if i had only known...

    ***Today's topic is "If I Had Only Known...".  Simply scroll to the bottom of this post to find links to the blogs of other participants or to post your own blog post URL.     Tomorrow's topic will be "Curriculum...".    Please feel free to join in!

I have learned that when something doesn't work, stop doing it.  That perfect curriculum that everyone is talking about, the one that has revolutionized everyone's homeschooling experience, may not work for my children and me.

Curriculum suppliers have noticed tremendous economic potential among homeschoolers and they are capitalizing on it by offering multitudes of lesson plans, text books and unit studies.  I will admit that this makes for a great selection when it comes time to purchase items for the school year, but if you don't do a little learning yourself before shopping, you might find yourself buying books based on what everyone else says rather than what you know that you need

It is a wise to learn somethings about children's learning styles and teaching styles (classical, unschooling, unit study, etc.) before attending a homeschool conference or a curriculum sale so that you can make knowledgeable decisions about what to purchase.

When my children were younger (4 kids under 8 years old) I was fully convinced of the value of unit studies.  I gathered materials and supplies, I made outlines and schedules, only to find myself completely frustrated and ready to throw up my hands in despair.  No one had mentioned that attempting to teach with the unit study method with babies and toddlers underfoot could be quite a challenge.  And for me, a teacher who thrives on some semblance of schedule, I needed to try a method that wasn't so completely hands-on all day long.

If something simply isn't working for your family, set is aside or toss it in the trash.  Then set out to find what works---for you!  Asking fellow homeschoolers f or direction is good, but it is even better when you have educated yourself to know what works best for your own homeschool.

Comments

[Linda Kasper]

Hi, I have really enjoy reading your site about homescchooling. Thank you for hosting the back to homeschooling week

[Tiany]

Great advice! As a family just starting out we will take all the advice and help we can get! :-)

Thank you!

Blessings,
Tiany

[DebD]

Ah yes, unit studies. I had a similar experience with those as with Charlotte Mason methods. Many words of wisdom here. Thanks.

[Carrie K.]

Yes, I agree! Plus, once you find something that works - keep blinders on when those curriculum catalogs come in the mail!

[Dana]

Very good advice, indeed. I think the materials available make it easier for a lot of people to get started, but they become a distraction, too.

And when things get difficult, it is always tempting to scrap everything and buy a bunch of new stuff. But that isn't always what the issue is.

[Ann V @ Holy Experience]

Thank you, Randi, for an encouraging week. I appreciate it!

Self-education. Yes. So, so true.
Still on that learning curve... ~warm smile~

Ann V.

[melanie west]

We're using the Charlotte Mason method. Curriculum catalogs consumes me for a while. I thought I'd go insane, I couldn't decide what to pick, which one is best... glad I found Ambleside Online. Thank you for hosting this! Love reading each one's posts.

[Trina]

There are no homeschooling curriculum conferences here in Manila, so purchasing materials here independent of umbrella schools can be quite a challenge. But this can actually be a blessing in disguise--if there were conferences here I'd probably be buying too many books and supplies that we probably won't ever really need or use, as you warned in your blog entry above.

[Jennifer]

Yes, every family really has to find their own way. Getting a fresh perspective from fellow homeschoolers is great, but like you said, in the end you have to make it work for your own family, and that means doing your own experimenting.

[tracy]

I agree about stopping something that isn't working for you. We had to do that this year. I was tempted to keep going since it was expensive, but it just wasn't working. We stopped and did our own thing (I couldn't spend money on anything else!) We did just fine.

I am really enjoying this, thanks for putting it together!

[Rhonda in TN]

My thoughts took me a little more philosophical than practical today. Thanks for your post. It is right on the money.

Rhonda in TN

[carol]

I have really enjoyed participating in this week. Thank so much for hosting this. I've discovered so many more good blogs to read! Like my blogroll needed to be any longer! LOL!
FUN WEEK!!!
:)

[Mama Squirrel]

"I have learned that when something doesn't work, stop doing it." LOL--that's exactly how I was going to begin my post--then I realized I had already written something similar so reposted that.

