- What does homeschooling look like? What do you actually do?<\/strong><\/li>
- What does a typical school day look like for us? <\/strong><\/li>
- How do you teach several grade levels at once?<\/strong><\/li>
- Where do you find what you teach?<\/strong><\/li>
- What grades are your kids in?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are all valid questions. I often ask other homeschoolers about how they structure their days. I am often trying to find a rhythm that works for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This post is a peek into our homeschool room and a question and answer session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n(With some tips and ideas for your homeschool day.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/syd-wachs-slItfWbhijc-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA Peak into our Homeschool Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
[Notes and info from March 2021]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We typically do school work from 9am to 1pm. After our morning chores, we all head up to our schoolroom.\u00a0After school, we have\u00a0a late lunch and\u00a0the rest of the day\u00a0for other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that time frame, there is a mix of things going on. Sometimes there is conversation, usually most of us are working independently, around 11:00 we have a snack, and for a short time we do group work activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homeschooling is exhausting work. In one morning school session I am teaching 4 very different grade levels, over 20 different subjects, 4 unique personalities, and a variety of abilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I go from\u00a0quickly\u00a0grading and discussing a High School Chemistry test to\u00a0slowly sounding out phonics\u00a0flashcards.\u00a0In a\u00a015 minute\u00a0time span I am answering questions about 4th<\/sup>\u00a0grade math, 8th<\/sup>\u00a0grade science, and doing skip counting of 5’s with\u00a0my kindergartener.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is enough to make your head spin. And it often wears me out and requires large amounts of coffee. Just writing all of this makes me shake my head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each year has its own challenges and a list of varying subjects. Even my friends who homeschool an only child talk about the strain of multitasking and subject switching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3757-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3512-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdding Calm & Focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So how do we do this difficult task of homeschooling and still keep some amount of calm?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do we follow through with our well-laid plans and check all those little boxes? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will share some ideas I have discovered in the past 12 years of homeschooling. Use what you can and leave what does not make sense for you. Every homeschool family is different. Every homeschool schedule is unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please share with me if you have something helpful to add to this list! I am always looking for tips and hacks to change things up! <\/p>\n\n\n\nPractical Ways to add calm and focus: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Individual Task Lists<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Each student has an individual list they are working on.\u00a0\u00a0They know what is expected and what needs to be done today before lunch. The information is in front of each student and they do not need to ask me questions about it. See this article for more info.<\/a><\/li>
- Individual\u00a0work space<\/strong>.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0whether\u00a0it is\u00a0desks\u00a0or\u00a0spots\u00a0at the kitchen table\u00a0–\u00a0Each person has a place to work\u00a0and space of their own.\u00a0When I had\u00a0toddlers\u00a0they would do their \u201cschool work\u201d in a\u00a0high chair\u00a0or on a special blanket laid out on the floor.\u00a0<\/li>
- Rotation of lessons with me<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0I have a list that looks like this:\u00a0(add photo of written list\u00a0see\u00a0below)\u00a0\u00a0My\u00a0teaching time looks like a rotation of different subjects and students.\u00a0<\/li>
- Background music<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Create a music playlist to have in the background while\u00a0you\u00a0work. This was a favorite from my\u00a0public school\u00a0classroom\u00a0and now I use it in my home. Music creates a mood and brings us back to what we are doing.\u00a0The rhythm and pace of beautiful music and inspire\/encourage\u00a0the whole\u00a0learning\u00a0environment.\u00a0
- Here is one of my favorite Spotify playlist<\/a> for focus.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Give yourself grace<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 We are all doing what we can in the time we have and with the energy level we have for that day.\u00a0 Some days are super productive, others are not.\u00a0 That is okay.\u00a0Anyone working at an office will tell you the same thing. It is not possible to do all the things every day of the week\u00a0for\u00a030 days a month.\u00a0\u00a0
- If you are homeschooling with littles<\/a> you deserve some extra chocolate and heaps of kindness!<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Snacks and drinks<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 this\u00a0is\u00a0not public school, you can eat and drink whenever you want!\u00a0In my house food makes everyone much more agreeable.\u00a0We have special snacks that are only\u00a0available\u00a0during school times and water cups that we keep at our desks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>
- Physical movement breaks<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0I will often stand up and stretch, take deep breaths, do some arm circles,\u00a0ask the kids to do jumping jacks, or windmills.\u00a0Even just getting up, rolling my shoulders, and getting a drink of cold water will give me a physical reset.\u00a0
