Structuring Quiet Reading Time (So It Works For You)
One of the new routines I implemented this year was to have a time set aside for quiet reading. Like many new routines that we start at the beginning of a new school year, there’s a time to stop and adjust. Structuring quiet reading time so that it works for me has taken some thought. So far it’s going well, but I have had to make some adjustments because things were not working as smoothly as I had hoped. Figuring Out Quiet Reading Time I do quiet reading time first thing in the morning once breakfast has been cleaned up. That means everyone is awake, including my one-year-old. I could do reading time when he naps. If I did that, I could read as well, but since doing math, phonics, and everything else goes smoothly when he is napping, I have chosen to do quiet reading time while he is awake. Some people do quiet reading time in the afternoon, but our afternoons look different each day. Doing it in the morning was what worked best since I could be consistent with it. Consistency is a powerful tool in homeschooling. Structuring quiet reading time around the same time has worked well since everyone expects it. Doing Quiet Reading Time With Everyone Originally, I was reading my own book while my older boys read books of their own choosing, and my younger ones listened to stories on the Yoto player. This kind of worked, but it also kind of didn’t. An audiobook didn’t keep my youngest one’s attention. I was also interrupted a lot while I was trying to read, which was frustrating. None of this should have been a surprise for me. In the end, I began grabbing a few picture books, and making it a reading time for my younger crew. This wasn’t how I wanted reading time to go. I wanted to sit down and have my own reading time. I still read. In fact, I feel rather sad if I go a few days without reading so it can be hard to not read. However, I think since my kids are little and require great care, it works best if that reading time is devoted to them. Plus, my four-year-old is enjoying all the classics I read to her older brothers when they were her age. I don’t want her to miss out! Structuring quiet reading time in this way has made it more peaceful and fruitful. Different Stages of Life with Quiet Reading Time Recently, my one-year-old has been grabbing books and sitting down and looking at them. It sometimes seems like there’s little fruit with taking the time to read aloud to my kids, but when I see them drawn to books, especially after it has taken me lots of time to find good picture books and read them aloud, then I know it’s worth it. When quiet reading time is winding down, I pick up my book and read to myself for a small bit. I do reading time outside for my younger two since it’s still warm in the afternoon here. I don’t read for long, but I do want my kids to see me reading even if it’s for two minutes while they run around outside. Quiet reading time is going to look different depending on your kids’ ages. I am in a busy season, so I make it work for all of us. When they are all older, I can see myself reading for an hour, sipping some tea, while my kids read. But that’s a long way off. Figuring Out to Structure Homeschool Routines One of the things about homeschooling is that if you ask ten different homeschoolers how to do something related to homeschooling, you get ten different answers. Everyone has an opinion about how to do something. However, this leaves to newer homeschooler feeling confused. How should I structure my day in the morning? What should reading time look like with four small children? What I have found is that asking another homeschooler for advice is a way to get an idea. It doesn’t mean I have to copy someone and do it their way, but it does create a conversation where an idea might help me. I rarely take anyone’s ideas just as they are. I usually have to adapt it to make it work for me. It’s the same with podcasts where I hear ideas from other homeschoolers. Gathering ideas and routines that work for you is like sifting sand: you are left with the pebbles and that’s what works well for you in your homeschooling. It’s freeing when you figure what makes your days happier and smoother for you. I don’t have to copy how someone else homeschools. I do what works for me. Final Thoughts I don’t assess my kids with oral reading fluency like a school would. It’s a great tool to figure out who is improving and who isn’t when you have 20 some kids to keep track of. I don’t have graphs that show my kids’ progress, but since I hear them read often, I can tell that having 30-45 minutes a day to read is improving their reading abilities. I have not really focused on writing yet. Right now my focus is on reading aloud, having my kids read a lot and listen to audiobooks a lot, and talking about what we read. We will tackle writing later on down the road. Be sure to read my first post about quiet reading time.
