Welcome to 2013! Isn’t that amazing? 2013? Well, this year I am going to try something new. I plan to give you 52 Tips for Homeschoolers, bringing your one each week of the year. I hope you enjoy the tips. If you have any tips to share, I would love to hear them. So let’s get started.
#1 – Start the Year Out Right
The first tip is to make sure you start your year out right. This doesn’t mean you have to make a big production or a party. Just remember that it’s a new year and sometimes that’s a great time to make an necessary changes.
Whether your changes are big like a whole new math curriculum or small like changing your schedule, this is a great week to start. If you have decided to make some changes, determine which changes you are going to make and then determine what needs to be done to make them. Get started right away.
Maybe you need a new approach, a new attitude, or a new subject to miss things up. Consider adding an internet class or online game to change things up. Start your morning with some exercise or a nature walk. Look into a homeschool group or extra curriculum activities. Whatever you feel your need, it’s 2013…a new year. Now is the time to make the changes you need to make your homeschool run more smoothly and effectively.
What changes will you be making in 2013?
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One year I had a particularly rambunctious group of kids. When they came in from recess and needed to start their math class they just wanted to play. I would let them listen to a classical music piece with their heads down on their desk. It was a great way to get focused and they had the bonus of learning and appreciating great music. Try it and see how it works with your little ones.
Barb Klein
It is wonderful how classical music can settle. We use it regularly in our school and with the kids in general. We have a composer study each term in our school so we paly selections from the composer we are studying; however, this term we are studying ballet in general so we are listening to ballet’s. Last term is was orchestra and we studies orchestras in general. Soon we are switching to opera. Next year we will be back to particular composers.
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Unfortunately, new homeschoolers often don’t know what their educational philosophy is, so they buy items based on other people’s recommendations. But before homeschoolers buy any curriculum, they should spend time figuring out what their own philosophy is, then figuring out the philosophy of the curriculum they want to buy, to see if it’s a match. With curriculum catalogs, used-curriculum sales, and homeschooling conventions, it is very easy get caught-up in the excitement of buying new curriculum. Next thing we know, however, several months have passed and we’re struggling with a popular, but mismatched, product.
Good point. It is best to always look for something that works best with each child’s learning style. Thanks for stopping by.
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I have found that understanding my children’s learning styles is most helpful. I have also learned that whole brain teaching teaches to all the learning styles at the same time.
When my 6, 7, or 9 year old (two with disabilities) have trouble understanding concepts in print, I get out the Legos or Duplos. Though we have math manipulatives too, somehow by pulling out something in the “toy’ category rather than “math” category, their attitude changes. I’ve also had great success with my dyslexic learning her times tables with Times Tales from Trigger Memory Systems.
That is such a good point. Using “toys” can really help make learning fun and help them loose the inhibitions that are preventing them from learning. Thanks for sharing.
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Here is a great idea for having fun with math without the expense of manipulatives. Play math basketball. You will need a sheet of wadded paper (ball), trashcan, dry erase board, marker, and masking tape.
Set up the waste basket and put two strips of masking tape on the floor–one two feet away from the basket and another three feet away. If a child stands on the first line and makes a basket it is worth one point; a basket from the second line gives two points.
Call out a problem and the children copy it on the board and solve. The first person with the correct answer wins 3 points and gets to choose which line to make a basket from. If they make a basket their score increases by 1 or 2 points, 3-5. The opponent makes a basket and could end up with 0-2 points in the first round. A round of applause could make both people feel good. If there is a big difference in abilities or age allow the children to copy the problem with help and do not solve the problem until both children are ready to solve.
You can do this with teams if you have enough students.
Love it. I’m totally gonna do that. I may use it with my class for review work as well. I love the idea. Thanks for sharing as always.
Starting out right certainly does help ease potential problems. A little planning goes a long way. 🙂
There are lots of folks who are just beginning the homeschool adventure in mid-season, so tips are are truly helpful. I often suggest an e-book I found at Time4Learning for those new to homeschooling. It was written by homeschooling families just for new homeschooling families. It is comprehensive without being overwhelming.
http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool/how-to-homeschool.shtml
I have been homeschooling for about 7 years now and I still love to find good tips and ideas, so thank you for sharing, and I look forward to reading the rest of your tips.
Joyfully,
Jackie
Good information. Thanks for sharing.
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