relaxed Archives - Page 3 of 7 - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Aug 31 2014

Think about it: Staggered first days

Not everybody does the first day of school the same way. There are some families who jump in exactly the way they left off the month before, without making too big a deal about it. Then, there are others who start with making a huge breakfast, taking creative photos of the kids, and holding a special kick-off celebration.

Whatever works in your family is always the best way to go. Remember, homeschooling is about you and nobody else.

One idea I love, that worked well for us as the kids got older, is to “stagger” the first day of school.

It’s not always as fun as doing a BIG first day. But it has BIG benefits in other ways.

What I love about staggering first days is that I get to spend an entire “first day” with every child. We can make it as special as we want — and it’s all about them.

On a child’s first day, we go over all of the books or curriculum I have planned for the year, and I show them exactly how each is supposed to be used. I make sure the student understands all of our resources in detail, including where each book is kept, where to find the resource sections, what to notice while reading through the chapters (e.g. vocabulary words or review questions), how to take notes from that book (if I am requiring it that year), how much is to be completed in a day, where to put any completed work so I can see it, and anything else.

We do the same thing for non-book things, like art or science supplies, DVDs or web sites I have saved for their use, logs they are supposed to fill out, online courses, or anything else the student is assigned that year. I work with them to make sure we both understand the language that is used, any difficult instructions, what needs to be photocopied or filled-in, or anything else that needs understanding and training early on.

On that child’s first day, we also go over what is expected by the end of the day, what the general time frame might be, and we do a dry-run through any schedules or plans I have put together for that day. The dry run includes chores, quiet time, outside activities that need to be coordinated with the rest of the family, or anything else that make sense for that particular student for that year.

Something I also like to do on the first day is organize that student’s work area. We use our time to find favorite supplies, decide where to hang charts or calendars, locate a favorite chair or school-time toy, and talk about where the student would like to store his stuff for the year. (I used to organize my kids for them. As they got older, they enjoyed participating in the process, plus it was more meaningful to them since they chose what made them most productive and comfortable.)

Basically, every child gets a personalized first day. Focused just on them.

It’s like training, but it can also be fun.

Staggered first days means I am able to sit with each child and be there to personally help and explain anything that might arise during the course of the day. At the end of the day, we end the day with some family treat or perhaps a small reward for that child.

It also means I am able to spot road-blocks right away, and make a change that immediately impacts the next day. That actually happened to us this year, when my son and I noticed that a book I had selected was way too easy for him. We actually spent an hour going through the chapters looking for one that was even remotely challenging for him, and finally decided together to scrap the book altogether and go with something else the very next day. (Working with him was the only way to really test the book out in real time. I’m so glad this happened!)

When I stagger first days, I always feel like every child gets a special first day just for him. It’s nice to start a year knowing I gave my full attention to a child before the multiple-student chaos begins!

I know this may not appeal to everyone, but I wanted to explain how it has worked for us. As my kids get older, they no longer need so much attention and individualized academic coaching any more, but I use this idea in other areas of their lives. I highly recommend you try this if you think your kids could benefit from personalized first days.

Good luck! And if you try it, come back and leave a COMMENT about how it went!

Related blogs you might like:

Helping teens plan: The Morning Meeting

Organization doesn’t always come naturally

Parents don’t always know everything. In homeschool, that’s OK.

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Jul 13 2014

You have my permission

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.

Homeschooling isn’t easy.

Anyone who tells you it is, is just trying to make you feel better. (Or, trying to fool themselves.)

Homeschooling may be a philosophy, a lifestyle choice, and indeed may be incorporated into daily living.

But I can’t lie — it’s a full-time job.

With great power comes great responsibility. You know the quote.

As the result, homeschool moms (and sometimes dads) can lose it.

There. I’ve said it.

In the interest of being transparent, I’m telling it like it is.

And, on those days…you know, the ones that push you to the brink…I give you permission:

To blow off a little steam;
To scream a little, even threaten the school bus; and
To pack it in (at least for a little while anyway).

