Evaluating the Past Homeschool Year
🔔Two weeks, people! 📢 Two weeks until our new school year begins. (I know some have already begun.) I've been evaluating the past year of homeschooling, and I found some shortcomings I hope to resolve. I also have been restructuring our spaces with one less high schooler but one new kindergartener. It's been intriguing, exciting and mentally exhausting. My prayers for all the teachers out there in traditional and home schools. It is a worthwhile task because it's a vocation, a calling, a joy, and a privilege to be their teacher.
I had a good, deep look at our previous and upcoming homeschool year using the following resources:
> Not Consumed: Teacher's Organized Homeschool Planner
> Into the Deep: Prayerfully Planning Your Homeschool Year
> Our local, Catholic, home education conference (MNHEC)
> The Adoration Chapel
*Teachers Desk. Besides a casual sitting area for myself to read from, I created a specific teacher's desk and supplies area in our main learning space, aka our dining room area. A place to look over student work, to connect with students weekly, a specific place to turn in completed work, functional and pretty.
> Desk Organizer https://amzn.to/3P0fAvn
> Comfy Desk Chair https://amzn.to/44eylzz
> Vintage Colored Sticky To-do Notes https://amzn.to/45y4eUU
> Our Fav Pencils https://amzn.to/3P0ALxe
> Morandi Highlighters https://amzn.to/3YFA4fV
> Holy Family Wall Art (click here)
> Morning Prayer Printable (click here)
{Homeschool Prayer Printable here}
*Encouragement. Don't use phrases like "Good job" or "That's nice, " rather be present and ask questions that get them to share their thoughts about the process and end result. Help them describe, narrate, contemplate, and appreciate the process more than the compliment.
> Video on Encouragement vs Praise https://youtu.be/kA22nwaxq_Q
*Dedicated Writing Areas. I noticed the kids typically weren't doing their writing work at the table. This space is transitioning and will hopefully appeal to all ages with tools at their fingertips and more attractive visuals. This year I have children in grades/levels K, 3, 4, two in 10th, and one graduate off to work. I adjusted the chore chart so the tables are quickly cleaned after a meal. The most daunting chore of kitchen help is divided up into smaller parts. I plan to have treats on hand or other incentives to reward those who comply with sitting at the table for lessons, only while we're in this phase of creating a good habit.
> Motivational Posters https://amzn.to/3ODi8y0
> Poster Hangers https://amzn.to/3QDzRIk
> Clear sleeves for hanging up everything
Our Chore Chart for Inspiration:
*Habit Training. Work on forming good habits with intentional, small steps, one at a time. New approach, telling them the habit I'm having them work on so they're intentional about it too.
> Forming Good Habits Video https://youtu.be/OW8MO-3mp5Y
> Include Habit Training in their Student Planners. This last year, inspired by another homeschooler, I added habit tracking on their weekly lesson plans. Some really liked this portion, noticing what needed help and where they progressed. This year we bought Student Planners from Not Consumed that include Habit tracking with Christian values. You can also print this sheet I created below.
*Regular Student Check In. I learned there is value in having accountability, with a formal check-in with each student at the end of the week (not monthly and informal as I had done). It's on me to call them to meet, encourage, evaluate, and be firm with consequences. MY natural consequence of not doing this was summer school. This year I will have a drop off station that every Friday they are required to turn in all student planners and assignments that need review or grading. This will benefit us both. Note: In their planner there is a spot for Parent Evaluation of their habits.
*Awareness of Time. There's not enough time in a day to sleep in. Realizing how much we missed by not enforcing a start time. Typical issue when there's no bus to catch. Glad I have a bell for morning start and meal times. I recently invested in visual timers for assignments for those kids who are slow pokes, and a chirping bird clock to help us recognize the hours for switching subjects.
> School Bell https://amzn.to/45zfqAm
> Bird Clock https://amzn.to/45ev04G
> Digital Visual Timer https://amzn.to/45cZvrS
> Mushroom Twist Timer https://amzn.to/3E0d1TF
*Distractions are moved to a new space. They often were found at their bedroom desks, surrounded by distractions, not working on lessons as assumed. Or playing with toys meant for the preschooler or free time. We are now enjoying having a dedicated music space, home library and toy room.
> Toy Storage Baskets https://amzn.to/47y1BnD
> Large toy basket https://amzn.to/3qx97yD
> Exercise Balls, weighted https://amzn.to/3sfOiYU
My hope is that you find inspiration as I share my journey. Perhaps you can avoid some pitfalls I've had, or enhance your homeschooling experience. May God bless your upcoming year of home education. I would enjoy reading what you found most helpful. Please comment.
Would you enjoy seeing pictures of all my refreshed spaces when completed? Comment below!
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