A few weeks ago I asked a few homeschooling friends to share with me a day in their life. I hope that this will bring encouragement to someone out there. During the first years of schooling it is easy to feel like you are just not doing it properly, but to read someone else's day can provide a bit of encouragement, as there is no right or wrong way as long as the children are learning.
A day in my life is nothing like it used to be. My full speed ahead engine ran out of steam years ago. We go with the flow these days and the Lord has been faithful in helping them to pick up exactly what they need, when they need it. I no longer spend hours doing flash cards and reading lessons with the 5-6 year old, yet the 3 year old is reading on his own. How did that happen? I couldn't explain it if I tried, it is the Lord. The teens basically work independently as they are given a weekly schedule that outlines all assignments due.
I would say that our main focus these days are on learning Spanish, geography of Central and South America and the history behind these countries. The constants are math and science as we do Teaching textbooks and Apologia.
We bought home 3 adorable chirping chicks the other day. Even the teens couldn't wait to hold them.
I assigned the younger 4 children with 2 weeks of chicken unit study including online research and experiments. It's amazing what a difference having the actual specimens in the house does for their enthusiasm. Hopefully we can keep them around long enough to observe them grow and lay eggs. : )
Now for some other perspectives:
A day in the life of Lorri in Brunswick
In eight years of homeschooling, there was never a typical day. And perhaps that is one of the reasons we were homeschooling in the first place - our unpredictable lives filled with pagers, and travel, and the precipitous joys of autism. Eventually, though, we found that daytime was playtime at Kettle Cove or Fort Williams or on the slopes at Sugarloaf, or on the shores of China Lake, and at work, and in the quiet and dark of midnight, no matter where were were, we began the school day. Some years, school was centered on the pottery wheel or origami. Other years we'd be up to our ears in text books and tomes of literature, including mountains of graphic novels and comic books. In many ways our homeschooling life was more typical of the earlier 'dark ages' of homeschooling, those years in the seventies when we ran free, found mentors in the community of curious souls, and hid out in the dark, star gazing and swatting mosquitoes away from our flashlights and midnight snacks.
I homeschooled/unschooled my son through grade ten, five years of that as a single mom. At age fourteen son entered a public alternative high school. He graduated two years later, with honors, and is now matriculated in Maine's University System.
I homeschooled/unschooled my son through grade ten, five years of that as a single mom. At age fourteen son entered a public alternative high school. He graduated two years later, with honors, and is now matriculated in Maine's University System.
A day in the life of Shari P.
So we typically start the morning about 8:00ish --well John does (12yos) since he does math with Dad before Dad goes to work. Two times a week Sarah and I leave to go to the gym while Dad is teaching math. Then by the time we get home the boys are typically eating breakfast (or not). John is pretty motivated so he just continues on to the next task he knows he must do. Andrew tends to get distracted and is often found "playing" if Mom is not looking :)
We try to keep mornings "sacred" in that we don't have too many outside commitments in the morning... except piano once a week and co op every other week. After they get Math and piano done then I go to our together work- Tapestry readings, read alouds, science, etc. I try to do as much as possible with the boys together.. more fun for both of them. I also teach a bi-weekly writing class for the middle aged (11-12yo) cousins - while the younger ones are taught music by yet another Auntie.
SarahBeth on the other hand does most of her work independently- I give her a planning sheet for two weeks and she just buckles down and does it- I do the correcting of math and working through Tapestry questions. Must say I do inspect ( you get what you inspect not what you expect - my borowed motto)Fortunately she is taught science by my sister in law and also has an outside writing tutor. She is pretty busy since she also does Chorus twice a week at the local Christian school, violin and voice lessons. PHEW- so glad she can drive herself now. :)
When Dad comes home at night we typically eat dinner together and have a Bible time. The older two kids have their own personal devotions daily.
This fall Dad also ran a weekly robotics club -- our team took first place for accomplishing missions!! :)
My husband makes this whole homeschool thing possible... without him I think I would be bald :) I should also praise God for the wonderful family community I have- we all work together amazingly well.
We try to keep mornings "sacred" in that we don't have too many outside commitments in the morning... except piano once a week and co op every other week. After they get Math and piano done then I go to our together work- Tapestry readings, read alouds, science, etc. I try to do as much as possible with the boys together.. more fun for both of them. I also teach a bi-weekly writing class for the middle aged (11-12yo) cousins - while the younger ones are taught music by yet another Auntie.
SarahBeth on the other hand does most of her work independently- I give her a planning sheet for two weeks and she just buckles down and does it- I do the correcting of math and working through Tapestry questions. Must say I do inspect ( you get what you inspect not what you expect - my borowed motto)Fortunately she is taught science by my sister in law and also has an outside writing tutor. She is pretty busy since she also does Chorus twice a week at the local Christian school, violin and voice lessons. PHEW- so glad she can drive herself now. :)
When Dad comes home at night we typically eat dinner together and have a Bible time. The older two kids have their own personal devotions daily.
This fall Dad also ran a weekly robotics club -- our team took first place for accomplishing missions!! :)
My husband makes this whole homeschool thing possible... without him I think I would be bald :) I should also praise God for the wonderful family community I have- we all work together amazingly well.
A day in the life of Laurie B.
Our day is pretty basic. We are at the table to get to work by 8:30. The younger kids do their quiet time (they need help with reading,etc.) Then they work on their Awana verses. Then the academics they can do on their own. Lydia(gr. 7) works on math. (saxon 7/6) and Jensen's grammar. Zach (gr. 6) works on Spectrum math and grammar. Luke (gr. 3) does Horizons math and copywork. Jake (gr. 1) does math and has a reading lesson. (The Reading Lesson by Michael Levin and Charon Langton) We do science (Jeanie Fulbright, Physiology and Anatomy) and Mystery of History together.(Linda Hobar) We also do Sequential Spelling and dictation. And When all goes smoothly, and Sadie (5) Chloe (2) and Natalia (3 weeks) are content , we read aloud. Older ones read to the younger ones a lot.
Emily (gr. 9) is on her own with Biology, Jensen's grammar, Algebra 1 (teaching textbooks) a lot of historical books (studying ancient times) plus all the handwork amd knitting she does.Abbie(gr.11) has been part time at the high school to take advantage of the Honors classes, Latin, and music. She is excelling and this has gone well.
Afternoons are free for reading and creating and experiments. I have several musicians and we do soccer in the fall plus church activities. Also our co-op which focuses on science, history, and music.
That is a basic outline of our day. We try to be flexible but focused on our morning routine.
Four different ways, yet these children are all excelling and enjoying their learning experience. If you are not homeschooling and you are reading this blog, consider it, you never know how the Lord may use it for the good in your life.
More to come...
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