HOMESCHOOL HELPS: MID YEAR CHECK UP

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence. ~ Abigail Adams

When I homeshooled, I evaluated my homeschool a couple of times annually  and the mid-year check-up was the most important.  So I ask you, how are you doing at this mid-year point?

Are you on track academically? Look at each child in your family and make an assessment.  Check your curriculum.  How far along are you?  You should have completed at least 40% of your plan at this point.  If you have not, why? Go with what your heart is telling you.  Deep down you know.  And don’t forget that sometimes one child is doing great and another child may be struggling.  Or maybe your child is doing great in one area and struggling in another.

• Is your child flourishing? If the answer is yes, DO A HAPPY DANCE!  You might want to consider adding something to your homeschool.  Maybe increasing their reading list.  Maybe go a little faster in math.  Maybe add an elective that interests them (extra art, more science experiments, maybe teach them a craft).
• If your child is flourishing in one area and struggling in another, spend a little extra one on one time with you child and concentrate on the area where they struggle.
• Is he cruising along? If so, say a quick pray and keep on doing what you’re doing.  Make small tweaks and keep on going.
• Is she stuck?  Falling behind?  Unmotivated?  Maybe life’s been hard and she’s behind. Maybe she hates to read.  Maybe he hates math. Look at the reason why and make corrections.

• ASK YOURSELF THES QUESTIONS;
  • Is  the curriculum you’re using working for your child?  Maybe your child is bored or the curriculum is too easy?  Or maybe it’s too hard and your child is frustrated? Or maybe it doesn’t fit your child’s learning style?
  • Did I over plan or is my plan unrealistic?  Did I not plan enough?  Sometimes we think we are going to complete more than we can.  If that is the case, slow it down.  As Elsa in Frozen sings so beautifully, “Let it go!”
  • Has your child been ill? Is he tired?   Maybe you need to slow down a bit and let your child sleep a little more.  Check her nutrition.  Is he eating well?  Sometimes your family falls behind because of sickness and you have to play catch up.  If that’s the case, give yourself and your kids some grace.
  • Have you had your child’s vision and hearing tested?  Sometimes kids can’t see well and don’t tell you.  My daughter needed glasses and wouldn’t tell us because she didn’t want to wear them. We finally figured it out when she was taking a high school class and couldn’t see the board.
  • Talk to your child and ask him why he doesn’t want to do his work.  And if he won’t open up, wait a few days and ask him again.  And listen to what he has to say.  Sometimes they have a valid reason and you can make simple adjustments and sometimes they just don’t want to do their work.

Are you on track as a mommy?  First of all, there is NO JUDGMENT!  We moms go through different seasons and sometimes we have an easy season and sometimes we have a hard season. If you’re ok, PRAISE GOD.  Keep on going and don’t change a thing.

If you’re struggling, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I doing too much?  Look at your schedule.  Is there something you can stop doing?  Cut back. When I was homeschooling, I got to the point that I thought I was losing my mind.  We were involved in 15 different activities, yes 15.   So I made a survey and had the kids rate our activities.  And I was surprised with the results.  Some of the things that I thought were important to the kids weren’t and  in retrospect, they weren’t important to me.  So we cut out those activities and focused on the activities that we all viewed as important and things ran a whole lot smoother.
• Are my kids not cooperating and I feel like I’m pulling out my hair? Talk to you spouse and get him to help.  Sometimes dad has to lay down the law. Remember homeschooling is a family endeavor!
• Are you consistent in your discipline? Do you tell your kids to do the same thing over and over  without any consequences?  Do you threaten them and never follow through?  My friend, your kids are smart(they’re your kids after all) and they know what buttons to push and which ones will get them in trouble.  So sit them down and tell them that there will be some changes and that you mean business.  And. follow. through.  I know it’s hard, you are tired and on your last nerve, but follow through.  You will be glad that you made the effort in the long run. And get your spouse involved.
•  Are your kids on track but your house is a mess?    You live, eat and school in your house and it gets messy.  Take cleaning breaks during the day. Your kids live there too and they need to help.  If they aren’t, make a chore chart and explain to them that you need help and have consequences if they don’t.  On the flip side,  your house should be relatively clean, but it doesn’t have to be spotless. If there are crumbs on the table and dirty dishes in the sink, let it wait for a little while. Don’t strive for perfection. There is always time to clean.
• And most importantly, PRAY.  I know that everyone tells you to pray and  maybe you’ve prayed until your knees hurt, but pray some more.  And listen to God’s still small voice.  Maybe He’s telling you what to do and you are to busy to listen.

Mama, your are doing fine.  Every homeschool is unique, so look at yours and not at your neighbors. So as Dr. Seuss says

“Today you are you!  That is truer than true!  There is no one alive who is you-er than you.”

And finally, Galatians 6:9 says,

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 

Did you know that I wrote a book, SEVEN SCRIPTURE PRAYERS TO PRAY OVER YOUR HOMESCHOOL?  To receive a free copy,  fill out the update box.