything that I'd like to do. I'm afraid maybe none of it will get done and we'll just be back to the same old drudgery. I want homeschooling to feel fun again! We've faced several challenges with homeschooling in the last few years, including remediation for one child whose diagnosed with dyslexia, a sweet but intense toddler, and more. I plan to start back with formal studies on January 7th. Should I just rest for a while until there? Well,lol, it's not really "just resting"--as I've caught up on laundry and housework and done loads of holiday preparations, etc. With a large family, there's always work to be done. And there's always learning going on here too, but it's our formal studies that give me cause for concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I suggest, you find a book that YOU really want to read and make time to read it. You will not only be setting a good example for the kids, but you will be resting your mind. Maybe plan to start the school week off slowly with some assigned reading, that new logic alternated with the new science and some games while you work on those plans. It will help get everyong back in the groove and start January off on a good footing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I suggest, you find a book that YOU really want to read and make time to read it. You will not only be setting a good example for the kids, but you will be resting your mind. Maybe plan to start the school week off slowly with some assigned reading, that new logic alternated with the new science and some games while you work on those plans. It will help get everyong back in the groove and start January off on a good footing. This is what I always do during breaks from homeschooling. I read a couple of fun books just for me (books on parenting, homeschooling, or educational philosophy do not count). I figure I'm setting a good example for the kids and having that mental rest does more to help me with homeschooling than any amount of homeschool prep ever could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tullia Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Definitely make time for the games, and remember that when time is short the games can be "instead of" rather than "in addition to" regular lessons sometimes. You might finish your day with games, or have a half-day of games at the end of the week. On one hand, I feel like I need to re-examine our schedule and materials because I'm not sure how well my homeschooling is working right now. While I like the materials we use, I'm just not excited about homeschooling and I haven't been in a long time. I feel like I should take this time to organize our homeschooling better and get the materials that I want to use in January all prepared for the New Year. On the other hand, I feel like a need to take a rest from homeschooling because maybe the biggest source of my concern is that I need a break. Maybe I need both a break and a better organized schedule. We've been having fun playing the educational games my children got for Christmas and we have a lot more where those came from. It would be nice to someone incorporate more fun and games into our normal school day. But I already had some other materials that I like that I had planned to add in January, such as a formal study of logic with my 11 and 14 yo's and some new science materials I don't know how to do everything that I'd like to do. I'm afraid maybe none of it will get done and we'll just be back to the same old drudgery. I want homeschooling to feel fun again! We've faced several challenges with homeschooling in the last few years, including remediation for one child whose diagnosed with dyslexia, a sweet but intense toddler, and more. I plan to start back with formal studies on January 7th. Should I just rest for a while until there? Well,lol, it's not really "just resting"--as I've caught up on laundry and housework and done loads of holiday preparations, etc. With a large family, there's always work to be done. And there's always learning going on here too, but it's our formal studies that give me cause for concern. I agree with Karen's post. You need to make time for the little things that help keep you going! Homeschooling can devour your entire life and that's not a good thing...ask me how I know about that. ;) I suggest, you find a book that YOU really want to read and make time to read it. You will not only be setting a good example for the kids, but you will be resting your mind. Maybe plan to start the school week off slowly with some assigned reading, that new logic alternated with the new science and some games while you work on those plans. It will help get everyong back in the groove and start January off on a good footing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merry gardens Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 Thank you everyone for those suggestions! I read all kinds of books about all kinds of things, but lately all the books I read fall into the catagories that MinivanMom says doesn't count. Come to think of it, it's been a long while since I've read any novel that wasn't a read-aloud for the kids or somehow otherwise related in our homeschooling! Definitely make time for the games, and remember that when time is short the games can be "instead of" rather than "in addition to" regular lessons sometimes. You might finish your day with games, or have a half-day of games at the end of the week. This reminded me--we used to devote one day a week to just playing educational games. That was a very long time ago--way back when homeschooling was new and fun. I wasn't worried about my kids falling behind because my older kids worked above their grade level. I stopped that when I had more to homeschool and we got involved with a co-op which took away another day of the week. Several years later, we stopped the co-op too, (which I don't regret, but I just replaced the time with more school work, always feeling we're behind.) No wonder it feels like homeschooling has become nothing but work, work, work, with little fun! And...the crazy thing is that I know my dyslexic son does better when he learns through hands-on experiences, like games. It might be that my older kids did better (in part) because we used to play a lot of games! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I too haven't had much enthusiasm lately for teaching. We had a long break and I am now ready to get back into things. However, my ds wants something to change....academics are good this year so we are adding in a co-op class for this next semester. He needs something else and this could be a great motivator for the rest of the week. We only plan on doing one class and perhaps it will lead to more in the fall. I personally don't want this....but he needs it for variety so we are trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 The best thing I do to get ready for another semester is get things done around the house. I have been organizing and doing little things around the house that I know I won't have time for next week when I get back to homeschooling and babysitting and co-op and scouts. I am enjoying this time to watch a lot of mindless T.V. and movies. I did read some, but I like to curl up on the couch and snuggle in my snuggee and watch movies to relax :) But getting the house in order and organization stuff done helps me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 I can't tell you what to do, but I'll tell what I'm doing. The first week of our break I just chilled and played with the kids. This week I wrote down one room of the house I want to tackle each day. I also plan to do a little school planning in the evenings except for tonight because it is a family fun night for New Years eve. For me it really helps me to get ready for school when I do a week of serious cleaning first. I don't have time for that while I'm schooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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