Previously posted on July 6, 2016 @Homescool.ph
I could actually come up with 30 or even more! But for this post, less is more and the simpler the better. So, after releasing 3 students to mainstream schooling and homeschooling 4 children in a span of 14 years, I will now be sharing the MUST HAVEs for every homeschooler.
1. Have a clear foundation for your homeschooling. If you’d like to know what this means, kindly check these recent posts:
For Those Who Have Taken The Plunge, Mission and Vision for Every Homeschooler, and Core Values for Every Homeschooler.
2. Connect to a Higher Source. Homeschoolers come from all walks of life, different backgrounds, beliefs and religion. And we have different ways of receiving encouragement, motivation and strength. This MUST HAVE is very personal for me and I have been vocal about it. In our home, we can “do all things in Christ who strengthens us.” Philippians 4:1. Apart from Christ and our faith, I firmly believe, we would not have been able to joyfully walk the homeschooling journey.
3. Connect with Like Minded Homeschoolers. Among homeschoolers, you will have may “personalities”. There will be the ones who prioritize academics, other who value character first, some who thrive with rigidity and routine, while others who are more free flowing and flexible. Find those you are comfortable to share the journey with and connect with them regularly. It is going to be a tough journey to do it alone.
4. Keep materials organized in a positive and nurturing classroom or homeschool area. Find the best physical set up that will enable you to reach your goals for homeschooling (Mission/Vision/Values) and try to maintain it that way. Train yourself, your children and your helpers to keep it that way. Do not put off arranging a pile of books, a heap of photocopied homeschool material, do not allow misplaced homeschool materials to continue being misplaced. For further ideas on this, <a href=”http://homescool.ph/2015/09/07/homeschool-room-dreaming-part-1/”>check this out</a>. For out of this world furniture, <a href=”http://homescool.ph/2015/09/14/homeschool-room-dreaming-part-2/”> check this too</a>.
5. Aim to make homeschool lessons and daily experiences have the following components:
- Fun
- Practical
- With clear and communicated objectives
- With a lot of hands-on experiences
- Real life experiences connection
- Flexibility to accommodate global or national current events
- More unit studies/projects/blended activities
- Maximizing wealth of good homeschool material (documentaries, YouTube tutorials, lesson plans, images, etc.) online with good internet connection (Invest on it.)
17 “This is not good! Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 You’re going to wear yourself out and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men …… 22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home.”
Exodus 18:17-23
Donna P. Simpao, M.D. 