Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and founder of Steady Mom
Happy Friday, fabulous readers! Today I’m writing to ask you to share your thoughts with me.
Simple Homeschool has been chugging along for over eight months now and along the way, courtesy of some fabulous contributors, we’ve covered a vast array of topics: buying curricula, getting your school space organized, unpacking educational methods and philosophies, and helping educate you in your role as teacher, just to name a few.
What can we do for you now? Our team is not here just to write eloquent words but to meet the needs of you, our readers.
So please take a minute today in the comments to let us know what those needs are!
Do you hope to see specific, practical projects you can try out? Book lists for the season? Are you mainly in need of encouragement and inspiration? Do you prefer to hear stories of those who have been there and done that–personal successes and struggles?
All of the above?! Please speak up and let us know today.
Thanks for sharing and have a lovely weekend!
As someone who fully plans on homeschooling my yet-to-be-born kids, I love this blog for the inspiration and ideas – thank you!
I would love to see a round-up of the most commonly asked questions, and criticisms, parents get when they “come out” as homeschoolers. When I share my plans with friends, family and others, I get barraged with
“Won’t your kids be anti-social?”
“How will you teach them algebra?”
“What about college?”
“Don’t you think that limits their life experience?”
What questions and concerns come up most frequently? How have you learned to explain the benefits of homeschooling to cynical folks?
Thanks!
All of the above! I appreciate the coverage of every topic you mentioned. And every topic I think about wanting to see covered, you all have done! I guess if I had to pick something, I’d say it would be nice to hear a little more from veterans who have trod the road and come out the other side having been successful (by a variety of definitions). People like Jena, for example, are very inspiring and reassuring because, regardless of their method, they show us that our efforts can pay off in young adults who love learning, are pursuing higher education or a career, and most importantly, have a warm relationship with their parents.
I’m in need of more tricks up my sleeve to keep my 3 and 1 1/2 year olds happily occupied while I work with my 10, 8, and 6 year olds!
I would like to see some “day in the life” posts. I saw on Steady Mom your morning routine, and I’d like to see something similar for examples of what a homeschool day might look like.
As a mother of a one-year old, I’d also like to see what people out there are doing to start a homeschooling atmosphere for little ones.
Thanks!
I second the idea of more ‘day in the life’ posts- I’d love to see how homeschooling works for different families.
I agree with this!
-Day in the Life of…
-Creative subject/lesson plan ideas
-keeping younger entertained while HSing older children
-curriculum reviews
-manipulative reviews
-more links to free ideas (all subjects, free printables-just some “around the web” free ideas/links/printables)
-more guest posts to get LOTS of perspective from various home schooling families, and see the hundreds of ways to learn and teach
*** LOVE THIS SITE ***
I love to see how real families make homeschooling work on a daily basis. I sometimes get caught up in feeling like I’m not doing enough if a project doesn’t work out or we have a rough morning. So I really enjoy reading real examples of how people make homeschooling work in their family, not just on the best days, but every day.
I seem to be *stuck* in the actual carrying out of all my plans. I make these plans, and then I don’t know how to implement them. I draw from Waldorf, Montessori, and Charlotte Mason, and it seems like as soon as I make a plan, I hear in my mind that I’m not doing any one the “right way”, and then I freeze. I think that’s the perfectionist in me. I’m not sure how you can address that on your blog but that’s my biggest challenge. Thankfully, my “student” is 4, so we’ve got some time yet to figure it all out.
Yes, all of the above! I also second the ideas to occupy little ones. Also wrestling with how to do curriculum without feeling like it’s unnatural. Any thoughts?
jamie,
i absolutely love this blog. it has been my lifesaver this past year as we have dipped our toes into homeschooling. i think the suggestions above are great. also, i would love to hear from homeschoolers in college now and also those who have graduated and are in “the real world”. finally, i would love to hear from someone who is homeschooling more than one very active son (i have 2 who are 21 months apart and its tough!) and how they keep the guys’ attention, get them enough activity, keep them from competing all the time,etc.
many thanks and keep up the good work!
kim
slowmomama.blogspot.com
i wish you had SIMPLE homeschooling “subject in the life” ideas. ideas compiled weekly or monthly. 15- minute math and science ideas that others have done. for example my kindergarten son and will count ALL the seeds in our pumpkin next week.
Math, simply. i luv this blog too.
I was originally drawn to homeschooling when I learned my baby (almost 2 now) has a neurological condition that might make traditional schooling more challenging, but after spending a little over a year reading anything I can get my hands on about homeschoolling and education, I’m pretty confident I’ll homeschool her sibling(s) (I’m preg now) too. I would also love to see more ‘day in the life’ posts especially from parents with a non-traditional schedule. While I’m not sure I will always work full-time (in 3 days a week), I know there are those that do it -would love to hear from them… also, posts from parents of those w/ special needs or from those who’ve helped children overcome a specific learning road block (handwritting, reading, confidence etc.).
I would love more:
specific curriculum reviews by expereinced homeschoolers
day in the life posts
reccomendations and advice for those of us parenting special needs kids
Thanks!
