My son is in fifth grade this year. He’s at that age where he’s growing up fast but he still loves to snuggle on the couch with his mom occasionally. One of the things he loves the most is reading together.
We have a long-standing tradition of reading a book together each night, usually one that has a movie coming out that we’d like to see.
This year with BookShark as our curriculum, that nighttime reading tradition has become part of our homeschool day, too! Since he’s an independent reader, we haven’t included Read-Alouds in our homeschool for several years. I admit that it’s something we let slide while we were using other curriculums. But now that we’re on the BookShark bandwagon, I’m realizing how wonderful it is to use reading aloud with a middle schooler!
I’m Reading What He’s Reading
I make an effort to read almost everything my son reads, but it gets difficult especially during busy times in our lives. With Read-Alouds, we are reading together, and that means I’m sharing the story with him.
We had an awesome experience this year with our first Read-Aloud, Pablo’s Journey(from Level 3), a story about a young boy aboard Columbus’ ship. What we learned in the novel was made even clearer when we toured replicas of the Nina and the Pinta. Our field trip took on so much more meaning because we were able to discuss aspects of the book and relate it to what we were seeing!
If we hadn’t shared the experience of Pablo’s Journey, our field trip would have not been as rich of an experience.
It’s a Soothing Part of Our Homeschool Day
Between math problems and writing activities, it is great to have part of the day when we savor a little quiet and connection.
During Read-Aloud time, my son can enjoy a snack, and the dog joins us on the couch. It is a reminder of why we homeschool in the first place—to nurture and enjoy our family relationships!
Reading aloud is a part of our day that my son looks forward to the most. He asks when we’ll be reading together and will happily sit to hear more than what the lesson plan calls for that day! It is great to have at least one thing each day that I can count on to be enjoyable for everyone.
BookShark Has Chosen Great Books
BookShark has curated such an awesome collection of books for reading aloud that it makes it pleasant as a parent to share in the adventure with your child. These living books bring history to life in a way that is enjoyable and fun. They open up conversations about the time periods and spark interest in aspects of history that may not have interested your child before. The books you read make all the difference in an successful lesson, and so far we have loved all of our books this year.
There comes a point in homeschooling when your child is older and capable of reading silently. That’s when you may ditch the Read-Alouds. But that might not be the best choice! BookShark has reminded me why Read-Alouds are such a great part of learning. I’m thankful for how the books have helped me connect us with my son this year!
About the Author
Krista is the homeschooling mom of 3 boys. After 13 years she has learned the value of chilling out, going with the flow and keeping homeschooling fun! She is the blogger behind Far From Normal where she hopes to encourage parents and homeschoolers, and inspire a life lived happily outside the box!
When I was in graduate school, one of my literature professors assigned a text called The Elements (and Pleasures) of Difficulty (2004). It arrived from Amazon in a tiny box, a thin volume with an 80s-inspired cover. Irritated, I flipped through the pages and tossed it aside. I had weighty selections from the Victorian canon awaiting my time and attention. Why did I have to wade through fluff?
Probably that attitude, for starters. With the exception of the aforementioned book, the reading list for this course was challenging. I had begun to rue the day I decided to pursue this path and was contemplating withdrawing from the program.
Fortunately for me and my graduate career, I finally picked up the little book on difficulty. What a change it made in my attitude! The book not only taught me how to conquer the challenge of a difficult text, but how to recognize and appreciate the beauty of that challenge as well. The more I viewed difficulty as opportunity, the more successful I became in my academic endeavors. Challenge had become a stepping stone, not a stumbling block, and it showed.
The Growth Mindset Philosophy
Several years later, I stumbled upon the research of psychologist Carol Dweck. Her work with thousands of elementary students reflected what I discovered in graduate school: certain behaviors and habits of mind can support or suppress intellectual growth. Dweck called these habits mindsets, noting the crucial role of a positive attitude in rebounding from setback and failure.
In 2007, Dweck compiled her research and analysis into Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In it, Dweck outlines how students learn and succeed when they move from a fixed mindset (“I’ll never be good at that.”) to a growth mindset (“I’m struggling with this topic. What do I do next?”). According to Dweck,
“When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.”
Dweck’s title received immediate acclaim. Educators and parents sought to implement the ideology in their classrooms and homes. Students and teachers who exhibited a growth mindset saw an increase in achievement across the board, regardless of age or ability level.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Your Homeschool
As parents, we are the primary influence on our children’s mindsets. Children can’t challenge negative internal dialogue or attitudes effectively until external forces are neutralized. Take some of the fixed mindset phrases we often say without thinking:
“It’s okay, honey. Math is hard.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not much of a reader, either.”
“Don’t compare yourself to your sister. Not everyone’s an expert in the arts.”
