Let's ease into the new homeschool year
and save our sanity!
Notes from the Trenches is a monthly homeschooling newsletter that aims to provide you with valuable insights into slow schooling, brought to you by me, Xuan Klevecka, from Slow Notes, Life in the Trenches, and The Homeschool Front (I know, I’m in a lot of areas 😂)
Substack empowers you to take control. So if homeschooling isn't your cup of tea, managing your subscription notifications is a simple process.
Just click on your profile picture, navigate to 'manage subscription’, then go to ‘notifications‘ and toggle off what you don’t want to receive.
This way, you're the one deciding what you engage with. (However, if you toggle off Slow Notes, then you’ll be unsubscribed from all! I would hate for that to happen as I love having you here with me 💝)
Personally, I've found it beneficial to turn off most of the notifications to all the Substacks I’m subscribed to.
This way, I don’t get overwhelmed with emails and alerts.
Instead, I get to enjoy all of my favorite Substack writers on my own time, usually cozying up in bed with a cuppa and reading on my iPad.
Now let’s get back to homeschooling…
I think I may be in the minority when I say that we like to start off our homeschool year slow.
Like realllllly slow.
Instead of diving into a pile of new curriculum and planning everything out, we're sticking with what we already have and adding in some extra classes for the kids.
And we don’t tackle all subjects at once either. We start with the basics—math, writing, and reading—and gradually add in the other subjects as we find our rhythm.
Because, let’s be honest. Finding your family’s rhythm will change from season to season as your kids age.
And this slow approach helps us ease back into learning without feeling overwhelmed.
That said, it was a bit tricky for me this year to figure out our class schedule. With three kids who have very different interests—and me trying not to become a full-time chauffeur—it took some effort to make it work. Thankfully, we only have 2 full days of activities, with classes sprinkled here and there that we can easily homeschool around.
And as for our first day of school, we didn’t do anything big, and we didn’t actually homeschool 😱
Instead, we kicked off the year with a fun field trip to the local military museum. They recently remodeled it, plus it was free to enter. I mean, who doesn’t like free?
My kids, especially my middle child, LOVED the museum and had so much fun exploring all the exhibits.
And speaking making homeschool fun, science kits like Science Unlocked: Blast Off1 by Home Science Tools have become a favorite in our homeschool. They make diving into science easy without needing a formal curriculum.
Recently, Home Science Tools gifted me a box, and I made a video and wrote a blog post all about it. Be sure to check it out!
And if you know me, you know I tend to stock up on science kits. They’re a great go-to when I need a break from regular homeschooling or need something portable.
Like this year we’ll be doing our science kits at the park in-between classes. (Did I mention how I don’t want to become a full-time Uber driver?)
Interested in learning more about easing into your homeschool year? Here are some tips just for you:
Tips for Easing Into Your Homeschool Year:
Start Slowly: Instead of jumping into a full schedule, begin with a lighter workload. Focus on just a few subjects or activities each day, gradually building up as everyone adjusts to the routine.
Review and Refresh: Use the first few weeks to review what your children learned last year and refresh their memories. This will help build their confidence and create a smooth transition into new material.
Incorporate Field Trips: Begin the year with fun, educational field trips. It sets a relaxed tone and gets everyone excited about learning. Your family, for instance, enjoys kicking off the school year with a field trip, which makes the start more enjoyable and less stressful.
Revisit Your Space: Set up or reorganize your homeschool area together. Involving your kids in this process gives them ownership and excitement for the upcoming year.
Use What You Have: Rather than rushing to buy new curriculum right away, consider using what you already have. Supplement with classes or hands-on activities like science kits that you already enjoy as a family.
Introduce a Flexible Schedule: Establish a flexible routine that leaves room for adjustments. Don’t feel pressured to stick to a rigid plan. Focus on getting into a rhythm that works for everyone.
Allow for Adjustment Time: Give yourself and your children time to adjust to the new routine. Patience during this period helps to avoid overwhelm and burnout.
Benefits of Easing Into the Year:
Reduced Stress: By easing into the year, you alleviate the pressure of transitioning from summer break to a full school schedule. This helps you and your kids feel more relaxed and prepared.
More Enjoyment: A slower start encourages a more enjoyable experience. When everyone feels at ease, learning becomes more engaging and fun rather than something to rush through.
Better Retention: Gradually revisiting material helps solidify knowledge and makes it easier for children to retain information, laying a strong foundation for new concepts.
Encourages Flexibility: Easing into the year promotes a mindset of flexibility, allowing your family to make adjustments as needed without feeling like you're falling behind.
Fosters a Love of Learning: When the start of the school year isn’t rushed or overwhelming, children are more likely to develop a positive attitude toward learning, setting the tone for a successful year ahead.
Prevents Burnout: Taking a slow approach helps avoid burnout, both for you and your children. By not overloading your schedule from the beginning, you preserve your energy and enthusiasm for homeschooling, which can easily diminish if the start of the year feels too intense.
This approach creates a more sustainable and enjoyable homeschool experience for both you and your children.
I hope your homeschool year is off to a wonderful start, whether you’re easing in like us or diving straight in!
Feel free to let me know what you're up to this year, and if you have any questions about using science kits or anything else, I’m always here to chat.
💝, Xuan
Want more help?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your homeschooling journey, I have a few spaces open in my 1-on-1 Homeschool Mentoring Series. Whether you're just starting out or need help finding a rhythm that works for your family, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we'll create a homeschooling experience that’s more joyful, intentional, and aligned with your values.
P.S. Interested in teaching the Presidential Election to your kids? I recently uploaded a video that talks about all the resources we’ll be using this year.
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