Why Quiet Reading Time Belongs in Your Homeschool Day
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your homeschool day both calmer and more academically powerful, here’s a simple secret: protect a block of quiet reading time. Before we began our new school year, I listened to a Read Aloud Revival podcast about quiet reading time. After listening to it, I was convinced that this was something we could, and should, add on to our day. It may sound too easy, but setting aside about 30 minutes a day (the podcast recommended an hour) for your child to read independently can build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, grow attention span, and spark a love of learning that only just starts to grow. Did I mentioned everyone reads? That means mom too. The Research: Why Kids Need to Read (A Lot) About ten years ago, I met a family where the father read to the daughter everyday for an hour. Her vocabulary was amazing! Decades of literacy research confirm something most parents already know: the more children read, the stronger their language and thinking skills become. For me, seeing a child with an advanced vocabulary that was linked to a long amount of time being read to was enough motivation for me to do the same for my kids. The details of literary research as are fascinating, interesting, and motivating. 1. The Million-Word Gap A well-known Ohio State University study found that children who are read to five times a day enter kindergarten having heard 1.4 million more words than children who were rarely read to. That difference in exposure — sometimes called the “million-word gap” — translates into richer vocabulary, stronger comprehension, and a head start in school. Once there’s a gap like that, it’s very hard for the children who are not read to often to catch up. Even when children begin reading independently, the same principle applies: more time with books equals more words, more ideas, and more background knowledge. 2. The “Matthew Effect” in Reading In education, researchers talk about the Matthew Effect — the idea that “the rich get richer.” I heard these type of remarks about students while teaching in a public school. They wanted to keep the higher performing students from growing so that they lower achieving students could catch up. That’s a different story though. Strong readers tend to read more, which makes them even stronger. Meanwhile, struggling readers may avoid reading, fall further behind, and grow discouraged. When I hear things like that, it makes me feel bad for children who are at such a disadvantage. However, daily quiet reading interrupts that cycle by making reading both a habit and a pleasure. It gives every child, regardless of ability, a chance to grow their skills steadily over time. When I started quiet reading time, I started at 5 minutes. Then we did 10 minutes. Over time, we slowly added more and more time as my kids’ stamina grew. 5. The Power of 15 Minutes (or More) An analysis of nearly 10 million student reading records found that children who read for 15 minutes or more per day showed accelerated growth in reading achievement. Unfortunately, more than half of U.S. students read less than that on average. But here’s where homeschooling becomes so powerful – you can give your child more than 15 minutes of reading time. You’re in charge! Homeschooling parents have the opportunity to make their homeschooling experience successful by implementing simple routines, such as quiet reading time. Your child doesn’t have to be a child who reads less than 15 minutes a day. Why Schools Often Don’t Provide Enough Reading Time Most elementary schools have a 90-minute reading block, but how much time is spent actively reading? I can tell you, it’s not much. One of the problems I encountered was knowing I had reading lessons to get through, test prep questions to practice, and then somehow maybe a read aloud or independent reading. Most of the reading block is teaching vocabulary, word analysis, grammar, writing, discussion questions, center work, and some independent reading time. The reality is that most traditional schools face constraints that homeschoolers don’t. Most classrooms do have independent reading time, but it’s not always long enough. Because schools are judged by standardized test scores, teachers often feel pressured to cover strategies, skills, and test prep material. Teachers often have a curriculum map from their school district that outlines skills they need to teach. At certain point of the year, there are benchmark tests that show whether the students mastered the skills. Letting kids read for 30 minutes during the school day felt like a waste of time when I had a curriculum map telling me to get on with it. I assigned reading time at home, and most returned their reading charts, but there’s really no way for me to know if they read for a specific amount of time. Some educators believe that teaching reading strategies is enough, without recognizing that nothing substitutes for actual reading practice. Students need time to wrestle with full texts, not just snippets. They need to build stamina to read long chapter books and to develop their own reading taste. Homeschooling: A Chance to Do Better Here’s where homeschooling shines: you have the freedom to prioritize what matters most. And since reading is the gateway to learning in every other subject, making space for it pays dividends across your entire homeschool. Homeschooling gives you the chance to let your child read without distraction, read without comparison, and read for fun. Also, lots of reading creates self-learners. Giving your child lots of reading time promotes growth in so many areas -confidence, interest, stamina, and love for learning. Practical Tips for Quiet Reading Time If you’re ready to add this practice to your homeschool, here are some simple, effective ways to make it work: Final Thoughts In many traditional classrooms, children may get only minutes a day to actually read. As homeschoolers, you have the freedom to change that. By protecting daily quiet reading time, you’re giving your children a
Raising Kids Who Love Learning