You also have my permission to:

Tell anyone you like to mind their own business. These are your kids and nobody else’s. If you’re doing the very best you know how, and just don’t want to hear it, you have my permission to say, “Thank you very much for your opinion, but we’re doing very well, thank you.”
Not answer the door or pick up the phone. You are busy doing good things. Why let others interrupt what could be a perfect day?
Not hang around people who bring you down, or who disagree with what you do. What’s the point? Surround yourself with those who understand you, who allow your kids to speak and be around you, and who appreciate you for what you are trying to accomplish. Why subject yourself or your children to anyone (family or otherwise) who tries to change your mind?

I give you permission to:

Sleep until 10. Even noon if the baby kept you up all night.
Never learn a word of Latin in your life.
Buy bread at a grocery store. And cookies. And even cow’s milk. No place is it written that homeschoolers need to keep bees and milk goats. If you want to — bravo. But, if you don’t, you have my permission to buy everything at Walmart.
Print free lessons off the Internet if you want to. Not everything needs to be perfect, or homemade, or name brand.
Plop them in front of the TV or a computer once in a while. Just try to pick something good to watch or play.

And, finally, accept my permission to:

Take a day off.
Cry if you need to.
Soak in a tub if you can, for as long as you can.
Eat cake for breakfast.
Let the kids eat cake for breakfast. (As long as they have an apple with lunch.)

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Jun 09 2014

Field Trips: Fun with a purpose

When was the last time your children were excited about something they’d learned? Was it after reading a book? Hearing a lecture? Seeing something on television?

Great!

Could it also have been after visiting a place of interest and seeing something first-hand?

Even better!

When teaching our children, it is important to notice — and remember – times when our kids are really engaged and deeply learning. By adding more of these opportunities into our homeschool days, we can insure that quality learning occurs in many different ways — not just from a curriculum or a book.

Did you know that many children actually learn much more when on a field trip or participating in some “live” activity? For some kids, just the act of experiencing something themselves creates a richer environment and sparks greater interest than just hearing or reading that lesson alone. Parents sometimes call this, “hands on” learning. I like to think of field trips as ways for learners to “step into” experiences, instead of watching them from the outside.

The flexibility of homeschooling makes it possible to plan field trips all year long. These live experiences may be scheduled randomly throughout the year or added as a regular part of every homeschool week (i.e., “Field Trip Friday”). Any number of experiences add another dimension of fun and learning. Field trips don’t have to be far away or expensive, either (read THIS).

One of the best field trips our family has ever taken was at the former homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe (neighbors — who knew?). I could spend hours writing about these tours and accompanying museum displays — it was some of the finest learning we have ever experienced, sparking months and months of reading, research and studies after the fact (there are still several titles on our reading lists to this day).

If you’re homeschooling, consider adding more field trips and live experiences into your homeschool repertoire. These days are often unforgettable.

My kids and I often think back on this scene, that of Mark Twain’s solarium in his Hartford, CT home:

We imagine all of the dreaming and inspiration that occurred while he and his family shared books and conversation on the divan nearby. It was a day that impacted each of us so much, and I know my children will never forget.

Don’t you love to be able to say that about things your kids are learning?

Is it time for another field trip?

For more information about this location, visit:

Mark Twain House and Museum

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

For more posts like this, click:

Edge-of-their-seats-learning

Science fairs for homeschoolers

Accidental Learning

I talk about how to discover ways your child learns best in my book, Suddenly Homeschooling. Feel free to grab a copy if you’d like advice about recognizing patterns of learning and incorporating more of those into your daily homeschooling.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Apr 10 2014

Where to skimp vs. where to focus

A reader asked, in which areas of homeschool it is okay to “skimp”. I have heard this question more than once, so I thought my response might help you, too.

There are sometimes circumstances requiring homeschoolers to focus on other things for a little while. Families enduring major life changes, for instance, may find it hard to plan and execute homeschool lessons as they once did. Until things settle down, they need to know in which academic areas they may “skimp” versus what other areas of homeschool they should devote their attention.

Though a simple question, there is no easy answer. And while I can’t promise, I think this advice will help guide families toward figuring answers out on their own.

First, I suggest reviewing state homeschooler requirements. Though some states have no specific academic mandate, many do. Should certain skills or courses be required under the law, these should obviously be considered first.

