Friday, September 12, 2008

Survived the First Full Week of School

What did I say? Survive?? I mean THRIVE! Yes, it was tough, crazy, and bumper-to-bumper demands, but isn't that what keeps us going in the first place? Kelsey and Katie are now enrolled in a "homeschool" college prep school in Richmond where they go three days a week. Kyler is doing 7th grade online at Morningstar Academy (so far I love it, and he does to). Now I'm teaching Karis (5th), Korben (2nd), and Klara (Kindergarten). Of course, Kenna is doing her fair share of puzzles and workbooks, too. It's been a blast!

The one area I struggle with, like most moms, is keeping the momentum going. Sometimes around week 23 we just kind of want to coast along and scrape by. This year, I've decided to plan my school schedule ahead 12 weeks at a time. I'll let you know if it's working. But one thing I do know is that failing to plan is planning to fail. I want to encourage you this year to PLAN AHEAD!

* Have a spot in your home to put everything that needs to go to school, and put it here before you go to bed.
* Use a checklist to make sure all courses are covered.
* Reward the kids for keeping up with their assignments (I'm still a die-hard dollar store freak).
* And probably the best tip of all--Make sure they do their homework BEFORE the computer, the telephone, or the video games get used.

Hope this helps! Remember, we're in this together and I've got your back!

4 comments:

3 SISTERS said...

Hannah,
I truly admire you for homeschooling. I have considered it off and on but am not sure I am cut out for it since I lack discipline and thinK I am borderline ADD. LOL. How did you make the decision and why? If you dont mind me asking?

Anonymous said...

Hannah, Congrats on making it through week one. I am a new homeschool mom and loving it, the only problem I am having is with the program we are using Abeka DVD it is alot more structured than I thought it was going to be, so we are looking at other options, Morning Star was actually one of them. I was wondering if you could let me know why you and your son like it so much( I also have a 7th grader)Thanks in advance for your help, keep up the great work.

Hannah Keeley said...

Hi Myboys--
we are in week two now with Kyler and Morningstar, and I'm totally loving it (so is he!).

Hannah Keeley said...

Hi 3 sisters,
I made the decision because of a lot of variables, but the most important one is that we are together and learning and growing as a unit.