There may well be truth to these sentiments. Math is hard, not everyone enjoys reading, and we all have our own talents and interests. But if we want our children to change the way they look at challenge and difficulty, we must change the way we see it as well. It isn’t easy, but putting the next four tips into practice will put you well on your way.
Growth Mindset Tip #1: Practice Purposeful Effort
Doing your best is commendable. Doing your best with the intent to move mountains is admirable and more helpful in the long run.
Growth Mindset Tip #2: Find Joy in the Process
Great minds are curious, not ambitious. Embrace learning for the sake of learning and let go of the desire for accolades.
Growth Mindset Tip #3: Encourage Reflection
Take time to evaluate the progress you have made. Ask these questions:How have we grown?What have we conquered? What lessons have we learned that we can apply going forward?
Growth Mindset Tip #4: See Weakness as an Area for Growth
Remember: Challenges are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. We all have weaknesses, but they neither define us nor dictate our actions.
Preparing for the Future
Looking back on my own academic career, I’m struck by the number of opportunities I let slip by because I was afraid of the challenge. I don’t want that for my own children. We’re working on developing a growth mindset in our own homeschool, and we’re closing in on the day when all of us view challenges as stepping stones. There’s great pleasure to be found in difficulty, as long as you know where to look.
About the Author
Ginny Kochis is a former high school English teacher and adjunct professor of English turned homeschooling mom and business owner. She writes about faith, motherhood, homeschooling and family literacy at Not So Formulaic
These fears can paralyze reluctant writers. That’s pretty much the case in my homeschool: while my daughter loves to read and tell stories, writing anything down tends to throw her into panic mode.
What’s a homeschool parent to do, then, when a child struggles to write? One common solution is the presentation of a traditional writing prompt: a question or intriguing statement that encourages a thoughtful response. This might work in theory. In practice, though, a traditional writing prompt can prove more problematic than triumphant.
Remember those questions I asked a minute ago?
What if I don’t know what to say?
What if no one likes what I’m saying?
What if I’m saying it wrong?
While a traditional prompt may provide ideas for writing, it’s unlikely to resolve or alleviate an anxious writer’s fears. For my daughter, rather than elicit a deluge of thoughts, a traditional writing prompt paralyzes her further, even if the prompt is on a topic she enjoys.
How to Use Writing Prompts with Anxious Writers
It’s tempting to let writing go and focus on other things like history or science. But I want my daughter to build confidence in writing. It’s not merely an important life skill; it’s a matter of learning to trust her own abilities as a thinker.
To this end, we’ve tried a variety of alternative prompts to get those creative thoughts flowing. From headlines and photos to mirrors and fairy tales, the following activities ignite the imagination and banish the writing blues.
1. Headline News
Create personal headlines about your own life events, then take turns filling in the stories behind them. We’ve had great fun writing stories for headlines like Preschooler Throws Dinner in Epic Tantrum and Toddler Creates Eggy Mess in Dairy Aisle. This exercise generates creative and engaging stories while you reminisce over family memories.
2. A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words
Why not use an image to generate writing? Turn to family albums, historical documents, or photojournalism for thought-provoking images. Observe and discuss the details in the photo, then make a list of the concrete images you identify. Pay close attention to the five senses: what do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? Taste? Feel? If the photo is particularly obscure, try writing a story to explain its origin. When you’re done, test your theory against the facts behind it.
3. The Golden Line
Choose an old piece of writing you haven’t looked at in a while. Read through it together and select your favorite golden line—favorite passage or inspiring quote. Copy that line to another piece of paper, then start the piece over using that as your introduction. This exercise will take your writing in new and unexpected directions and give the added bonus of a lesson in revision.
4. The Fractured Fairy Tale
What crazy conundrums can you devise when you think of favorite fairy tales? Maybe Sleeping Beauty was really an insomniac? Or perhaps Cinderella was allergic to dust? Did the Big Bad Wolf just want to be friends? The silly possibilities are endless, and so are the stories you can tell.
5. Mirror, Mirror
Stand in front of a mirror with your child, a pen and notepad in your hand. Ask your child to tell you what she sees. Record her responses, and as you do, point out what connections she’s making. If she says she’s a scientist, she’s imagining (or predicting). If she mentions her brown hair, she’s describing. If she asks who she looks like, she’s questioning. All of these (and more) are important skills for a writer. Talk about the skills she’s shown and use her responses to write descriptively.
Working with a reluctant or anxious writer isn’t so much about generating ideas. For the most part, I’ve found reluctant writers to be overwhelmingly creative. The goal is more about increasing a child’s comfort level, helping her see the process of writing as good and worthwhile. Relying on alternative prompts allows both parent and child to explore writing together, removing fear from the equation and replacing it with trust.
About the Author
Ginny Kochis is a former high school English teacher and adjunct professor of English turned homeschooling mom and business owner. She writes about faith, motherhood, homeschooling and family literacy at Not So Formulaic
The best way to build a reader is to read aloud early and often, to surround yourselves with print, and to delight in the written word. If your child has positive memories around reading, and if your child sees you reading regularly, you are on the path to raising a reader.
