How to Create A Stress-Free Homeschool

How to Create A Stress-Free Homeschool

  

Reading Time: 3 Min. 8 Seconds

I sat down late at night and did a google search of how to homeschool. I had no idea that there were (what felt like) a thousand different ways to teach my child. Terms like Classical, Montessori, Waldorf, Unschooling, Charlotte Mason, and Eclectic overwhelmed my thoughts.

 

I hadn’t even started researching state laws and I already feel overwhelmed. Why I thought, does this have to be so complicated? I stared at the screen feeling alone, discouraged, and wishing I had someone to help make sense of this mountain of information.

 

Have you ever felt the same way? Have you and your spouse talked about homeschooling but you are not sure where to start? Are you already homeschooling but it’s just not working and you can’t figure out why?  Do you have questions about socialization, curriculum, schedules, and homeschool groups?  Do you worry about how to teach your child subjects that you bombed as a kid?

 

I talk with moms who are overwhelmed, confused, and stressed out after attempting to wade through all of the homeschool information out there.  There are so many different and often conflicting viewpoints that it can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

 

Wouldn’t it be amazing if a veteran homeschool mom could walk beside you on this journey, simplifying all of the information out there into one spot?  Someone who could help you to craft your ultimate homeschool experience while saving you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on useless curriculum, hours of stress and anxiety, and needless work?

 

 

1. Professional Development 

2. What Is Zero To Homeschool? 

3. Why I Love It

 

4. Why It Might Not Be A Good Fit 

1. Professional Development 

 

Many of us are coming from one-income families and we are trying to homeschool on a budget.  We research, research, and research trying to make our resources stretch.  An online course can seem like a luxury.

 

Please, don’t make the mistake of putting your ongoing education at the bottom of the priority list.  As your child’s main teacher, you directly affect your homeschool environment.  When you are confident and operating out of a proactive instead of reactive stance, it changes how you homeschool.

 

Invest in your ongoing education, and save yourself (and your kids) years, buckets of tears, and thousands of dollars trying to piece together a homeschool structure that works.

 

2. Overview of Zero To Homeschool

 

Zero to Homeschool is a step by step online course that empowers moms with the hands-on training  to create a homeschool environment that is tailored to your family’s needs.

 

The course was created by a veteran homeschool mom; someone who answers your questions, encourages you in your role as a teacher, and fills you with the confidence you need to thrive as a homeschool mama.

 

The course is very comprehensive with 8 modules, 59 lessons, and three bonus workshops. The course is self-paced so you can take it at a time that works best for your schedule.

 

It teaches you everything from the importance of deschooling, knowing yourself and your family, homeschool styles and resources, how to plan your homeschool year, juggling home life and homeschooling, and so much more.

 

3. Why I Love It 

I was blown away at how comprehensive the  Zero to Homeschool course is. I kept startling my family, as I went through each module, yelling, “YES!” to each main point.

 

 

I just did Module 3 of Zero to Homeschool and I learned a lot. Now instead of allowing myself to get spread too thin with all the things we could do, I was able to refocus on our family’s key priorities.

 

What I love is that this course is honest about the strengths and pitfalls of homeschooling.  Kelly, the course creator, takes an overwhelming subject and simplifies it into bite-size pieces. I also love that it’s not just lessons but also practical activities that help you apply what you have learned to your homeschool.

 

For instance, she includes follow up questions to talk about the material with your spouse or friend. She also includes additional articles, and e-books so you can dive down deep into topics that might interest you.

 

4. Why It Might Not Be Right For You

  • If your homeschool is doing well. Woohoo! Go You!
  • If you are drawn to a very structured approach to homeschooling.

 

 You can Register and find out more information about the Zero to Homeschool course here! 

 

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey. 

 

 

What about you? What is the #1 thing in Homeschooling that is most challenging for you? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

How to Homeschool When You Hate Certain Subjects

How to Homeschool When You Hate Certain Subjects

  

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

 

Do you ever wonder how to homeschool when you hate certain subjects? Do feelings of inadequacy overwhelm you when you think about teaching subjects you flunked? Did you have such a miserable experience that you don’t want to touch the subject with a ten-foot pole?

 

I despised math as a child. The endless problems, rote memorization, and puzzles that I never seemed to solve made my brain hurt.  I seriously dreaded every math lesson and swore that when I grew up I would never do another math problem for as long as l lived.

 

Enter homeschooling.

