Learn some tips for homeschooling when you are just starting out. Successfully navigate the ins and outs of virtual school or homeschooling by following these tips!
This is a series called Get Started With Homeschooling. I’ll be writing about everything you need to know when getting started with homeschooling. Having a vision for your homeschool, curriculum choices, tips and tricks, routines and organization, and thriving in your homeschool.
Click the links below to read the posts in this series:
1) No phones during “school hours”
I’m starting with the hardest one first. I had to learn this lesson the hard way. Phones in a classroom are just a distraction for you and the kids!
I am a homeschool mom and I also work from home. Part of that job involves posting stories on Instagram throughout the day.
I found myself more concerned about sharing on Instagram what we were doing during our school day than I was about taking the time to focus on teaching my kids.
That’s when I started putting my phone on silent and leaving it in the bathroom.
During our school time now my phone is not near me or the kids. I give myself permission to check my phone during bathroom breaks and lunch. Once our school day is over I take my phone off silent mode.
Trust me, you will accomplish your school time a lot faster when you are not constantly picking up your phone to check messages or social media.
2) Having a family meeting.
Make sure you take time to talk with your family about homeschool before you start your first day.
Talk with your kids about why you are choosing to homeschool. If they are older discuss the benefits and the challenges you may face during the school year.
Give time for the kids to give input on how they imagine their school day going or what they are most looking forward to.
If you have a tentative school schedule, review that with the kids. Kids love a good routine and knowing what to expect in a day.
Taking time to discuss expectations for the beginning of the school year can help fight off any fears you or the kids are having with getting started homeschooling.
3) Don’t copy a public school classroom.
I went to a public school growing up. That is the model of school that I had knowledge of. But one of the benefits of homeschooling is that you get to create your own learning environment!
Yes it’s good to have a functional work space but that work space does not need to look like a traditional classroom- unless you want it to.
The kitchen can be your classroom or a park. The kitchen table is a great place for science experiments. Sit on the couch or lay on the living room floor for read aloud time.
Don’t feel pressure to recreate a traditional classroom in your home. Create a fun and welcoming learning environment for your child that works with your family’s needs.
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4) Do Establish Your Learning Space.
Do establish a learning space. A place where the bulk of your school day will happen and a place to keep all supplies and curriculum.
It’s hard to start off your homeschool day when you are searching for the needed materials or supplies.
If you don’t have a dedicated school room your space may be a rolling cart or a few baskets.
Clear out a kitchen cupboard for holding school curriculum or get a bookshelf.
Stock up on new pencils, markers, crayons and notebooks. It’s always exciting to start the school year off with new supplies.
Begin training your kids to return books and supplies to the correct place. Keep all curriculums in one place so you don’t waste the morning grabbing all the books you need for the school day.
5) Start Homeschool Slowly.
Make the first day back to school more of a celebration and introduction day. Prepare a special breakfast. Have the kids fill out an All About Me worksheet.
The first day can be a relaxed run through of what your school days will look like. Don’t try to do a full day of lessons. Just make it a practice day and maybe focus on two core subjects like reading and math.
6) Create A Daily Routine
Creating a daily routine will help in adding structure to your day and getting rid of feeling overwhelmed.
Kids also thrive on routines. They like to know what will be happening each day.
By setting up a homeschool routine yourself and your kids will be able to accomplish the day’s lessons.
For example my kids wake up at 7:30 am on school days and start their morning routine. They need to be ready for the day and in the school room ready to work at 8:30am.
Then they begin their school routine. Each of my kids’ school routines are slightly different because of their age and grade. But we always start our school day together with prayer, Bible time and history.
Then they break out and get busy with their daily lessons.
These daily routines eliminate chaos from our days and provide a calming environment for learning.
The daily routine also prioritizes homeschool hours. Having a set time for learning helps me to stay focused on being the teacher and not get distracted with household chores or work projects.
It’s also a great example to my kids to see me prioritizing them and their school efforts.
7) Find Your People.
There will be tough days ahead. Linking up with fellow homeschoolers is a great way to find encouragement!
Look for a local homeschool co-op to join. Reach out to other homeschooling families and set up a playdate.
If you can’t find like minded homeschoolers near you try finding a group on Facebook or Instagram where you can find and give encouragement to others.
You can also start your own group and invite others to join in! Building community and friendship while homeschooling is so important. You will need the support- especially when you are just getting started with homeschool!
8) Know what’s for lunch
If you used to have your kids eat lunch at school and now they will be home you’ll want to have a lunch plan.
Knowing what you’re serving for lunch and having it planned out will save you time.
Consider packing lunches the night before or make a rotation of 3 lunch meals for the week.
I have wasted many afternoons just trying to decide what to make my kids for lunch. Having a lunch plan in place eliminates wasted time!
9) Teach as much as possible collectively.
If you are teaching multiple kids and grades you will want to do as much as possible together. It will be very difficult to be a teacher for 3 different grades and using 3 different curriculums!
After 8 years of homeschooling I have learned to teach as much as possible collectively.
Start your school day all together with prayer, bible time, or a gratitude journal. Have all kids listen to the same read aloud books or history book. Teach the same science and art to all kids.
This will make your homeschool day run more smoothly and also save you money by not purchasing separate curriculum for each child.
10) Be Flexible.
If something isn’t working give it one more try and then say “good-bye”!
If the curriculum you are using is only making you and your child frustrated then don’t be afraid to change course.
Seek help or a solution and if that doesn’t correct the situation then be ok with leaving that curriculum and switching to something else.
When you are having a hard day or the kids’ attitudes are poor go ahead and take a break.
Go on a walk or bike ride. Change the scenery and move your school day to a park.
Put the curriculum down and just read a book with the kids. Do a craft or take a field trip.
This is your homeschool and you can be flexible with your day and how it looks. You are not trying to copy someone else’s classroom ideas. You are creating your own homeschool day that best suits your family!
