With 5 yr olds I just plan on doing a phonics lesson each day... add in lots of reading and I'd call that good. On days you feel you can tackle more add in some simple math, maybe some handwriting once or twice a week...really kindy is all about learning how to read. There's plenty of time for the other stuff.
Didn't read all the posts...but let me tell ya there will be days like that. Actually, with a 3 and 5 year old you did great. I am sure it only seems bad to you because it felt out of control. There are days where you will feel like this and feel like homeschooling is just horrible because you are a terrible teacher...we have all been there....take comfort in knowing that. I am sure things were not as bad as you think or percieved them to be. Hang in there...things will improve.
You did a wonderful job! I only get anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with my dd (3yrs old) the rest of the day is play time and stories... lots of stories. Today my dd was fussy so we took things in baby steps. We ended up pulling out the moon sand (rainy day)..... and then she helped me clean it up!
<<<<hugs!>>>> We all have bad days, and sometimes even a large spurt of bad days...trust me I've had my fill hon! I haven't read all of the replies yet, I first wanted to say my 2 cents and then go back and read! I just want to give you encouragement and tell you to hang in there! What you said reminded me so much of a lot of our days last year! But we hung in there, my son passed his test at the end of the year and I've made not of things that worked and didn't work for us and we're doing much better this year. You can do it!!!!! I want to offer two pieces of advice, first, find something for your 3yo to do while you're focusing on school. And perhaps arrange a little one on one "teaching time" after everyone else's school work (((aka, time to read stories just one on one or work on colors by talking about things around the house, etc))). SECOND....my BIGGEST piece of advice to you is to NOT ANSWER THE PHONE! ;D I started doing this. I let everyone know that I do not answer the phone during school time. Mine was my MIL who talks to me for at least an hour each time. I check my message after it rings to be sure it's not an emergency and the only one I answer for is my dh but he always keeps it short if it's school time. <<<<<<<hugs again>>>>>> hang in there girl things always get better! :love::love::love:
YOu reminded me of the song " mama said that there'd be days like this there'd be days like thi iss, " thanks for the smile!
Okay, now that I've read the other posts I want to add... I completely agree with Ava, all of us have days where we feel like the worst teacher on earth! So do not worry, it's completely normal and just feels worse from you pov. I told you about the phone, lol...I saw a bunch of others say that. And yes, I do not get on messenger either because I find myself distracted. One other thing I wanted to add that I find helps me is if I schedule as much of the run errands for friday or an evening. I always (now...I've been where you are, believe me) try to get school done in the a.m. and then go out. And why not drop yourself to a 4 day week since your kids are that age (mine were the same age when I started dd was 3 1/2 and ds was 5 1/2). She insisted on participating so I included her in history and science learning (which, for that age included fun videos, 'playing in dirt', field trips around the yard, etc) and of course art and music fun. she also insisted on doing her own school work so I got her a cheap $5 workbook from walmart and had her do a page or two a day (it was enough for her attention and made her feel like a special part of school too, she had her own big girl work) and that part only took about 15 minutes. You are doing fine though! And it's amazing how much you remind me of me....like your post could have been mine 1 1/2 years ago when we started!
Thank you ladies once again! Autumleavz --- it is encouraging to know you were once like me and you are still homeschooling....because if I had many days like today, I would be very tempted to enroll them tomorrow! I KNOW that alot of my issues can be corrected by making improvements in the way I do things. On days where I am motivated and organized...it goes smoothly. Today just happened to be one of those yucky days where I couldn't get things working right! Once again thanks for the words of encouragement...I will have to save these in case I have another day like today.
Don't beat yourself up. You are still learning. LOL! We are on our sixth year and I am still learning.
