Are you ready for our third week of Homeschooling Tips from A to Z? I am. This week is the letter C.
Don’t forget, if you think of a homeschool tip that begins with the letter C, go ahead and leave a comment!
Homeschool Tip #1: Cooperation
My kids and I enjoy doing science experiments together.
When we studied volcanos, we had to build and make our volcano erupt. It’s a no-brainer, right? It’s just gotta be done. I had four kids in the house at the time, ages ranging from 3 to 14. Let me tell you, I was nervous.
I always want the kids to have fun when we are doing special things, and I don’t want to be a mom that is concerned about a mess, but you know what? I didn’t have to worry.
The kids worked together. There was no arguing as the kids shredded the newspapers and used Paper Mache’ to build with. The fourteen year old was so helpful with the younger ones, even the three year old got to help, until she got bored.
As your kids are growing, teach them the benefits of cooperation. They and others around them will appreciate it.
Homeschool Tip #2: Caring and Compassion
Caring and compassion can go hand-in-hand with cooperation. I think that once you care about someone you are more likely to cooperate with them while doing a task.
These character traits that we can diligently teach our kids at home, set us apart from the rest of the world. So many times my husband and I have been complimented on how well behaved the kids are. They don’t fight between themselves or call each other names. We get along. We have to.
Caring and compassion is not just taught by your speech, homeschool parent, it’s also taught by your own actions. Kids notice when you are kind to others and help others out. It’s a wonderful chance we have to be with our kids and set this good example for them.
And then, when you see your kids being kind to one another, or to someone outside of the family, don’t forget the recognition and awards that we talked about with the letter A.
Homeschool Tip #3: Creativity
When I was in school, my favorite subject was art. Unfortunately, the time just went by way too fast. When that five minute bell rang, it was so disappointing to have to put my project away and go to the next class, which I did not like so well.
Homeschoolers don’t have to have a five minute bell. You have the freedom to keep working on and studying the topics that interest your family the most.
There are so many ideas for creative study while you homeschool. Some ideas include:
- create and act out a play
- use puppetry to perform, review, or teach
- nature journals
- notebooking
- art projects
- building models
- science experiments
- cooking
- and so much more!
Don’t let the clock rule you all the time, Mom! Just relax. Have fun.
Homeschool Tip #4: Comfortable Couch
My family and I love read-aloud story time. I have loved to take the time on a cold, snowy day to relax on the couch with a comfy blanket, a good book, and all the kids comfy with me, on or near the couch too.
It’s just so relaxing, and the books are great too. Personally, we love the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) books. We have all of the missionary stories, and currently we are working on the Heroes of History series.
Your homeschooling doesn’t have to be kept at a desk all of the time. You can do school on the couch too!
Click the YWAM banner picture below to see the wonderful books that YWAM has to offer. Some of our favorites are George Mueller, Gladys Aylward, Nate Saint, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, and David Livingstone.
Homeschooling Tip #4: Co-ops
A homeschool co-op is a group of homeschoolers that get together for group learning, fun, and socialization.
Usually, if you want to join a co-op they require that you take a turn doing or teaching something for the kids. This is helpful in so many ways, especially if it’s a difficult math topic or a detailed science experiment.
Every Co-op is different, and their rules and times of meetings are different. But the goal is still the same. Let the kids socialize, have fun, and learn something all that the same time.
Homeschooling Tip #5: Circus Days
Have you every been to a big, professional circus. One time, I had the privilege of going to a Barnum & Bailey circus. It was fun and exciting, but I know that I didn’t get to see everything.
It’s just too much to take in at the same time.
Some days, that is the way homeschooling is. No matter how prepared you are, no matter how scheduled your day is, you will have the circus days.
I have had more than one school day where three of my kids were asking questions of me, (about different subjects) at the same time. For me, that’s the beginning of a circus. I can’t handle that.
I quickly had to make the rule that when I am working with one child, then the rest of them had to wait their turn. If they were completely stuck, they could move on to an independent subject, activity, or work on our chore list.
It helped me and them to keep our sanity. It’s ok to have the circus at your house, but if you can’t deal with it, find a healthy way to fix and prevent it from happening again.
The second kind of homeschool circus I’ve had is with “fun stuff”. I know, I know, the science experiments are supposed to be fun. The sew-your-own costume is supposed to be fun. The cook your favorite country’s meal is supposed to be fun. But it’s not fun when it becomes chaos.
My only tip to prevent this is to not schedule more than one big “fun” thing at a time. I certainly would not recommend having more than one child doing different “big” things. It’s just too hard to keep track of everything, at least it is for me.
Know your limits, and keep your sanity. Spread your big “fun” stuff around.
Thirdly, the other type of homeschool circus I’ve had is when I schedule too much outside-of-the-house stuff. Don’t get me wrong. Sports, art lessons, music lessons, church activities, co-ops, errands, they are all important, but don’t get flustered and overwhelmed by a schedule that is too full.
Once again, know your limits. Keep some white space on your calendar. You’ll thank me later.
Homeschooling Tip #6: Crafts
Young kids love crafts. They just have to keep their little hands busy. It’s also another way to reinforce what they are learning about in their school lessons.
Here’s my collection of pins on Pinterest. Homeschool Crafts
Homeschooling Tip: #7: Charlotte Mason Approach
There are many different ways to homeschool. Some moms use the Charlotte Mason Approach. We utilized it a little bit when the kids were younger, and it worked well for us.
What I like best about it, is the idea of Narration and Copywork. Both of these types of assignments really get the lesson to stick in the kids’ minds.
Chareen, from Every Bed of Roses, has a round-up post of everything Charlotte Mason. It’s a great resource if you’re interested in learning more about this method.
If you would like to read more A to Z homeschool articles from some wonderful homeschool mom bloggers, just click on the link below. They’ve been writing about some great topics. I know you’ll like them.
Homeschoolers blogging through the alphabet
Last week some wonderful bloggers wrote about these topics that started with the letter B.
Lego ABC’s: B is for Brickheadz
B is for Billy Yank
B is for Books, Where do you Purchase Yours?
Bernstein, Bizet, Bax – ABC’s of Composers
Discovering the “B” Rabbits of the World, by At Home Pets
And don’t forget, if you can think of any other homeschool tips that begin with the letter C, I would love to read it in the comments. See you next week!
If you would like to read more Homeschooling Tips from A to Z, just click on the alphabet letter below.
Homeschool Tips – A
Homeschool Tips – B
Homeschool Tips – C
Homeschool Tips – D
Homeschool Tips – E
Homeschool Tips – F
Homeschool Tips – G
Homeschool Tips – H
Homeschool Tips – I
Homeschool Tips – J
Homeschool Tips – K
Homeschool Tips – L
Homeschool Tips – M
We love homeschooling on our couch. It makes for such nice family time too.
Yes, it certainly does.
I love this list! We loved using Charlotte Mason when my kids were younger.
Thank you, Charlotte!
My kids enjoy doing our schoolwork in the living room on the couches! It feels much more cozy especially in the colder months. And yes cooperation is definitely a must-have when you have multiple kids you’re homeschooling!
You are so right, Megan. Thank you for commenting!
Oh wow I LOVE your list of C things for homeschooling. I definately agree with a comfortable couch it’s where over 90% of our learning has taken place over the years.
Thank you for sharing and linking up to this weeks ABC Blogging