Homeschool,help?

Question

Hi, I need advice for getting and staying on track for homeschooling. Help? thanks.

Answer 1

Great for you! I think it is wonderful that you know that people having a DEGREE does not mean you are getting a better education.

Now, as for staying on track-how about setting up (for yourself or with your parents) a reward system for work/hours completed?

Answer 2

Daily, my kids do:

*Language arts~ phonics, grammar, reading out loud, writing, journal work

*spelling

*Math

* alternate days for Science/Social Studies

On Fridays we do art projects. During the week, we make meals from cultures we may be studying. (This morning we made wild rice pancakes ~ Native Americans.)

On the weekend, I look over my kids' curriculum and plan it out. I have a homeschool planner. (You can make your own worksheets: 2 columns, 5 rows for the 5 days of the week.)

In my 6 y.o.'s box, I write:

Phonics: _____________

____________________ <- activity that goes with phonics, like story book reading, drawing, copywork, etc.

Writing:______________

Math:________________

calendar work, counting

Sci/SS ___________

My 9 y.o's looks like this:

journal___________

Spelling___________

LA___________

_______________ <-- she usually has 2 LA assignments a day.

Math___________

Sci/SS___________

I leave room at the bottom, because sometimes I add things as we go... I fill in activities from their curriculum. If they had trouble with a math concept, I will add that to their math... etc.

While we are doing schoolwork, I highlight each item as we finish. By the end of the day, everything should be highlighted. If not, that is their homework.

It takes about an hour or two during the weekend to figure it all out... but, it saves time.

Also, every night before you go to bed, check over your kids' schedules, and lay out the books/materials you will need for tomorrow. This should help save you a LOT of time.

it took a couple years to tweak my system, but this is what works best for us.

Answer 3

Where and how are you "off track?"

Are you behind in one or two subjects or generally behind in everything?

You should be able to complete your studies and your learning in less time that it normally takes in public school.  As others have said here, make a commitment to yourself and focus.  Be disciplined and you will catch up in no time.

Also, look for ways to make your learning more fun.  Talk to your parents.  For example, lets say that you are behind in history.  Instead of just reading the text and taking some quizzes and tests - try writing a play about what you have learned (maybe act out your play with puppets).

If you use your imagination, you can come up with lots of ways to make the learning fun - which means that it won't feel like a chore and you will retain more of what you cover.

Answer 4

I agree with the first two responses and disagree with the last. I am a homeschooling parent and I, along with my husband   are both educators.  You may just not be as off track as you think. In traditional schools alot of time is spent doing getting organized etc because of the number of students being taught.

Maybe schedule in breaks and set a timer to alarm when your break is over.

Good for you for being concerned! Keep up the great work. :)

Answer 5

That is a common problem with home schooling, a lack of structure. Also, lack of qualified teachers in each subject area. Consider attending public or private school and recieve instruction from the pros.

Answer 6

well first stay on track, if you sit down to do a lesson do it! don't get up because you bored. do you think people at school get to do that? and 2nd have a teacher you know and feel comfortable with and won't be to soft on you e.g. letting you finish lesson early.

Answer 7

try only keeping your school work up instead of going on sights like these. If you concentrate on your work, open nothing else up, and don't make excuses, you should be fine. One of my friends in homeschooled. She procrasinates, starts school two months early, works a little bit over breaks and holidays she isn't using for a make up day during the week, and she is six months behind. One of my other friends who is homeschooled can stay focused, finishes her school work in 2 hours every week day and still six months ahead. She follows the school schedule/calendar of public schools in her county.