 

I had a knot in my stomach at the thought of teaching my precious children the mysteries of math. I seriously reconsidered homeschooling.  Only the thought of my children going through something similar squelched my fear.

 

We all have certain areas of study that we have a hard time grasping; whether its academics, life skills or interpersonal challenges.  In a nutshell, we are human.

 

What is encouraging is that you know how hard you worked to grasp a subject. You know the potential hang-ups and you have the flexibility of teaching a small group of children.

 

This means that with a little out of the box thinking, you can explore your most hated subjects and survive (and even thrive). We are going to talk about the ways and resources that you can use to successfully teach subjects that you despise.

 

1. Keep An Open Mind 

 

 

 

2. Teach Differently 

 

 

 

 

3. Utilize Resources 

1. Keep An Open Mind 

 

Our children are like ninja warriors that instantly pick up on our feelings, especially when it comes to different aspects of learning.  Though I wouldn’t encourage mass hysterics, there is no use trying to mask your past challenges.

 

It means A LOT to your child when you acknowledge your previous difficulties with a subject. To a child, it is endlessly fascinating to think that mom isn’t great at everything. smile This act of vulnerability teaches your child that we don’t have to excel in everything we study. It’s freeing to know that we are each created uniquely with different gifts and talents.

 

I am not saying that we don’t wrestle with a concept or idea, but that we each have certain aptitudes that make different subjects easier or more difficult, based on the person.

 

Ask your child if you can work as a team to learn this subject together. This is the skill of life-long learning in action people.  Working side by side to master an area of learning communicates crucial values that will live on in the life of your child.

 

Be encouraged, just because you hated this area of study before does not mean you won’t enjoy it now.  At least this time around, you have the secret power of the answer key and a Google search at your fingertips. smile

 

 

2. Teach Differently

 

I remember excitedly walking into a language class, dreaming of travel.  And walking out of that class swearing to never leave my native shores.  My teacher overwhelmed us with busy work and drills, effectively squelching our interest in a foreign language. I remember thinking as I struggled to complete my weekly homework assignment that nothing was worth this misery.

 

In comparison, I once had an English class where the teacher was a master at fostering a love of classical literature. She made dry, dusty books come alive through insightful questions and spirited debate. It was such a popular class that there was always a waiting list a mile long. Even students who had zero interest in literature thoroughly enjoyed the class.

 

So, what was the difference between the two classes? The language teacher adopted a firehose mentality to teach her students. She believed that data dumping meant effective learning.

 

The English teacher on the other hand creatively invited all students to participate by using a variety of tools. She thoroughly loved what she taught and her enthusiasm was magnetic.

 

How you teach can make or break a class.

 

You don’t have to teach or co-learn this subject the same way you were taught. You have the freedom to teach outside of the box and to use a plethora of resources.  You don’t have to stick to a curriculum or method of study because of a classroom or school district mandate.

 

You know your child better than anyone else. You know their strengths and weaknesses, you know they learn and grow. You have the freedom to tailor-make their education to fit your child and your teaching style.

 

Here are a couple of questions to think about:

A. What made the subject you hated challenging? (Was it the course material? How it was communicated?)

B. How do you learn best? (Do you love or dread textbooks etc.?)

C. What type of study gives you life?

D. How does your child learn best?

E. What type of study gives your child life?

 

You will need to reach a middle ground between how you teach and how your child learns.  For instance, if textbooks fill you with dread but your child loves the fill in the blank answers; try a workbook or an online program instead.

You will be more likely to teach the subject consistently when you don’t dread using a certain method or tool.

 

3. Utilize Resources 

 

These days there are an endless amount of resources at our fingertips.  After you have discovered how you and your child learn best, don’t be afraid to utilize unorthodox tools.  smile

 

What I love about out of the box learning is that you get to make memories while your child is getting an education. Here is a list of resources that you can explore to help you teach challenging subjects well.

 

Resource List

 

  1. Check out local Facebook Homeschool groups for information on local homeschooling classes or co-ops.

 

  1. Check out your City Homeschool Group. They will have a listing of the available classes, tutors, field trips, co-ops, conferences, etc.

 

  1. Check out HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense) for a list of Homeschool Co-Ops by state.

 

  1. Visit a Local Homeschool support group and ask for more information about upcoming opportunities.

 

  1. Check out the vast resources of the library. Tutoring help, curriculum, free software, online tutoring, curriculum from around the US, etc. Here is a step by step guide here. 