[Tammy]

Oh, I think this will be my favorite day of reading. Just coming here as my first spot already has my head nodding in agreement of yes, yes, yes!

Have a great day :-)

Blessings,
Tammy

[Jodi]

I STILL find it hard to resist the new and different items which come out each year. It's great that we have such variety but tempting and confusing too!

[Christy]

A friend and I were talking about how this is like the double mindedness we are warned against in the Bible.

[Sara]

I can sure relate to your post, and to all the comments about curriculum catalogs. hehe.

[Carrie]

Such great responses from everyone...thanks Randi for hosting this...it's a wonderful opportunity.

[Lawanda]

O yes. VERY good advice. I have so many books now that were never used. But, hey, someone else will get some use out of them I am sure ;)

[Heather]

Great post! Thanks for hosting this. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's posts this week. :-)

~Heather

[Heather]

Exactly. I was blessed because I was trained as a special ed teacher before I decided to homeschool--so I learned that every kids learned differently BEFORE I started. Otherwise I would have been one to run out and buy what I LIKED not what the kids would learn from. Wonderful point.

[jennifer at jennifer's joyride]

I was very lucky that one of the first things I was told about homeschooling was to give myself the freedom to stop using/doing anything that isn't working. That is so key to a happy homeschool!

[Tammy]

I so agree...wonderful advice!

[Shauna]

Thanks so much for hosting this carnival! It's great seeing all the responses and different styles represented.

Instead of throwing away something that isn't working for you, why not give it away to another homeschooling family? One homeschooler's trash is another's treasure!

[Susannah]

Great advice! I completely agree!

[southerngirlmusings]

Great advice and thanks again for your diligence in jumpstarting all of us and connecting us on a common thread.

[Christine]

I am salivating over all of these links, yet can't get to the computer enough to read them! I'll be posting one homeschool post hopefully tomorrow as we're ready to jump into our year here too. Thanks for hosting this! It's been an awesome event!

[Erna]

Here I am awaiting a unit study and will have a toddler and newborn (in January) around . . . now I'm kind of scared. LOL! I'm glad I just bought one segment for now in case it doesn't work out. It's so hard to make decisions about what to do but I have a little girl who "loves the icing on the cake" (crafts, activities, etc.) and I'm hoping it will suit her. My hubby thought the program we got would be helpful b/c he can jump in on the days he's off work. We'll see how it goes and if it doesn't work . . . I don't know what I'll do. I'm still learning about the homeschooling arena but planning my own schedule seemed a bit more daunting to me. Maybe the fact that I programmed our class using unit studies as an early childhood educator makes it look appealing. I just hope I haven't jumped into the wrong pool but if I have, I know I can get out by the shallow end. ;o) I'll have to try and visit others too. (I wish there was a clear cut way to figure out what works for a family. Don't we all??? LOL!)

[ComfyDenim]

Got mine written. I'm not sure how much sense it will make - because I wrote it throughout the day.

Now off to visit others!

By the way - I wish someone had told me about unit studies and babies, too. I tried KONOS last year and it did not work. I think it's a good idea and good suggestions - just didn't work for us.

[M Light]

I've enjoyed writing and reading this week. Thanks!

[Daja]

Done!

That was fun! I had a laugh just writing it! :-)

[Amanda Graeser]

THANK YOU! If I had only known about the support in this manor for homeschooling, I probably would have had a better year last year. Last year I tried to be so like a school for the first 4 months that I totally got burned out. I am going to try this year to be a little more flexible and a little more in tune with my kids learning styles. If any one has any tips on homeschooling a child with bipolar disorder and amjor adhd please fill me in. He is 9 and does not want to write or sit or basically do work. Any tips would be great.

[Dawne]

Got it!

[kirsten]

I just have to add that I've learned not to stop doing math in the summer. We did that our first year, and my daughter was upset when school started because she forgot some. oh, the frustration! This summer, the only subject we're doing is math. Just a little bit a day to keep the skills up.

[Laurie]

Loved participating in this back to homeschooling week!
I'm off to read some others' blogs...

Blessings,
Laurie

[Karolee]

I'm a little late in getting started. I just set up a new blog today. I'll work at catching up throughout the week.