Today we start our new homeschool year. Our year runs from January to November. We do 13 weeks on then 2 weeks off except from Thanksgiving to the 1st Monday in January. 5 weeks of fun. Gets us relaxed and recharged for the new year.
This year, I am making a few changes. Really, more of a commitment to do things differently. Here they are in no special order.
Do more craft and art activities. Madison is artsy fartsy. She loves to draw and make things. I don't incorporate that nearly enough into our school day. I'm making it a priority to do at least one artistic thing per week with her.
Put more emphasis on getting lessons done promptly. I have been more than lackadaisical in this area. I am not doing my children any favors by not teaching them to diligently finish their work. This will not serve them well when they get a job. We have a great system in place. It's just easier to send them off when I need to do my chores . Then I simply forget we still have lessons to do. This year, I am doing the lessons then my chores. If I have to stay up late to get the chores done then so be it.
Take 1 field trip per week. Lots and lots of learning takes place outside the confines of books. We are going to get out of the house every week and find something new to do. Stay tuned for those adventures. This is my favorite resolution!
Incorporate a family read a loud. We have done this in bursts in prior years. It is a great break in the day to relax with a book. It also gives us the added benefit of giving us something to experience share . Fun memories will result.
Do more experiments and hands on stuff. My kids are just like me. They learn better by doing. So why isn't that the cornerstone of our homeschool?
That's it. Nothing spectacular. Just a few things to make the Rogers Academy a better place. Some place to learn lots and make special memories. Learning and fun, who knew?
:) we also started school yesterday and one thing I decided I needed to improve on was 'drawing' and nature walks! sadly we havent done much of either over the last few months!
ReplyDeleteA couple of simple things: (1) drawing notebook for copying diagrams, illustrating a scene, etc. Let her choose what she wants to draw. (2) nature notebook of course (3) book of centuries (we take ours to the museum) (4) science journal to document experiments
ReplyDeleteThanks so much guys! The post wasn't done but I apparently set it to publish. lol
ReplyDeleteWe are big into art here because the girls love it. Even their 2-year-old brother likes to get in on the art time. We are really horrible about doing outside stuff, though. That should be a goal for us, too.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do it! We are already seeing benefits!~
ReplyDeleteNot spectacular but sounds EXACTLY like the thoughts in my head about what I need to incorporate into our school more. Minus the finishing lessons on time...well...I need a little bit of that for my Kindergartner. LOL just thinking about that little one. My Madison, like yours loves projects and art and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI did the simplest of simple science experiments this week and they ate it up. It was so simple...I think they were all over it b/c of the lack of that kind of thing in our school in the past. So I'm going to try and do more in that area also. Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!! Love your orange swirls also. :)
Thanks Steph! Funny how the simple things make every one happy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great resolution list for your homeschool. I agree with you 100%. My biggest thing is to let the lessons progress in accordance to each child. I think I push a little too much. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am hopping over from Mosaic Reviews to say hi and to follow your blog. I look forward to becoming a new reader of yours. See you around! ~Elyse/Oiralinde