When the Plans Fly out the Window
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As a new homeschooling family we have encountered many
instances that PLANS had to be set aside because the madness stepped in. The one thing that has drove me to the edge
of the cliff is that my children have been in public school and for lack of better
words have been programmed to the structure and the institution of Public
Education. Now that we homeschool, I’m
constantly reminded that, that is not the way Ms. A or Ms. B does it. Or we do math after reading or we watch a
movie on Friday. I have to restrain myself
from saying well “We don’t go to XYZ Elementary School anymore and I stayed up
to 3:00 am this morning planning out this day and I don’t feel like convincing you
that this is how WE do it.
The thing that has been the maddest moments and the most
rewarding is when the plans flew out the window and we just enjoyed learning
about a particular subject. Once I stopped
trying to force a strict planning structure in an informal setting was the
moment the madness subsided. I still
have my plans because I am a teacher and we were taught to make lesson plans,
schedules and routines. I just use these
tools a little differently now. They are
more of a guide and we try to cover what is planned for the week but we welcome
encounters with learning throughout the day and learning happens all the
time. Not just when the box says at
10:00 am complete math assignment 2.
What has been a maddening moment for you? What do you do in such cases to bring back
sanity into the situation? Please share your comments below and don't for get to enter the Giveaway to win:
Plans fly out the window often at our house!
ReplyDeleteWell we must always have a window open huh. :-)
DeleteI loved this post Richetta! I have heard from many former teachers that they struggle with this and as a former public school student, I have really had to learn to let go of trying to emulate the school in our home. I used to try and stick with the public school schedule for the year and everything! Yeah, we quickly found that did not work for us and we didn't need that kind of structure, we needed to learn to enjoy the freedom homeschooling allowed us. Right now, with a baby due, our plans have definitely been flying out the window, and that's just fine. We get the basics done and it's all good.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine being with child and running around behind little ones to get them to do math... I have found ways to make them feel like they are planning their day. When they feel in charge they work better
DeleteEvery day seems like madness with homeschooling 6 kids!
ReplyDeleteYes homeschooling a lot of kids at once is a great challenge but very entertaining
DeleteMelanie! You are the winner! Please email me your address so I can ship your Hardcover copy of the Solar System Book! richettablackmon1977@gmail.com
DeleteI can definitely relate! .This is also our first year of homeschooling and there have been many days where my plans go out the window. On those days we read, play, go outside, or find other ways to unwind. Thanks for this offer, our 9 year old loves space!!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome and we are studying the solar system as a family they are really excited about it!! The unit is a little advanced but I take what I need and adapt to younger kids.
DeleteI homeschool in spurts. When we're excited about a topic, we can do a week's worth of work in one day. Other days, as long as we do math, all the rest goes out the window. We end up going out for a walk or something, especially if the kids are grumpy and fighting more than usual.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that this is normal and I'm not the only one! Some days I would feel like such a slacker when we didn't get much of anything done. But, as time goes on I'm realizing that everything we do is learning. Whether its learning in academic areas, learning how to work together through play, learning how to cook, or just learning how to have fun and relax, we're learning all the time. I feel confident that if they need to know it, we'll get there!
ReplyDelete