Everyone wants their children to love learning, but the question is how do you do that. I don’t have all the answers, but I do have children who enjoy learning. Creating a home culture where books are cherished and where life is slow enough to have time to read and be read to takes intention and effort. Teachers can inspire their students to love learning, but I really think the responsibility of passing down a love for knowledge, creative thinking, and reading belongs to the parents. Raising kids who love learning means intentionally making an effort to create a home environment that encourages learning. It’s one of my favorite parts of homeschoolings and being a mom. Reading Aloud If you really want your kids to love learning, then I would recommend making time to read aloud each day. Even older children benefit from being read aloud to. The reason why I think reading aloud helps kids who love learning is because reading books with interesting characters sparks good conversation. When you have something you and your child are excited to talk about, it bonds the child to the parent. They share the same experience of knowing and relating to the character in the book. Since reading a book aloud, especially a chapter book, can take more time than a movie, there’s a longer span of time to think about the book together. It’s easy to forget about a movie, but it’s harder to forget about a really good book you read with your kids. My kids and I like to quote parts of books when it matches the occasion. No one else around us is aware that we are quoting a book, so it becomes an inside joke. There’s plenty of evidence that reading aloud makes children better readers. People who enjoy reading are usually people who enjoy learning. I have found that reading aloud to my kids makes them more curious about the world, which then leads them to want to read more. Go to the Library Reading aloud leads me to my next point, which is take your kids to the library. I am careful about what books my kids pick out, but I still give them the chance browse, choose a book, and then show it to me. I have two older boys who like nonfiction. Fortunately, nonfiction tends to have less content that I disapprove of, One time I brought my kids to the mystery section so I could find an Agatha Christy book. Usually, I don’t bother to find a book for myself in the library (although I do request books for myself). Hunting for a book for myself surprised my kids. I am usually busy enough keeping everyone quiet and find books for them, but it showed my kids that I like reading. That’s an important message to tell your kids. It’s hard to raise children with the expectation that they will like reading and learning if mom or dad don’t like it, or make time for it. Going to the library with four small kids is not always easy, but if it means we read more and enjoy more books, then it’s worth all the effort. Let Your Child Be My two boys like chess. I have this thought of signing them up for a chess club, which would also have competitions. Initially, this sounded like a great idea. But then I changed my mind when I thought about taking a game my kids find fun and interesting, and signing them up for classes, and driving them to perhaps stressful competitions. They never even asked to be signed up for a class, and here I am thinking of ways to make my family busier and more stressed. Just let them love chess, I thought. Don’t ruin it for them. Not every hobby or interest warrants a club. My point is that when a child shows an interest, it’s okay to let that interest slowly grow. Sometimes classes, clubs, and competitions can kill an interest or hobby. Instead, follow their lead and let them enjoy their hobbies and their learning. Be Interested in What Your Child Likes Another point to mention about raising kids who love learning is that showing an interest in their ideas goes a long way. One of my kids loves weather. I am often pulled outside to see a stratus cloud or a cumulonimbus cloud. While I may sometimes feel too busy to go and look, it’s important to show excitement for their interests. That said, I get to look at clouds a lot. Most of us know what it’s like to find someone who is also interested in the same things we are. Don’t they make you even more interested and eager to continue learning? I think the it’s the same for kids. I might not have to be super interested at first, but seeing my child be interested in clouds makes me more interested in them as well. Sometimes love for learning is contagious! Plus, it’s also super cool to see interests grow and develop. It works the other way around. I can be very excited about something, and that gets my kids excited and interested as well. Put Your Phone Down One way you can show interest in what your child loves is to put your phone down. Why waste your time scrolling when you could invest in your child and talk to them? You don’t get much of a reward for scrolling on your mom. Spending too much time on your phone can cause irritability and mental overload. As basic as it is, having a conversation with another person without the distraction of a phone is becoming uncommon. By putting the phone down, you show your children what life is really suppose to be like. Slow down and look them in the eye and actively listen. I don’t know any parents who tell me that they really want their child to be addicted to their cell phone
A Visit to the Bat Cave in Phoenix (Plus Picture Books about Bats)
This past week my children and I learned all about bats. If you are unfamiliar with the Sonoran Desert, you might not think that bats are important here, but they play a big part in pollination. They also eat annoying insects like mosquitos. Arizona actually has more species of bats than any other state. Last week my children learned all about bats by reading picture books and visiting the Bat Cave here in Phoenix, Arizona. As usual, we learned a lot and had a lot of fun learning. The Bat Cave The Bat Cave is a summer home to about 10,000 Mexican free-tailed bats. They live in Mexico, but migrate to Phoenix during the summer to birth their young. They do not actually live in a cave, but rather an old storm drain. The bats live in this “cave” from May until October. Every night at sunset, they fly out and fill the sky with their fluttering wings. It really is something to see thousands of bats fly out. We went in mid-September when the sunset was around 6:38. It was warm. I think the high was 98 that day, but for September, that’s not too bad. The bats didn’t start flying out until a few minutes after sunset. There is no parking specifically for the Bat Cave, but there are some businesses along the canal, which is where the Bat Cave is located, that have available parking. Reading Jana’s post about the bat cave post from Phoenix with Kids was helpful. I followed her advice about parking near Chelsea’s Kitchen. I put Chelsea’s Kitchen into my GPS on my phone. Then we parked in one of the business plazas right before Chelsea’s Kitchen. We ended up parking near Sunflower Bank. After we parked, we walked down 40th Street till we hit the canal, turned right, and then walked about 10 minutes of so. I had the Bat Cave on my GPS so I could see us inching our way there. After a while, there’s