- This is my favorite resource for fun and easy movement activities<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Headphones\/Ear buds<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Allow older students to use headphones and listen to music to concentrate\u00a0\u2013 even those who do not want to listen to music can just have noise cancelling\u00a0on.\u00a0 This teaches them how to be productive in a busy\u00a0environment\u00a0and prepares them for adult life. (So many companies have an open office concept.)\u00a0<\/li>
- Snuggle breaks<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 learning is hard work!\u00a0Sometimes my littles just need hugs, tickles and squeezes. I used to put sticky notes with hearts written on them in the lesson book to remind me to stop and give them\u00a0hugs and kisses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>
- Stop distractions <\/strong>– Put your phone away, ignore household tasks,\u00a0stay in the same room as the\u00a0kids\u00a0<\/li>
- Teach diligence <\/strong>– Knowing when to dig in and push forward is a crucial skill for education and for life.<\/li>
- Model Rest & Sabbath<\/strong> – Knowing when to\u00a0when to take a break is something that must be taught. I am still learning the careful balance of pushing forward and stopping to rest. (read about that here<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/kelly-sikkema-1SBcc-Wpz40-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_3499-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/sharon-mccutcheon-eMP4sYPJ9x0-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuestions: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- What are the ways that you focus? What does learning look like for you? <\/li>
- How can you let each person learn in their own space at their own pace? <\/li>
- What kinds of physical movement breaks can you include in your morning? <\/li>
- What does your homeschool day look like?<\/li>
- What do you want your homeschool day to look like? Sound like? Is that possible?<\/li>
- How can you give yourself grace and kindness this week?<\/li>
- What are some learning activities that you enjoy doing with your kids that makes you feel like yourself?<\/li>
- How does your morning routine affect your homeschool day? (need some ideas? – read this<\/a>)<\/li>
- Do you have a playlist that gets you in the mood for school work?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nYou can do this! You can be successful in homeschooling no matter what the day holds. This is a long game we are playing. We are in this for the long term and teaching a lifestyle of learning. Even if you only homeschool for one school year, that is still over 10 months of teaching. Don\u2019t let the activity and noise of one bad day derail you from where you are going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You Got This!! – April <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3508-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPhotos by: Mary Edwards<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(& also Jessica Lewis<\/a>, and others on Unsplash<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Work\/Life](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/prateek-katyal-6jYnKXVxOjc-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWork\/Life Balance with Homeschooling Series<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Let me begin by saying that balancing any kind of activities is a myth. It is a concept we are all trying to chase without success. But it is catchy. It is a phrase that is accepted in productivity conversations and something we are all hoping for. So however you or I define it, what…… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
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\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/annie-spratt-O1TNdLNvJLM-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat Our Homeschool Day Looks Like & How We Keep Going (and How You Can Too)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
\ud83d\ude01Guest Post by Joanna Bischoff Homeschooling from a Mom of 3 How It All Began I look up from my desk. Three little heads, of varying heights and sizes, are intently bent over their desks, each at a (hopefully) brain-building school activity. In front of me is the homeschool area that I saw on Pinterest…… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
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\n![\"Using](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ralph-hutter-xLs4XSQmxtE-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n - \n\n
- Do you have a playlist that gets you in the mood for school work?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Headphones\/Ear buds<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Allow older students to use headphones and listen to music to concentrate\u00a0\u2013 even those who do not want to listen to music can just have noise cancelling\u00a0on.\u00a0 This teaches them how to be productive in a busy\u00a0environment\u00a0and prepares them for adult life. (So many companies have an open office concept.)\u00a0<\/li>
- Snacks and drinks<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 this\u00a0is\u00a0not public school, you can eat and drink whenever you want!\u00a0In my house food makes everyone much more agreeable.\u00a0We have special snacks that are only\u00a0available\u00a0during school times and water cups that we keep at our desks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>
- Give yourself grace<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 We are all doing what we can in the time we have and with the energy level we have for that day.\u00a0 Some days are super productive, others are not.\u00a0 That is okay.\u00a0Anyone working at an office will tell you the same thing. It is not possible to do all the things every day of the week\u00a0for\u00a030 days a month.\u00a0\u00a0
- Individual\u00a0work space<\/strong>.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0whether\u00a0it is\u00a0desks\u00a0or\u00a0spots\u00a0at the kitchen table\u00a0–\u00a0Each person has a place to work\u00a0and space of their own.\u00a0When I had\u00a0toddlers\u00a0they would do their \u201cschool work\u201d in a\u00a0high chair\u00a0or on a special blanket laid out on the floor.\u00a0<\/li>
- What does a typical school day look like for us? <\/strong><\/li>