OK, things are getting to that point again and I am trying to re-evaluate what we are doing. I have three kids ranging from 3 to 7 and this is my second year officially homeschooling. I have followed your standard idea of a set curriculum to give my oldest all of what I feel he needs to have. We do math, spelling, handwriting, ETC, reading and grammar lessons every school day. We mix in some history, geography, science and art lessons every so often and he is learning to play the keyboard. So, here is the problem. My children are hating school. I am starting to hate teaching it. There are good days and bad of course, but when I say today is a "school day" my children are not exactly thrilled. And, they get bored. (I am doing some simple work with my 5 yo with letters and numbers and such. We do Before the Code and some simple math stuff as well). I am a firm believer that at this age, learning is taking place all around them and I need to take advantage of that. I really want to make learning fun but I believe also in getting the basics. My ds7 is an OK reader but hates reading, writing and is a terrible speller. So I don't want to throw all of that out the window but I don't want him to hate learning either. I know about unit studies and I have heard all the "you don't really need all that formal learning in the early years" stuff but I don't know what to do. I want to make school fun but I guess I just can't figure out how to do that without feeling guilty about leaving out the other stuff (grammar, reading, spelling, etc.) I am sure that this makes no sense and sorry for the rambling, but I need suggestions. I need to know what to do to make learning fun and how to make it happen. Any ideas?
When my kids were younger I would mix things up. One day they got to be the teacher and I was the student. We would use dry erase boards for the desks on some days and on others they got to use the big dry erase board. I would teach them fractions in the kitchen with cooking. My kids are very hands on like me and need to see real examples, not just a book. We would use the Toys R Us catalog and go on a shopping spree with the checks I made up and a specified amount of money they could spend. We would also use other catalogs so they could pick out gifts for others, they were learning math. Praying things get better for you. When you feel down it can seem as though you will never see the light at the end of your tunnel, but you will. My ds' are graduating from high school-Abeka Academy this May, so we have been hs-ing for 13 years.
Well, there will always be some things kids will have to do that they won't particularly enjoy. That's just life. However, it never hurts to be creative---- it can help make teaching and learning more fun. If your kids like to DO things, include science experiments, craft building for history, acting for literature, etc. My 5 and 6 year olds love to do science experiments. And they'll sit and listen through a short history lesson if they get to make a teepee at the end of it. Do some math and include a board game as part of it. After all, games like Monopoly Jr. teach kids counting, reading, and good sportsmanship. Let your son pick out books--- even comic books--- that he might be willing to sit and read with you. My daughter--- not a fan of reading--- will take turns reading with me. And don't underestimate the value of online educational games. You can also use a game like Trouble to encourage the kids to do their lessons well. For example, each child would get their own game piece. As each child finishes a lesson [or section], they get to roll the die and advance their person. You can see who's winning at the end of the formal lesson part of the school day and give some small prize. I've just always found that fun incentives mixed with fun projects can help a lot.
I'm a huge fan of bribery. My kids get to watch one movie or TV show a day. Conveniently scheduled after school time. "Hurry and finish your math and then you can go watch your movie..." that kind of thing. Also in the past I've put a list of the subjects we need to cover that day up on the fridge and let my dd choose what she wanted to do first, second, ect. Sometimes having a little control goes a long way with kids. Amy
I don't think you have to leave these subjects out. For grammar, use Mad Libs. Find computer games that teach grammar. For reading, depending on their reading level, allow them to pick what they want to read until they start enjoying it. Take trip to the library. Do not mention this is for school and let them enjoy picking a book that is interesting to them. For spelling, play spelling games. Play hopscoth and everytime the child lands on a number, have an easy word they can spell for this number. Throw a ball and everytime a child catches it, they say a letter and toss it to somebody else and the next person says a letter. Ems and I do this because it makes spelling a bit more interesting. You can use a magazine, that the children pick, and ask them to find all the nouns, adjectives, and so on, in their magazine by circling them. Make it a game. Ems loved doing this. As they get older, school will get more difficult but for now, you want to bring some joy back into it. Good luck!
Fee free to explore other methods as well. My daughter was unschooled until she was 8 and we lost absolutely nothing academicly by doing that.
I think dawninns has a great idea. Perhaps you can take the rest of the year just to allow things to smooth out.
Shake things up... have school outside if the weather is nice. Do science experiments, sing silly songs, do school subjects in reverse order every so often. Go on a field trip... My son and I do school very relaxed and we both love it. If the "I don't want to have school today" creeps in we take a day off every once in a while if the schedule allows. I also sneak "learning moments" in when he least expects it. Learning can be so much fun.
Add computer games, your children are still young so you can actually have fun with schooling... do more hands on projects, and feild trips to parks and such as spring is arriving.. and take a break now and then to look at nature changing around you... that really IS science in action!
When my kids were that age they loved computer games like Jumpstart Kindergarten (1st grade, etc) and Reader Rabbit. They had no idea they were learning, they just wanted to play the games! LOL
I agree with what others said. Maybe back off the scholastic set curriculums, and do a lot of fun stuff to get them to really enjoy learning. They're young enough that they don't need sit-down HAVE TO DO IT work yet! Explore, build things, get messy, have fun! Trust me---your kids will be learning a LOT! And they WON'T be behind! The important thing at that age is to build up a love for learning! If you do that, they'll fly through stuff and be "ahead" in no time!
