Its got to that time of year again where we see more back to school posts or new pupils that start in the January term, so thought i would do a post to match us.
William, very nicely, had asked me this last week of we could start home schooling this coming week. With nursery starting this week he wanted to just spend some time with me and just him, so I didn't mind. However, because of this I'm currently doing my planning for this coming week.
Now I know that I am unique in the fact that I home school William. So thought I would take advantage of this post to explain how I set up the home school plans and routines, personally, I think this can be used by any adult trying to entertain their child and enrich what they do daily.
The first part is easy.....Topics:
These are simple. During each school term or half term each subject has a topic. These are easy to find on sites like TES a teaching website. On here you can put subject plus year group and get not only curriculum plans and resources but themes.
So I choose themes that suit. For example; History is Castles and Geography is Weather. These are fairly loose and because of that I build event and days out around them. We will be visiting castles in Kent, taking pictures, doing worksheets and building our own.
For me this free curriculum is great we are matching the required curriculum guidelines but doing it in our way.
Can you see how even this theme could be carried in at home or with schooled children?
If they're learning it at school it gives you an understanding of what they're doing and from that you can plan days out, do a self planned family project. All of which builds upon your child's school understanding and will make them engage more at school. "We've been to ......It has a draw bridge etc"
So this term our themes are this:
History - Castles
Geography - Weather
Food and technology - Playgrounds and Fairs and Pasta
Life skills -Animals, animal care, especially birds as national bird watch week is coming.
Religious Education - Chinese New Year and Christianity and the Miracles of Jesus.
Obviously we will still keep Literacy, Numeracy and Science to government guidelines.
So what do you think? Do you struggle to plan activities for your children? Have you ever thought about themes and projects?
Schooled or not, half term or free break, these themes would always be great. Go get a folder or book and start your own project!
I will try to keep you posted on our home school projects, as I did last term.
6 comments:
What great ideas you have.....Being home schooled sounds a lot more fun than normal schooling....Good luck I hope it goes well x
That's such a good idea, I really ought to do this with Libby. Although she is too young for formal education, I think topics could benefit any age.x
Thanks Kim!
It definitely is and so much more freeing. As a class teacher verses home educator and I was shocked at how much I loved it
Even if she isn't ready for formal eduction all bits I think it's a great habit to get into. Creating scrape books and memory folders of everything you did on the project. And when she is the right age you'll be a dab hand at it and will be able to reinforce her education. Definitely saves coming up with ideas all the time that's the most draining bit I found before home school took over.
My go to for education my child has always been cars, keeping within his interests. We count toy cars, check out colours, group them, add and subtract them, pair them and compare them. I've had great success using these to foster some critical thinking skills. We read LOTS of books about cars too. Sounds like you are well prepared and your children are very lucky to have a dad so involved in their education! My son attends public school but I always read the curriculum documents and apply his interests to help him meet specific expectations in the document.
That sounds great!! We do a lot of interaction through his interest. He loves cooking so we make recipes, measure and weigh, count biscuits and read recipe books.
I see it from both sides. As a class teacher for many years I saw a lack of parental involvement "school is for school and home is for home" I completely understand that....even more so as a parent. A child needs to have fun and a chance to relax. Yet as a parent I found it difficult to create new activities that didn't become repetitive. Home schooling, or at least from your perspective point of view, interacting on what the school provides offers a wider scheme to full back on yo enrich their minds and lives.
I have many comments for good and bad when it comes to home education but for me, as you said, being involved in their education is the main thing!
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