 

  1. Look for Internships

 

  1. College Classes for High School Students

 

  1. Tutoring -Online and locally (Some libraries offer free tutoring)

 

  1. Bribe Family and friends (Always a win! )

 

  1. Check out Local Community Clubs on your city website.

 

  1. Check Local Parenting website for additional city opportunities.

 

  1. Check out museums for classes.

 

  1. Some Local Public Schools allow you to register your child for specific classes.

 

  1. Utilize great computer programs.

 

  1. Go on field trips related to that area of study. And create memories that will last a lifetime! smile

 

  1. Read A lot of Living Books!

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey.

 

 

 

 

What about you? What subject is most challenging for you to teach? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

17 Ideas to Celebrate the Last Day of School

17 Ideas to Celebrate the Last Day of School

  

Reading Time: 3 min 53 sec

When I first heard about celebrating the end of the school year with a party, I thought it sounded brilliant. I mean who doesn’t want an excuse to eat yummy food, and have fun?! smile

 

However, when the end of the year rolled around, I was neck deep in paperwork, graduation parties, and work projects, so having a party didn’t even make the first ten pages of my to-do list.

 

Let’s be honest, as homeschooling moms, testing, finishing up curriculum, portfolios, state requirements, teacher evaluations, and spring sports, can fill our waking moments (and dreams) at the end of the school year.  With so many different things clamoring for our attention there is a temptation to sprint right past the end of the school year.

 

As moms, we can spend a lot of time over the years questioning the ramifications of homeschooling. We can indulge in self-doubt and worry that our children are not receiving a good education, that we are enough.  We can easily forget in the rush of the end of the year to do’s, the sheer number of challenges we overcame, our many triumphs, the times when deep relationships were forged, and when the light bulbs went on for our kids.

 

We spend the entire year hiking (sometimes trudging) up the mountain and we have finally reached the summit, and we can get to decide where we go from here.

 

1. Intentional Celebration

2. All About Relationships 

3.17 Party Ideas

1. Intentional Celebration

Celebrating the end of the school year is not about creating a Pinterest worthy party; it is about intentionally being present with our kids .

 

We live in a culture that celebrates a frantic pace of life and accomplishments. We finish a major project and instead of taking a breather, we immediately jump into planning our next big accomplishment.  We are a culture that is constantly fighting to prove our worth and value in what we do. It is demoralizing, exhausting, and unhealthy to constantly be in a state of go, go, go.

 

Children can teach us a lot about how to move through life. They don’t understand the meaning of the word “hurry“. They move at what seems like a snail’s pace, stopping to ask questions, give extra hugs and kisses, and gather treasures.  Children are masters of being present in the moment.  

 

Stopping to celebrate gives your family permission to breathe, to savor, to rest. It allows you to set aside to do lists, exams, doubts, and fears, and spend intentional time laughing, enjoying, playing, remembering, and delighting in your most precious gifts: your family.

 

We all need time at the top of the mountain.  It is good for our soul.

 

2. All About Relationships

 

An end of the year party is more than just a fun day out.  Its being intentionally present with our children.  Its day full of laughter, food, bonding, reminiscing, fun, hugs, and more food.

 

It can be very meaningful to take the time to ask questions throughout the day.  Over a meal, or slurping up ice cream, ask questions like:

What was your biggest challenge this year? What are you the proudest of? What did you enjoy learning about the most? What was your favorite moment?

 

Take the time to tell them how proud you are of their perseverance. It’s not about mastery or gathering a list of accomplishments, it’s about the journey. It’s about taking the time to celebrate their progress.

 

For the kid who struggles with math, it is celebrating that they memorized their multiplication tables. For the child who hates history, it’s about acknowledging how hard they worked to understand the ancient civilizations. For some children, it might not even be academic, but relational progress. No matter how big or small, celebrate the ride.

 

You can do this with fun activities, food, ice cream, more fun, questions, chocolate and by revisiting the year. Spend time looking over their end of the year portfolios, pictures, or mementos, and talk about their favorite experiences.

 

As a family, give yourself permission to stop and catch your breath, enjoy the view, and to celebrate how far you have traveled.

 

3. 17 Party Ideas

Today, the focus is on celebrating together. Rejoicing in life together. This party can something informal or as a well-planned strategy.  Choose an activity, outing or special food that brings life to your family.   

