New to Homeschooling - Advice?

[Audj]

We have decided to homeschool our daughter this year. She is the first of five children that we do this with so the concept is new to us. We will be using the Pear Blossom program.

 

Can anyone give me advice on scheduling? I know home schooling doesn't have a strict schedule like school does, but I feel I need something to start with. Some sort of ground work to stick my heals into.

[Elijahsmama]

Last year was my first year. My son will start first grade next week. The first was a learning experience. We are currently using a cyber school. It was a lot of trial and error and everyday is a little different since I work one or two days a week. We needed to learn flexibility. We don't specifically have a schedule. If we need to start early we will or if something comes up and we need to start later than we do. Everyone is different.

[Anakalia]

Early in the day

Early in the week

Early in the month

 

 

The beauty of homeschooling is in it's flexibility to be changed as needed.

 

You don't mention age(s) or grade level(s) - but when you are just getting started with a 5 or 6 year old child is a lot different than when you are starting with an older child who's been in any other type of school.

 

Are you one who needs to write out a schedule for each day?

Do you do things more based on how you're feeling? other's demands on your time? somebody's work schedule? or school schedule? or even just service and meetings?

 

Maybe with a little more info, more help will be offered.

[Audj]

My daughter is starting grade 7/8. So she has been in a public school up till now.

 

I feel she needs a schedule to help keep her on track.

 

For now I have provided her with an agenda which I fill in what I expect her to have done by a certain day. But as long as at the end of the week what I've asked her to do is done, the rest is fair game (-ish).

 

So far this is working out.

 

Mostly she doesn't like physical activity time...but it is a little early here and the various opportunities for enrolling her into various activities are not offered yet.

[MizPeg]

Last year was my first year. My son will start first grade next week. The first was a learning experience. We are currently using a cyber school. It was a lot of trial and error and everyday is a little different since I work one or two days a week. We needed to learn flexibility. We don't specifically have a schedule. If we need to start early we will or if something comes up and we need to start later than we do. Everyone is different.

At the Watchtower study a few weeks ago, a sister gave a point on training (teaching) your children. Your responsibility, is to make Jehovah real to your child. If he has a problem, he can pray about it, and that peace will become real to him. I thought that was about one of the most profound answers I had heard in a long time!

[Elijahsmama]

At the Watchtower study a few weeks ago, a sister gave a point on training (teaching) your children. Your responsibility, is to make Jehovah real to your child. If he has a problem, he can pray about it, and that peace will become real to him. I thought that was about one of the most profound answers I had heard in a long time!

I agree making a connection to Jehovah so is super important. Times have changed and we can't just float on by. These poor kids have it so much harder than most of us did. They see and hear things we never worried about. Homeschooling is hard sometimes but the end game is it so worth it. I don't want to be over protective and force my son to live in a bubble that's not normal either. Helping him to love Jehovah, people and the congregation. That's the true goal.

[Elijahsmama]

My daughter is starting grade 7/8. So she has been in a public school up till now.

 

I feel she needs a schedule to help keep her on track.

 

For now I have provided her with an agenda which I fill in what I expect her to have done by a certain day. But as long as at the end of the week what I've asked her to do is done, the rest is fair game (-ish).

 

So far this is working out.

 

Mostly she doesn't like physical activity time...but it is a little early here and the various opportunities for enrolling her into various activities are not offered yet.

I don't how it works in Canada but Pennsylvania requires so much physical activity time a year. The school he belongs to sent a nice book along with "toys" (he is in first grade). The book helped to show the importance,of finding activities our kids like and will keep doing. But in the mean time use different things to keep them active. Cleaning the house, raking leaves, washing the car etc. that to me was helpful advice, because once I changed my perspective on actives than the opportunities changed also.

Btw. Welcome to the joys and pains of homeschool. Thankfully Jehovah helps me endure this has well! He will help you to!!!

[PrairieGirl]

I'll give you the advice a seasoned homeschooling sister gave me, when I first started.... do not feel you have to stick to one kind of curricula if it's not working for you. Find what works best for your child and your family. 

 

I'll be honest, I've not heard much good about Pear Blossom, except being witness owned, otherwise, I hear it's very dry, and most children are bored with it. For witness Curricula, I hear nothing but good about Jenny Westbrook's set up. It's much cheaper too. 

 

For us, we are eclectic, I put my own curricula together. I also used a program like Word, to design my own planner. Printed it, took it to a office store had them laminate the front and back cover, and spiral bind it. LOVE it. 

 

I can't say I really have a "schedule"... as much as a general plan of what I want covered for the year. I know I want us to cover the year book for instance, that's part of social studies, so I assign so much reading of it each week til done. I also have daily Bible reading, and created and designed my own Bible reading schedule that does work for the whole year, with coridinating activities, etc. Same for the Fruitages of the spirit. 

 

Then I have a few curricula books, that I break down into how much we need to get done each week to cover it for the year... but I'm not die hard on finishing every curricula book, as not even schools do. 

 

I usually try to write out my general plan for the next day.. each day... if I can get a week in advance that's good and nice but I'm not hard and fast on that either. I just like it the day before at least written up. I use Frixion pens to write up my plans, so that if they change, I can erase them easily! lol 

 

We have no physical exercise requirements in my state. But, my children are young-9, 5, and 4. They like to be physical, so I don't need to do anything with that. Basically I open our door, and they go out side and play for hours... no problem! Today, they swam, intertubes, played in the sand, did the zip line, played tag, jumped on the trampoline... hmmm probably some other things too, but I know for sure they did those things today outside. 
 

This is our 4th year homeschooling. We love it! You will find your groove and what works for you too. But, just keep in mind, it you or your children are not enjoying it, you can change things, and make it enjoyable for you!