See all of my homeschool highlights for the 2024-2025 school year! 😊
I recently wrapped up the first week of my 10th year of homeschooling. This year feels different, and I want to share my thoughts on how the week went. Reflecting on our week in this way was actually suggested by my therapist as a way to process my homeschooling journey, and I hope it might help someone else along the way!
Our Current Stage of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is a unique experience, and our family’s journey has its own set of challenges. With autism and a learning difference as part of our homeschool, the day-to-day can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to me to protect my kids’ privacy and not make their struggles the focal point of this series. While it’s tempting to share everything for transparency, I believe it’s essential to respect their boundaries.
Social media can create the illusion of perfect lives, and it’s easy to feel the pressure to present an ideal homeschooling experience. My goal is to be real without overexposing my family’s struggles. Instead, I’ll focus on the ups and downs of homeschooling from my perspective and hope that it resonates with others navigating this path.
Transitioning into a New School Year
This year, my kids are in 10th, 7th, and 5th grades. As they’ve grow older, homeschooling has shifted significantly. The stakes seem much higher now with a high schooler, a middle schooler, and another child approaching middle school age.
Last year was a tough one for our homeschool. It felt like a major turning point as we adapted to new routines, curriculums, and developmental stages. I’ve been working hard to find a balance that feels right for everyone this year.
Focus on Less Serious Learning
My focus this year is on making learning enjoyable without compromising academic progress. I don’t want to push too hard, but I also want to ensure that learning remains a priority. My hope is to make this year more about growth and enjoyment rather than just checking off boxes.
This year, I’m attempting to make learning a little less rigorous, particularly for my younger two. We are using a unit study approach centered around the history curriculum The Mystery of History. Besides history, I’m integrating subjects like geography, grammar, spelling, science, and writing into the unit study, making learning more cohesive. I’m also incorporating hands-on activities such as drawing and small crafts to keep things engaging.
Creating an Organized and Pleasant School Space
The Importance of a Designated Schoolroom
Having a dedicated schoolroom has been a big help in keeping our learning space organized. It keeps materials contained, and helps maintain a routine for starting our homeschool day. Plus, I prefer not having schoolwork all over the house!
I’ve spent a good deal of time reorganizing our schoolroom to better fit our needs this year. With older kids, space has become an issue, so we’ve switched to using a small round table for group work. While this setup helps bring us closer, it’s been a bit of a challenge finding ways to keep everyone’s materials organized without feeling too crowded.
Labeling and Organizing for Efficiency
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This year, I went label crazy, and I have to say, it’s been a great change! Using label pockets from Amazon, I’ve labeled drawers, shelves, and cabinets to make finding materials easier. Color-coding each child’s materials helps keep things organized and makes the space pleasant and functional for everyone.
Tools and Materials for the School Year
New-to-us Curriculum
I’m excited to be using The Mystery of History with my younger two this year. Additionally, I’ve included the book Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechik as part of our literature studies. While historical fiction adds depth to learning, I make sure my kids know it’s not to be taken as literal truth. This approach has sparked many thoughtful discussions.
Being a Christian homeschool mom, I find it crucial to incorporate our faith into learning. However, I also want to present topics thoughtfully and ensure my kids have a balanced perspective on history and faith-based content.
Using Notebooks and Copywork for Various Subjects
This year, we’re using SchoolNest notebooks for various subjects like copywork, timelines, and math. These notebooks are well-made, and their different sections help keep subjects separated.
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Overall, the first week was a success! We had our challenges, but focusing on the positives, like how organized the schoolroom has become, helped start our days off right. The kids enjoyed the new setup, and I’m looking forward to continuing to refine our routine.
If you have any tips on group work, organizing learning materials, or using The Mystery of History, I’d love to hear from you! We’re all in this together, and your suggestions are always welcome.