That said, not all readers are confident at reading aloud. In fact, many adults will blush and stammer when asked to read aloud! Still, this is a skill that should not be overlooked in your homeschool experience. Reading aloud builds fluency, boosts comprehension, and engages critical thinking skills.
I have three children but three very different readers. Whereas my boys read aloud with reckless abandon to anyone who would listen, my daughter was reluctant. She preferred to read quietly, often to a pet or a favorite doll. We gave her the space she needed and, in time, she grew into a confident reader who will now happily read aloud.
If you have a child who is hesitant to read aloud, don’t fret. There are ways to boost his or her confidence little by little. Continue doing what you are already doing but add in these helpful tricks.
1. Hear Your Mistakes
Let your child see you stumble over text. It is important for children to understand that everyone struggles to read aloud sometimes. Make a mistake, laugh about it if you need to, and then move happily along.
2. Read Aloud in Solitude
When my daughter was learning to read, she wanted to read in solitude. At first, I worried that she wasn’t actually reading aloud- but a quick listen at her door told me that she was. Some children need to practice and gain confidence alone and that is okay.
3. Read to a Younger Sibling or Child
It can be intimidating to read to an adult. I’ll never forget the first time I saw my daughter read aloud to her younger brother. She did not know I was watching, and her confidence was through the roof. She read with emphasis and a smile. Another time, she read to a young child during her brothers’ karate class. Each week, she would select books to read to the little girl, and every week her read alouds improved.
4. Read to a Pet
There is reason why read to pet programs are so popular! When my daughter was first starting to read, she would read to our dog. She continues to read to him daily, and it is the sweetest tradition. We always joke that he is the most well-read pooch in town. Dogs do not cast judgment or issue critiques and corrections. They love you no matter what you read, or how you read.
5. Read to a Stuffed Animal
When the thought of reading to a grown-up is just too much, why not read to a favorite doll or stuffed animal? Just as with reading to pets, there is no judgment!
6. Try Puppets
This is a trick I picked up from my counseling days. Sometimes it is easier to say things when you are not technically the one saying them. Why not let a favorite puppet read the book aloud? It might make mistakes a bit easier.
7. Read Aloud While Mom is Occupied
Sometimes it is the eye contact that bothers young readers. It is often easier to read aloud while mom is driving, cooking dinner, or engaged in some other task. Your child will feel less on the spot and may open up more.
As with many parts of homeschooling, helping your child become a confident reader is a matter of practice and trial and error. Sometimes things that were working for weeks suddenly stop working, so try a variety of techniques to see what is most effective for your children.
About the Author
Cait is a school psychologist, mom to three amazing children, and an unexpected homeschooler. She loves nature, good books, board games, strong coffee, and dancing in her kitchen. You can read about all of these things and more at My Little Poppies.
Are you thinking of taking the plunge into homeschooling your children? But you’re worried, right? You might even feel overwhelmed.
What if you fail?
I’m here to tell you we’ve all had those thoughts and feelings, but guess what? Homeschooling is not going to chew you up and spit you out, and here’s why.
Homeschooling Can Be a Year-by-Year Choice
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be a forever thing unless, of course, you discover that it works for you and your family. Try it for one year! If you go into the venture with an attitude that it’s a one-year trial, there’s no sense of failure if you switch educational methods at the end of the year. Tell everyone it’s a grand experiment and you want to see what happens. Keep your options open.
A solid program like BookShark can ease you into homeschooling because it provides a step-by-step Instructor’s Guide and a full curriculum package. In the beginning it makes sense to stick with a program that’s nearly foolproof instead of piecing together your school choices.
It’s okay to take homeschooling on a year-by-year basis. You can always send your kids back to public school if homeschooling is an utter disaster. If you do change paths mid-stream, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means homeschooling worked for a short season.
Education is woven into every part of your day because learning happens all the time!
Field trips and travel can happen anytime you like.
Library days can be any day!
School doesn’t have to start at 8 a.m. every morning. You can choose to homeschool at any time, day or night!
Your kids can progress at their own pace.
You can follow your child’s interests down rabbit trails of learning.
After your first trial year, you may discover that it works for your kids all the way through elementary school. It could continue to work through middle school. Hey, you might discover that homeschooling is the perfect fit for your high schooler!
Homeschooling Does Involve a Certain Amount of Uncertainty
“What if I fall… Oh, but my darling, but what if you fly?” – Eric Hanson
There is a certain amount of risk in anything we do in this life, and homeschooling is no different. But there is also the possibility of great reward when we step out of our comfort zones and explore new possibilities.
Think of anything hard you’ve ever done. It was scary. But it was worth it, right?