I’d like to see some more posts addressing older children, specifically third grade and up. I would also like to see some more in depth posts on a specific subject, rather than just a broad overview. Is someone using a specific method or technique (such as lap books) that they could not only give an overview of, but share how it specifically fits into their planning and their day? Possibly some posts on frugal homeschooling, or how working parents manage homeschooling in these economic times might be helpful as well.
These are great ideas, keep them coming! And thanks for your input!
I really appreciate the diversity of the content here, since my children haven’t reached school age yet, and I’m completely undecided as to whether I will home school them. I’ll join the others in voting for more day-in-the-life posts, and I’d also like to see more posts written by and aimed at those of us just beginning to teach the littlest students. My sister-in-law’s oldest learned in his first year of home schooling (at age 4) to ask whether an activity was “for school,” and to resist it if it was. I haven’t even started with my oldest (also 4), and already I see the seeds of the very same reaction when I try to engage his attention. How have other home-schooling parents managed to introduce a more structured, deliberate kind of learning into the day without instigating an endless battle of wills?
I’d love to post a day in the life post : ) I love those kind of posts (but don’t know if I could do it under 900 words!)
Renee,
I have a read at least one such post on FIMBY and I loved it. I just wanted you to know that so much of what you’ve written has deeply resonated with me. Thank you!
Jamie, I really love how I feel calm after visiting Simple Homeschool. I hope that vibe will continue.
-Carrie
That’s so lovely to hear, Carrie! Calm is exactly how I want our readers to feel after visiting!
I’m a homeschooling big sister of 5 with disabilites. This is our first year, and we’ve already looking for a new curriculum because the one we first committed to just isn’t working. The questions I’m constantly asking myself are: “Are they learning?” “What do others do for a schedule?” “Am I spending too little or too much time on this?” How can you “test” their knowledge without an actual test? What are some ideas you’ve used to communicate lessons?
That’s a lot of mumble jumble but they’re straight from this brain!
I’m interested in the social emotional journey. How to set boundaries with different personalities and wills. when to set a boundary and when to let it go with out feeling inconsistent.
Second! How do home-schoolers prevent familiarity from breeding contempt (to say nothing of self-contempt)?
Yes! This year, my kids have gone from inseparable to intolerable–they bicker constantly and it is wearing me down. The things that brought us such joy in years past no longer do, and without the joy, I find my enthusiasm for homeschooling waning by the day. And I too, struggle with the setting boundaries/letting it go issue…
I’m a grown homeschooler who is now homeschooling my own children, 6 yr old twins, 16 month old DS and a baby on the way. They “day in the life of” posts feel too perfect and hunky-dory. Not all the days are like that so I’d like some rough days thrown in there to balance the plate 🙂 What I mean is that we’re all still learning and growing even on the “bad” days that feel like we’ve accomplished nothing. Our kids get to see that this too shall pass. As a friend of mine says they are lessons in social civics.
I’d be happy to post about life after homeschooling as a grown homeschooler.
Hm… I don’t know. I guess I’d like to hear more about people’s experiences with specific curriculum’s in detail. Especially for math!
I truly look forward to reading the posts daily and I am forever awed by the diversity of the homeschooling community. We all have so much to learn from each other…young, old, new to journey or nearing the end of the path. That being said I would love to see more info on doing school at home with “tweens” including curriculum ideas, transitioning to high school and fun service projects.
Hi, I think all the topics are helpful however I prefer bigger picture topics that get you thinking about why we do certain things. Maybe what we are doing doesn’t make much sense if we look at it from another angle.
I’m not sure if it’s already been covered (I’ve been reading from day 1, but I have mommy brain, forgive me please)….but maybe some articles about how to start. Some of us have never been exposed to homeschooling and we’re trying to do it, but for me, I don’t know where to start. At what ages do I teach what. Sounds really simple, and common sense…but sometimes it isn’t. ANd I know every kid is different.
Also, maybe something about supplies every homeschooler MUST-HAVE (things most people might think “wow, that is an excellent idea, I never thought of that!”
* how to teach various ages, levels at once
* how to teach in a small place without people going crazy
Above all, I love how every article you’ve all put up is encouraging. This is an excellent blog!
I have really started to think about homeschooling my two kids (7 & 9) next year so I’ve pretty much been devouring every piece of info I can get on this subject! I’ve been to the library, bought some books and have been online literally until the wee hours of the mornings for weeks now. I can’t even describe how heavy this has been on my heart. Both of my kids have only ever been to school and I have such doubts, fears and worries about pulling them out and “experimenting” with them. I’m curious how and if any has ever had to deal with a child who did not want to be homeschooled or switched over from public school. I am also the kind of person who needs to see the bad side too because I will feel like a complete failure if I read about how wonderful it is for everyone else while I’m struggling. Also, the curriculum choice has been very hard for me but I don’t know how anyone else can really help because all kids are different and what works for one, might not for another. However, I’m curious if you do buy some curriculum and realize it’s not working, can you send it back and get your money back or are you stuck with it? Organization and motivation are always wecome too! Thanks so much for this site…it’s giving me hope that maybe it can be done in our case!!