a paved path to the right that leads you to the storm drain. Surprisingly, there was a crowd of people there all waiting to see the bats fly out of the cave. We could hear some soft bat squeaks as we waited. The bats don’t fly out exactly at sunset, but perhaps about five or ten minutes after. Once they do fly out, they fill the sky. We watched them for about ten minutes just flying into the sky. My youngest one was fussy, so we didn’t stay the whole time. I’m not sure how long the bats take to empty out. As we walked back along the canal, we could see the bats scattering in all directions. It’s a stroller friendly walk. I would recommend wearing closed toed shoes. Considering that you need to come in the summer to see the bats, September seems to be the best month, especially with little kids.The sun sets earlier and it’s a tad cooler. Picture Books Learning about bats wouldn’t be complete without a booklist. These books aren’t specifically about Mexican free-tailed bats, but they are great books to read to your children. There is a picture book about Mexican free-tailed bat, but I didn’t like it. It was one of those books that left me feeling sad (because the mother bat was eaten). I try to find picture books that are good, full of hope, and are about the content I am teaching my children in the Sonoran Desert Nature Study. It’s not always easy to get that in one picture book. Here our list of picture books we read prior to visiting the bat cave. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies Bats the Library by Brian Lies NightSong by Ari Berk Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats by Ann Earle I love the picture books, poems, and songs that are part of a Charlotte Mason inspired nature study, but nothing beats observation – seeing the animal you spent reading about. Learning through picture books is one of my favorite ways to do science/nature study. However, I have noticed when it’s combined with an outing or an observation, the learning sticks more. They remember it because they actually saw it in action. It’s like the cherry on top of an ice cream Sundae (I actually don’t like cherries, so maybe a blueberry for me). Also, one of the interesting things about making a nature study about the Sonoran Desert is that I thought the summer season would be hard to find things to study. It’s actually the opposite. Even though it’s 110 some days, cicadas still come out of the ground. Dragonflies still fly around. Ants still carry crumbs to their colony. Palo Verde beetles come out at night. And bats soar through the night sky. There’s a ton to observe. It’s kind of an unexpected surprise for someone like me who assumed everything died in the summer. Enjoy the rest of the summer! Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com
Taking Your Homeschool Outside
It’s September now, and it’s still rather hot in Arizona. In a few weeks it will be cool enough to begin my favorite homeschool routine: taking our homeschool outside. It will still be warm in the afternoons, but in October, in the mornings are nice. Taking your homeschool outside is more than just a change of scenery. It’s like completing a big checklist of things to do while we do school outside. Each day I have things I want to accomplish, and when I take my kids outside, I get a lot done. Vitamin D My older two boys prefer to be inside. They don’t spend much time on screens, but they enjoy legos, reading, drawing, and make-believe play. While they are happy inside, it’s good for them to be outside too. When we take our homeschooling outside, then it gives the reluctant indoor-children some vitamin D. Some sources claim that children are not getting enough vitamin D, even in Arizona. The reason is because people are inside so much. It makes sense since it’s above 100 degrees for a number of months. Plus, we wear sunscreen in the later mornings and afternoons if we are outside. Sunscreen can block the vitamin D (I’m not against sunscreen or anything like that). When we go outside, it’s in the early morning around 8:00-10:00. Most of our time is in the shade. Also, my younger kids need play time outside as well. So instead of keeping everyone inside all morning while we do school, they get to run around for a bit. When it’s really hot in the summer, we will sneak outside for breakfast before it gets super hot. In that case, we are outside around 7:00 or so. We aren’t able to take our school outside during the summer. Breakfast is the next best option. Outdoor Time Supports Mental Health Sunshine and fresh air are powerful mood boosters. Taking your homeschool outside can reduce stress and decreases anxiety. You are still homeschooling, so that sometimes stressful aspect isn’t gone, but feeling the wind and hearing birds chirp often times feels calming. Homeschool days can sometimes feel intense, and being outside offers a break that refreshes both parent and child. Studies show that even short time spent in nature can significantly improve overall well-being. I find that when I am outside, we slow down. Everyone needs a little bit of slowing down in their day. Keep the Mess Outside We love having snacks and lunch outside when it’s cool. I like it because it keeps the mess outdoors. I just take my broom and sweep away the crumbs. We have had cups spill over while eating outside. The nice part is that it’s not a big deal (as long as all the books are dry). The spill will dry up in the next hour or so. Also, doing projects and messy experiments are also great for outside. Natural Breaks When one child is done and another needs help, it’s nice to tell the other child to run around and play. It’s like they get a quick recess break while I finish helping their sibling. Research consistently shows that physical movement enhances focus, memory, and overall brain function. When children are outdoors, they move naturally—running, climbing, balancing, exploring. This kind of movement helps release energy, making it easier for kids to concentrate when it’s time to sit down with a book or worksheet. Breaks Up the Routine Even the most flexible homeschoolers can fall into predictable routines. Shifting lessons outside refreshes the day and breaks monotony. Doing a math lesson on a blanket outside feels different than math at the kitchen table. Variety keeps learning exciting and prevents burnout for both kids and parents. Observe Nature We do our nature study each day. About once a week, we get outside to observe what we are learning about. The benefit of taking your homeschool outside is that even if that nature study unit is done, your kids still remember the observations you made. They still might get excited when they see a dragonfly or see a