Now think of your biggest regrets in life. What held you back from doing what you should have done? Wasn’t it usually fear? Don’t let fear hold you back from all the rewards of homeschooling.
I know what you’re thinking:
“Math! I can’t teach math!”
“Science was never my strong subject!”
“I can’t teach a kid to read! I have no idea where to start!”
Don’t let fear cause you to avoid taking risks. It is super easy to outsource subjects that may make you feel uncomfortable—co-op classes, online classes, or tutors are all options. Plus, there are loads of quality curriculums and books to help you teach topics you feel are weak points. Teaching a child to read is not the Mr. Everest of education. I promise.
Do What Works Best for Your Family
Another big reason that you don’t need to worry about failing as a homeschooler is because you can choose your own methods—the ones that work for you!
For example, my kids would likely revolt if I attempted a strict schedule. I’m not particularly good at schedules, and my kids loathe textbooks. Give me a relaxed homeschool environment with loads of great literature, read-alouds, unit studies, art, and nature, and I can rock this homeschool gig with the best of them.
But perhaps you are more of structured schooler or prefer Charlotte Mason’s methods. The choice is yours!
Homeschooling is not going to chew you up and spit you out because you decide how homeschooling works best for you. You decide what you want it to look like and how you want to accomplish it. (That freedom in itself can be scary to a newbie, and that’s why I suggest sticking with something fully laid out and all-inclusive like BookShark’s All Subject Packages.)
The bottom line is this—do what works best for your family. Every homeschool family is different, and so are their homeschool style and methods. That’s the beauty of homeschooling! You can tailor it to fit the unique and individual needs of your family and your kids. Don’t let fear of failure hold you back. You can homeschool your children.
About the Author
I’m Erin, an introverted homeschooling mom to two intense extroverted kids. We are child led with a heavy emphasis on read alouds, games, art, nature hikes, and hands-on everything! My kids just learn better when they can use their hands. You can find me at Nourishing My Scholar.
We traded the hustle and bustle of city life for the quiet that only farm life can provide. This creates a wonderful environment for our children, complete with chickens, goats, ducks, and cows. I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls. When we’re not homeschooling, you’ll find me curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book or possibly enjoying a random dance party in the front yard to the newest Disney soundtrack.
Do you remember writing book reports as a kid? I do.
Do you remember what books you wrote about? I don’t.
Why is that?
Let’s be perfectly honest: A book report is boring with a capital B. They are boring to write, and I can assure you from a teacher’s point of view, they are boring to read. It’s really a shame, too, because more often than not, the books are wonderful!
Because a great book deserves a great project, we need alternatives to traditional book reports.
I remember squealing with joy as a new English teacher when I discovered this idea of outside-the-box book reports. My students did, too. Each time I gave an alternative book report assignment; excitement grew in the classroom with calls of “I’m going to choose this one!” and “I can’t choose. They are all so good!”
Over the years, I ate food that represented symbols, listened to monologues, watched skits, poured over diaries, and repeatedly saw students engaging, analyzing, and enjoying literature.
Now, as a homeschooling mom, I get to experience those same experiences and joy with my own children. Each time my daughter finishes a book from her BookShark Reading with History curriculum, she completes an alternative to a book report.
These creative projects allow her to deep dive a little more deeply into the novel and continue to build on all sorts of skills — all while having a lot of fun.
Sharing and discussing projects is one of the most important aspects of these alternate book reports. So encourage your student to talk about what they created, telling why and how it’s relevant to the novel they read. This might look like an informal presentation around the kitchen table or a more formal speech. Videotaping projects can also be a lot of fun and a great way for students to practice public speaking.
I’ve also found children and teens relish being able to choosewhich project they do, so give them a list like the seven options below and let them take the lead.
1. Write a New Ending or Fan Fiction
Does the book leave you hanging or wishing things worked out differently? Does it inspire you to write your own story?
Write an alternative ending to the novel you read. Make sure to include details from the original telling and change it in a way that makes sense.
You can also use the author’s style and writing to inspire your writing. Write a retelling of the story or create a spin-off from the perspective of a particular character’s point of view.
2. Create a Game
Use the setting, conflicts, and characters to create a game. Using a favorite board or card game as inspiration, design the game board, questions, and even the game pieces to show your understanding of the novel and help others learn all about it.
3. Cook or Bake
There are many ways to go about creating a food project. Answer any of the following questions to get started.
If the main character were a food, what food would they be and why?
What do foods in the novel symbolize?
What recipes are important to the characters or culture?
You can also create an edible scene that’s integral to the story. After you present it, you can eat it.
4. Pack a Suitcase
If a character from the novel was going on a trip, what would they take with them? Collect objects from around the house and put them in a suitcase. You can also make miniature versions or draw items on slips of paper and make a small suitcase.
These items might be things someone would truly put in a suitcase, like a favorite shirt, book, or journal, or they could be more figurative like the ocean, a pet, or a particular dream.
