JETIHOJA ACADEMY: November 2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

Keep It Simple!

Last night we had a Homeschool Round Table Discussion Event for the local homeschooling community. It was such a blessing to me.

I have been homeschooling for 14+ years and it never fails that I learn something new each year I homeschool. I knew keeping things simple while homeschooling is always best, but last night I saw first hand that it is the KEY to successfully homeschool all the way through (birth through highschool). That doesn't mean there won't be bad days, months, or years, but it is the key to keep on moving on with homeschooling.

Each one of the ladies up on the panel all homeschooled differently (methods, idea's, etc.), but one common thread was that they learned to KEEP IT SIMPLE.

I started out using box curriculum and used it for several years. Looking back, I wonder how I did it sometimes. When my oldest was in 6th grade and thought how in the world was I going to do this box stuff x5? (There is 6 years difference between my first and second child) I looked at his big stack of books and my big stack of books that I needed to teach and envisioned seeing 5 big stacks for each of my children, plus my stacks. I was overwhelmed and about to give up.

I attended an event by Jennifer Steward and it was like the sky opened wide and I heard angels singing. There were other options out there for me to use. I don't know why it took attending this event to realize that, as I had other friends that used other curriculum, but I never seemed to make that connection. Isn't it like that with us sometimes? I think it is part of my stubborn side. *Ü*

Since then I have started simplifying my homeschooling world. Each year it gets better and better as far as what I will let go of and let myself realize that I don't have to do this and that to be successful. But that is a whole different topic post. *Ü*

In short, I just want to encourage other homeschooling mom's or dad's that it is ok to take breaks, it is ok to not do what Suzy or Tom is doing with their homeschooling. Enjoy each season of life with your children and keep it simple!

I like my dear friend Lisa's Motto: Keep it Simple Sweetie! I think I am going to steal her motto!

Monday, November 17, 2008

HOAC Lapbook Freebie

This week's CurrClick's freebie is: The Girl in the Rag Coat from In The Hands of a Child.

Here is a description of the lapbook from HOAC:

Learn more about a little girl and her rag coat when you read the heartwarming story, “The Rag Coat” by Lauren Mills and complete a lapbook with the Project Pack, The Girl in the Rag Coat. In this unit, you will find a 6-page Research Guide dedicated to the story with questions to ask your student, a mini-Research Guide about quilting, coal mining, and Appalachia along with 24 hands-on activities that correspond to the story and the guide.

Head on over to CurrClick to receive this free lapbook! If you have been interested in Lapbooking, now is a good time to head over and check them out for FREE. Hurry because this offer expires on Monday 11-24-08.

On a side note, I LOVE HOAC lapbooks. They are my favorite by far because they are complete with a research guide (so you don't have to do extra research), they provide answer keys, and the quality is wonderful.