hummingbird whiz past you. How Do You Take Your Homeschool Outside? This sounds like a dumb question, but it’s really not. I have been the disorganized person running into the house looking for one thing after the other. It’s hard to have everything all together when you bring four small children outside for homeschool. A School Basket Get a basket for each of your homeschooled-age children. Put all their textbooks, reading books, clipboards, small white board, etc….anything you use most days. Also, stuff a pencil box in the basket. Include pencils, dry erase markers, erasers, etc… Think about all the things you use, and then put them in a place where you and your kids can grab them and head outside. Bring snacks and water bottles, especially for the younger ones. I find that taking your homeschool outside makes the day feel better. Sometimes I find myself running around with the kids in a quick game of soccer. Short moments of exercise can make a big difference in how I feel. If your backyard isn’t the best, then consider going to a park to do your school. Sometimes doing your school somewhere different makes life a little bit more fun. Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com
Finding Your Homeschool Style
When you first begin homeschooling, it can feel like stepping into a world full of possibilities. There are so many different ways to homeschool: classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, unit studies, hybrid schools, online programs, road schooling…the list goes on. Everyone seems to have a different opinion about what’s the “best.” It’s easy to feel like you need to pick the perfect homeschool style away. In fact, finding your homeschool style may take a few years. It’s not something you have to figure out day one. Pay Attention to Your Kids At the heart of homeschooling are the kids you’re teaching. Some children thrive with structure and a clear schedule. Others need the freedom to explore and learn through play. You may even find yourself juggling both types of learners in the same household. One child might curl up happily with a stack of books, while another prefers hands-on experiments or being outside. What works beautifully for one child might not work at all for another—and that’s okay. You get to create a learning environment that honors their unique strengths. When I was a teacher, I could see different preferences from students. One child wanted a fun experiment every day, but another student would get upset if our schedule changed and me missed their favorite subject. Other kids primarily enjoy the social aspect of school and could care less about grades. Every kid is different. The freedom you get when you homeschool is to find out what works for your child, and then do it. It’s worth experimenting a little. Try out different methods and see how your children respond. You might be surprised at how they flourish when the approach matches their learning style. Learn from Others Without Comparison Social media often gets a bad rap, but it has helped me with figuring out my homeschool style. People share so much about themselves on social media (it’s a little weird to be honest). I was able to follow homeschoolers who use Charlotte Mason methods in their homeschool. It’s like I stepped inside someone’s home and watched them homeschool. Honestly, it was helpful to see what Charlotte Mason homeschooling looked like. Then when I looked at curricula, I knew I would be drawn to a literature based resource. The key to using social media well is to not compare. We can learn from others when we know our children well. When I see someone doing a homeschool experiment or going on a neat field trip, I don’t (usually) fall into the comparison trap where I start to think, “I can’t do what she’s doing. I stink at homeschooling.” Instead, I can say things like, “That’s looks like fun, but this is a busy season with little kids by my side. We can look forward to doing those things in a few years. It will be a lot of fun then.” Or “My kids really wouldn’t like doing that. Let’s find something that more interesting to them.” It can be inspiring to see how others homeschool, and sometimes you’ll find ideas worth borrowing. Just because another family seems to have found their perfect groove doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Your homeschool doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to work for you. Once you let go of feeling like you need to be a certain homeschool mom, you feel more free. You can see how others homeschool and learn from them without feeling inferior. Rather, you will feel inspired. Give Yourself Permission to Change Seasons change—and so will your homeschool. What worked one year (or even one month) might not work the next. Napping schedules change, and suddenly mornings are a better time to get out. Or the four-year-old has dropped her nap, so better get her to bed early. Older kids can use online programs for a class or two while you focus on the younger ones. Kids grow, circumstances shift, and your own energy and needs will change too. Flexibility is one of the greatest gifts of homeschooling. You can adjust as you go, without guilt. Sometimes picking a resource or curriculum that fits the season you’re in is the best choice. Grace Over Judgment Finally, remember that everyone is doing their best. When you see a family homeschooling differently than you, resist the urge to judge. What looks chaotic to you might be exactly what that family needs to thrive. Homeschooling families flourish in a variety of styles. Even if someone has a different homeschool style than you, you can still learn from them. They may have fresh insights or a unique perspective since their homeschooling experience is different than yours. The Joy of Your Own Path Finding your homeschool style isn’t about choosing the “right” method from a list. You don’t have to be obsessed with classical homeschooling and recite Latin conjugations every morning. You don’t have to read all of Charlotte Mason’s books before you start doing a nature study. Just find what works. It’s about discovering the unique rhythm that fits your family, your children, and even yourself as the teacher. It may take time, and it may keep shifting—but that’s the joy of homeschooling. It took me about two years to figure out that I liked Charlotte Mason curricula. Then I read more about her and found that I appreciated her thoughts. It’s all a process. Your homeschool doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Finding your homeschool style is less about fitting into a box and more about learning what works for your family. It just needs to feel like home of learners. Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com