Next, I suggest considering the age/grade of the students. In doing so, the need for meeting certain course requirements will become clear. For instance, high school students aiming toward college could be directed toward finishing math or science courses needed for graduation (and, ultimately, college acceptance). Those enrolled in for-credit courses with deadlines (assuming withdrawal is not an option) should be advised to focus on those, as well.

For younger students, or in cases where there are no immediate consequences for taking a temporary leave of absence, homeschoolers may be redirected differently. Elementary age students, for instance, could focus solely on basic skills (cutting out all electives) for a little while. Middle schoolers, depending on their emerging goals and interests, could be asked to focus just on math or language arts, or perhaps only on reading well-selected literature for a time.

Areas of student mastery can also be used to guide a temporary curriculum plan. Students who have already exceeded the requirements of a curriculum or have already moved beyond “grade level” work can take a break from those subjects for a while. Students struggling with certain areas, trying to fill in gaps, or working to correct a weakness may want to focus only on those areas instead of anything else.

Finally, families may want to consider an alternate homeschooling approach for a little a while. While this may not seem comfortable at first, adopting a slightly different approach to learning — by relaxing requirements or having students work in a more self-directed fashion – could provide a perfect solution until things settle down.

When crisis hits or life changes occur, homeschoolers have tremendous freedom to choose the way they react. Using some of these tips as a guide could make the difference between continuing to homeschool or enrolling children in the nearest neighborhood school.

Who knows? Temporary changes can often positively impact homeschooling in the long run. There is great value in learning to rise from a challenge, and many character-building and life skills emerge from dealing with struggle. Trying new things could lead to making new discoveries about homeschooling, too.

My book, Suddenly Homeschooling, addresses dozens of issues like this, and offers solutions for homeschooling under different sets of circumstances. Read all about the book HERE. Or, let me know how I can help HERE.

You might also like:

Help and support for homeschool families

Is after-schooling okay?

Can grandparents homeschool?

Giving up too too soon

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Jan 19 2014

{Day 19} Homeschooling Big Kids With Babies and Toddlers Around

{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}

To advance to the next lesson, look for the “NEXT LESSON” link at the end of this article.

One challenge that may come from homeschooling is keeping everyone busy at the same time. While in theory, it’s nice to imagine the older children working while the younger children nap or play quietly, in reality, this doesn’t always happen. Homeschooling is real life! Babies and toddlers underfoot, children whining or complaining about something, those who need help with things that cannot wait, and constant other interruptions can make for a very stressful, unpleasant day.

No family is immune to hectic days. But there are ways to keep things running more smoothly — at least most of the time. Using a few basic techniques, and following them consistently, will start to bear fruit in just a few days. Within a few weeks, homeschool households will be operational — with less chaos and happier people – in no time flat.

One of the ways to homeschool with fewer interruptions is to use a daily schedule. Schedules come in many shapes and sizes, but the goal is always the same — to make sure that everyone knows what he or she should be doing throughout the day. Though counter-intuitive for some people, schedules pretty much always work when families stick to them. Plus, they can be adjusted as the needs of every child change, even adding in “free time” for those who feel that schedules are just much too rigid for the way they think.

Another way to keep a homeschool running smoothly is to combine children and activities together. The best way to occupy a younger child, is to assign an older child to read or play with the younger sibling. This activity benefits both children, and frees up valuable time for parents to work with the remaining children, uninterrupted, for a short while.

Since keeping children busy isn’t the only goal, quality learning activities must be provided throughout the day, too. This is where the third tip comes in. Selecting a homeschool method that is best suited to the kind of family and number of children in the household is crucial. It would be pointless, for example, to use a curriculum that requires absolute quiet or requires frequent timed tests given throughout the day. Families with several little ones demanding constant attention would be much better off selecting a unit study the whole family can do together, using short workbooks that can be used any time of day, or adopting a relaxed approach for a time period.

Perhaps the best advice of all is to learn from other families like yours. Parents will glean hundreds of valuable tips just by talking to other parents of similar age children. Comparing frustrations and coming up with solutions to common challenges is one of the great benefits of knowing other area homeschoolers. Hundreds of Internet blogs exist to help in these areas, too.

NEXT LESSON

Further reading:

Homeschooling tips for sleepless moms

Keeping Preschoolers Busy While Homeschooling: It can be done!

Teaching Big Kids With Little Ones Around

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.