10 in 10: Ten Homeschool Methods from the South Side of Crazy

You homeschool FOUR children!? Are you crazy??

Well, I guess I am since I hear that question so frequently. Maybe other people are recognizing an insanity problem that I cannot see in myself. Perhaps I should surrender to their assumptive diagnosis and admit that…

I live on the south side of Crazy.

So, just in case you are considering moving to my part of town to homeschool a pack of children, let me give you a few methods for home education in Crazy-Town.

1. Change your idea of what school should be.

When I first started homeschooling, I assumed that they only way to have school was by following the model given by traditional schools. Trying to abide by an 8 AM until 3 PM schedule is just not necessary. My kids can learn in two hours at home what would take all day at public school.

2. Be creative.

Learning doesn’t have to be organized or found within the pages of a textbook.  Learning can happen in your kitchen or on a road trip. My personal favorite place for learning… the zoo! (When we visit the zoo, it kind of feels like I am coming home. Maybe it is because I love in a Monkey House.)

3. Hide the toys… just half of them.

Especially if you live in the part of Crazy where the weather during certain parts of the year makes it difficult for the children to go out and swing from the trees regularly, having the toys boxed away and then rotating them will help keep the children entertained.

4. Be flexible.

If you are trying to stick with a schedule and it is not working, abandon it. If you are struggling to keep pace with your lesson plans, build in some room for adjustments. Stress is NOT welcomed in Crazy. If he shows up, immediately escort him to the border and kick that Bad Boy out!

5. Rotate the focus.

If you have a child struggling with a particular concept, spend the hour or even the day focusing on her and just aim to keep the other children busy. The next hour/day, while she reviews, you can put focus on another learner.

6. Reserve the right to take breaks regularly.

Even real crazy people get to take breaks from the asylum occasionally. Unless your goal is to burnout, you need to have a week off here and there. Take a Friday every couple of weeks and go to the library. Have a lazy day with magnifying glasses in the backyard or veg out with some documentaries on Netflix.

7. Keep little hands busy.

When I am planning studies for the older children, I also plan out activities for the younger children. I try to give them an equal mix of worksheets, learning activities, and play. Most of what I provide for the little learners is for self-directed fun, and I only give them one activity at a time.

8. Take care of the teacher.

If you have a sick day, then take the time to get well. When the husband gets home, tell him that dinner is in the crock pot and go for a walk. Exercise when you can and eat right. (Preaching at myself here.)

9. Have a philosophy of education… and toss it.

Seriously, the only philosophy that you need is this: Have fun. Teach your child to love to learn and they will be forever-learners.

10. Pray. Pray some more.

On the days when I start my day alone with my Bible and pray over the day, everything seems to go better. I do not think that is a coincidence. Whether God supernaturally intervenes and makes my children into angels or whether He does a work in my heart so that I am more resilient, I will happily accept either.

I didn’t develop these insane tendencies overnight. My move to Crazy-Town and these homeschool methods have developed over the last three years. So, please, believe me. If you apply these ten homeschool methods, they will save you a ton of time at the Funny Farm.

Do you live near Crazy?

Happy to be a part of the iHomeschool Network’s 10 in 10 and to be linking up at Many Little Blessings.

Also linked with love at Crystal & Co.