It doesn’t have to be expensive, elaborate, or an all-day event. It just has to be something out of the norm that will create space for you to celebrate together. We have done a pancake and/or waffle bar before that was a HUGE hit!  I would highly advise adding special food to whatever you decide to do. laughing

 

Here Are Some Ideas To Get You Started:

 

1. Go on a Treasure Hunt

2. Go to a Trampoline Park

3. Explore Downtown or a Fun Area of Your City

4. Indoor Rock Climbing

5. Host a Family Party

6. Revisit Favorite Field Trip Destination

7. Go Camping

8. Try a New Restaurant

9. Visit a Water Park or Pool

10. Host a Family Bowling Tournament

11. Weekend Road Trip

12. Go Horseback riding

13. Participate in a Challenge Course

14. Participate in a Backwards Meal

15. Go to a Movie

16. Hike or Picnic in the Woods

17. Board Game and Snacks Day

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey. 

 

 


What about you? What are your favorite ways to celebrate the end of the school year? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

Amazing And Affordable Curriculum Ideas for First Grade

Amazing And Affordable Curriculum Ideas for First Grade

  

Reading Time: 10 min 32 sec

 

I don’t know about you, but I love planning for a new school year.  It can feel like a treasure hunt as I comb through various places to find just that right tool to help learning come alive for my child.  I have compiled a list of my favorite resources for a Pre-K and 1stGrade student below.

 

As interest-led, eclectic homeschoolers, we seem to thrive on borrowing from all the different homeschooling approaches and blending it up into something that fits our family just right.  (Yes, it does sound like we are the smoothie of the homeschooling community).  

 

I have found that boxed curriculum doesn’t work for my family. I would find a curriculum that I thought would be a good fit, shell out a couple hundred dollars, only to find to out that I loved the math, was “ehh” about the social studies, and absolutely hated the language arts program.

 

I came to understand that I know my child, I know their strengths and weaknesses, I know the vision and values of my homeschool, and I have found that I am the best person to hand select curriculum. By choosing your own curriculum, you also get a lot more control over the price tag.

 

Our goal is to foster a love of learning in our children. We do that by surrounding them with stacks of beautiful books, interest-led unit studies, interesting people, a plethora of games, real-world experiences, and tons of time spent outdoors.

 

We do use some textbooks, but we don’t feel compelled to finish each one for the sake of completion. We watch carefully for signs of burnout, and might switch to a different tool or resource midway through the semester.

 

We also try to “teach” most subjects together as a family (with the exception of reading lessons).  My children are close enough in age that this really worked well for our family. I say “teach” because a lot of what we do is very interactive, so it also fits our Pre-K child’s attention level.  I have never put together a formal teaching plan for Pre-K because I found that they pick up what they need to know just by living life. smile

 

Here is an overview of some of our top affordable curriculum resources for a 1stgrade (and Pre-K) student.  I have only listed the resources that we have LOVED!

 

I hope this serves as some inspiration for your homeschool adventures this fall! Happy Treasure Hunting! 

 

1.    Language Arts

2. Mathematics

3. Science

4. Social Studies

5. Bible 

6. Art & Music 

1. Language Arts 

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

 

This is such a stress-free, zero prep, way to teach a child to read. This book employs the steady, drip, drip, drip mentality. IT WORKS! I love how this book includes not only reading but writing lessons as well.  Worth its weight in gold! 

Poetry For Young People

This is an entire series, that we have used as a part of our weekly poetry tea times. Each book is a compilation of age-appropriate poems from famous poets throughout the years. The Emily Dickenson book was our favorite.

 

Read-Aloud Rhymes For the Very Young

This was a fun book that I would use in addition to the Poetry for Young People series as a part of our poetry tea time.  This book really helped to spark an interest in poetry in my children. They found it very engaging and often hilarious.

 

Cahier d’ecriture-Handwriting

I have always loved the beautiful style of handwriting from France. This book is all in French (you don’t need to know French to use it) and it teaches the fundamentals of great handwriting.  My children have used it a little bit each day and it has so improved their handwriting skills. 

 

 

Story Cubes

 

This is a fun game that uses visual prompts to help foster the imagination and inner storyteller in your child. There are nine cubes with six images on each cube. Each person rolls the cubes and creates a story based on the images. My children have laughed their way through this game.

Reading

 

We read literally hundreds of books, so it would be impossible to list them all. Here are a couple of our top favorites from this past year.

