Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

Homeschool planning and the ‘room of requirement’

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The following is a guest post by Sheila Petruccelli of Sure as the World.

Summer is planning time at our house. The upcoming year seems expansive, exciting and full of possibility — the towering piles of books, papers and post-its scattered everywhere are tangible proof of this.

For the most part, we follow the Waldorf curriculum and block scheduling works well for us. My big-picture planning consists of assigning each month a different subject to study, and this is true for every month from August through May except for February.

February is left absolutely blank except for the cryptic abbreviation, ROR, which stands for “Room of Requirement.”

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Everyone who has read the Harry Potter series will know that I have shamelessly stolen this concept from Hogwarts.

I remember first reading about the Room of Requirement and loving the concept of a magical place that provided space and time for whatever was needed. Having an unplanned month smack in the middle of our school year does that for us.

Whatever I need homeschooling-wise, February provides the space and time. It’s one of those things I don’t even question anymore; I have actually come to count on it.

Having a month of unplanned days — and anyone who has homeschooled for even one February knows those are longggg days — helps to shake things up a little and makes the month go faster.

Well . . . a little faster.

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Deciding exactly what to do in February takes a little discerning. After the hustle and bustle of December and the titanic effort of getting everyone back at it in January, I look at our year up until that point and assess how things are going.

What do we need to work on? What needs more practice? Has there been too much math? Not enough math? And why haven’t we done [fill in the blank] yet?

Yes, there is always something that needs to brushed up, broadened or brought into balance. I try hard not to get overwhelmed with this assessment and just identify one thing. One. Thing. And work on it. It’s amazing what can be done.

Math

I have used the Room of Requirement to hone our math skills, especially in the early grades. We practiced skip counting with bean bags. We played endless math games. After a month, times tables, carrying and borrowing all showed marked improvement.

Cursive writing

This was a skill I wanted to teach for years, but never seemed to be able to set aside the time to do it. This past February, I finally had the chance. I felt this to be one of our major accomplishments this year.

Savoring a novel

We have afternoon story time most days, but February seems especially suited to a nice long novel that just sweeps you away. Plus, talking time for some hot tea, a nice snack and a satisfying story helps the afternoons not seem so cold and gray.

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A whole month of art

This is an idea I have filed away for this coming February. I think it would be fun to break out the paints, colored pencils, crayons, a whole ream of paper and really let creativity flourish.

Rather than trying to squeeze art into a lesson, I want the art to BE the lesson — for a whole blessed month! Plus all that color has to be good for the winter soul.

Above all, I use this month to reconnect with my boys, recapture some of the joy that might have dwindled since August or just remind myself of the flexibility inherent in homeschooling.

There is time and there is space for all we need.

Do you purposefully “schedule” unplanned time into your week or your year? What have you found most fulfilling or surprising?

About Sheila Petruccelli

Sheila Petruccelli is a homeschooler, homemaker and homebody at heart. She believes a fancy pair of cowboy boots is just about as good as a superhero cape, even though her husband, two boys, their dog and the old farmhouse in which they live frequently test the limits of this theory. She blogs about her days at Sure as the World.

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Comments

  3. Faith

    I kind of did this too but called it Advent School. We always did it from Thanksgiving to right before Christmas. This was because I could not plan for Christmas and keep up the usual routine, so we would focus on a new read aloud that usually had a religious theme to prepare us for Christmas, instead of handwriting we practiced drawing, we read lots of poetry and we played lots of educational games. We also focused on making Christmas things, baking, cleaning the house (I always hosted a huge extended family get together so a deep decluttering and deep cleaning of the house was necessary). Now all my kids are in their teens so Advent school exists only as a shadow of its former self, alas!

    Reply

    • sheila

      I love that idea.
      December is such a sticky wicket, isn’t it? I have been homeschool for 8 years now and I still cannot seem to get that month right. I’m going to remember your suggestions come Thanksgiving.
      sheila’s latest post: Simple Homeschool!

      Reply

  4. Sharon

    Oh yes. I finally learned to keep February open as well. I have a “general” plan. The plan is-what ever we decide to do, we will do the block together. 🙂 February is always a time when I need to get away so we will probably plan a couple short getaways as well. (I am usually on a search for sun by this time in the year-LOL). Terrific to see you here! Fantastic post!
    Sharon’s latest post: Hold On or Put Your Hands in the Air!

    Reply

  6. erica menendez

    We are doing something similar this year by setting aside the last week of each month to do exactly as we please…..a week of art, trips to museums, maybe just hitting the beach, reading books for fun (most of our current read alouds tie in with history.) We school year round so this works out perfectly for our family. We’re starting our first “unschooling week” with a well-deserved trip to Mexico!

    Reply

    • sheila

      I have our block summaries for most grades on the blog. We have started to incorporate more mainstream resources now that my oldest is in middle school. However, we are still heavy-handed with art and stories.
      sheila’s latest post: Simple Homeschool!

      Reply

    • sheila

      February is kinda desperate, isn’t it?
      And I don’t know why we wait until we are at the end of our ropes – I’m totally including myself here. I think the idea of being kind – or even just kinder – to ourselves may be the key. And yes, intention is another key.
      If we can be kind and intentional, I think we can do anything!
      sheila’s latest post: Sunday Selections

      Reply

  11. Christina

    Hello! Love the February idea! I was hoping you might have some good “art” ideas, books, websites, ….I’m not sure what or how to do this with my boys. Just give me a book to follow. Lol. Even something that had an artists picture and info and try to put into practice what they are known for like pointillism. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Becky

    What an awesome idea!!! I am an unorganized homeschool mom and this will be perfect for us!!! Thank you thank you thank you!

    Reply

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