Podcast
Ep. 34 – Winterize Your Homeschool
What winter teaches us about homeschooling well.
Is your homeschool feeling hectic as winter settles in? Wondering how to find a balance between rest and productivity this season?
I'm Kelly
When my oldest daughter was in first grade, we decided to take her out of traditional school and teach her at home. Although she was thriving academically, she needed more than the school system could give her to develop emotionally. So, we rolled up our sleeves and learned all we could about homeschooling. We read books, followed blogs, attended a local conference, talked with veteran homeschooling parents, and attended a curriculum fair.
I thought I was ready.
I turned a room of our house into a school room. That first morning, she sat at a vintage desk, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, and I turned to the chalkboard to teach from the box curriculum I had purchased.
This story is nothing new. It is almost identical to most of the stories I hear from many other homeschooling parents. I had a book full of subjects to teach, quizzes and tests to administer, and worksheets to assign. I had brought the classroom home.
Looking back, I am so grateful for our journey and the key learnings from the many mistakes along the way. Failure is a great teacher. Amidst all those mistakes were hours of schooling, battles over assignments, cajoling, frustration and tears from both of us. Bringing the classroom home was not the solution.
Our journey to educate excellently at home has led me through countless books, podcasts, mentoring, conferences and community to finally identify what children need most from their education – a partner/mentor to lead and guide, but to also co-learn, co-adventure, collaborate and connect.
An educational environment isn’t limited to one room and one desk, but is open to the whole house, neighborhood, community and world.
Homeschooling allows us to travel and see in-person the subjects we learn about. To wonder and question and investigate a topic that is especially captivating. To have the time and space and excitement to dig down and go deep with a particular concept or idea. Learning is not boring. Learning is a quest.
The 90-Minute School Day is a framework and system for parents. It guides families through 90 minutes (or less) of learning opportunities per day for the whole family. This framework can be used to both forward and reverse plan. Based on our years of educating at home (and the research that has shaped this process), we have created a system of approaching learning that will spark imagination, ignite wonder and bolster courage in your children. It will inspire your whole family to adventure.
The 90-Minute School Day is for parents or caregivers to use to educate the whole family, not just one child, together.
Learning continues beyond the 90 minutes throughout the day in your children’s play, imagination, and free time. All you need are healthy boundaries, a rhythm to guide the day, and plenty of open time. You will be surprised throughout the day, overhearing your child explaining something they’ve learned to you, a sibling, a friend or even to themselves.
We invite you to join us on this adventure, this quest, into building a community of like-minded families who want to endeavor with their children to open new worlds and expand horizons of opportunity by learning together at home.
