Sparks Academy

DD’s Journal – End of the Year Reflections

by | Sep 15, 2019 | DDs Journal, Encouragement

Another school year is coming to a close.  This year really flew by fast.

13 years I have been at this…my oldest will be finishing his Junior year.

I swear it was just yesterday he learned to write his name! 

As I look over my dinning room table, well….maybe I should say “school table”, there are workbooks, text books, notebooks, and and tray of pencils that are without erasers, and all with broken lead;  through this mess I can see the the amazement of learning.

Homeschooling is not as easy as some would think.  You spend hours pouring over curriculum samples, deciding on what type of teaching and learning will work best with each of your little scholars.  You plan lessons, field trips, experiments, and extracurricular activities.  And, all the while you are also doing laundry, planning and cooking meals, cleaning house, shopping, doctor’s appointments, the many trips to the library, and any other task that needs to be done.

Not only is the table a mess, so is my house!  Deep cleaning is usually put on “hold” until summer break.  My therory on this is that I will only have my childrens’ attention for a moment, and that this house will wait, for these little minds need to be dust and cobweb free more then my home.

I have heard so many say, “How can I stand to be home all day with my kids?” or “I need my “Me Time”.  For which I gladly reply, “These children were a gift from God to me, and my time with them is so short, I want their memories of education to be one of family, learning without stress, and having life skills.”  My “me time” is at 5am….when the house is silent…

So, as these last few weeks are coming to a close, and I prepare for for the next year of learning….my heart is full.  The outcomes of this year’s goals have been met, the children have grown, they have learned, they have aquired more life skills, but most of all….they are growing into loving, honest,  and well adjusted young people. 

Yes my life is super busy, and sometimes I look around at my house and just sigh….but this is my life, a life of continous chaos, but it is all mine….and  I LOVE IT!

~DD

Re-framing the Day in an Educational Context

by | Sep 14, 2019 | Encouragement, Homeschool Helps, New Homeschoolers, Training & Resources

First-time homeschoolers generally try to replicate public school at home.  It’s what they know, and it’s familiar.  Trust me…many mommas have gone down this road before!

Learning to re-frame the day, however, is the first step toward homeschool freedom.  When you understand and accept that there is considerable learning value is almost everything you do, it relaxes your attitude toward school…which transfers to your students…and makes for a more enjoyable experience.

How to re-frame?

First, learn the lingo.  

  • Does your child understand something?  Wonderful!  They have ‘comprehension.’  
  • If you quiz your child on his ABCs, does he know them?  Great!  He just passed an ‘assessment.’

Second, master documentation.

  • Say your elementary student spent two hours outside, skipping rope, playing with sidewalk chalk, catching bugs and examining them, and making leaf prints.  That’s physical education, art (or handwriting, depending on what was drawn), science, and nature study!
  • Baking cookies together as part of holiday preparations?  This activity has math (measurement and time), chemistry, reading, home economics, and nutrition lessons!

We’re not suggesting that everyday consist of this type of schooling, though there are families who do ascribe to this theory – it’s called Unschooling, and you can learn more about it here.  

The point is that each day doesn’t need to consist of books, papers, and pencils to ensure that learning is happening.  When children are excited about something, they’re sure to learn and retain more!