5. Interview a Character
The main character of a book has a lot to share. Secondary characters do too.
Choose a favorite character in the novel and interview them like one might for a magazine or news show. Write out questions and answers that show your understanding of the character.
6. Create a Graphic Novel or Comic Strip
Turn an important scene, your favorite part, or the entire novel (condensed) into a graphic novel or comic strip. Use artistic license and details from the text to create the characters, setting, and important details.
7. Create a Social Media Page or Profile
If a character in your novel had a Twitter or Instagram profile…
What would they post?
What types of things would they share?
Who would be their friends or followers?
What might their profile look like and say.
What hashtags would they use?
Create a social media profile (either digitally or on paper) for your character, using details from the novel to stay true to who they are.
Use these book-based project ideas to inspire your own alternatives to book reports. I bet your children can come up with brilliant project ideas on their own. The sky’s the limit, and each book lends itself to different projects.
The books we read deserve projects that reflect the same delight we had when reading the intriguing characters, detailed settings, and twisting plot lines. You don’t have to settle for another dull book report!
About the Author
Kelly left teaching middle and high school English to homeschool her children and reclaim how she and her family spent their time. Followers of interest-led learning, her family’s days rarely look the same, but they tend to include a lot of books, art supplies, and time outside.
Kelly facilitates local writing circles for women and children and blogs about nurturing the love of learning on her blog, Curiosity Encouraged. She loves to journal, read memoirs, hike, and travel. She seeks quiet mornings and good coffee daily.
When we first considered homeschooling, we were living in a state which has charter schools that partner with homeschoolers. I thought homeschooling under the umbrella of a charter school was a great way to start our homeschool journey. I’d have someone to hold my hand through the second thoughts and doubts!
Sadly, we moved right before our oldest child’s kindergarten year and thus found ourselves on our own in a new state without charter schools.
I still wanted a program that could hold my hand, at least for the first year. Without a charter school option, I was thrilled to discover all-in-one homeschool curriculumoptions. The program I bought provided the guidance I craved as a new homeschooler. With the help of that curriculum, I started off on the right foot and had confidence I was doing it right!
Fast forward five years. I’m still homeschooling, and—surprise—I still use an all-in-one homeschool curriculum.
The Homeschool Comparison Game
With such vibrant online and local homeschool communities, it’s easy to compare ourselves with others and wonder if we’re doing enough as homeschool parents. These communities are wonderful for inspiration and making connections. However, if we’re not careful, comparing ourselves to others in our communities can cause unnecessary worry and stress.
Is an All-in-one Curriculum Cheating? Or Lazy?
After our first year of homeschooling, it felt like I was cheating by continuing to use an all-in-one curriculum. I watched many of my new homeschool friends labor over lesson plans:
spending hours putting together the perfect book list for every subject
hunting down deals for every book or resource that they couldn’t find at the library
saving YouTube playlists of supplemental videos
juggling and revising yearly, monthly, and weekly assignment schedules
I envied their attention to detail in planning their homeschool year. It sounded like something “real” homeschoolers are supposed to do.
On the other hand, it also sounded tedious and overwhelming. In fact, I absolutely did notwant to go through that much work in planning our school year.
I then realized one big difference. Using an all-in-one curriculum didn’t make me a lazy homeschool mom. It didn’t mean that I wasn’t as dedicated to homeschooling as my friends. It simply meant that I had a different vision for creating a rich experience for my family.
Our Foundation Frees Me to Plan the Extras
An all-in-one homeschool curriculum gives me a foundation on which to build. That foundation is built by people who have far more knowledge and expertise in crafting an educational program than I have. By using this foundation, I can use my time to plan the extras that create a rich homeschool experience for my kids. I have time to plan field trips, nature adventures, group classes, extracurricular activities, and so on. I have time to follow my kids’ interests and put together activities and projects for them.
Our core homeschool subjects are mapped out for us. I don’t have to spend time creating our daily, weekly, or yearly schedules for each subject and then stress if I fall behind in that work. Even though the schedule is done for me, I don’t have to strictly follow it. I use it as a guide. I am free to slow down, speed up, or alter it in a way that works best for our family. It’s there as a foundation—not as shackles.
Finding Personal Balance Between Homeschool and Life
I believe that all homeschool parents should have their own interests apart from homeschooling. By using an all-in-one curriculum, I have time and energy for other obligations and hobbies:
tending my garden
teaching gardening classes
volunteering
managing our family’s finances
writing articles for my blog
It’s important that my kids see me doing these things that are for me. They see me learning about things that I’m interested in, troubleshooting problems with my hobbies, and teaching other people. They see that Mom is a person with her own needs and purpose in life—beyond being a mother.
And they get the advantage of a happy and fulfilled mom who gets to recharge with her hobbies instead of a cranky and burned-out mom who spends every free second on homeschooling.
