kellicrowe

how i keep myself organized for homeschool

How I keep myself organized for homeschool.....?

hahahaha!

Ok, so I am not organized at all in any natural way when it comes to time management. I can not put it in a container - so I can not keep it tidy that way.

There are several way awesome computer programs for keeping track of grades and plans. Once again - they are in that Dummies book. If you have trouble finding them - let me know and I can look them up in another source. I do not use the computer programs. I may down the road. I use a cheesy looking teacher's planner book.

Down the left side are the days of the week. Across the top - my subjects/items to assomplish (like the Pledge). I plan out 6 weeks at a time. I regroup on Sunday night for the upcoming week. I planned the whole fall last year - was great for a while - but it was easier to stay on track in 6 week blocks.

We start at the begining of Aug. so we ca take off a lot of time during the year. We are going to Disney for a week in Sept. and the beach for 2 weeks in Oct. (Hubby has business at the beach - so yippee for the kids and me)

Both sets of the kid's grandparents are very happy to travel to see us and us to them. When family visits like that - we do not do school. I think that time with grandparents is so valuable. So - with all those breaks...and 3 weeks off at Christmas:) - it takes us until mid June to get our 180 days accounted for by the State of Ga. 4 hours a day, 180 days.

That is really all Ga requires. I send in attendance reports monthly. I send in a letter of intent to homeschool before Aug. How do you find out about your state - the Dummy book gives ref. web sites. Seriously - get the book.

I write in the planner what I want to do. I highlight what we actually do. I write in pencil because it changes. There are some days where we get a lot done. Some...not so much. I add things on Wed. that we did on Tues that may count in a category from the previous day. I count setting the table or unloading the dishwasher from the night before as home ec skills (life skills) for the kids. Not to mention, sorting and counting skills. I write it all down. Everything I can think of. The categories at the top help me to remember what is important to me to teach the kids. That may sound silly - but I need that.

The kids can also see what is coming up. Alex loves to work ahead in Math. He will do several days worth in one sitting so that he has shorter school at the end of the week. I write in holidays and travel. I write in things I need to do in the house and errands. Appointments.

A glorified day planner. Just don't try to stick it in your purse. It won't fit.

kellicrowe

homeschooling - stengths, weakness and gym class

Homeschool - strengths, weaknesses and gym class

So I read the Homeschool for Dummies. I made notes on what I liked and what I didn't. Some people like to "just let learning happen" and some like strict order, 6 hours of time at a desk. I was in the middle. I made a list of my strengths and weaknesses: like planning, very creative, artistic, ease in teaching history and reading BUT - not computer savvy, bad speller, not so hot at math or science, bad on follow thru.

AND WHAT ABOUT P.E?? I am so horrible at very sport! Clearly - when selecting curric - I would need to keep what I wasn't strong at in mind. I did this because I just knew (and did) buy too much in the way of art and crafts resources. I am pretty good in this area - so I LIKED those resources...books, magazines and supplies. However - it was an area I could save money in because I already have a lot of ideas for crafts. I am creative - if we study something I most likely can make up things to go along with it. I stink at math and science - I knew these would be areas I needed to make sure the resources I selected were friendly to me as the teacher as well as the kids.

I made a list of the things my kids really like. At this point - it was hard to know exactly what learning styles would best suit them. David loves drawing, legos, building stuff, stories and TV. It is easy to jostle his attention. I wanted to use things that would cater to what he already likes. Alex likes computers, games, charts, messy art and science experiments. He has great attention paying skills and loves to please me. However - he likes bells and whistles to keep him interested. Sticker charts and awards motivate him. David thinks they are dumb.

I made a list of categories of learning for my kids and then I went in search of what I thought would best fit. I would imagine most people's would differ. These are not all subjects - but things to learn: Adventure Bible Study,  Pledge of Allegience, Memory Verse,  Journal. Calendar/Weather,  Math, Home Ec., Art , Creativity, Spanish, History, Science, Reading, Night time reading, PE, Special interests.

 Almost everything we do falls into these categories. Some were because they have to learn math and reading in K & 1st. Some because it is important to my family. Some because it was just something I did in school growing up and I didn't to leave it out. Now, having made these lists - it helped me wade thru the materials that are available out there. A lot of them are in that Dummies book. There are tons if you do searches on line.

I asked others what they used. I didn't really know anyone personally who homeschooled at the time. I talked to friends of friends. It was helpful to hear about the kids that were using each of these programs. I could say - YES, that sounds like my kid. Or, nice, but my David will never go for that. I will tell you the programs we selected next time. But don't let my list influence you...it is just my list for my family. Remember - you have to find your family sweet spot. OH - that reminds me - this sounds like we must do school for like 8 hours a day. NOPE.

kelli

What I used to start homeschooling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I used to get started homeschooling: This Idiot's Guide book is great.

I love how these things are written. Here are the chapter titles:

What is homschooling?

Homeschooling facts and figures

Quick answers to beginner's questions

Getting legal: alternatives to compulsory attendance

Approaches to home education

Finding support

Choosing curriculum: so much to choose from

Sixth grade in a box: using a full service program

Out of the box: planning your own curriculum

Learning at home with 3 and 5 year olds

Homeschooling 6-8 year olds

Homeschooling 9-12 year olds

Teenagers and homeschool

Homeschooling kids with special needs

Testing Other assessments for measuring progress

Keeping record

Getting a grip - keeping burnout at bay

Self directed learning: the key to motivation

Dealing with doubts Involvement in the homeschool community

Cyber learning

There is a glossary Curric. and web sites Homeschool support org. Independent study programs all in the appendix.

 So I read this book and I renewed my subscription to Family Fun Magazine. It has great craft/party/experiment's/food info/travel info in it. I keep all of mine. I flip thru them at the beginning of the year and make notes on what might apply to our studies. They have a web site too to ref. stuff. That is it.

My first year was K - so we didn't have to do anything legal with the state of Ga. We read a lot from the kid's own books. Pretty easy way to get started. That was phase 1 of starting. Once I read that book, I made a list of goals for my kids for the school year. What did I want them to learn? The list looked long.

Well, I realized you can learn math skills, listening skills, following directions, socialization and home ec. all by helping mommy make brownies. A lot of things over lap. Now this next part may sound huge - don't panic. We wrote down long term goals we wanted for our kids before we sent them out into the world.

Abbie, who lives with us, is 20. She was homeschooled all 12 years. Yep - back before it was super cool. She helped her dad with his book keeping around the age of 13. She is really handy with tools because she helped her family build her house. (This makes them sound like pioneers...really they live at the beach and are very normal:) She is very capable & mature for her age. Her parents educated her for life..not just the next grade or the next standardized test. That is what we wanted for our kids. Yep - I want them to understand how to diagram a sentence...but I want them to also be able to balance a checkbook, plan and prepare a meal, do their own laundry, etc.

Steven Covey in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ( I am second guessing the title all of the sudden...) he says to begin with the end in mind. Make a plan for how you want the year to turn out. If that doesn't freak you out too much - think 5 years...etc. These plans can change. You don't have to think of everything right now. Now, once you are overwhelmed by all the information and all you want your kids to learn.

Chill. Grab a Dr. Pepper and some chocolates. Watch a movie. (I ALWAYS suggest Pride and Prejudice - the BBC version on DVD...but a nice musical is always a lovely diversion). Then go back and really only focus on what you need for this year. 1 year at a time. Sometimes I only think about 6 weeks at a time. Keep you notes from these early times. How wonderful a thing to look back on one day. Just remember - everything you know, you learned You have a vast experience in learning You have taught your child a ton already so you have experience teaching.

kelli