Everyone was at their desks at the right time. Nomi finishes with her painting which illustrates a poem in LLATL, Josh does Latin, Jess writes up a shopping list for 2 projects the kids want to complete this afternoon. This is her typing assignment for the day. Daniel works on his counting. I feel a little stressed. Compared to the last few days I am pushing things to be completed in time. There has been no stress over the last few weeks when we have been productive but not opening the workbooks.
What is going on here?
I had to think about it. It is easy to say that the workbooks were bringing the stress. But I know there are lessons in these programmes that I want my children to diligently study math, writing practice, reading, phonics, typing, etc This is something I have thought through I know what I want to happen and I know why. I want these subjects to be studied for a small time everyday. This not only ensures they get to know the skills required in math, reading and writing but teaches them the discipline of working through something, completing it, it gives them the discipline to study bottom on seat!
Okay, it is not the workbooks or subject matter.
Is it the time of day? No, our kids have been up for hours, they are ready for some study.
Then I had a close look at myself what was I stressing over really? I was rushing, and pushing to get everything done, I was a little flustered as I changed from one childs needs to the other. And I came to my conclusion .
Who said my children had to complete all of these lessons in this set period of time? Whoever said it, I had bought it! Back to my thinking .
As long as my children were actively involved in pursuing math, reading and writing in this hour and half time block it didnt matter what pages, what lessons etc were completed. My goal would be met if they were learning in a disciplined, structured sense. The timeline [to complete each lesson, unit, volume] connected to each curriculum was an ideal written for the purposes of publishing. My timeline had to fit in with my family.
So we will see how we go today. Learning together, doing what we can, keeping our whole day in balance with all the things that cross our path.
Belinda
I totally agree! The timeline has to agree with your family. This was well-written. Thanks!
I wholeheartedly agree with you! I have learned to put aside my "homeschool timeline," as to when things need to be accomplished since we adopted my oldest daughter from Kazakhstan when she was 10. She hadn't had ANY formal schooling and couldn't even add 1+1. It was very frustrating since I had our "catch up" in homeschooling all "mapped out." Now, she has done very well over the past 2 1/2 years (in 6th grade math, for instance), but we are leaving that behind this next year to focus on time and money skills, which she never fully grasped due to a learning disability. Anyway, I agree…do what you can with the time given you. Your kids will learn everything they need to learn in due time! Relax and enjoy learning!
Lisa Metzger