It’s okay for the line between homeschool and the rest of life to be blurry, but it’s important for us to occasionally step outside the homeschool parent role and pursue other activities. It’s just as important to help our kids do the same, especially as they get older and their interests become more varied and time consuming. Using an all-in-one curriculum frees up my time to help them explore their interests outside of our core subjects.
Just imagine…If you didn’t have to put together your curriculum, piece by piece each year, what would you do with the time that you save? What adventures would you go on with your kids? What crazy things might you do when following your kids’ interests?
Using an all-in-one curriculum as a veteran homeschooler isn’t cheating or being lazy. It’s simply using a foundation built by others upon which you can build your own vibrant homeschool experience.
About the Author
Terri Kurcab is a homeschool mom who lives in Nevada with her husband and their two daughters. Nature has provided the cornerstone of their homeschool journey which began in 2013. National and State park visits, mountain hikes, and outdoor-based learning adventures are what Terri and the girls can be found doing most often. When homeschool is not in session, you can find Terri in the garden or spending time with a good book and a cup of tea.
Whether he’s just taking a vacation day to catch up on a house project or has a random day off from work, I love having my husband home. Don’t even get me started on that wonderful family cocoon we cuddle up in during the slow and confusing time between Christmas and New Year’s. Having my husband home in the middle of the day is a treat equivalent to when I’d be on a field trip and realize that I’d normally be in math class but was watching a show or taking in zoo animals. It’s out of the norm and always a surprise.
Well, it was.
Like millions of others, my husband has been working from home for the last few months as a result of the coronavirus. I was excited at first. Why wouldn’t I be? All of my favorite people under one roof, all day, with nowhere to go and all of our plans cancelled. Sounds like heaven to me!
Well, it did.
Once it became clear that this global pandemic wouldn’t be allowing us to return to normal very soon, my delight and optimism began to fade. Not only did I downshift to the bare minimum in our homeschool while we devoured news and statistics all day, but I also had to figure out how to homeschool with my husband working just feet away.
Talk About It First
Assumptions threaten us all, and with the novelty of our new arrangement, the temptation to hope or assume loomed large.
With my husband home, he could help me school the kids, right?
With my husband home, I wouldn’t have to be the only one figuring out what we’d have for dinner, right? He could thaw the meat, switch the laundry over to the dryer, and even give me a much-needed break during the day. Right?
While he could do these things, in theory, I couldn’t just come up with a mental list for him and expect him to fulfill my imaginations. I had to talk with him — a lot, and often.
We had to discuss what he needed to do and what extras he could take on. We had to talk about what time the day needed to start. I even had to check with him to see if there were any subjects he wanted to take over with our kids. We had to know what was expected of us and what was protected for us, everything from what times he needed a quiet place to make calls to when we needed him to keep his nose in his computer and stay out of our lesson.
We had to talk often because it turned out that I didn’t want him to take any subjects away, and his Zoom calls didn’t happen at the same time every day.
If you are homeschooling while your spouse is working from home, make sure your’e not holding onto expectations which you’ve never clearly voiced in conversation.
Schedule It Next
I am not someone who enjoys schedules. I don’t even like packing for a trip. I want everything to be available at all times for any reason. Schedules feel limiting to me, like I’m leashed to a clock, and our homeschool reflects that.
We don’t have a start time, don’t follow any particular order for the subjects, and can spend as little as 10 minutes or as much as 3 hours on a Read-Aloud. I like flexibility, so schedules feel stifling.
My husband, however, is always aware of what time it is. Even if he’s a mile away from the nearest sundial, he can, at any moment, tell you exactly what time it is. He has some internal clock that gives him this superpower, and he uses it to create, and adhere to, schedules.
We new it wouldn’t be wise to wait until tempers flared to make a plan. We needed to schedule our days so that no one was in the other’s way. Because he had numerous virtual meetings in the mornings, I couldn’t bang around in the kitchen or play a lively (but educational) game whenever we got our day started. He couldn’t pop in to chat or ask what we were having for dinner when I was in the middle of science lessons with three kids. We set our do not disturb hours and planned accordingly.
Don’t wait until you’re annoyed, interrupted, or both in need of the one laptop you own. Schedule your days, even if only loosely, to protect precious time and silence. Be sure to set aside time to be alone, time to date your partner on the couch, and time to spend as a family. It is as important to protect and plan for personal time as it is work time.
Don’t Let Home Become the Office
I’ve worked from home for over a decade and love it. Plenty of articles stress the importance of maintaining a strict routine and getting dressed in work clothes to help your mind stay in work mode. Honestly, that just means more laundry for me later and the possibility of spilling lunch on a good top. I embrace my sweatpants while working from home because one of the benefits is not wearing office attire. I also don’t work on a strict schedule, tending to get most of my work done after midnight, when anyone who would want my attention is asleep. It’s awesome. But this won’t work while my husband is working from home.
