We are starting our fifth week of school and we've gotten into a pretty good routine. I'm looking for ways to shake up the routine every once in a while so we don't get into a boring rut. Since the first day of fall is approaching, I was thinking about putting away all of our regular curriculum for the day, taking a hike to observe the changes that are starting to happen and then spend the rest of the day working on autumn themed lapbooks. I'd like to do this later for Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter and other events, holidays or seasons that come up. I'm a little apprehensive about taking some side trips. Does this sound like a good idea or not?
YES!! One of the things I LOVE about homeschooling is being able to follow the interests that we have! There is so much you can learn form nature during this time of year.
Of course its a great idea. No one likes ruts. And kids get bored easily with the routine. Break it up with fun stuff as much as you can
We take both seasonal and interest side trips. When the kids get very interested in a topic we often take a few days to really dig in and learn about it.
ABSOLUTELY!!! I'm planning on "forcing" my girls to spend tomorrow pealing and slicing 2.5 bushels of apples!
I not only think it is good, I think it is necessary. I am not good at planning different things to do, but I really think it is beneficial to refresh ourselves and our kids. I think it is also good to let go sometimes. I know this flies in the face of our society-which seems to demand production at all times, but a break can help anyone in any type of task.
'Round here we call those bunny trails! My boys love them! Sometimes I'll see the glazed over look in their eyes when something is boring them and I'll stop and shout "Bunny Trail" and go off in another direction and we'll study that for a week or so for a break. They love it! Last week, my 6yo was bored with a particular topic in science and he shouted "Bunny Trail" at me, so I looked at him and said pick the direction, he chose to study stars...so we are covering stars for a week, even though the book doesn't cover stars for a few more chapters...so I made up a mini study for them for the week.
For sure! We take side trips, side steps and yeah its important to enjoy the joys of Home teaching this way, it is special when we an do this.
Jackie, I was going to suggest that she take them to an apple orchard. That would be fun. That is cute you said you were "forcing" to help you.
Actually, it's not happening today. My throat started bugging me last night, and is really painful this morning. Monday is my Laundry Day, so I have that going. Phillip also isn't feeling his best. I gave assignments to Faythe this morning, and then went back to bed for about an hour and a half. Phillip I also sent back to bed. I've beans that I got ready to can Saturday, but Mom was sick and I needed to go over there. So those need done. I've 10 lbs of Chicken Tenders I got on sale for $1.99/lb that I need to make Chicken Nuggets to freeze. My dss stopped by yesterday with his pregnant girlfriend (we haven't seen him in about 2 years, so this is a blessing!). Oh, and I need to get to the store so we can eat tonight and get snacks for Phillip's soccer game tomorrow. So the apples are the easiest thing to put off right now! Sigh....
HA I take side trips daily! LOL ALways have...oh wait-we're talking about homeschooling....yeah-side trips for that too. I look at it this way is it better to learn about fall in the fall or or to learn about it in the spring? I mean if something comes up for hands on learning or a real life field trip, we go for it, whether it's what we are studying at that time or not...
