play vs. schoolwork

What do you do when your kids won't do schoolwork?  Everyone handles this their own way.  I respect that... completely!  What do you do when they don't want to homeschool because (there perception) you are interrupting their play?!

A child's play at a young age is so important.  But as they grow older and enter elementary schoolwork, it really is time to lay aside the cars and dolls for a few hours each day to pursue some training in phonics or work in math facts.  This can be devastating for some children.

I know parents whose children fight them on the play vs. schoolwork issue.  I, personally, have a few children who don't 'fight' me on the issue but they are very distracted by thinking about play instead of their schoolwork.  They sometimes result to complaining, "We aren't done yet?" because they want to get back to their "game" (a.k.a playing pretend!).

"Blueberry" isn't really a distraction... unless she is feeling mischievous!

Our love-hate relationship with Legos!!

Last year, I decided to approach this from a few different angles:
1)  What does the Bible say?  The Bible tells us "Wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding" Proverbs 10:23.  A simple search reveals a plethora of verses and stories in Scripture that leave no question to the value of education and wisdom.  Sharing God's desires for our lives with our children can never start too early. The last two school years have started with this instruction!
2)  While play is necessary for children, it can quickly become a privilege and not a given when it overtakes their schoolwork.  If the kids don't want to set aside their play things for learning time they jeopardize loosing a given toy (even if only temporarily).
3)  Dad is principle.  I had a hard time with this at first.  Before we went into missions work, my husband would be gone all day at work.  The last thing I wanted to do was "tattle" on my kids and cause my husband further stress.  But God revealed to me the importance of the parent team.  I didn't run to my husband with EVERYTHING... that would have been overwhelming!  But issues that were not able to be resolved with my management and/or required reinforcement were brought to him.  And just like a public school.... you don't want to be in the principles office!  He is always quicker to withhold privileges than teacher mom!  But this works both ways.  Principle Dad also likes to hear about (and reward) achievements... and kids always want to strive for those achievements in lieu of the reprimands.

Every day of homeschool may not (and will not) be "perfect".  But every day is an opportunity to grow both as students and parents.  I pray you grow through your homeschool today!

Sometimes Less is More

I wanted to blog the title, "When Mom is Sick" but I already did that... over a year ago!  I hate it when I get sick and schooling still needs to be done :-(  I only lost one day though... the others were managed well with God given strength!

As I recovered, I contemplated our schedule and the feasibility of each element.  We have been in the new school year for a month now and I always try to regularly assess not only our progress but also our successes in how it is getting done. 

For the most part, our schedule is marvelous.  I do wish we started earlier, but I am thankful that we are plucking away at each to-do.  But then a school teacher friend donated some newer reading primers to our 'classroom' and, excited at the materials, I began to look through and contemplate coorelating lesson plans and crossing studies and ... and.... my head started to spin. 

I had to stop and remind myself that what we have now works wonderfully.  We have been called to simplify the process of our curriculum (for those who don't know, I use to compile ALL of it myslef and develop every lesson plan from scratch or from compiling multiple sources.)  Preparing for missions field training and doing the work that we do, I can't spend the bulk of my weekend on this process anymore.  God has blessed us with wonderful material that truly doesn't need any aditives!  So why am I complicating it?

I can't answer that... because I don't know!  I can tell you that I realized:  I don't have to use EVERY textbook I own!!!!  I can pick and choose and, as long as I am covering the subjects, it doesn't matter how many, or how few, books I use to cover it!  As long as the job gets done well.  To that effect... sometimes less truly is more!

I share all of this, in case you are like me in anyway, staring at a book case or boxes full of material you think you have to use all of before the year ends... you don't!  Just relax, take a deep breath, and turn to God to guide you through what He thinks is most important for helping your child develop into a wonderful and intelligible human being!

Snapshots of Homeschool

The question was posed by this week's Carnival of Homeschooling host, Sprittibee; "What does your homeschool, schooling room look like?" and I just had to answer!

Most articles I read on this matter give an in-the-box answer with one room and one way of getting things done... just last year I gave an in-the-box answer to this question!  But something changed.

I have an ADHD child, a Dyslexic child and a child who LOVES to learn the traditional way.  My teaching style has become very eclectic to accommodate all of their needs and see success as a result.  I would love my homescool to look like this:

(I love old school houses and the thought of teaching in one!)

I so wish I could fit three of these desks in my house!!

But it doesn't... it isn't even close.  I do still have our "school room" ...

But it is in our dark, dank, no windows, basement and after a while... it gets kind of depressing!  So, it has been converted to rec-room now.  The maps are still up and the corner with table is the same only its main use is as art and craft area (all our lovely messes blend in with the dark carpet!!)

First day of Fall art this past week!

Bulletin board in our arts and crafts area with pictures we did during a study of Uruguay last fall

Our actual "learning area" is everywhere now! For example, kitchens just aren't for cooking anymore:

 Ok, so this looks like cooking... but it isn't!  Above, we are practicing spelling words in flour... it has helped my visual-spacial learners do better on their tests!  Although... it does make more mess to clean up!  But worth it!

Below, they are practicing math facts with quizzing calculators while I make french toast for breakfast.

The dining room table is often used for homework...

... and therapy

However, the couch, the coffee table (the living room in general!), and even the picnic table on nice days can make lovely work areas as well!

The kids made "stores" and went "shopping"!

Garden planning and seed charting

And field trips.... God has given us such a marvelous classroom in His creation!  Our favorite was after reading The Secret Garden and we went to some public gardens near by to sketch and observe

Although, winter field trips for some P.E. at the ice rink are always grand!

I do miss the 'traditional' classroom set-up we had when we first started homeschooling, and I do have certain areas that are set aside for homeschooling materials, but as you explore my blog and get to know me, you will quickly learn that, in as much as I miss the traditional, we have a lot of fun learning in the eclectic, out-of-the ordinary ways and places!

May God Bless you and your homeschool classroom today... no matter where it is!