Homeschooling Preschoolers Without a Curriculum
Homeschoolers talk a lot about what age is best for beginning homeschooling. Is it four? Five years old? Six? My opinion is start school when your child is around six, but if he or she shows an interest earlier than six then follow their lead. My kids have all read early. That’s not because I pushed them, but because they wanted to learn how to read. My problem I have encountered with early readers (I mean kids that are three and four years old), is that they aren’t ready for workbooks. Instead, I like homeschooling preschoolers without a curriculum. After teaching for a number of years, I learned that I don’t really care a whole lot about workbooks or worksheets. No, I am not an unschooler. I am an eclectic homeschooler that mostly gravitates toward Charlotte Mason. For my older kids, I use curricula. I use workbooks for subjects like math, handwriting, and Spanish. Otherwise, I like notebooking, and so do my kids (most days). When I was young, I always liked to make my own flash cards and maps of places in my own notebooks. It makes sense that notebooking would be something I’m drawn to. A few weeks ago, my four-year-old daughter was trying to write letters in church. She has tried to spell her name. She kept asking me, “What letter is that?” To me, those are all signs to start teaching her the alphabet. She’s not six, but I can go at her speed. If all we learn this year are her letters and some numbers, then yippee! If she learns to read, then wow! It’s freeing to not have to wait for a certain age to start homeschooling, but rather start when the child is ready, even if it’s early to some people. Teaching ABCs Without a Curriculum Homeschooling preschoolers without a curriculum is more work, and it’s less work. It’s more work because I make the materials I need. It’s less work because I don’t have to spend time looking over a large curriculum. Using ChatGPT, I made coloring pages of the alphabet and numbers 1-20. I place them in a plastic pocket. Each day we review the names of letters (upper and lower case) and their sound. Then my daughter traces the letters with her finger. I make the experience tactile by placing small objects in the letters to help her recognize their shape. Here are some things we place on the letters in plastic pockets: Here are some things we place on the letters without plastic pockets: Rice Box I think this is technically called a sensory activity. Remember those Melissa and Doug toys that come in those nice wooden boxes? I kept a few boxes and used them for school. I place magnetic letters in the box and pour rice on top. Then let my daughter use a magnetic fishing pole from another game to “fish” for the letters. Sometimes she fishes for one letter (uppercase and lowercase). Sometimes I toss in two letters. She has to distinguish between the two. I would only do this if your baby is sleeping. My daughter loves this activity! Phonemic Awareness Having phonemic awareness is being able to hear the individual sounds in words. Something I do each day with my daughter is help her blend sounds to make words. For example, I say the individual sounds in cat (C-A-T). Then I ask, what word did I say? I use All About Spelling for my kids when they are older, which includes segmenting (breaking a word apart by its sounds) and blending. Right now, it’s a slow introduction. Picture Books Homeschooling a third child is different than homeschooling a first or even second child. With my first, I read so many good books aloud. We memorized nursery rhymes together. It’s harder to do all of that with a third child because I am so busy. She hears her brothers’ read alouds, which is great. However, it seems wrong to not work hard to make sure these classic picture books are included in her day. She only picks picture books with princesses in them, so I had to find a way to sneak in new books. Every week we do one letter and one number. I found picture books that include the letter she’s learning in the title. For example, for the letter B, we read Blueberries for Sal, A Visitor for Bear, and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. While it’s good to point out the target letter in the book, I really just want to make sure she’s being exposed to good literature. I keep the books in her basket. Each day after working on her letters and numbers (10-15 minutes), she picks out a book and I read it after lunch. It’s my way of getting her to pick books that do not have princesses in them. There’s nothing wrong with princesses, but variety is always a good thing. Nursery Rhymes Another thing that’s easy to forget is teaching nursery rhymes. I sing them regularly with my kids, but there are some I just forgot all about. I choose one nursery rhyme from The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems, Fingerplays, and Chants by Jackie Silberg and Pam Schiller. Mem Fox, the author of Reading Magic, is well-known for this quote: “Experts in literacy and child development have discovered that if children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re four years old, they’re usually among the best readers by the time they’re eight.” All the more reason to be making it a habit to memorize nursery rhymes with preschoolers. Final Thoughts Homeschooling preschoolers without a curriculum is a relaxed way to introduce learning. Other things that are important to me for homeschooling a preschooler are giving them time to play outside and letting them help around the house with simple chores. Folding laundry, drying dishes, and places dishes in the dishwasher are great for preschoolers. Taking time to teach basic skills, such as picking up something
Picture Books about Bees