 

A World Full of Animal Stories

 This is a beautiful book full of folk stories from different countries around the world. This book not only sparked great discussions but also introduced the children to different cultures and ways of thought.  One of my children literally couldn’t get enough of this book. Win!

Favorite Audio Books

 

Audiobooks are my favorite way of not only expanding my children’s vocabulary but introducing them to great literature. Children can comprehend far above their own current reading level when they don’t have to take the time to sound out the words. Start small with Curious George, Madeline, or Amelia Bedelia, and transition into longer books like A Bear Called Paddington.  I have found that Audiobooks (when you have young children) work really well in the car when you have a captive audience.

 

Foreign Language

 

YouTube was our friend this year. We loved utilizing a Year of French with Tonton videos.

2. Math

Logic Lollipop Series

 I knew I wanted a supplement to our many logic games. WOW, these books are image-based, fun and perfect for young children. We actually went through the entire series in one year (there are three books) because my children were obsessed with it. LOVE!

 

 

Math Workbooks

We used several math workbooks that I grabbed from our local Dollar store. The workbooks were not necessary (we teach math many different ways) but my kids asked for them, so why not!  They were short, fun and covered the basics of simple math.  You can’t beat $1.00 for a math workbook! 

Life of Fred Series 

Is an amazing alternative to a traditional math book. Written in story form, it follows the adventures of a 5-year-old prodigy named Fred who shows children how math applies to real life.  At the end of every chapter, there are several math questions that pertain to the lesson for your child to answer. My children love this series and beg for more “Fred, Please”!

Games

Here is a list of our favorite math games from this year.

Math Picture Books

(Check out this article for a list of our favorite Math Picturebooks)

  1. Science

The Periodic Table: Elements With Style  

My children wanted to learn more about the Periodic Table thanks to a Magic School Bus Episode on Chemistry. This is a fun book that has one-page profiles for each of the elements. My children loved finding the elements on the Periodic Table each day. Great Resource!

Magic School Bus Chemistry

This kit sparks a love of chemistry. It includes 51 experiment cards and tools, and an observation notebook to record results. You do have to provide some of the supplies. My kids had so much fun conducting experiments. This is a great way to encourage a love of science.

Games

 

Wildcraft

Wildcraft is a group game where players learn how to identify wild herbs. This is a cooperative game where everyone works together to travel to the top of the mountain to collect Huckleberries for Grandma.

Throughout the game, players run into various first aid crisis, and they learn how to identify 27 different wild plants and how they can be used to treat various medical issues.  This a great game that my children have played again and again.

Here are some more of our favorite STEM games.

DVDs

Here are our favorite shows that spark a love of Science. Animated Hero classics has dvds for a number of different scientists.

 

4. Social Studies

Around the World Stories

We LOVE AWS! This 30-minute audio story series focuses on a new country and culture every four weeks. It combines geography, social studies, history and language arts in an engaging format that sticks with your children.

This has been one of the best resources I have ever purchased for homeschooling. My children ask MULTIPLE times a day to listen to their favorite stories. You can choose from three different packages (Europe, Asia and Artist series).  It also includes a parent guide for additional resources. LOVE!!

 

Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book At A Time

 This book is a must-have resource for every homeschooling family. It is an amazing time saving tool that helps you gather the best children’s literature from around the world. It is full of curated book lists that are based on age range (4-12) and organized by country.

Draw Europe

This is a wonderful (and FUN) step by step tool to not only memorizing but learning how to draw Europe. We used this book over a semester and would draw a couple of countries a day. It has been amazing to see how much my child has become familiar with European geography. This is only one book in an entire series on different countries and continents

Games

DVDS

Travel With Kids

We LOVE this series. In Travel with Kids, you follow a family with two little boys who travel all over the world.  Children are exposed to different cultures all from the comfort of home. My children want to travel the world due to this series.

4. Bible

My First Hands-On Bible

I appreciated this children’s version of the Bible because instead of paraphrasing it actually uses Biblical text.  This was a well-loved Bible for many years.

 

Praying In Color Kids Edition

Have you ever heard, “But I don’t want to pray? I don’t know what to say? I’m embarrassed to pray out loud?” This is a revolutionary resource for children who want another try another way to spend time with God. 

The author Sybil Macbeth gently leads children in understanding what prayer is, common prayer problems, how to pray, and step by step of how to pray using art.  Love it!

