Working and homeschooling - it’s possible!
After weeks of research, interviewing veteran homeschool moms, looking at curriculum, searching through Facebook groups, talking with the girls and prayer we made the decision to homeschool for the 2020-2021 school year.
It was a decision I never thought I would have to make. I work full time in the public school system. I believe in the value of the education and opportunities. But after months of e-learning in the spring due to all the unknowns around Coronavirus, crossing our fingers and hoping they would make it through in-person learning this school year seemed like a long shot.
As a working mom, I had to make wise choices to maximize their education why understanding my time restrictions. This was our general framework:
Curriculum
Because my girls did not thrive with online learning and were frustrated with that format we wanted to avoid computer based curriculum. It just wasn't the best fit for us. We also wanted to use a faith-based curriculum. If they were going to practice handwriting, I wanted it to be sentences that enforced kindness and honesty - not the Dog went to the park. ;)
If this is your first time homeschooling and you are working, I highly recommend a curriculum that covers multiple subjects at one time.. We are using The Good and The Beautiful Language Arts Curriculum for both girls. It covers writing, spelling, reading, grammar, usage, punctuation, vocabulary, geography (in older units) and art appreciation.
If you have multiple grades check out Gather 'Round. Both companies have a free sample lesson you can download. I have also heard great things about My Father's World and Sonlight.
Sidebar: Not all curriculum covers all the subjects. Math seems to be the one most often "left out". We started doing K Math as a review for Eliana and then moved to first grade math (all books purchased at Target in the $1 spot). We survived and she learned the first few months, I have recently purchased TinkerActive Math Books for her and I think they are great! They offer hands on STEM based learning projects and cover grade appropriate concepts. Abigail excels at math so we are using an online curriculum for that one subject, Teaching Textbooks.
If you are looking for online curriculum Easy Peasy, all in one homeschool curriculum is one I've heard people like a lot.
Most of the curriculum has assessments for you to give your kids so you don't have to guess what curriculum to use. Level 1, does not mean Grade 1 in most of the curriculum I've found.
Find a Tribe
Do you have other friends homeschooling? Can they watch your kids on "elective" days or do you know a homeschool family with a high school student who could watch your kids one day a week? If you are working you will need to find creative, out of the box solutions. It won't be easy--but for us distance learning wasn't easy either.
Twice a month our girls spend the day with another homeschool family with girls around the same age. It’s a fun day for them and it allows me to focus on work the whole day without interruption.
Flexibility is KEY!
If you think of a traditional school environment and try to recreate that same environment you and your kiddo will end up frustrated most of the time. Create a routine and have a plan. After two weeks evaluate it--what worked, what didn't work. Be willing to adjust to make it work better for everyone. Ask for feedback from your kids, what is working for them, what’s not? What can you add, what can you remove?
The best advice I heard was have a plan for the week, by Friday all of the assignments/work need to be done. If Tuesday your kiddo is on task and ready to work then maybe they do more than you had planned, the beauty of homeschool is the flexibility--use it to your advantage instead of being locked in to a plan/schedule.
Other sound advice was make time for Student's Choice. What do they want to learn about? You might be surprised what they choose! My oldest told me Paul Revere.
Also, just because you bought it doesn’t mean you have to use it. There were a few supplemental books I bought and we used them for two months and then decided it we were done with it. Maybe you start all your kids in handwriting books, but one of your kids masters it quickly - don’t make the finish the book! The goal was to have a child with good handwriting, they have it. Don’t torture them with more and more handwriting lessons!
We have told the girls that we are taking this one year at a time and next year they may go back to their school or we might continue to homeschool. We will continue to make the best decision and that decision may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
School Supplies
Buy some new, fun school supplies BUT you don't need a homeschool room or all the things. We are doing this at the kitchen table.
I purchased a medium sized plastic bin for each kid that can fit their curriculum, planner and supplies. I also purchased one large file box for me to keep future curriculum and supplies in one place.
Enrichment
This was an unexpected perk to our homeschool curriculum. Due to the flexibility of my work schedule this year and help from my mother in law with transportation we have been able to take advantage of some “homeschool only” opportunities. They both attend dance during the day one hour a week. (Physical Education - check!) We also signed them up for Homeschool Ski Day at the local ski hill. They receive a lesson, equipment, and lift ticket for a third of the cost. Head to google, check with local groups, find out what is being offered in your area. The opportunities are endless!
To do If you decide to homeschool
Send a letter of intent to the district's superintendent. You can find one at HSLDA online.
Have a plan to keep records--student planner, google doc with assignments.
For the Record…
As much as I wanted a full proof plan when we started in August I knew the best approach was flexibility. We have made several adjustments along the way, and I’m sure I’ll continue to have a few more tweaks before summer, but we have just surpassed our 100th day and it feels good!
If you are considering homeschooling or have questions, I’d love to help. What I do know is that you can work full-time and homeschool. It’s hard, some days you’ll want to cry, but it’s truly an amazing gift you can give to your kids and yourself.
To follow our adventures check out #northernlightshomeschool on instagram or my story highlight of “Our Year”.