A few weeks ago, we studied bees for our nature study of the Sonoran Desert. I thought summer would be a great time to observe bees, as much I am willing to observe them, but spring it actually when they are most active. Nevertheless, we learned a lot while we read some great picture books about bees, memorized a poem about bees, watched videos on YouTube about bees, and made some yummy snacks. My favorite part about reading so many picture books about bees was seeing my four-year-old learn about how bees sip nectar to make into honey. It’s so easy to not realize what they don’t know when you’re so busy living life. We use honey for baking quite a bit. Now every time we use it, my daughter always likes to mention how bees made that honey for us. Picture Books about Bees The Sonoran Desert is home to many types of bees – cactus bees, carpenter bees, bumble bees, honey bees, and about 600 more species. That’s a lot of bees. The honey bee is not native to the Sonoran Desert, but it does well here anyway. Unfortunately, there are no picture books about bees in Arizona or the Sonoran Desert. The bees that are present in the desert live in other places as well, so regular picture books about bees worked well. Here are some picture books that I read with my kids. The Beeman by Laurie Krebs and Valeria Cis The Life and Times of the Honeybee by Charles Micucci Are You a Bee? by Judy Allen The Honey Makers by Gail Gibbons The Bee Tree by Patrica Polacco The Bee Book by Charlotte Milner Honeybee Popsicles One aspect of doing following a Charlotte Mason homeschool style is that baking and cooking count as school. While this may not be a popular opinion, but I think cooking is an important life skill. We live with so many fast food and convenient options, that people can get by with only knowing how to microwave their dinner. We want our kids to be well-rounded and skilled. This should include the skills pertaining to cooking and baking (or freezing in my case. Read on). All that said, I made popsicles with my kids. We called them “honeybee popsicles.” We used frozen mango, frozen raspberries, and honey. We waited a half hour before we poured in the next layer. Technically, this isn’t cooking, but it’s teaching children how to make healthy snacks. Pollination Experiment Bees do about 80% of the pollination for flowering plants all over the world. That’s impressive. To help my kids understand pollination, we did the Cheeto puff experiment. Maybe you have done this before. You take Cheetos and crumple them up. Then you place them in a cupcake liner on top of a cut out flower. Take a black pipe cleaner and pretend it’s a bee. Go from “flower” to “flower” touching the pollen and spreading it to other flowers. It’s a super short experiment, but it’s effective for teaching pollination. Honey from Arizona Then we went to a bee farm and did our own private tour of some beehives. No one got stung or freaked out. We all got to eat fresh honey from the comb. Ok. We didn’t do that, but I thought about it. I wanted to get some honey from a bee farm in Arizona. We found some at Costco, but I am skeptical as to whether it’s all from Arizona. Maybe if you’re more ambitious, you could go to a bee farm. Or if you’re like me, Costco is also good. Final Thoughts Here’s fun fact: I was stung by a bee for the first time about two months ago. I saw friends get stung by bees growing up, but not me. I managed to escape the pain of a bee sting for a long time. It wasn’t a bad sting. This bee unit was fun for my kids. We found unexpected ways to observe bees. One day we found a bee on our glass door from the outside. So we counted her legs, looked at her thorax, abdomen, and head, and watched her move around. I like those surprise observation moments. Maybe this post gives you some ideas for studying bees with your kids. Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com
Reorganizing for a New Homeschool Year
This last week I spent some time prepping for a new homeschool year. Technically, we homeschool year-round, but we took July off so we could visit family and take it easy for a few weeks before starting school up again. Having a small break was helpful because it gave me time to start reorganizing for the new homeschool year. Here are a few idea for how to reorganize your school materials and get your head on straight. New Baskets Our old baskets were starting to break, so I invested in new ones for our homeschool shelf. The reason why I like the baskets is because they look nice,. They also make it easy to pick up and bring outside. Currently, it’s way too hot to do school outside. However, in a few months after it cools, it will become part of our day. This year I added in a pencil box to the basket. That way no one has to go running back inside to find a pencil or a glue stick. Although, this is all theoretical. Things do have a way of not being in their designated place). Not only do I use baskets for individual children, but I also use some for storing handwriting paper, tracing paper, watercolor paper, etc… Another basket stores cookie sheets for phonics, book stands, white boards, and clipboards. Lastly, one basket holds read alouds like poetry books, our current chapter book I am reading aloud, and picture books in Spanish. All the things we need for a typical homeschool day are right there on the shelf. I store other curricula, picture books, chapter books, and extra school items in various places around the house. Craft supplies like markers, colored pencils, and things like that are stored in a hutch in the kitchen close by. Checklist My two boys each have a check sheet with subjects they need to complete each day. I like it because we helps us know what we need to do, and it signals when we are done. I subscribe to the Treehouse Schoolhouse emails where Lindsay shared this template. So far it looks a lot nicer than the one I used last year. Penny Jar System I am not a crazy reward chart person, but I do think acknowledging the good and helpful things kids do in a tangible is encouraging for them. I use the penny jar system that I learned about in M is for Mama. When my kids do a good job in a subject, help without being asked, or say a kind word to a sibling, I place a penny in their jar. At the end of the day, they can trade their pennies in for playing a low-stimulating game on the ipad, like Stack the States. Usually, they get about 8 pennies or so. We did this last year with the kids. I am going to use it even more during the school day. All of this helps with keeping my kids feeling good about themselves as they do their schoolwork. It’s low-key and easy to keep in place. What I like is that it’s a not a green light, yellow light, or red light scenario. I used that type of behavior tracking when I was a teacher, but now I look back on it and wonder why I thought that was a good idea. Compliment Jar In addition to the reward system, we also do a “compliment jar.” I set out strips of paper, a pen, and a jar. During the week, my husband and I write down positive things we have seen the children do. My goal is to get the kids build each other up and write compliments too. We read them all out loud once a week. It makes the kids happy to hear the things we noticed about them, which encourages them to do those same behaviors again (most of the time). Maybe a reward system doesn’t fall under the category of reorganizing for a new homeschool year, but in my mind it does because it’s rethinking and changing things for the up coming year. School Supplies Part of organizing school things is purchasing new school items or replacing old items. Things that I replaced were: Book Basket This technically isn’t something new, but rather something I love. I have a basket on our homeschool shelf where I display the picture books we are reading for nature study and geography. When I put a new stack of books out, the kids are immediately drawn to the books. Soon they start looking through them. Friends who visit sometimes stop and look at the books too! The reason why I do this is because 1) who doesn’t want picture books on display? 