Litterally! I have a tension head ache trying to make sure it all is getting done... I am not ding enough lang arts with ds but we are getting his Alg 1 done and Physics now! ( yeah cmom!) and Geography is sporatic but we get a lot done when I do it with him. Grammar is getting done, and sporadic reading-- he read for several hours last week on the computer about history via video game but it was solid reading and he retained it enough to explain to his college brother what to do so I counted it! I get groans when I talk of using Writing Strands some more this year, he wants more organised work in that class so I pulled out some old uncompleted 9th grade English from brother or sister and he is working on it. I am going to keep pulling those for side stuff while I decide what to do for second semester, I may go with a workbook that says do this then that,, fill this in then go on to something else or I am thinking of SOS American Lit. Anyone use that? I have a headache this morning, our cooler weather came in yesterday so that could be part of it with change in seasonal air my allergies change too lol, but I am also feeling the pressure that I am not doing a good enough job with his lessons because by the time we are home and working on them after band and college pick up kids, or drop off its crazy! I started the end of last week telling dd to go to her room during our school time so ds is not distracted. She obliged and it was a bit better. I have a question for those of you who school one and have some in college or outside schools, how do you do it? MY schedule is different m-w then t th normally but not its all mish mashing trying to get it done.. I want the joy of teaching back and am considering going to a teaching seminar just to get that push... I am also going through the why am I homeschooling again -- see my new prayer request for details-- I am working on schooling him very little because I am trying to foster independent learning in him, but I am still disorganized after a month of school. running out of space sorry long. Thanks for replying!
Well you are under a lot of pressure I see. And you were saying in another post you have added more to your own plate by teaching adults as well. Can we get it all done??? I don't think that's realistic. Breathe remember to breathe And also maybe split your classes up for the week more like a college would. Focus on one to three areas of learning two days of the week and then the other days pick up the other courses. That way it will feel less mashed Maybe allot certain time frames for each subject. Like one hour on this and so on. And to encourage more independent work break out essays and reports. Nothing is more independent then having them research, compose and present.
TeacherMom, I wish I could FedEx you a vacation! Your doing a lot of work. I'm sure more veteran homeschoolers will give you specific answers to your questions, but I just wanted to encourage you that homeschooling works even when you don't feel like you're getting everything done. You can read my introduction post for my own story. Hope you find peace and wisdom as you're trying to figure this out...
I feel for you Teresa. I only have one and my kids were 7 years apart to begin with, so I will never know I would have handled many children at once (probably not well!) But what you are describing sounds a lot like what we will be facing in a few years when DS begins CC. We live an hour away from the college so it will be tough if he can't drive himself. Now about your headache - we are all just beginning to get over a terrible head cold - my head felt like it was going to explode all weekend - in fact I didn't even get a new unit study up for the website this week becasue I was too sick to get out of bed. So maybe you are coming down with something and need a little R&R to feel better?
Thanks everyone for the encoragement. I know I am overloaded at the moment, its mostly with temporary stuff that cuts into what would be my now set up and regroup time. I love the business normally but when I get this kind of head ache I know its tension/sinus related. I got bit by something ( some kind of spider) and am allergic so that could be part of my sinus head part, I think I just need to get my house finished organizing its half there, and make my tweener accept that he is human and will get some things wrong in math! lol I was all excited till I graded his test, they are small easy mistakes no big deal but he is grumbling and complaining that he actually got it wrong; welcome to reality son we are not perfect peoples! He is fussing as he does it but being obedient at least. The math has been going easy for him but he of course hates the writing out the problems that he has to do when he gets them wrong. Laziness? YEP! I think working T-Th with half his classes and MW with the other half then co op twice a month with catch up days for the other two days will work out.. my head is clearing up a bit and the encouragement is helpful don't stop! haha!