The lines between work and play easily get blurred when you
play games and watch TV in the same rooms that were homeschool areas and business offices earlier in the day
Suddenly what was once a comfort is now a rut. You feel stuck in a day that bleeds over and resembles the next. Whether it’s putting on a nice shirt or setting a time to be done with school and work, find something that separates the time spent in your home.
Maybe go for a walk after lessons are finished so you can all walk in the front door as though you’re coming home. Encourage your partner to pack away their technology that keeps them tethered to their work when finished. Put a tie on over pajamas, open the curtains, or ring a bell.
Wriggle in at least one small gesture that signals the end of the work day and begins official family time.
When in Doubt, Step Aside
I’ve been working from home and homeschooling for years. I don’t have a schedule, but I have established a routine the works. I’m used to switching between medieval medicine texts and watercolors. My husband (and maybe your partner, too) is the newbie. They’re stepping into what is, essentially, our world.
The temptation is great to puff our chests and declare that we were here first, forcing our partners to find an unused corner to set up an office. But really, our homeschool will survive if we put off a subject for a few hours or move to a different room.
It’s our spouses who are thrown for the biggest loop, who have the harder task in learning how to suddenly do their work in a way they never have before. We’re used to the din of children, but your partner is not, especially while trying to work. We’re used to grazing on snacks or having lunch whenever we feel like it, but my husband is accustomed to a set lunch hour.
The person experiencing the greatest change is the person who should be given the most grace.
When tempers flare and you start toying with the idea of spousal distancing, remember that it’s a lot harder to change the way your job is done than it is to simply change where or when it’s done. I can step aside so my husband can use a room or computer, because our homeschool is far more flexible and I’m not getting paid to do it.
We’re all under stress, experiencing situations and thoughts and news cycles we never imagined before. Change can be scary and frustrating. But by talking about and managing expectations, creating and sticking to a schedule, and extending grace to the partner most affected, you can get through this time without sacrificing your children’s education, your partner’s job, or your relationship.
It’s one of the first phrases little ones learn as parents introduce them to the world of books.
Throughout history in cultures worldwide, stories are cherished. Myths, legends, and history are passed down from generation to generation through storytelling.
Just think about the impact stories have on our day-to-day lives. Consider how they are woven into the fabric of who we are as individuals and citizens.
We love to laugh at a funny story and encourage people to “Tell her that story you just told me.” At reunions, families share stories about growing up together, the crazy things they did when they were young, and how grandma used to let them shell black-eyed peas picked from the garden.
We watch the Olympics not just for the events, but also for the stories of athletes overcoming obstacles to represent the countries they love. In their speeches, political figures inspire us with stories of heroes.
Because we are drawn to stories from the time we are young children, we seem hardwired for storytelling. Narratives connect us to others. Stories are powerful.
A literature-based approach to homeschooling uses real, or living, books instead of relying on textbooks. BookShark curriculum, for example, includes both fiction and non-fiction books along with biographies and literature. Students benefit from this book-based approach in so many ways:
Shared Literature Cultivates Strong Family Relationships
History, read-aloud (literature), and science can be enjoyed by multiple ages when done through books. Discussions about literature build family relationships through shared experience. As you listen to each person’s thoughts and ideas, you learn more about one another. And often the things you learn together become a special vocabulary just for your family. For example, you may hear one child say “precision of language, please” to a sibling after reading Lois Lowrey’s The Giver in Level J.
Stories Give Context
We remember stories better than dry facts. Sure, there’s a time and place for memorizing facts like multiplication tables. But without context, facts have little meaning whether they are about history, grammar, or geography. When you use a literature-based approach, you are giving meaning to the facts.
Living Books Are Written by Actual Authors
While textbooks have multiple writers, literature is written by one person who is passionate about the story they are telling. This is true whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. Charlotte Mason (a British educator) called these living books.
Because of this feature of living books, students aren’t only learning about the information or story in the book, they are also learning how authors craft their writing. They absorb writing skills naturally from those who do it best.
No matter what your children choose to do in the future, strong communication skills are essential. And in a world where people tend to talk at others instead of communicate with them, they will stand out as thoughtful, intelligent communicators.
Literature-based Homeschool Engages Hearts and Minds
How often do your kids ask to hear “just one more chapter” of their textbook? Probably never. But when children read or hear a good story, they become emotionally invested in it as they are learning. They want to keep going! A story may give them insight into life in another time while also subtly teaching them about character. For example, in Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, one of the Read-Alouds in BookShark’s Level D, Johnny struggles with his pride. The price he pays for this character flaw is life changing. While students learn about the American revolution, they are also learning about the impact of character.
Books Work For A Range Of Ages
With a literature-based homeschool like BookShark, you can teach multiple kids at the same time. For those subjects that require grade level lessons, like math, you can set aside time for each child to work at their own level.
