Growing up Mondays have been a hard day for me, especially while in school. After having a great weekend full of fun, or even a nice calm and relaxing weekend, Mondays were the end to all my weekend joy. I know I am not the only one with the "Monday Morning Complex", my facebook TL is littered with complaints and groaning from people going back to work or school on Mondays.
Well I didn't want my little homeschoolers to grow up with the MMC, I wanted them to love Mondays just like they love Fridays (which is pizza and Disney Channel night). So I decided to make it a fun day in school. A way to do work and ease them back into work mode rather than just start up with worksheets and lessons.
As today was the first day I tried this little experiment, and also almost Christmas break, we had an even more relaxed "Awesome Monday". We simply played quite a few rounds of UNO and learned all about our new pet "Snap Snap", the crayfish I found crawling across the driveway this morning.
But my goal is to evolve this day to be a fun way to introduce the lessons of the week. To make a smooth transition from fun filled weekend to school work. However, my whole goal with homeschool is to make learning something that is fun and desired rather than just a neccesity.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Student Teachers
As a homeschooling mom with 3 small homeschooling kids ages ranging between 3-7 most of my time is spent simply trying to balance it between each child. At times I feel that I am spending too much time with one and neglecting the other two. And other times I would like to spend time with one working on a particular topic when the other two begin to whine for my attention and help.
As if homeschooling is not stressful enough, especially for a newbie like myself, this just makes me want to say "shut it down for the day guys, mommy has a headache". Honestly, I have taken a mental health day (or two). Better to take a break than to breakdown.
But lately I have been trying something new, well not really new, but I just thought to try it. While in elementary school myself I was in a split level class when I was in 2nd grade. I do not really remember the point but I am assuming the 2nd graders were supposed to impart knowledge and lead the young ins (1st graders). Well this is what I am trying to alleviate some school day stress.
For example while working with my kindergartner on addition, my 2nd grader will work with my Prek kid on her letters and numbers. There are other times when my 2nd grader will help my kindergartner or the kindergartner will help the PreK.
I try to find activities in the major subjects that they can help each other with. Not only does this help me with my time, but I think it helps the older student by reinforce information they have already learned and it also gives them a sense of responsibility and confidence taking on the "teacher" role.
This might be something that every single home school is doing and has been doing but it's new to me and I thought I'd share!!
As if homeschooling is not stressful enough, especially for a newbie like myself, this just makes me want to say "shut it down for the day guys, mommy has a headache". Honestly, I have taken a mental health day (or two). Better to take a break than to breakdown.
But lately I have been trying something new, well not really new, but I just thought to try it. While in elementary school myself I was in a split level class when I was in 2nd grade. I do not really remember the point but I am assuming the 2nd graders were supposed to impart knowledge and lead the young ins (1st graders). Well this is what I am trying to alleviate some school day stress.
For example while working with my kindergartner on addition, my 2nd grader will work with my Prek kid on her letters and numbers. There are other times when my 2nd grader will help my kindergartner or the kindergartner will help the PreK.
I try to find activities in the major subjects that they can help each other with. Not only does this help me with my time, but I think it helps the older student by reinforce information they have already learned and it also gives them a sense of responsibility and confidence taking on the "teacher" role.
This might be something that every single home school is doing and has been doing but it's new to me and I thought I'd share!!
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