We don’t have a school room, so we most often work on school work at the dining room table. For read alouds (science, history, religion, etc.), we are usually in the living room on the couch. We may move around a little bit, but we’re creatures of habit about where we tend to do things.
We’ve spent much of February sick. So, we’ve had days when we have decided that we just couldn’t do school that day (in the sense that we did not count the day toward our required 180 days). A day like Wednesday of this week, however, found Jack feeling extra sluggish. He was still able to do things, but he just wanted to stay cuddled up with a blanket in the recliner. I considered saying it would be a no school day, but then took Jack a couple of books to work on. He did them with no problem. Then, when there was a time that Noah and Jack would work together, Noah went to the couch to be near Jack.
This sounds like very obvious advice, but if you’re like us, you might also get into a routine where it feels like certain activities take place in particular places. It’s easy to forget that this is your school and you can do whatever you want.
Do you ever find that you get set into certain routines by accident?
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Hi Angie,
Would routines by accident also mean getting stuck in a rut? We have done that too. We get stuck in ruts of only doing school in a certain way at a certain. I would love for our schooling to be more fluid and carry over into all areas of our life instead of just “book work”.
Thanks for the great reminder that learning can happen anywhere (even on the couch cuddled up in a blanket while sick).
Blessings
Honey
We also have been sick. I had to change our lesson plans around. I have chosen one major art activity that relates to history each day. It gives the children something to write, read, and focus on while I try to get better. Since we are studying Rome. I have focused our studies on art that is found in ancient Rome. This week we have done: low relief, high relief, and sunken relief clay sculptures, stain glass candy and study of stain glass, mosaic pictures with paper (mosaics in basilicas), and plaster paris (kitchen imitation that works without mom’s help). If I am better on Friday then we get to take tours of a local church built in 1914 in honor of King Louis of France which has all these things in it. It sounds like a lot, but I give the children what they need to start and they take off with an all day project that keeps them busy.Changing plans around for all day art projects has been something I never considered before, but it really helps for those times you have to be flexible. If anyone else is sick, or trying to deal with difficulties, this idea of art projects can focus on any part of history. The children love this week. Our house is a mess at the end of the day, but I am feeling better. Art=great flexibility idea
I am so thankful that we don’t have to account for a specific number of days in Florida! We do so much traveling with my dh and with all our sick days I doubt we would ever make the 180 lol. Love your advice this week, especially timely as I think everyone has a some kind of sickness right now .
I’m actually glad to account for the school days and have a certain number to have to get to. I figure if I didn’t, I would go one of two ways — either way too much school or totally not enough.
We don’t actually have to turn in attendance or any proof to anyone. We just have to keep a record (just an attendance sheet or whatever) if we ever get asked for it.
I love the flexibility of homeschooling, but have found that there are times when it is hard to get back ‘to it’ after illnesses, a new baby, or in my case a move with a little babe. I do love that we do not have to do our work in just one spot, though.
Laura O´s last [type] ..Homeschool Hints Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op
Ooh yay! I only just found your blog and this meme! I’m going to link up a post from the beginning of the week that applies and I’ll join in again in the future!
You make a good point! Often we do things the way we do out of habit- changing it up to fit the circumstances is good thing!
I am sorry that I missed linking up this week. It was one of those whirl wind weeks and then we were getting ready to go out of town. I hope to join in next week.
Lori´s last [type] ..Week in Review-The One That Blew By
Great reminder! My family always loved the flexibility of homeschooling. My kids did a fair amount of schoolwork in the car on the way to and from skating! We always spent a lot of time reading together on our couch, which we did even on sick days. We also found a lap desk helpful sometimes.
Deb @ Living Montessori Now´s last [type] ..Top 10 Montessori Principles for Natural Learning
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