Many subjects, though, can be done together. Your expectations for length and depth of work may vary according to the age of the child, but the subject matter can be the same.
BookShark is designed for this type of learning. Instead of grades, the curriculum is organized in levels that cover a range of ages, allowing students to learn at their own unique pace as well as possibly joining siblings in the same material for some subjects.
Literature Provides Connected Learning
If you grew up going to a public or private school, you probably learned subjects separately. You would go from language arts class to math class to science class to history class, and there was nothing in common with any of them. Language arts was broken up into even more separate subjects: grammar, writing, reading, vocabulary, spelling, etc. Many homeschool programs follow the same model. But in the real world, topics don’t fit in tidy boxes. Learning is connected and entwined. The literature-based homeschool is the same. Students can read and write about what they are learning in history, science, or geography.
Bonus: It’s actually more efficient to learn with a literature-based approach because you cover multiple disciplines with one book, discussion, or activity.
Literature-based Homeschooling is a Natural Education
A literature-rich approach also takes advantage of children’s natural learning abilities. For example, language arts uses copy work dictation, narration, and discussion so kids can learn how to write and communicate from real writers and in a way they’ve been learning since the day they were born.
Common Objections to a Literature-based Curriculum
You may have heard some of these objections to a literature-based curriculum, or wondered about them yourself:
Children will have gaps in their education. No matter which curriculum you use, students will never learn everything there is to learn about every subject. But the emphasis of a literature-based curriculum isn’t about teaching everything. It’s about quality. It’s about depth, not breadth. And it’s about teaching kids how to learn and think critically so they will continue their education long after they leave your homeschool.
Students won’t be prepared for college since they haven’t used textbooks. Actually a literature-based approach prepares students for college better than textbooks. Children growing up with this approach have learned from experts in their fields. They’ve read and discussed and analyzed the works of great thinkers. They’ve studied cultures and people from around the world. With this solid foundation, they will have the skills to adapt to different teaching methods.
Literature-based Homeschool
A literature-based homeschool takes advantage of those things that are hardwired into us since birth—the love of stories, how we acquire communications skills, and how we make connections across the subjects.
It’s a natural, common-sense approach that is both engaging and memorable. And with BookShark as your guide, you won’t have to look for the best books to teach your children. Instead, you can enjoy learning right alongside them.
Math can be the bane of a homeschooling parent’s life. Kids who hate math might put off their schoolwork, lose their focus during math lessons, or become frustrated when trying to learn a new concept.
A simple way to make math easier for children is to use math games. Rather than running to the store or placing an online order, try these low-prep math games you can make at home in just minutes! They’re super easy to put together and they’re a nice way to switch up math class for the kids while reducing math anxiety. You will increase the learning component if you include your kids in the creation of the games, too. Make the set-up part of your homeschool math lesson, and your kids will anticipate the fun to come and take pride in their creations. These ideas work with any math curriculum.
1. Math Hopscotch
This game can be played indoors or outdoors. If the weather is nice, draw a traditional hopscotch court on the sidewalk with chalk. Replace the numbers 0-9 with mathematical expressions: exponents, algebraic terms, or even multiplication problems.
Toss a bean bag onto the court. The player who tosses the bag skips ahead to the square where the beanbag lands and tries to solve the equation or problem. If playing this game indoors, mark off the court with masking tape on a hard floor and use flashcards to represent the mathematical expressions.
2. Graphing Multiplication Shapes
This is a good game to play when teaching children about multiplication. You’ll need graph paper and colored pencils. Use a simple multiplication problem and show the kids how to draw each problem on the graph paper.
For example, show the problem 3 x 5 by tracing three squares down and five squares over. Then complete the rectangle and color it in. Once the kids have learned how to do it on their own, recite each multiplication problem and challenge the kids to see who can draw it first.
3. DIY Tangrams
Cut out small triangles, rectangles, squares, and diamonds. Laminate them for durability. Then toss them onto a table and challenge the kids to make simple animals: ducks, dogs, horses, and more using these shapes.
4. Flashcard Toss
If your kids are feeling active, here’s a good math game to burn off some energy. Use index cards to make arithmetic flashcards. Write a problem from your recent math lessons on each card. Toss a flashcard in the air. Whichever child catches the flashcard has to answer the problem!
5. Shape Sticks
Working on geometry with kids? Try this quick activity. Draw a shape on a whiteboard or a chalkboard. If you don’t have either one, a piece of paper will do. Toss a bunch of colored craft sticks on the floor. Challenge the kids to try to recreate your shape within five seconds. The first one to do it successfully wins!
The next time a math lesson comes up, try adapting one of these games to use with a new concept. You might be surprised at how much the kids enjoy it. And the same kids who were math-phobic before may end up begging for math class from now on!
