Since I talked about why in my last post, I thought this time I'd address how. Everybody wants to know how! I get asked, "How on earth do you do it?" more times than I can count. So here's a run down of a typical day in the life of my homeschool.
I get up at 6am to take Jenna to seminary. A class that lasts 50 minutes. Since I live so far from town, I wait for her to finish before coming home. Luckily, right across the street is Anytime Fitness. So I get my workout in early. No excuses! When Jenna and I get home just before 8 I usually have to wake up the kids because they are all sleepyheads! Next, I start laundry. Sometimes I was lazy the night before and have to fluff up a load that needs folding. Don't tell! the kids are helpful (kinda!) and make their own breakfast. They also make a huge mess doing it! After breakfast, I send the kids to get ready for the day. No pj's! Then we do morning chores. My goal is to get school going by 9am. Sometimes I actually make it.
We all gather to say the pledge, have family prayer and do calendar with the little kids. Even Gracie gets involved in our "circle time" and has so much fun! I could use a little improvement in this part of my day, but I'm working on it. There are just SO many good options to choose from. A person could spend a lot of time in "circle time" if they wanted to!
Jenna and Haley are enrolled in FLVS, a virtual school where they take all of the required classes to graduate. They have a teacher for each subject and are required to have monthly phone calls with each one. They also have audio lessons, especially for language courses, and a DBA (Discussion-Based Assessment) with each teacher per module, or unit of study. I'm required for the monthly call only. Piece of cake!
The other 3 kids each have a crate I got at walmart for $3! Yay, me! All their supplies are kept in their crates. Books, pencils, notebook for extra writing, journal, crayons, a folder to hold cutouts and things like that. I also have an extra supply crate for things that are available to everyone. I'm trying to implement even more ways to stay organized. This is another area where I could use some work, lol!
Each child has a planner which is really just a calendar with plenty of writing space. I schedule 9 weeks at a time in their planner and write the grade they earn next to the subject on the day it was assigned. I also follow the county school board calendar since Jenna's seminary class follows it. Easy as pie! They get out their planners and get to work! Usually with some proding from me! I sit at the table with them, grade their work as they go and answer questions as they come up. Sometimes one of them needs extra help and we move to the chalkboard. I love my chalkboard! Most days everyone has finished their work by lunch! Other days we might work as late as a regular school day, but not often.
I do have to take breaks sometimes to do things like switch out laundry, fold and put it away. Rock the baby, help Gracie and do regular mom things.
I have enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I'm sure I said that in my last post, but it bears repeating! Ella and Gracie usually hang with us at the table and sometimes that makes it harder, but they are good kids. Gracie watches PBS, NickJr or Disney. But likes to help out with any crafts, story reading and the like.
Somedays I wonder what I've gotten myself into. There are times when it can be very stressful. But I've found that the more organized and prepared I am, the less stress all around. I hope to be able to give courage to someone else who may be looking for an alternative schooling option for their child/children. Trust me, if I can do it, ANYONE can!
