We are week 3 into our academic year and I'm delighted to say that we have found our groove. It wasn't as painful as years past. I haven't threatened to quit like I've done years before. I didn't even notice how smooth sailing things have been until I started to see my Facebook memories pop up. Evidently, I like to post about our academic beginnings this time of year. 😁The post I found most humorous was my NOW HIRING ad in 2017.
Please don't be jealous of this year's smooth start. I have students who wish it were still summer. I also have some students who drag out their work. I've also lost my cool, the house has been trashed on numerous occasions, and we've had takeout multiple times instead of my planned meal. Despite all this, I do have to say- it gets easier each year. I say it gets easier each year for a few reasons.
First, our systems we have developed over time allow for stability and success.
Second, as our kids get older, they start to own their academic endeavors- no more spoon feeding!
Third, I am more tenured as a home educator. Praise God. I know more than I did ten years ago.
So in effort to save a less tenured home educator some time and trouble, I offer my systems and successes. Before I do, I want to reiterate one more time- it has taken me a DECADE to come to this place of peace. I have two students left at home- a junior and 8th grader. We have three students already graduated out of our home. Unless God does something drastic, we will also graduate these two boys!
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOMESCHOOL
Teacher Work Day: I propose a mandate that each homeschooling family must release their teacher to some time away. This key time can start off with a sabbatical, then move into focused time of prayer and plotting for the upcoming academic season. I can attest- more proactive I am, then less reactive I will have to be. My sabbath/planning time was usually at my parents about 1 1/2 hours away. My family survived without me and was better for it when I had a plan for success! The Lord was always faithful to offer me insight into the new academic year. Matthew 7:7
Schedule: Home educators need a time to devote to home education. I've had family, friends, and work contend for my daytime. I learned real quick I had to say NO to alot in order to really be able to educate these kids. Block out your schedule. This is a copy of our last year's schedule. I will admit, I am an Enneagram 8w7, I am a Myers Briggs ESTJ. If you understand these things, you will know that administration and execution are my top giftings, but I have learned the hard way that if I don't order my days, the days will order me.... Ephesians 5:15-17 Here is a guide to block scheduling your home.
Daily Checklists/Planners: Once a blocks of time have been established, students need to know what is required of them and have some kind of checklist to navigate their daily workload. My students as young as kindergarten had simple checklists. They had received the vision for them that year, they knew their goals and objectives, and now they could play their part in being successful. This gave them an opportunity to own their daily duties and relieved me of micromanaging. My 8th and 11th grader can now unpack their weekly workload into a planner.
Page 1 of my son's planner for this week.
Delegate: Momma aka teacher can't do it all. There is a philosophy around our home- those who do not work, do not eat. This was a famous Jamestown idea, but it originated from the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Everyone in this house has a tidy zone- dad included. I have sectioned off our home and assigned that section to a family member. They are the steward of that space. Each day, everyone tidies their zone before or sometimes after dinner. Every Saturday, everyone deep cleans that space. My kiddos had zones from a very early age. It was sad when the older kiddos would move off to college- I had to rezone the house and we all had more to clean! LOL Here is a guide to zoning your home.
Appreciation: To be truly honest, it's just not easy to home educate! This isn't for the faint of heart. Homeschool parents suffer wage loss along with school cost increases, and they now have to function in two roles- doubling their performance at home. On top of that, some parents still need to bring in income. (I actually work multiple part time jobs outside my job as home educator) And then on top of that- a home educator has to actually impart knowledge to a complex little human with a will. Friends! This is a God given right and privilege! And this is a God guided task, even if it might seem impossible! We know that with God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 We must appreciate this position He has put us in and acknowledge that we cannot do it alone. Here is a Serenity Prayer for the home educator:
"Lord, grant _______ SERENITY to appreciate this calling as home educator, COURAGE to challenge the students to do their best, and WISDOM to help them become all the You created them to be. AMEN!"
Community: Lastly but not leastly, home education is just so much richer with fellow comrades. Nothing is sweeter than having someone else in the trenches experiencing the same trials and triumphs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it perfectly in his book, Life Together. He said that we are called as the body of Jesus to mutually bear each others burdens faithfully, prayerfully, and practically as Jesus did for us. I can say with 100% certainty that this type of communal living mentioned in this book with increase the odds of homeschooling success. TOGETHER, we are BETTER.
My son's 8th grade buddies at the beach before the school year started.
I will end with one of my favorite quotes, which I have stapled to my wall above my teacher desk. It reads, "an investment in KNOWLEDGE will always pay the greatest interest." This quote by Benjamin Franklin reminds me of my daily investment into my family's future. There is no greater role than home educator.
-Tressa
P.S. I'd also like to tell you how HELPFUL home education is when you do it with Classical Conversations. I am not getting paid to say that- but if you want to why- go here.
P.S.S. I'd also like to tell you about how LIBERATING its been to have my kiddos buy their own groceries each week. (I stock the staples and provide dinners while they cover breakfast, lunch, and snacks) Go here to learn more.
P.S.S.S. I'd also like to spend a ton of time telling you about how a life with the Lord is a life with HOPE. If you'd like to learn more about Jesus, email me here.
