I know it's April but I thought I would share our homeschool rhythm, a little reflection of our last year, and resources even though every parent is looking forward to summer break. We homeschool year round, just take it a little lighter in the summer, focusing on math and reading together when the heat is a little too high for comfort. While we're all looking forward to summer I hope this is encouraging to you and it gives you some ideas of fun activities for your summer days or this next school year. Enjoy!
I've shared on Instagram that over the years our homeschool has transitioned from doing every page in our curriculum book to doing less. I've learned it's not about trying to accomplish every curriculum book or even every recommended activity. I found for myself that it created a lot of anxiety if we missed a day, I'd think we were suddenly "so far behind", that I was "failing" my children. When that's not true. I also realized it was causing burnout. Over the years I've learned to let go more and more, realizing that it's okay if we miss a day and it's surely okay if we don't finish the curriculum books we do have. I've learned that it's okay to let go and let our days flow. In fact some of our best educational days are ones that weren't planned. When you allow more flexibility, curiosity and creativity tends to blossom in unexpected ways. You'll then find yourself enjoying learning right along side your children. That was the "ah-ha" moment for me. It was then that I realized we were rushing through our days instead of living a slower life that the Lord has called us to. We were too focused on getting through lessons instead of soaking in the rich history around us, or taking the time to watch the birds in our own backyard. Since focusing more on a rhythm I have found myself to be more inspired, enjoying the freedom, and the connection.
OUR CURRENT FAMILY RHYTHM
Our last year ended up being our best rhythm yet. It's taken a few years to finally find a good rhythm for our family and I'm sure adjustments will continue each new year.
Our weekly schedule looks like:
Everyday: Bible, Morning Basket, Math, and Language Arts
Monday + Wednesday: Social Studies
Tuesday + Thursday: Science
Friday: Nature or Artist Study
NOTEBOOKING
Our primary way of tracking what we have learned is by notebooking. Which means the boys will narrate to me what they learned whether its from a book we read, a documentary, or both. I'll write or type it out for them and they will copy it into their notebooks and illustrate a picture that relates to the topic. This typically covers our language arts for the day. While they narrate to me I will ask questions to help them restructure their sentences, giving opportunity to work on parts of speech and grammar. By doing this method my boys are now writing above grade level and one of my boys wants to become an author. It's a gentle approach that's become our favorite way to connect.
There are a few resources I'll share at the end that we use for notebooking and art that add a bit of extra fun to our weeks. It's been really important to me as the boys continue to get older that we are finding ways to come together. We read aloud, explore, and do artwork together. One thing I've learned about myself over the years is it's really hard for me to stick to a curriculum. I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of going with the flow and allowing the interests my children have to lead the way. I guess you could say our homeschool style is eclectic. I love the interest-lead approach of unschooling, the artwork/handwork of Waldorf, and the literature and nature study approach of Charlotte Mason. Depending on the season we might lean more towards one style over another but its consistently those three. I'd even say there is a bit of a unit study approach with science. But the one that tops them all is natural learning. The beautiful thing about homeschooling is there are many opportunities for natural learning.
An example of natural learning was when we started off our year with a family vacation to Georgia. The amount of natural learning we were able to pack into a week was unforgettable. The boys enjoyed the Coca-Cola Space Science Center in Columbus, GA. But our favorite was the National Infantry Museum which is also in Columbus.
Experiences are one of the greatest ways for children to learn. Our budget doesn't always allow us to pay admissions for all of us so we try and find free activities. A great free activity is visiting your state capital. We recently took the boys to the capital in Boise, ID. They enjoyed it so much that they were sad when it was time to leave. Our capital offers a scavenger hunt for kids to participate in while visiting the capital. The information center offers a brochure with a map that leads you from the offices of the Governor, to the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and so on.
After our trip to the capital the boys notebooked about their experience and what they learned. What are some of your families favorite activities? Any you'd recommend we try?
DAILY RHYTHM + RESOURCES
We start our day off with our Morning Basket which is filled with more items that we go through together. We don't have a set time in the morning when we gather but I aim for right after breakfast which is usually between 9/9:30. What you'll currently find in our Morning Basket here. We also love reviewing these Secret Story Phonics cards.
After we dive into math. Each of my boys are using a different math curriculum this year. My oldest is in Pre-Algebra. I knew there was no way I was going to be able to teach him Pre-Algebra even with a teachers guide, math is not my strongest subject. For Pre-Algebra we have been using Denison Math and we have both loved it. There are no longer tears and frustration from either of us. He will continue to use it next year for Algebra 1. For my middle son we have been using Math With Confidence. It's been such a great fit for him. My middle son struggles to focus and this has been the perfect amount of learning a new concept and review. My youngest used a new resource for math this year, called Zearn. This one was great when I needed extra one on one time with my middle son but it's not something I would use again. I still found myself grabbing our Charlotte Mason Arithmetic and focusing on lessons from it. Charlotte Mason Arithmetic is a gentle, living approach that make it easier to retain math concepts.
After math we gather together again for history and science we have enjoyed using Beautiful Feet curriculum. I loosely use the teachers guides but we love the recommended books. They recommend mostly living books which are a favorite in our house. We enjoy reading books that tell us about history, people, different cultures, and the natural world around us.
Once we've finished we take a break for lunch and a little free time. Then I take time to read individually with each of the boys. We use the original McGuffey's readers and Booster Cards from The Good and The Beautiful. Booster Cards A, Booster Cards B, Booster Cards C
For nature study we use two courses from Wild + Free, the Nature Journal Course and The Young Naturalist. If you follow me on instagram then you know I have a deep love for the Wild + Free community. It's what inspired my homeschool journey and has left me with the confidence I have within our homeschooling and motherhood. If you ever get a chance I highly recommend their yearly Wild + Free conference. You will leave full of inspiration, confidence, and a full heart returning home to your family.
Last year I discovered a small company called Lily and Thistle. They offer several art courses that are not only fun for the kids but I love doing the lessons right along with them. We have their Nature's Art Club, Watercolor School Course, Math and Art Connection, and Around the World. She provides a video that walks you through each art project step by step, a supply list, and extra resources of youtube videos and books that are related to the project.
Here is a sample to Nature's Art Club.
Another resource we use for science is Mel Science Kits. We have loved these for science experiments. Everything is shipped to you in a box which I appreciate because then I'm not trying to remember what we need when I run to the store. They provide several experiments in each box and if you download their app there are additional experiments to try and educational videos. It makes planning out a science project easy.
A resource we enjoy using for nature study and geography are monthly letter subscriptions. Letters From Afar is a fun way to learn about other places and cultures across the world. Each letter comes with a "Field Note" which gives extra information and a fun challenge. Out of all the letter subscriptions we are getting right now the boys would tell you their favorite is Writings from the Wild. Each month is a new featured animal or insect and each basic letter comes with a collector's card with key facts. There is a premium option which offers the double sided letter, collector's card, sticker, postcard, and the "Sketchbook Files" that includes the scientific classification of the animal and steps to draw it. You can actually get a discount off your order by using the code "Simplyrooted" at check out. After we read through the letters we grab out our notebooks, draw the animal, and write down the key facts. Often times we will dive even further by pulling out more books in our home library or look up videos to find out more.
Do you have any fun monthly subscriptions your kids love?
I hope you found this encouraging. I understand that the way we homeschool isn't for everyone and some people need more structure. You don't have to homeschool the way we do, that's the beauty of home education right? We get to choose what works for our own family.
For all of our other homeschool supplies, books, games, etc we enjoy. You can find them here.
*Several but not all of these link are affiliate links so a small percent of your purchase does go to supporting our family.
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