Tag: home education

Homeschooling, real life

Do These 5 Things When You Don’t Feel Like Homeschooling

by Emily Sewell8 Comments on Do These 5 Things When You Don’t Feel Like Homeschooling
Do These 5 Things When You Don’t Feel Like Homeschooling

The alarm pierces the dark coolness of my room, jolting me awake. Is it morning already? As I wipe my eyes and stumble to the bathroom, the thought of another day of teaching overwhelms me. I don’t feel like homeschooling today. I need a break, and my kids probably do too. But I still need this day to count towards our school year.

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We all have days where we feel like this. Maybe we went to bed late the night before, perhaps we’re sick, or maybe the baby indulged in an all-night kegger (of milk, that is). Whatever the case, some days we just need a break from doing normal homeschooling. There is no need to feel guilty about that. Here are 5 low maintenance and educational things you can do instead when you don’t feel like homeschooling.

#1 Have a Read-A-Thon

Remember read-a-thons from elementary school? They were so much fun, and the teachers loved them too. All you need are books, puzzles, and all things cozy. Don’t forget a book for yourself! Read-a-thons are fabulous on rainy winter days.

Lighting candles around the house really sets the mood. My kids love read-a-thon days. My fourth grader devours Minecraft books, while my second grader bounces between picture books, beginning chapter books, and Epic!. What if your child isn’t reading yet? No worries! Did you know there are hundreds of read-aloud books on Youtube? If you’re sick or not in a position to actively read to your child that day, this is a great option.

#2 It’s Baking Day

When I don’t feel like homeschooling, I’m probably (definitely) in the mood for homemade treats. A baking day is a great alternative. I’m pretty sure it’s in the homeschool mom guidebook that we must use baking to teach real-world math, so why not make a day of it? Have the kids plan a menu, order groceries, and have at it! Pro tip: Cooking with kids is more enjoyable when you work with one child at a time. Also, it’s a pretty special milestone when the kids can cook on their own without burning down the house.

#3 Watch a Documentary

Pull out the blankets, pop some popcorn, pile on the couch together, and turn on a documentary. There are so many great options! From Disney+ to Netflix to YouTube, you can find a documentary about anything you’re currently studying or something the kids want to learn more about. After it’s over, have a group discussion. Then, the kids can then write a movie review, draw a picture of something they learned, or act out their favorite scene. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.

#4 Pull Out the Board Games

I love board games. Love. Being an only child, I didn’t get a chance to play them as much as a wanted. Well, I am making up for lost time now! Board games teach so many essential skills.

Benefits of playing board games include critical thinking, practice turn-taking, collaboration, flexibility, communication, accepting loss, and strategy.

So many benefits! I really appreciate how there are options for cooperative board games these days. They are a fun way to build up sibling relationships, and it is so sweet to see the kids encouraging each other. Some of our favorite board games are:

#5 Pack Up for a Day Outside

Have a change of scenery and get out of the house! Seriously, the forest cures just about any woes, in my opinion. But if hiking in the woods isn’t your thing, that’s ok! Head to a playground, a pond, your own yard, or even a random empty parking lot. Wherever you can go, you can make it work. My perspective on spending the entire day outside changed when I realized that There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather. We just need the proper gear. So, friend, pack up all the snacks, lunch, water bottles, blankets, and good outerwear, and enjoy the outdoors! It’s literally a breath of fresh air.

These are all things I do when I don’t feel like homeschooling, whatever the reason may be. I hope this sparked some inspiration for you when you are needing a break. Did I miss anything? I want to hear about it. Tell me in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to share this post, because these things are more fun when you do them with friends.

Homeschooling

My Honest Thoughts on TEACH by Dennis Dinoia

by Emily Sewell2 Comments on My Honest Thoughts on TEACH by Dennis Dinoia
My Honest Thoughts on TEACH by Dennis Dinoia

I am so excited to share with you Dennis Dinoia’s new book, Teach: Creating Independently Responsible Learners. This book is a great new resource for all homeschooling parents! We live in a world where any and all information is literally at our fingertips. It can be difficult to steer our children toward valuable information and teach them critical thinking skills. The topics and strategies discussed in this new book take on these challenges in a new and refreshing way.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free and was compensated for my time. My opinions are honest and true to my personal experience with this product.

Teach: Creating Independently Responsible Learners is available NOW!

The Inspiration for Teach

Teach: Creating Independently Responsible Learners begins with the author, Dennis Dinoia, sharing his background as a classroom educator. He shares the struggle he experienced getting his students to fully engage and care about their education. He often felt the information he taught went in one ear and out the other. We can definitely relate to this feeling as homeschooling parents! I know I can!!

Frustrated by this challenge, Dennis sought a solution. He realized if he had his students correct their own assignments, their grades actually improved. They retained information more effectively if they had more ownership of their work. Students also became more excited about learning. Of course, this is a goal for all parents and teachers.

When Dennis made the transition to the homeschool sector, he was able to apply the same techniques. He inspired parents to create learning environments where the child has a sense of ownership over their education. He terms this the independently responsible learner.

Practical Tips to Encourage Learning

Throughout the book, Dennis shares techniques and strategies you can apply to your homeschool to encourage independently responsible learning. One technique I really liked (and will be implementing) was in regard to vocabulary. The parent gives a list of words and has the student discover the meanings for themselves. Then the student comes back and explains each word to the parent, essentially teaching the parent the vocabulary. What a great way to encourage independence and creativity!

Engaging and insightful, Teach is a must-read this summer!

Furthermore, Dennis provides so many real-life examples and strategies. These are geared not only toward the homeschooling parent but also the student. For example, the chapters include:

  • Present yourself
  • Learning how to think
  • Do what you love to do
  • The parent is the coach
  • Goal setting (you know I love goal setting, mama)
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My Thoughts on Teach by Dennis Dinoia

I have to be honest. I do not read a lot of advice-giving nonfiction books. To me, they are often preachy or set too high a standard. I prefer to garner advice from others who have been there and done whatever I am seeking to learn about. But the beauty of this book is Dennis has BTDT! He is entrenched in the homeschooling community and passionate about supporting parents. Additionally, he has over 30 years of educational experience!

I knew I would love this book because I am such a fan of Dennis’s. Those of us familiar with his online homeschool classes and podcast affectionately call him Mr. D. And I was NOT disappointed. The practical and actionable tips in this book are sure to add value to your homeschool as you encourage independent learning. Get your Kindle copy of Teach for only $0.99!