Let’s Talk Spring Fever Let’s Talk Spring Fever is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! I almost had a heart attack yesterday when I realized it was May 1st already! Where has this year gone? Just a quick glance at my last post shows you that I have lost track of time. Not sure about you, but this is typical for my school year. Spring Beckons my children and me to come outside and play. There are weeds to pull, birds to watch, hills to conquer, gardens to plan and plant, adventures to be embarked upon. Who wants to do “school”? Not me. And certainly not my boys. I love Spring. It reminds me of the teacher I really want to be. It frees my sons to be the learners they are born to be. It releases me from any of the “curriculum webs” I have woven around myself that cause me to chain my energetic and enthusiastic learners to my kitchen table. Even though I have a clear vision for the education of our 5 boys, I find myself continuously fighting the impulse to see what everyone else is doing. I am not sure how to fight this. Do you? I know my kids as well as you know yours. No two kids in my home love the same subjects or have the same learning styles. I need to dig in and plan next year, yet I also know I need to do some serious reflecting. Grab a journal and a cup of something warm and comforting (or cool and refreshing depending on your weather). Ready? Let the kids build a fort in the living room while we chat and review this past school year. Answer each question honestly for yourself, then click on the question itself if you want to see my personal reflection post. I’ll be posting my reflections “as links” as I answer my own questions. Let’s Be Honest… Is my home more peaceful now than when the school year began? When I walk through my home, do I see order or chaos? Do the kids have a healthy glow on their faces from spending hours outside playing every day? Do we have fun memories and photographs of a few places we have explored together? How many books did I read aloud to my children this school year? How many books did each of the kids read quietly to themselves this year? What educational “rabbit trails” did we take because either the kids or I had an unquenchable need to know? How many letters of encouragement did each of us write to friends and family this past year? How many mind blowing science experiments did we participate in: both scheduled and surprise? Did I incorporate living math into our daily lives? Do my kids know their math facts inside, outside, and upside down? Did I love and nurture my husband, or silently ask him to take a back burner in my life because I was busy “teaching”? Did I serve healthy homemade meals most of the time? Are my children enthusiastic learners or bored students? What did I learn about myself this past year? How did I grow as a teacher this year? What was my biggest hurdle? How did I deal with or ignore it? Am I happy with the subjects, curriculum, and adventures that our family exposed our kids to? How do I want to manage homeschooling next year? Share some of your experiences with us in the comments below. We learn from each other as we homeschool our children! Did You Enjoy this Article? Subscribe to receive our latest and greatest: right here
Make Your Kids Play Outside- Every Day I can almost say, “YES!” to this one. A fellow homeschooling mom shared an article about schools in Finland comparing them with our wonderful educational system in the United States. Interestingly enough, Finland’s kids have the highest test scores, yet their kids spend much less time in an actual classroom each day. News Flash: In Finland, the kids spend a short amount of time studying a subject and then they are sent outside for a 15-minute recess. Rain or Shine. I immediately tweaked this to apply to my household of boys. Multiple times a day during “school” I send my boys outside to play. At first, there was almost a full-scale revolt. I didn’t realize how much I had chained them to the kitchen table until I began sending them out during school. Benefits: They are getting plenty of exercise. They are starting to get along better on a more consistent basis. (Except right this second. One child is copying one of his younger brothers and it has caused some drama, but no one is perfect). The boys are basically best friends most of the time. The rest of the time they act like little tyrants, giving me plenty of time to practice patience and creative parenting. Anyone else in my boat? That healthy glow is not photo-shopped. The kids not only seem happier, but they look healthier as well. There’s nothing quite like a daily dose of fresh air. Surprisingly Challenging: I found that over the years this is one of those areas that I overlook and neglect. There is always one more book to read, one more paragraph to write, a few more math facts to perfect, chores to be done, and errands to be run. The simplicity of letting the kids get outside and play wasn’t a simple thing for me. I have to purpose to let the kids play. Its so very important, not just for their ability to get out some of that energy, but for their problem solving, creative, and eager little minds. They are better when they have played outside (OK, usually). Quite honestly, I am better when they play outside. It allows me a few moments to form an individual thought, make dinner, or simply regroup. It’s so very important, not just for their ability to get out some of that energy, but for their problem solving, creative, and eager little minds. They are better when they have played outside (OK, usually). Quite honestly, I am better when they play outside. It allows me a few moments to form an individual thought, make dinner, or simply regroup. How about you? Do your kids get enough outside time? Evaluating What Works and What Doesn’t. Click here to read “Spring Fever” to help you take a good look at what you are doing. More from Bekki So, God made YOU a homeschool mom Choosing a chore system that works for your family Inside Out Homeschooling A Better Way to Homeschool