Simply Basic Homeschooling

Posted by Melissa | 0 comments

If you have more than one child, you’ve probably noticed this: all the snazzy new things that were invented between babies. I have six children who were born about every two years. With each subsequent baby, there were several new gadgets and gizmos that I really wanted to have. Even though I really had all the basic supplies we needed, that latest invention seemed to solve one more problem of motherhood in a very tempting way.

The same can be said of homeschooling. There have been many changes and resources to come on the scene since I began homeschooling almost 10 years ago. And we are blessed for it. When people who are not ‘in-the-know’ on homeschooling ask me, “Where do you find curriculum?” or “How do you know what to teach?”, I just smile. The problem for homeschoolers isn’t finding the curricula or the method, it’s weeding through the gazillion resources and philosophies out there to narrow it down to what will work for your family.

Homeschooling can be as simple or as complicated as you make it, but what I’ve learned over the years, often the hard way, has brought me back to the simplicity of the essentials. Whether you’re just beginning or need to regroup for yet another year ahead, start with these basics.

A Plan
Whether you live for the planning process like I do or not, you still need a plan. It can be detailed or vague. It can lay out the next year or just the next week. Whatever style suits you, plan accordingly. A plan looks at where your going (often called goals) and what you’ll use to get there (often called curriculum). A plan ideally follows your vision. Don’t fret if you don’t have a vision for your homeschool yet or you’ve lost your vision along the way, it will come with time and prayer.

Homeschool Support
A homeschool journey without support is like taking a hike without shoes. Sure you can do it, but you won’t get very far. You’re blessed if you live in or near a city with homeschool support groups. Find one that clicks for your family and get involved with a goal to build friendships, for you and your children, and to stay encouraged in your homeschooling. If you don’t have a support group where you live, then turn to internet sites and groups where you can be encouraged, like Heart of the Matter Online. For many years, I didn’t know homeschoolers that shared my excitement for education, so I found tremendous value in the online groups and message boards I visited.

Books
Books feed the mind, inspire the heart and revive the spirit. Start with the Bible and don’t ever stop reading it. Add all kinds of books to your library–biography, poetry, history, classics, living books, picture books and atlases. Reading aloud to my children has been one of my favorite parts of homeschooling. Books are vital to your homeschool no matter what your approach to education. They are my personal weakness and I have a lovely library to show for it. But you don’t have to go broke buying books. Check your local library, thrift stores, garage sales and even Paperbackswap.com. I can’t tell you how many great books I’ve gotten for a quarter each!

Jesus
As a follower of Jesus Christ, all I do should be for Him and His glory. Homeschooling is no exception. In fact, it was Him who called me to this task in the first place knowing it is beyond my ability. But thankfully, He gives me His strength, His wisdom and His grace to teach His children. He’s the ultimate Headmaster. He will give you vision and support you won’t find anywhere else. Check in with Him each and every morning and your homeschool will stay on track.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

The 3 Rs
Honestly, I get bored with the 3 Rs–reading, writing and math. History and geography and science are much more interesting to me. They let me be a creative teacher and dig into subjects lacking in my own education. But I need to remember, I’m not homeschooling me. The 3 Rs are key to every age and stage. It’s the meat and potatoes of your child’s educational day. Fill a good portion of your homeschooling plate with the 3 Rs and you’ll still have room for all the other subjects.

Review, Review, Review
We teach stuff and kids forget stuff. Goodness, I forget stuff. I can barely remember enough from my education (which includes a Bachelor’s degree) to help my son do 7th grade math. Review is especially important with math, but also applies to grammar, science and geography. It doesn’t have to be boring. Play games on a regular basis that will enforce what you’re learning. Watch an educational video. And don’t discount the value of flashcards. They don’t have to be boring and they really do work.

A Supportive Husband
If you’re married, you want and need the blessing of your husband to homeschool. If you don’t have it, then work at getting it. Pray, pray and pray some more. There’s lots of great information out there on the many benefits of homeschooling. Going to a homeschool convention helped my husband get on board. But if after all is said and done, you’re hubby is still against it, then don’t do it. You are better off having a marriage that lines up with Scripture than keeping your kids home against daddy’s wishes. Your children are home for a short season, but your marriage will last years beyond graduation. Honor your husband and invest in your marriage.

Refreshment for Mom
Don’t let homeschooling consume you, because it easily can. It’s OK, it’s even good to do things you enjoy. It will rejuvenate you in all aspects of your life. Whether you scrapbook or run or sew or write or read or garden, continue to do it. You may not have as much time as before homeschooling, but don’t neglect things you enjoy. You will be a better mom and wife and teacher because of it. And don’t forget to take care of your health–get enough sleep, drink enough water, eat healthy foods, take your vitamins, exercise your body. Those are just the basics, but it’s so very important that mama is healthy and that your children see you modeling what it looks like to take care of yourself.

The Right Tools
You are a professional educator, no matter what anyone says. Don’t feel badly about investing in some things to make your job easier and save time. You wouldn’t be too impressed if your builder showed up with a rock and some nails. He knows the value of the right tool for the job. Some of my must-have tools in our homeschool include an electric pencil sharpener, a laminating machine, lots and lots of bookshelves, good wall maps, lots of scissors, paper, notebooks and staplers. A good planner, whether electronic or paper, is also essential so I can keep track of everything (see #1). And don’t forget quality art supplies and science experiment supplies.

Freedom from Comparisons
This is probably the most difficult thing on the list to obtain, but so essential to the well-being of your homeschool. As homeschoolers, we need each other, but that can be a double-edged sword with which we slash our own efforts. We see Sally Homeschooler and her children excelling at everything our kids struggle with. Just check out the hilarious Tim Hawkins video to get a taste of what I mean. We do that in our imaginations all the time to some degree.

We are our own worst critics. Don’t let the voice of the enemy whisper comparisons in your ear. God created your family to be unique and the plans he has for you are unique.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

The verse doesn’t say “plans to make your family a cookie-cutter copy of the family in your support group.” No two homeschools will look alike, nor should they. Follow Jesus and let Him lead your family. Make decisions based on His plan for your family, not based on fear or pride. Yes, we should learn from each other and encourage each other. But take the best and leave the rest.

Start with these ten basics and let the Lord add to it. “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24

Melissa Morgner is a happy wife of 16 years to her college sweetheart and mother to six loud, but lovable children ranging in age from 13 down to two. After eight years of homeschooling and sampling way too much curriculum, she takes an eclectic approach in their little schoolroom, choosing resources that best suit the children and the teacher. Her busy household puts her gifts of juggling and winging it to the test each day. She steals moments here and there to write on her blog, Day In Day Out, about the lessons she’s learning from the Lord in the routine but privileged tasks of mothering and homeschooling.