Homeschool: Not Perfect, Just More Like A Beaten Path

I'm about to shoot straight with you.  I am not an organized person, but I have intentionally organized my home and life to bring a peace to my physical body that seems to stress and worry more than it should.  There are many families who are tossing around the idea of homeschooling next year.  Many will make a trial run this summer and see how they can "handle" it.  For many of them, the one thing that is causing them to question is the uncertainty they can handle teaching all of their kids, whether it's two or seven.  

Honestly, I am no expert.  I only have three children.  Compared to my friends whom have four or five, I am sitting in the easy chair.  But I still want to take a minute and encourage you.  I want to share some tools (links) that help me organize my average, less than perfect days.  These are things I just discovered in the past few weeks that have made my transition back after spring break a lot smoother.  

First of all, my 12 month old stays on a pretty strict schedule when at home.  He naps at about the same time everyday.  My four year old has a lot less of a school load than my seven year old.  He is usually free for the day after lunch time.  I schedule my oldest's hardest subjects after the area is clear of baby and brother.  This actually works better because he is able to do his favorite subjects in the early morning when he less motivated.

Another thing that helps my oldest is the fact that he knows what I expect from him everyday. He checks each task off of a list I have stored in the front of my binder. 

You know,  it's really awesome to see how much their little hands can get done when they apply themselves.  It gives me a little less to take care of, and it teaches them responsibility.  It's a win, win.  My close friend told me about an app on the ipad called, "Chore Pad".  My kids absolutely love it.  They are awarded an allowance each week, and this app helps me keep track.  

We just added soccer practices and games to the mix, which excites me because it adds more physical and social activity they need outside of school, church, CO-OP, etc.  But I have found that if I stick to the schedule I have created I will finish the year strong and my kids will not go crazy in the process.  Notice, I didn't even mention me.  I will be the first to admit, I do have crazy mom moments.  It's usually when I haven't been taking care of myself, or I have gotten off of my beaten path because of activities or days when we just go, go, go. 

This is what my beaten path looks like:

7:30- Baby wakes up, I feed him, shower, and dress myself
(He usually hangs with me the whole time, hence all the "never alone jokes." ;)

8:00- I wake the older boys, they get dressed, eat breakfast, and have free time until 9:00.
(This hour is when I finish getting ready, have some quiet time, or just try to keep up with them.)

9:00- Class is in session.  Opening Prayer, Group Devo using Keys for Kids http://www.cbhministries.org/ForKids/KeysforKids/ReadListen.aspx
         
9:15- The boys love science the most.  So, we start with that.

         (The baby plays on the floor, sits in the highchair, or walks around in the walker.)

10:00- Math (for both boys on their level with their curriculum)
         (baby snacks in the high chair)

11:00- Break (Free Time/Lunch)

           Baby's first nap

12:00-Language Arts/ Spelling (Aiden)

          Word Building/Handwriting (Isaac)

1:00- Social Studies (Together)
         Reading (Aiden alone or out loud)

2:00- Chores (clean up school area, pick up the house)
          (Baby is up.)

3:00- Free Time, Mommy keeps cleaning...

4:30- Get ready for soccer practices/ or church

5:30- Soccer/ church

7:30- Free Time/ Dinner

8:30- Get Ready for bed

9:00- Lights out

My Binder is my place.  I keep everything in it.

Here is a list of what goes on in there, and what I 

keep on hand all the time.

• Monthly Calendar (Outer cover of my binder)
• Weekly Lesson plans for both children (Opposite outer cover of my binder)
• Easy Grader (Helps me grade papers quickly and efficiently
• Any papers that need grading
• Sports' schedules
• Homeschool Planner (Monthly and Yearly Goals)
• Lists of standards each of my children have to meet that year (for each grade level)
• Weekly Meal Plans, Grocery Lists
• Pen, Pencil, and a Highlighter

Helpful Links!

FREE Downloads and Resources for your use. 

I love how pretty these are.  I have all boys.  

So this is one girly thing I do for me. 

This is a link directly to a "Homeschool Planner".  I have never found one this accurate to what I needed to run my home and my life.  Check it out and Enjoy!

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/wp-content/documents/Homeschool%20Planner.pdf

Adorable Calendars- FREE, Download and Print! http://filthymuggle.com/freebies/free-printable