Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Tools for growing your learners ...

Whether you're considering homeschooling as an option, just beginning your homeschool journey,or many miles down the road, I hope you'll find something here that will help you. Homeschooling can sometimes be a trial, but the proper tools can be a big help in assisting you with growing students who love to learn.

PLANNING YOUR GARDEN:
Choosing to homeschool is a big decision. Here are some resources that may help as you weigh the pros and cons ... and look to the future.

A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions.~Anonymous


PREPARING THE SOIL:

Good soil, the right fertilizer, a good supply of tools, and a basic knowledge of gardening all go into a successful garden. The same is true for homeschooling your children.

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
~Mark Twain
PLANTING THE GARDEN:
Creating the perfect plan for your homeschool may seem like an insurmountable task, but not when you have a personal consultant. There is a vast array of homeschool resources out there at your disposal, but not every curriculum works for every family. Let's work together to find out if a Sonlight Curriculum package is the best fit for your homeschool.
  1. Check out Sonlight Curriculum packages
  2. Request a Sonlight catalog
  3. Planning! (blog post with planning grid)
  4. Contact me for a personal consultation

The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles;
but to irrigate deserts.
~C.S. Lewis
TENDING YOUNG PLANTS:
I don't have any formal training as a teacher ... How can I possibly teach someone to read? ... Math was my worst subject in school, there's no way I can help my child! All very real concerns, but I have the resources to address those issues!

The only person who is educated

is the one who has learned how to learn and change.
~Carl Rogers


WEEDING AND FERTILIZING:
Homeschooling is a long-term commitment that requires consistency, creativity and plain ole' "sticktoitiveness"! We often struggle with our homeschooling because we run out of ideas or simply need to interact with others who share our passion and understand our experiences.

A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.
~Thomas Carruthers

HARVESTING:
The day does finally come when your students enter high school and the end is in sight. The high school years are a unique time to focus on your child's strengths and desires. Homeschooling opens doors for job shadowing, volunteering, and other opportunities that give your student an edge as he/she leaves your home. Some of the most intimidating years of homeschooling don't have to be so ...
Formal education will make you a living,
self-education will make you a fortune.
~Jim Rohn 
REFRESHMENT:
Homeschooling is a full-time commitment ... 24/7, 365 days a year. We tend to focus so much on the plants we're tending and nurturing, that we often forget the gardener. The energy and excitement that launched your school year may be a distant memory by the time you hit the winter months. So whether you call it a "teacher in-service" or a mental health day ... be sure to schedule some time for *you*!