February 2021 Newsletter - The Stages of Homeschooling
Dear friends,
I write to you from an airplane on my way back from Florida. My husband and I spent a few days away, courtesy of our former neighbors who retired to southwest Florida. They were back in PA for the birth of their grandson, so we got their empty condo for a few days!
We left our three sons at home alone. We’ve never done THAT before! But with one adult and another nearly legal adult, they were ready to be on their own and care for their youngest brother. They did great, managing snow shoveling, cooking, school work, sports, and housekeeping. Coming back and hearing about how fine they were on their own was a proud mama moment. :)
All this got me thinking about seasons of parenting. The last time I was in Florida was 2014. Our brood looked quite different at that point. And our first family trip to Florida was in 2006, when our little boys went on an airplane for the first time. It was our first year officially homeschooling our oldest, who was 5.
Each season of homeschooling brings its unique challenges and opportunities. I’d like to break down the years into some stages, with some thoughts and guidance about each one.
Discovery Years - PreK-K
What a fun age! Go wide, not deep in subject matter. Give your kids as many experiences as possible. Engage the senses. Stay curious and always answer their “why” questions. Explore nature and the world all around. Begin basic academic skills: letter and number recognition, patterning, strengthening fine motor skills, reading aloud.
Early Elementary - Grades 1-3
Solidify basic skills. Kids need to know the letters and the sounds they make; then they learn to read. Kids need to know numbers and what they mean; then they can do basic operations. Kids need to know how to form letters; then they can form words and, eventually, sentences and paragraphs. One thing begets the next. And all of these basics might seem tedious at times. However, strong basic skills are the foundation for the rest of their education. It’s worth the investment. You have to sit with your kids the whole time they do school. Accepting this, along with keeping your “school hours” short, will keep everyone happy and guard against burnout. Don’t expect much independent learning yet, except in discovery and play. Their memory skills are strong; utilize that. Keep reading aloud!
Upper Elementary - Grades 4-6
They are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. They are transitioning from basic operations to more complex math. They can do more work independently when given a clear plan or expectation. They thrive when they can be part of the process of choosing what to learn. They are learning self-discipline and sometimes resist it, but keep modeling good habits, and they will gain confidence and independence. This is a great time to learn an instrument, try a sport, or get a pet. It is also the age to learn to type. Memory work is still a great option for this age. They will remember nearly every song, chant, or jingle. Go on lots of field trips. Keep reading aloud!
Middle School - Grades 7-8
Who am I? What am I good at? Who are my friends? Why am I special? Purpose, an outward focus, and lots of patient encouragement will help you middle schooler work through these (sometimes unspoken) questions. Stay the course academically. Before high school, this is a good time to explore new interests and continue to teach good habits of time management and personal care (active lifestyle, screen limits, self-care, staying in community, responsibilities at home, etc.) This is the age when they act like a little kid one day and surprise you with their maturity the next. Challenge them academically. They can do it! They have the tools for learning, and now they can go deeper into the subjects that were introduced in the elementary years. Develop writing skills with a variety of assignments. Keep listening, talking, and building trust.
High School - Grades 9-12
Buckle up because it goes crazy fast through these years... not to mention they might be in the literal driver’s seat while you clutch the door handle and pretend not to be tense. It is important to know what your goals are during this stage. If you have a college-bound child, your homeschool needs to prepare them not only for the college application process but also for the rigors of college learning. If community college is the goal, you might decide to dual enroll during high school so you can get both high school and college credit. If trade school or work is the goal, the graduation requirements are not as demanding, and your teen could get a job or start a business during high school. I think of this season as coaching more than teaching. Being a steady presence is still so important, even as your young adults grow toward independence. Be available to talk when they want to talk. Be ready to engage with a human that is perhaps bigger than you and has different opinions and views than you. Marvel at how this person has grown into someone so unique and maybe even different than you imagined they’d be. Encourage their creativity. Hug them often. They need to know their wings are strong, and they can fly when it’s time. You will likely need to outsource some of their education if you have not already done so, either by live tutors, co-ops, or online options.
My schedule for year-end evaluations will open on March 1st. There will be an announcement with all the details! I am improving my website so all the scheduling and payment will be in one place. I can’t wait to share this with you soon! I am also working on some resources to help you prepare for your evaluation and create e-portfolios.
I hope you all know the immense value of what you get up and do every day in your homeschool. Every day matters! Celebrate the good ones, and know there is grace for the ones you’d rather forget. Each day brings a fresh start.
I’m cheering you on!
Linda