I've been homeschooling for almost 10 years....seems like a long time, but to me it has been just a short journey I've taken along with my Kiddos. I don't know if you are new to Homeschooling, been Homeschooling for years or maybe your thinking about it. There are a lot of things to consider and to understand. It may feel a bit overwhelming, but I'm here to tell you that every year I Homeschool my Kiddos I have a list of things I plan to change from the previous year and a list of things that worked and we plan to implement them again for another year. It's a learning process, but the amazing thing is that you get to experience life with your Kiddos.
I struggle with a few things in our Homeschool.....organization, doubting my abilities and staying focused. That sounds like a we run around in a mess.....some days we do! :) Anyway, I was given the opratunity to take a course from Stephanie Walmsley with Successful Homeschooling Made Easy. She offers the Successful Homeschooling Made Easy Course which is a 26 week long program. Stephanie Walmsley is a Christian Mom of 5 Kiddos that started Homeschooling in 1985. Homeschooling wasn't as popular back then like it is now. She didn't have tons of curriculum choices, gadgets and gizmos to sort through and figure out what would work for each child. There weren't as many Homeschool groups and mentorships available like you can find now. Our resources now I would describe as Unlimited. Stephanie created this program to fill a need for guidance in the Homeschool world. Even if your a veteran Homeschooling Family there are a lot of lessons and gems found through out this program!
So, this is how it works....it's so simple. Once you have signed up for the course you will receive your lesson in PDF format each week. You can read it on your computer or print them out. I'm visual and need to hold something if I'm going to get it to sink in my brain. With that said I printed it out and hole punched it to fit nicely in a 3 ring binder. That way too I can go back and reference latter on. And I did do that several times during the review period.
The 1st few lessons help give you a simple 8 week plan to go by. I love that she dosen't have you teaching 10 subjects on the first day and that is usually what I do when I start something new. She really explains about the simplicity of your schedule for your Homeschooling. She asks you questions about you and your Family to help customize a plan that will work for YOU. Like, what time do you wake up? Are you a morning person or afternoon? What chores need to be done or appointments or other commitments that are a regular recurrence? She also gives you a print out of a schedule for morning and one for afternoon learners. Even though we tend to do better in the afternoon I want to work toward being a little more productive earlier in the day. LORD HELP US! :)
My experience has been great with using Stephanie's course. Even though I have been at this for many years I still struggle here and there. She has renewed my faith in myself and has given me the little push I need to believe I am capable in making this work. I do have one successful Son in college already, so why the harsh self talk everyday? Well, not anymore I feel like I have a plan and the tools to work on some hard truths with our schedule.
After the first few lessons I broke out the poster board, paper, glue and pens. I did what she said to do which was to start out with a Literacy Hour. And to fill that hour with Reading and Writing. And so I did.....no stress, just Literacy Hour and a few chores, Bible time and lot's of outdoor play. Then I added Math Hour and the next week we filled in even more time for our garden and so forth. This slow progression really ensured success for us. We are a Happy Bunch over here!
Would I recommend this Course? I would indeed for anyone new to Homeschooling or to someone thinking about it. And even those of us who may be in a rut or a new season of life. When my oldest left for college it changed our whole Family dynamics. It was a huge shift that caused us to need to regroup and get ourselves back on track. This online course did that for us. We are only 9 weeks into the program and I look forward to the upcoming lessons! If you are looking for a Simple Course to help you work through making Schedules and Lesson plans. Learn how to use your time more efficiently and truly learn how to break free from stress with Organization Choosing your Kiddo's Curriculum and Planning. Even get tips with Teaching and Housekeeping and tons more! This Course is super affordable at $10 per month for 6 months, or $48 if you pay for the whole course all at one time.
Stop by and connect with Stephanie from Successful Homeschooling Made Easy on Facebook.
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