DVDS

What’s In the Bible Series

These videos are part of a 13-part series that helps kids big picture look at the Bible as a whole. Phil Vischer (the creator of Veggie Tales) pulls out all the stops as he invites kids to wonder, explore and discover the Bible in a whole new way. It is full of fun characters, interesting questions, great animation, and of course fun music.

 

Nest Bible Animated Classics

We have really enjoyed the Animated Bible Classics. These videos are a great complement to devotional time as they allow children to see Bible stories happen right before their eyes. There are thirty-six different stories and they are geared towards ages kindergarten-third grade.

Picture Books

The Boy And The Ocean

 Oh, my word, hands down, probably my favorite Christian picture book. The illustrations are beautiful, the words are life-changing, and what an amazing book to pull out at bedtime.   The story draws parallels between Gods creation and his vast love for his children.

God’s Great Love for You

 This book is all about Gods overwhelming love for his kids told in such an imaginative way. Written by Rick Warren, the book shows a young girl on different adventures discovering God lavish love. The illustrations are adorable and though the book can be read to girls and boys, the book is specifically geared towards young girls.

Shh… God Is In the Silence

This book is a great introductory book to one of the ways that we hear God’s voice in the silence. In a time where we value filling up every available moment with something, this counter-cultural book reminds us that God was in “a gentle, quiet whisper”.  (1 Kings 19:11-12).

  1. Art-Music

The Amazing Musical Instruments

This book is very comprehensive and is a wonderful foundation for understanding the history and sounds of major instruments.

This resource really breaks down the parts of a classical orchestra into bite-size pieces and allows you to really appreciate the contribution of each instrument.  This is an interactive book that comes with a CD-ROM so you can hear different sounds and songs from different instruments.

Impressionism By Linda Bolton

This is a great behind the scenes look at Impressionism. Each artist has one or two pages full of background info, and samples of their most famous works of art. We would focus on one or two artists a day and then supplement with more hands-on activities. Great resource!

 

Games 

Van Gogh and Friends Art Game

This is a fun memory game that focuses on Post-Impressionists.  We use this as a memory game, although it is designed to be played like Go Fish or Concentration.   It really helps the kids learn the names and works of art of the different artists. It covers Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Seurat, Rousseau, and Toulouse-Lautrec.

CDS

Classical Kids Series

This is a phenomenal series!  You get to know different classical composers, through a captivating story set to that composers’ music. This series has helped spark curiosity, and a love of classical music in the hearts of my children.  We listen to this series, again, and again!

 

Beethoven’s Wig

This is a great sing-along series set to classical music. The lyrics are filled with facts about the composers and are hilarious.  My children can now identify classical music because of this amazing series.

Kids Meet Composers

This cd covers twenty different songwriters and their most famous pieces. Each song starts with a dialogue between the narrator and children, where you learn some history and fun facts about the composer. This is an amazing resource if you are studying various composers.

 

Picture Books

 

Anholt’s Artists-Laurence Anholt

This author through fun stories brings to life famous artists throughout history. We have learned so much about art and history from this series. I love this series because the author does an amazing job of sparking curiosity, and a love of art in children.

 

Katie and Ella Bella Series By James Mayhew 

James Mayhew is another great author/illustrator that makes classical art, and ballet accessible for kids. They will never see art as boring after growing up reading his stories about the adventures of Katie and Ella Bella.  The illustrations from the Ella Bella Ballerina series are stunning. An amazing resource for helping children engage in and love art history.

Drawing Books

DVD

 

 What about you? What are your favorite ways to foster a love of learning at home?  If you try any of these resources, let us know! Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Workon Pinterest!

 

 

The Behind the Scenes Look At Homeschooling

The Behind the Scenes Look At Homeschooling

  

Reading Time: 4 min 25 sec

Do you ever wonder if homeschooling is really all everyone says it’s cracked up to be? Do you ever wish that you could get a real (not just Pinterest worthy) perspective on homeschooling?  There are so many articles that trumpet the amazing benefits (or negatives) to homeschooling that you wish you could just get an honest behind the scenes look into homeschooling life.

 

You want the real truth.  You want to ask questions like, “How do you afford it? Do you have bad days? Do you ever want to give up and ship your kids off to boarding school in Switzerland? What will I have to give up to homeschool?”

 

For a lot of us, it can feel like we are moving into uncharted territory when it comes to deciding whether or not to homeschool.  The weight of responsibility for guiding our children into adulthood can seem heavy.

 

The amazing thing is that there are mama’s who have traveled this road ahead of you and we would love to help you through the process of deciding what’s best for YOUR family.

