A Winter Tutorial for Homeschooling

Posted by Karen | 1 comment

Homeschooling in winter can be a little dreary to say the least. Hang on mama, the weather will turn warm again, the light will shine again…but for now…make the best of those winter days and fight the blahs of January!

1. Start a gratitude journal-not just you, but one for each of your kids. Even if they can’t write words, they can draw pictures. Make it a part of each day in your schedule. We have scheduled it as part of our Bible time, which is a non-negotiable time in our day. When children (and adults) learn to be grateful, it makes the dark days seem much brighter. Older children can also pick a Bible verse to go along with their day. Have them pick one that describes being grateful, or simply any verse that appeals to them that day. Being in the Word each day is something that is so important to train our children to do. Make it a habit, and a lifestyle.

2. Take advantage of the cold dark days to get things accomplished. Once warm weather hits, you will want to be outside. So take advantage to do those jobs around the house-organizing the pantry, sorting through clothes bin, etc. Purge.

3. This goes for homeschool as well-focus on drills, focus on practicing skills, have spelling bees, geography bees, watch documentaries-extra things we may not normally have time to do. If you are snowed in, use it for educational purposes-learn about snow, do a snow unit study, etc. Don’t take off for snow because the schools do-get work done NOW, so when the warm weather hits, you can take time off to celebrate the sun!

4. Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in your homeschool. Every year on the third Monday in January, we do a special time of learning about his life and his message. We always watch the “I Have a Dream” speech, and I never fail to tear up. Focus on God’s message of love for all people.

5. Enjoy this time. Once spring hits, things always seem to speed up. Enjoy the hibernation of wintertime. Sip cocoa while you work. Enjoy being inside together. Don’t see it as being stuck indoors, but cherish it.

Winter homeschooling can be a big blessing. We don’t have to fight the snow to get places, watch the weather forecast wondering if we have school the next day, or go out in the cold. What a blessing to be cooped up for a bit with those we love.

Take advantage of the time-before we know it the weather will turn warm again. Enjoy the gift of winter!

Karen DeBeus is married to the love of her life, Steve, and a homeschooling mom of 4 children ages 10-2. She was called to homeschool when her oldest was kindergarten age after thinking, “I could never do THAT!” Now she is passionate about encouraging others on their homeschool journey. She is also working on simplifying all areas of her life,including homeschool, and putting God first in all she does. Read more about her journey to simplify at www.simplylivingforhim.com.