Friday, September 28, 2012

Homeschooling Outside the [Curriculum] Box

Thanks for stopping by the Home Educating Family blog hop! And congratulations to Jen K. - she was the winner, chosen by random.org, of the Well-Planned Day Wall Calendar!

This week, we tackle the topic, "Homeschooling Outside the [Curriculum] Box". What image does this bring up for you?

Now, if I were a good homeschooling mother*, thinking outside the box might mean the following. . .
  • tailoring my studies to fit my student's interest, spending hours and hours on creative, interesting lesson plans that I came up with myself
  • using real life events to teach valuable life lessons; grocery store math, cooking, child care, and the like
  • letting each child design their own course of study, acting as coach or mentor rather than teacher
  • never using a pre-packaged curriculum or
  • pulling together the "best of the best" by researching and spending HOURS agonizing over what resources to use with my kids 
However.

For me?  In my house, Homeschooling Outside the Box really means. . . . . .
  • I refuse to let others put me and my family in a box and define my success
  • If part of my curriculum isn't working for one of my kids, I tweak it, but usually don't throw the whole thing out
  • Daily dying to the enemy of all homeschooling mothers: Comparison
  • Not trying to make my home school look like "School At Home"
  • Being flexible, and listening to the Lord and my husband when I have decisions to make or
  • Being true to our family's own unique gifts, talents, needs, and perspectives when approaching not just our school days, but our LIFE!
And if I was a good homeschooling mother*, this blog post would be a lot longer!

But as it is, you'll have to settle for a good, old-fashioned GIVEAWAY!  And it's a good one!

The good folks at Home Educating Family are giving away - are you ready for it? - a Well-Planned Day "On the Go" planner!  Sweet!


You know the drill.  Leave a comment (even if you just say: "Girl! I need that planner!") and I'll pick a winner on Thursday night, October 4th.  Open to US residents only, and ya gotta claim it in a timely manner. There ya go.



And while you're at it, don't forget to "hop" around to my Review Team Buddies and see what's going on on their blogs!


*Note:  the phrase, "Good Homeschooling Mother" is a play off a joke between my mother and myself. But since she doesn't read my blog - much - no one will get aforementioned joke. I'll have to blog about it someday!

26 comments:

Journey through love said...

I would LOVE to win! Thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

Girl, I need that planner :)I really do need something to help me with organizing my time better.
Sue B.

Ann Moore said...

Thinking outside the box to me, is trying to do things for free or nearly free off the internet. I have no extra $$ to spend after 2 major car repairs, and 3 wisdom teeth removal (at 37!!). We went to a used book sale, and bought pieces here and there... Literally didn't get a box to even think outside of here :D

Liz Williams said...

I love planners, they organize my life!!!

Liz Williams

Loretta said...

Would love this planner! Thanks for sharing.

Gwen Hood said...

I love your thought! For the Hoods, homeschooling outside the box, means making schooling (both big and small) decisions one year at a time, one child at a time. Thanks! Gwen

Gina of Hope said...

I think I *get* your *GOOD homeschooling mom* thoughts... and love that you live outside the box!! <3
Blessed be!

Angie said...

Girl, I need that planner. Thanks for the post!

melinda stogsdill said...

Would love to win the planner!

alana5466 said...

Was considering ordering the larger size but this one is PERFECT! Thanks for the opportunity! :D

R. said...

Enjoyed your "outside the box" thoughts as I'm in the midst of some big changes. And of course, girl, I could really use that planner! ;)

Anonymous said...

Would love that planner! Thanx for sharing your ideas, lots of great ones in there. We're being more structured this year and, so far, things are going very well.

Phronsie said...

This would be nice to win!

Sandy said...

As a veteran homeschool mom, it is nice to find homeschool moms that have learned to relax and actually make progress. For me the "boxed" curriculum makes me feel more stressed and we get less accomplished. Thanks for your time to post-oh and i would like the planner too!

Unknown said...

Girl! I REAAAAAAAAAAAAALY need that planner!

Michelle G. said...

Funny! Love your honesty.

Jenifer Ward said...

Great bullet points on Homeschooling out of the curriculum box. My children were in public school up until 3 years ago, so the hardest thing for us to do is to not look like "school at home". Each year gets better, but there are definitely some deeply ingrained habits. Comparison is a struggle, too. I would love to win that planner so I can be organized on the go.

Mona T said...

Girl,I do believe this planner would be what I need to keep me on track with scheduling my day! :-)
Currently home schooling my 8 yo son with autism. I also have a 5 yo son whom I will be home schooling in first grade, next year.
With the thought of home schooling 2,I'm sure this planner would be a big help! God bless.

The Cains said...

I feel like this is the first year (5th year at it) that I have figured out what our homeschooling "box" even looks like! I love the feeling I have now- not so much terrified as before......... comfortable- like this is our life and I'm finally getting the hang of it! Thank you Jesus, for being so patient with me!

Hannah's Mom said...

thanks for your inspiration and advice - as well as the opportunity to win that great planner :-)

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this planner! Thanks for the chance to win!

Lisa C.

Deana said...

Thanks for the encouragement and the chance to win this planner.

Teaching Stars said...

I've been dying to try one of these planners out! Keeping my fingers crossed!

ShannonC said...

I need this! I'd love to win. Thanks!

NextGen Homeschool said...

Thanks for sharing your "outside the box" ideas! Great insights. I like to think I'm outside the box as a "nextgen" homeschooler (a mom who was homeschooled as a student and now homeschools) because my prior experience really shapes my approach now. Not comparing is a HUGE thing for all of us!

I use the new digital planners but I miss my paper planner, so I would love to win one :)

Stephanie - WHL & TBC said...

Girl, I need that planner! LOL!!! Really, I would love to have that planner.