 

1.The Drawbacks of Homeschooling

2. The Benefits of Homeschooling 

1. The Drawbacks of Homeschooling

As with everything, there can be some definite negatives to homeschooling. Homeschooling can be for some a serious lifestyle change.  Your kids might have attended public school and deciding to educate them at home will be an adjustment for your family. You have to decide what sacrifices you are willing and able to make for this season in your family’s life.

 

These drawbacks can include:

a. The Loss of Second Income

This is one of the top reasons that keep families from homeschooling. You will have to adjust your budget and lifestyle to make homeschooling a priority.

 

b. The Loss of Furthering a Career

Unless you have a flexible schedule or can work from home, you have the strong probability that you will have to make sacrifices when it comes to furthering your career. (Yes, there are always exceptions to every rule.)

 

 c. Limited Amount of Time with Other Adults

You will be spending a large majority of your day with children.  Unlike a job, you will have to be intentional about meeting with other adults.

 

 d. You are Primarily Responsible for your Child’s Education

Unlike sending your child to a traditional school, where you oversee their progress.

  

 e. You are Responsible to Pay for their Education

You do not receive any help from the government when it comes to paying for your child’s education. And yes, you still have to pay your local school taxes.  

 f. Homeschooling is a Lifestyle there is no 8-5

 As with parenting, your role as a teacher is 24/7. Your role as a teacher and a mother happen simultaneously throughout the day.

 

 g. You Will Get Frustrated

As much as we would love to believe that every day will be full of Von Trapp Family moments, that just isn’t reality. There will be challenging times (and seasons) to homeschooling. 

 h. You Will Need to Be Flexible

You will start off with a brilliant plan for the school year only to have it undergo a thousand adjustments, and end up looking completely different (and probably throwing it out altogether).  You will live in a world where you are constantly adjusting your teaching style, curriculum, and tools to fit the current needs of your children.

 

Okay, I know that this list can seem overwhelming. But stick with me and let’s talk about the pros of homeschooling.  

 2. The Benefits of Homeschooling

There are a number of benefits to Homeschooling. I think the overarching advantage is that homeschooling can be adapted to fit the specific needs of your family. You don’t have to homeschool like your best friend or the homeschooling super mom down the street. You can find a structure and rhythm that brings life into your family.

 The benefits can include:

a. The Important Moments

   You get to spend the majority of each day together as a family. And because of that, you get to be there for the important moments of life. Your children learn how to read while sitting on your lap. They get conquer Algebra and discuss their passions for the future at your kitchen table.

 

b. Custom Education

Your child gets the benefit of a tailor-made education. They are continually challenged (in a good way) because they are no longer are held back by the needs of an entire class. That being said, they also have the luxury of being able to spend as long as they need with a concept or subject before moving on.

 

 c. Homeschooling Is Flexible

 Education can fit the rhythm and values of your family. Do you like to travel? You can take your books with you and explore the world. 

d. Your Child can Take Advantage of Out of the Box Opportunities

 When you homeschool, you can arrange your child’s schedule to fit around their passions. Do they love animals? They can volunteer at an animal shelter in the morning and homeschool in the afternoon. The out of the box possibilities are endless.

 

e. Education in Real-Life

Your children get the benefit of seeing a direct correlation between education and real-life experience. You can practice math in the grocery store, or in measuring for a tree house or in cooking dinner. Your children get the benefit of learning real-life skills as you go about your life, not bound by the limitations of a school day.

 

f. You Get to Build Amazing Family Memories

 Homeschooling creates permanent best friends for life.  Your whole family learns together, plays together, and lives life together in community.  You become a very close-knit family, full of family lore from the crazy adventures you have embarked upon.  

 g. Spark a Love of Learning

 Homeschooling gives you the ability to spark a love of learning in your children. They will learn for the love of it, not just to take a test. I don’t know about you, but I care about raising adults who can thrive in society not be masters at taking tests.

 

So where do you go from here?

The point is: Homeschooling is not for everyone, and that’s okay.  Your value as a parent is not determined on whether or not you teach your child at home.  Homeschooling is just a tool that can be used in the life of your child.  I would encourage you to talk with your spouse or trusted friend about your fears and concerns.

 

If you feel drawn to homeschool, join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through home education.  I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey. 

You Got this Mom! 

 

What about you? What are your top concerns when it comes to Homeschooling? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

Skip to content