Nothing! Honestly, with the exception of FUN PLAYTIME learning, we did NOTHING.... No curriculum... No Pledge of Allegiance... No script, no tests, nothing! Nothing than normal family time and reading to them and playing with them. If you do "Regular School Stuff" with them too soon, you might as well go bang your head on the bathroom wall.... they are too young! (My opinion, of course...) My now five year old asked to read and loves to read at age four, but her brothers could have cared less... but we NEVER used a Curriculum or made an official school day for her til THIS month (She will be officially a kindergartner But her work is first grade stuff and she is nearly 6) But at three???? And five.... Let the five year old have a journal entry (Draw a picture of a story or a dream they had, write words about it (Don't grade it just shower with love about how proud you are about your big kid who loves to write! >> It will get into their head that WRITING = MOMS ATTENTION!) There is soooo much free stuff online, let the child play with math stuff like making patterns with toys, or finding one thing of each shape from random things in the house... Learn HOW to learn..... Learn how to take one thing they areinterested in and learn HOW to learn about it, how to find information about it, how much FUN it can be, in moms lap as you dig though books about whatever the subject is, or searchin online with younger sibling and mom... Or HOW to learn about said topic and REPORT on it... HOW to publish your findings.... like drawing a picture of what you learned.... How to write a couple of words about it, or HOW to copy words about it! Right now they are too young to do regular school (My opinion) But now is the time to learn HOW to learn and that learning is FUN! WHO cares WHAT they are reading.. right now they need to learn that having a BOOK in your lap is a PLEASURABLE experience.... THAT is most important right now. I always make a big deal about how I JUST LOVE my good readers and how proud I am of them when I catch them reading...... It works! Especialy at this age 3- when making mom and dad happy is their Number 1 goal! I could go on. But I think you are being WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too hard on yourself and expecting way toooo much too soon. So breath and don't do an official curriculum of a "Class Day" until first grade. :wink: Just another opinion.
Thanks for your advice. I honestly don't expect my 3 year old to do any school...unless we are just doing fun stuff so that he feels like he is "big" like his brother. I meant I wonder what people do with their 3 year old...while they are trying to do some things with their 5 year old.
I have been tempted. Very frequently last year (I had a lot going on personally too) I thought that it would be our last year. I didn't think I was able to handle it anymore and I couldn't organize and do it right, etc. I have heard others say before and I have adopted this for myself: ONE YEAR AT A TIME! I try to take it one year at a time. I decided that for them I would not enroll them mid-year, I would at least wait until the start of a school year. There were a few times last year when I thought I was prepping them to go back to school. But I have decided to give myself a new/stricter schedule (I have a habit of procrastinating, etc), a am finally okay spiritually and mentally (I lost my Dad last year, the day b4 kids school was to start). And I love homeschooling, the kids love homeschooling, so I was ready to approach this school year head on with renewed strength. We love it, the kids would much rather be doing work here and they do good here. Some days are still bad, scheduling is rough or MIL leaves a message that it's important and to call....and I find out it's about gossip...2 hours worth ....I have pms and get frustrated. But most days are better now Wow...I didn't intend to write a book but I wanted to tell you the one year at a time thing. Best of luck! <<<hug>>>>
Mine were the same ages. I had my dd watch movies or color or play quietly in her room. I let her know right off that it was bubbies time for school and that she needed to have quiet time so that he could do his...which of course prompted her wanting to do hers and ds had to follow those same quiet rules. And wherever I could, I included her (all subjects except math and reading). It worked because the things I was doing with him in history or science was easy enough that she could participate. have you considered lapbooking with them both?? We did one together at that time (but you can do separate) for different science themes and it's just the fun and gluing that they love. There are also many many preschool ones if you'd rather just do a separate one with your 3 yo. Let me know if you want more info on lapbooking.
I would go to a 4 day week. Take Friday's off!!! Monday thru Thursday I would do a max of 1 hour per day. For a 5 year old that is plenty.
I would not let one "off" day upset you. Yesterday was on of those days for me. My printer ran out of ink, I had to wait for dh to come home from work to bring me ink. I thought only replacing the black would do it, but NOPE, it decided it wanted both replaced or it would not print. SOoo another trip to the store, then dinner, and by the time everyone ate, the mess got cleaned up, and it calmed down... it was bedtime. So now I am half a day behind, and will have to catch up this week or next weekend. I am with the rest about turing off your phone. I refuse to answer mine unless its dh or my sons cell. Also I do chores and errands on the weekend. There just isnt enough hours in the school days to do it all so I am lucky if I can squeeze in a couple loads of laundry or a load of dishes during the day. All of the heavy chores and errands get done during the weekends. Chin up, those bad days happen to all of us. I know I was frustrated with mine yesterday. Now I have to play catch up for the rest of this week.
learningnest - take a big deep breath, exhale, give yourself a hug. Keep in mind, your kids probably learned more in one bad day than any good day they could've had at school. Like I was reminded last week, keep it fun. Why not teach words and letters and even writing in the sandbox with your fingers drawing in the sand? Like others said, have a "special box" of stuff the 3 yr old can only play with during school time. (When your 5 yr old has to have your undivided attention) And for that age, on the really really bad days, who says you can't pop in "School house Rock" or "Magic School bus" to the tv???? My sons remembered that preamble song for 8 years!!! Relax, and enjoy them and help them to enjoy learning. They grow too quick.
