RETHINKING how we use HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM//Creating a Vision for your Homeschool//homeschool goals

We need to RETHINK how we use homeschool curriculum? Why do we keep holding ourselves hostage to unrealistic expectations? So often, we don't even realize that we are weighing our own selves down with unrealistic homeschool mom expectations, our own education, or the need to FINISH every page of THE CURRICULUM. But it doesn't have to be this way, Mom! You can make your homeschool different. You can slow down.

After attending a recent homeschool conference, I've come away some epiphanies, and some tips for re-focusing, and creating a vision for your homeschool! We're going to have a homeschool mom heart to heart!
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OUR HOMESCHOOL PLAN VIDEOS MENTIONED:

HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE DAY IN THE LIFE pt. 1
Come to the ICHE, Illinois Christian Home Educators Homeschool Conference with me, where I met….(drum roll, please!)…..Heidi St.John!!!!

ICHE homeschool conference DITL pt. 2
My conversation with Heidi & the day that got me rethinking how I use curriculum.

MEMORIALIZE YOUR VICTORIES:

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COMPASS CLASSROOM:
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NOT CONSUMED MINISTRIES:
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TUTTLE TWINS book series:
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[ejx]

Amen! I actually sit and feel like a failure if I can't get through all of my curriculum. I feel like I am letting my children down. I have to keep reminding myself (a public school graduate) that I HOMESCHOOL for this reason...so I can set my own rules and my children can love learning!

[agamble]

I remember learning about pioneers and the Oregon trail in 5th grade. I also remember learning about Ben Franklin. In middle school I remember learning about medieval history and ancient Egypt in 7th grade and the land rush and homesteading of the 1800s plus world war 2 and the holocaust in 8th grade. I think upper elementary and middle school are typically about getting a foundation in historical concepts and general timelines.

I taught public school in Las Vegas. We were required to complete our math and ELA curriculum each year. But Social Studies and Science were often pushed off in the rush to improve test scores or because teachers did not like teaching science because it's messy. We had a principal who required a 2 hour block of science each Friday to ensure it was being taught.

More recently I taught 1.5 years in our local, rural CA school before choosing to pull my kids to homeschool. I was teaching 6th grade all subjects. The 7/8th grade math teacher told me she had never completed the entire math curriculum, usually 60 to 80 percent depending on the students. I looked at the curriculum. There were ONLY 100 lessons. I completed the curriculum. I still do not understand how that teacher was unable to ever complete the curriculum when there were so few lessons.

I LOVE that The Good and Beautiful only has 120 lessons for Math and ELA and suggests that we get through 3 or 4 science units which are generally 15 lessons. It makes school so much more flexible. My oldest's Notgrass History only has 150 lessons, but that does create a pressure that isn't there with the 120 lessons. I have skipped a few and will probably skip some more so we can move forward in History but "finish" before the end of the year.

I'm trying to read aloud more and play more games with my kids. We are moving across country soon and I know that is going to derail school for a few weeks.

[brat]

We typically do finish whatever we started whenever that time comes. I've learned to let go of how long it takes. We've spent months in a particular area before because we've either taken a pause or we dove deep into the material. We try to stay the course on Language Arts, Reading and Math. Every so often we break from the traditional too and jump into a unit study with plenty of projects, lots of reading, outdoor activities and games. In fact we have a unit study planned for just that from March until June. Mainly because I know us.

[amandab.]

I needed this soooo much today! I have been obsessing over curriculum, worried maybe I picked the "wrong" one, being anxious about the topics that my children have a harder time with, etc. You are so right- focusing on their souls and their salvation is the only eternal lesson that we teach.

[ambers]

I needed this! I have been focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic and I felt bad bc I was slacking on other subjects. Thank you for this! Really spoke to me, on everything! ❤️

[momofmany]

I need to re-read “The Unhurried Homeschooler”. I am re-reading “Teaching from Rest” and re-reading “Better Together” right now. Thank you for this encouraging video! I am wrapping up Year 13 as a homeschool mom. This year I’m homeschooling 9 kids (only 5 are my own). Next year I’ll be homeschooling 5-7 kids and I want to be a more fun homeschooling mama!!!

[shelleymattson]

Yes, I needed this. Thank you for the reminder. My style matches yours so I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

[luza.rivera]

Thank you for that words. That's how I feel. I felt I was hearing myself.

[hstewart]

I love your videos so much. I am so glad I found you!!

[Wayfarer]

My daughter starts 7th grade this year. She has always hated workbooks, reading texts, learning history, etc. But she loves drawing and animating and editing videos. She loves nature and learning every bird and butterfly. She likes to write stories and act things out. She likes hands-on cooking and science, but hates following pretty much any curriculum. So this year I am going to stop planning and thinking in terms of subjects. Instead I am going to focus on roles she loves: Artist, Writer, Naturalist, Entrepreneur, etc. We are still going to include a little math, but honestly? I am done with any other curriculum. I am embracing what she loves. 100%

[rachelslabaugh]

My brain has been shifting on this as well! I was thinking about doing one month of science (or however long we are interested) and then one month of history (or however long it takes us to finish one American girl) and then flipping back and forth between science and history. And then taking off as needed 💕

[tess]

Completely relate!!!!

An old soul once said to me - homeschool is natural....public school is the experiment

Now that I homeschool....those words hit different for sure 😀

[Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

Love, love, love this video! We are at the beginning of our homeschool journey with our oldest in Kindergarten. Soaking up all the wisdom 💜

[amandapatterson]

Wonderful video! I reread teaching with rest before each year as it helps me to focus and be more intentional with our school.
I honestly don't remember anything learning wise from elementary/middle school except home ec, art and music.
I have never diagrammed a sentence in my adult life until I had to teach it.
My kids love science and history and we usually rabbit trail down certain subjects when my kids show interest. I've finally learned that it is okay to not finish a curriculum, break it up into multiple years and to enjoy teaching. Granted if took me 4 years to figure that out but truly at a happy homeschool place.
Congratulations on 1000 subscribers! I enjoy your videos and LOVE your humor.

[TheEharvey]

This is so inspiring and refreshing! ❤

[nicolethibodeau]

Girl!!! All of this!!! Thank you!! I needed to see and hear this❤️

[farrarchannel]

Great video! Very well spoken. For me, after spending thousands of dollars on curriculum, again, this year, I decided to throw in the towel after using just 4 weeks worth of it. We’ve been homeschooling over 6 years. I’ve looked at every curriculum under the sun and tried several. I kept blaming myself and my children for not being able to stick with any curriculum no matter how relaxed with it we tried to be. My mind has been in torment, struggling with knowing that curriculum wasn’t working but not wanting to unschool either. So, I’ve given up on all curriculum, except for math, and have decided just to wing it. So freeing. The possibilities are endless and
I look forward to teaching my kids now. Now they can be creative and so can I.

[HomeSweetHomeschoolLife]

I love seeing this shift in you. I’m excited to see what your homeschool year holds.

[mhals]

Wise words Momma!! Thank you for the reminders!!

[ourfamilyvideos]

Truth of chilling is so true…we figured math is a must..we can tweak everything else…the relationship we’re creating is SOOOO valuable. I challenge you and all mamas…stop mid day and say “ get your shoes on we’re headed to get ice cream”… see the change