Why in the world are we talking about homeschool habits when the school year is winding down and summer is calling? Well, I say all the time that the practical speaks to me. And, practically speaking, summer is a good time to build a new habit. To pick one area to work on without the rest of a full school day.
For example, yes, we love our curriculum but how do I work that wonderful resource work our day? We can usually handle the basic reading, writing and arithmetic. But what about brushing teeth? What about the roaming toddler? How do we fit in science and history?
“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.” James 1: 1-5, The Message
In recent weeks I’ve shared, on Hodgepodge, the homeschool habits that bless our day. Habits that are helpful for our house full and age range. Habits that answer the above questions:
- First of all, it’s always helpful to start with the Benefits of Homeschooling.
- Starting off right. Then, to begin our days, we go to this list posted on our chalkboard from Everyday Homemaking. This post explains our habit of the: Before 8:45 Checklist.
- Preschoolers as Part of the Action. The answer to the question I get most often – What do you do with the little ones? Our habit of: Morning Room Time as well as Preschoolers as Part of the Action.
- One more subject. This homeschool habit changed my attitude more than anything else. See, I had decided there was no reason why we couldn’t finish all our school work and be done by lunch time. (I know, I know.) Then, my friend Sonflower shared her ‘one more thing after lunch’ habit with me. Here’s how it works for us: One More Thing After Lunch
What about enrichment?
- Nature: Last summer we began a new habit. While we had the summer off from the regular school work, we spent some time here and there on nature study right in our own backyard. This truly adds joy to our day: Deliberate Delight
- Art: We are fortunate to have Nana teach pastel art lessons a few times a month. These lessons she gears for the whole family and works in about a 15 minute time span. You can enjoy them too! There are currently over 30 free art lessons in: Pastels Plus Links to Tutorials
More to come: Later this week I’ll be sharing an updated version of our Afternoon Quiet Time. And in future weeks, more of the homeschool habits that help our days. **Update: Helpful Habit – Afternoon Quiet Time.
How about you? What habit helps your homeschool?
-Tricia homeschools five children from preschool to middle school. She’s forsaken life in the drive thru lane for the road home. She’s saving bucks and her sanity with the frugal recipes and sock it away strategies of her Southern roots. You can find her facing that daily dose of chaos at Hodgepodge. Tricia is a.k.a. Hodgepodgemom.
Tricia, you have so many wonderful ideas! Thank you so much for sharing them with us! One thing that has worked really well for us is sharing the teaching with family and friends. I teach science to my friend’s two children and she teaches history to my two. Daddy teaches technology every other week and Grandma teaches Art and Music every other week too! It has been a tremendous blessing for all of us! On Fridays we have a “lighter day” and that has been something that we look forward to — we take adventures with Grandma sometimes, read together other times.
Love all your links, I love looking back over your post that I have already read!! I need to start our days earlier so we can be done at lunch time, except for “one more thing” ! =)