2) it reminds us of what we are learning about. Prayer Every day I pray in the morning, but this school year, I am devoting more time to praying for my kids’ schooling, their character growth, their faith, and my ability to homeschool them well. Any homeschool mom out there knows what a sacrifice it is to homeschool. This aspect of my life shouldn’t be neglected in my prayer life. Beauty This word beauty is tossed around by Charlotte Mason homeschoolers. To people who don’t homeschool, it may seem strange to be talking about beauty and education, but they do go together. When I was reorganizing for new homeschool year, I wanted the shelf to be organized and beautiful. To some that’s a minor a detail, but when a room looks nice and is clean, then it feels welcoming. You want to stay in that room. The reason for the baskets and the books on display is also to create a room where our school things are stored in beautiful fashion. I say this in comparison to a classroom with brightly colored plastic bins and cheesy motivational posters left and right. It’s not wrong to decorate like that, but it isn’t homey or comforting. Final Thoughts I love organizing. Luckily,
Inviting Others into Your Home: How It Helps Homeschooled Introverts
Before I wrote this blog post, I googled “how to help introverted children come out of their shell.” There were some helpful posts, but most were rather vague and not very insightful. I like writing about introverts because homeschooling introverted children is not always the easiest task to do since people like to link an introverted personality as the result of being homeschooled. Over the years, I have tried many things to help my introverted children be comfortable with themselves and come out of their shells. Hospitality I will start with what I found to be the most impactful, which is inviting people over to my house. Over the years, we have had lots of friends and family come over for birthday parties, playdates, or for dinner. Having people over to my house helps my introverted children feel more comfortable around different kinds of people. For an introvert, home is where they feel the most at ease. I find that they converse more easily and play well with other children. These days, it’s normal for friends to come over for dinner maybe once or twice a month, sometimes more depending on whether we are not sick. I like to keep it a regular habit because I want my kids to be used to welcoming people over. It gives them an opportunity to talk to other adults and play with other children. We tend to invite the same people over frequently 1) because we like them and 2) because it gives my children an opportunity to build friendships. We do playdates almost on a weekly basis, and that has been vey helpful for building friendships with lots of one-on-one time. The Hard Work of Hospitality One aspect of homeschooling small, introverted children is that the parents may have to work harder at providing opportunities for friendships for their children. That means maybe mom reaches out to another mom to invite her and her children over. Maybe dad invites a family over for dinner. Since large group events are unlikely places for young, quiet children to make friends, taking the extra step to make arrangements for one-on-one playdates or inviting only one person or one family over for dinner can make a difference over a number of years. I do all of this because I know it’s good for my children, and I want them to have those long-lasting friendships. Yes, it’s hard work to be hospitable. Having a weekly cleaning routine and a nightly cleaning routine helps a lot so that I don’t suddenly feel a ton of pressure to have the house cleaned up and a meal made. The house doesn’t have to be spotless, but rather welcoming and inviting. Even though it’s hard, the friendships are always worth the hard work that goes into inviting someone over. When my kids enjoy playing with other children, that’s fruit from being consistent with welcoming people into our home. Of course, I also benefit because I build strong friendships with other moms! Patience Waiting is another thing to do. Some kids just take a long time to come out of their shells, and often times that happens with homeschooled introverts. I was one of them, but I did come out of my shell. Maybe I would have come out of my shell sooner if I had gone to school, but I am close to my family because of all the time I spent with them. I wouldn’t change that at all. I have seen one of my kids slowly feel more comfortable in bigger groups. This has taken a long time, but that’s realistic when I stop and think about how he’s shy and he’s homeschooled. It’s something people can look down on, the shy homeschooled kid, but there’s no reason to do that. Everyone grows and changes at their own speed. I had a few years when I was young (maybe age 8-12) where I had two friends. That’s it, and I was happy. I made more friends when I was around fourteen or fifteen. I say this to show that sometimes quiet kids are happy with a small world. One or two friends, plus a strong connection with their immediate family, will be enough for them during those younger years. As I grew up, having friends became more important, and friendships happened naturally. All to say is be patient with young, homeschooled introverts. They may surprise you a few years down the road. Be Realistic When I say “come out of your shell” I don’t mean expect a shy child to turn a switch and be friendly one day, but rather slowly see the child become more comfortable with him or herself. I want my children to feel comfortable asking questions in a group setting, but I also want them to just be them. They don’t have to be popular or be the center of attention. Final Thoughts Creating a home where we can welcome people helps grow introverted children into the best version of themselves. It takes time, practice, and patience. I am encouraged by the Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. I can see fruit from consistently inviting people over to my house, but it came from years of not giving up. Like reading about homeschooled introverts? Read about starting a playgroup and why homeschooling is great for introverts. Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com