Homeschool Sanity Savers

Homeschooling has become a seriously considered option since the Covid-19 Pandemic and the numbers of families choosing this method of education has skyrocketed. Although the purpose of this blog is to encourage home skills, not home schooling, I hope I have learned a few lessons in my 18 years of home educating that I could pass along.

First, I want to say that your students are as new to homeschooling as you are. You both are on a learning curve and although they may have known how to function in the classroom, they do not know what is expected of them at home. So, give them the expectations that you have for them.

*What time do you want them to start school? I find that to get your students together and give them a proverb, verse or inspirational saying for the day helps them to focus on their goals. This is also a good time to pray and ask for help for the day. Everyone knows that if you do not get started you will not get anything accomplished. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Mark Twain

*Where are they supposed to keep their school supplies and curriculum? Are Johnny and Susie running around the house looking for paper and pencil? If a student is expected to keep books and supplies in a certain bin or book bag, they develop skills in neatness and organization that they can take into any field they enter as a working teen or adult. “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.” Benjamin Franklin

*How do I “do” school on the computer? Do they know what site on which to find their school assignments if they are doing school online? Students that are working online do best when their device screen is facing a common area of the house and adults can see that they are not playing games online but are actually working on assignments. So many young people are used to using computers, i Pads and laptops mainly for playing games or social media and will tempted to do these activities when they are in front of a screen unsupervised. Also, no self-respecting adult wants the students in their care to cheat by looking up answers online and will have to be vigilant to be sure this does not happen.

*What do you expect them to wear for “school”? If you do not want them to wear pajamas while they do their work, please tell them in a normal tone of voice. I am not suggesting a school uniform but they should not feel like it is Saturday, aka lounging in front of their screen or book, with a cereal bowl in hand and clothes and hair looking like they just got out of bed.

*Do they have a certain order of subjects and what are the assignments for these subjects? Make this clear. Where they can find the assignments? You do not have to watch them do everything. Let them know what you are there to help with and what you expect them to try to do on their own. Some subjects are best learned by practicing without help. For example, go over the math assignments, demonstrating the procedure then allow time to work. You could call it “homework”.

*When can they take a break from book work and how long is the break? Students cannot cram facts and knowledge all day long. They do better when they can have a brain break, get up and get some movement in for the good of their muscles and mental clarity. Younger students need longer and more frequent breaks. A 5- or 10-minute break every 30 minutes is often necessary for elementary school age students. Research has proven that pupils who take regular breaks from studies do better in school subjects. This true in the classroom and in the home school setting. Check out this great website for some great brain break ideas: https://www.weareteachers.com/brain-breaks-for-kids/

The second idea that I feel is really important is “inspect what you expect.” Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. said, “People don't do what you expect but what you inspect.”

In other words, check their work. Check to make sure it is done. Check the answers so that they know that they are doing it right. Most curriculum come with answer keys or make sure it is turned in online or submitted to the person who is responsible for grading. Sometimes there is only time for an oral quiz while you do dishes together or an oral book report while you take a walk together or ride somewhere for an errand, but always check the assignment. You may have to brush up on your history or other ideas that they are studying but it will be good for both of you to discuss things.

Teach what you know. Help your student understand what you are good at and can teach them. You may have not had time to show them what you know or can do. Maybe you have gotten rusty at a skill that you used to excel at. While you are at home a greater amount of time, brush up on what you used to really love and pass it on to the next generation. There could be a great bonding and a keen admiration for the skills or knowledge you have. If you feel like you do not have anything to teach find a common interest that you want to study together. Learning together can create a great comradery and sense of unity. “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new.” Albert Einstein

The next idea that I want to stress is to encourage your students. Encourage them for having supplies and books together, for working hard, for neatness and of course for right answers. Your students are distracted by all that is going on around them in this world and quite possibly by what is going on around them in your home. They probably miss being with their friends and mentors who encouraged them. You be the one that makes up for that loss with your attitude and words of affirmation.

Here are some great websites and a brief explanation of what kind of help you can expect to find on them.

https://dualcreditathome.com/ Becky Muldrow has helped her many children earn college credit by clep exam and saved her family hundreds of thousands of dollars. She shares her secrets here.

https://www.homehighschoolhelp.com/about-us Lee Binz will show you how to make an A+ transcript and give you a plan for finding scholarships for colleges and universities.

www.khanacademy.org Khan academy is a free online tool that has “daily schedules for learners from age 2-18” and is especially helpful in explaining high school level science or math. You can set up an account and use it to type in the search bar the lesson or idea you are having a problem with. An expert in the field probably has uploaded a lesson to cover it.

https://schoolhouseteachers.com Schoolhouseteachers.com has been a much used site in our homeschooling journey. For just 24.97 a month you have access to many tools and lessons FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY.

Other sites that you are used to using such as https://www.youtube.com can be used to learn music or life skills that you have always been wanting to master. I know a community college diesel mechanics student that learned many of his beginning automotive skills on this site.

Here is a great article on homeschooling multiple students. https://organizedhomeschool.com/5-keys-homeschooling-multiple-children-successfully

Some of my favorite homeschooling books that may help you as well:

Schoolproof by Mary Pride “How to help your family beat the system and learn to love learning-the easy, natural way.” This book may still be out of print but can be found on Amazon, Goodreads and the Thriftbooks sites. Mary Pride also wrote The NEW Big Book of Home Learning and The Next Book of Home Learning.

Beyond Survival by Diana Waring “A guide to abundant-Life Homeschooling” Diana also wrote the History Revealed curriculum and speaks at many homeschool conferences. This book is available on her site: www.dianawaring.com

The Big Book of Homeschooling by Debi Pearl “Unleash Your Creativity” is what Debi Pearl wants you to do. She was a pioneer in the homeschooling movement and has written many books on the home, some have been translated into several languages. This book is available at https://nogreaterjoy.org

Here are just a few ideas on homeschooling to get you started in the right direction. The pursuit of wisdom is a life goal worth attaining and needs to be a priority in order to see it accomplished. I hope you make it a priority in your life as well as in the life of your students.

A highly recommended

resource by a homeschool dad.