Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

31 Day Blog Bootcamp for New Homeschoolers

Day 20 Homeschool Lesson Planning And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschooling at the beginning is not about stressing about homeschool lesson planning but learning how to lesson plan if you want to. Today is Day 20 homeschool lesson planning of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

There is a big difference.

Just as you would not expect your child to know how to read this year until you start together, you need to cut yourself some slack in how to lesson plan.

Day 20 Homeschool Lesson Planning And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Each new homeschooler’s background makes a difference if he or she feels qualified or not to teach their children.

Do not stress over the fact that you do not know how to lesson plan.

Struggling homeschoolers and even seasoned veterans are constantly scrutinizing their lesson plans versus how much time they have in the day to school.

Homeschool Lesson Planning Tips

Lesson Planning is Just As Much Lesson Journaling.

This may sound like another oxymoron but in the beginning, it is better to journal what you accomplished at the end of the day. This is a huge benefit for several reasons. One reason is because you can realistically see what you can achieve for the day.

This will fast forward your learning curve because you will plan closer to what your children can realistically finish for the day. Avoiding wasting valuable years being stressed out over unrealistic lesson planning will add joy to your journey.

Many organizing planning mommas have been misled thinking they have more hours in their days than the rest of us.

By seeing what was accomplished versus what was planned gives you a more realistic feel for lesson planning.

Write it All Down.

Paper planner, online planner, app or great big oversized calendar in your kitchen, it does not matter. Keeping track of what you do is all that matters.

Yes, I love my curriculum planner and I have found that many times anytime I tried something online, I came back to paper planners.

They work for me because I have it sitting writing there beside me and no need to boot up. However, that is just me. You may prefer and may do better with something else. It does not have to be elaborate, simple works best.

Launch A Lesson Plan.

Whether you are using a boxed curriculum or choosing each subject yourself, you will one day want to substitute a lesson plan.

Maybe you want to plan how to complete a book. Again, my suggestion is that because you want to learn how to lesson plan your first or second year, start right away. Jump into lesson planning now and test the waters.

Look at this example below of how to cover a grammar book for the school year.

Study each step as I have thoughts and questions that you need to ask yourself. It is an easy way to learn the beginnings of lesson planning because you have a resource.

Later on. as you become more skilled, you can make lesson plans from practically any resource.

Day 20: Lesson Plan or Lesson Journal? {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

7 Steps for Planning a Homeschool Lesson

  1. Determine the total days in your school year or time for the curriculum. Note: Typical days in a school year are 180. I will use that number too.
  2. . Decide how to divide the book/curriculum. Dividing by chapters is an easy way.
  3. Weed out chapters/content that you don’t want/need to cover. I started with 32 chapters and whittled it down to 30 that I feel we may need this year.
  4. Determine chapters you want to cover. I will cover 30 chapters over the course of a school year.
  5. Simple Division. Divide 30 chapters by 180 day equals about 6 days per chapter to cover it for the time I have allowed.
  6. Ask: Do I want to include special projects or testing ? Then adjust the number of days up or down depending on what type of projects.
  7. Can some of it be covered orally so that there is not so much writing?

A plan has to be adjusted to your needs and to your household and not copy what you see seasoned veterans doing.

It is hard to not compare yourself to seasoned veterans because you may have set real high expectations this year.

You may feel their success and confidence might be absorbed through some type of osmosis if you copy exactly what they are doing.

The problem with this is that you don’t lead their lives and vice versa.

Lesson planning and tweaking curriculum are learned arts. Give yourself some time and in the meantime take advantage of laid out or boxed curriculums if you want to.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

Day 20 Homeschool Lesson Planning And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 20: Lesson Plan or Lesson Journal? {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Day 19 Guiding Homeschool Teens And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Guiding older children or homeschool teens is our topic for day 19 of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Teaching teens can be a joy. I know there are many nightmare stories about teens.

And I too have experienced my sons’ surges of emotions, but I’ve breathed in every minute of enjoying their company.

Day 19 Guiding Homeschool Teens And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

However, I have also learned in helping other new homeschoolers that teaching teens whom you have homeschooled from the beginning is quite a different story than teaching a teen that has just been pulled out of public school.

Academics have to be put on auto pilot if your relationship has suffered or is suffering.

Guiding Homeschool Teens

This is true whether you homeschool from the beginning or are just starting out. It is possible to restore and repair any strained relationships if you are willing to work on relationships at the same time as refining their school subjects.

Also, teaching homeschool teens requires a bit more of diplomacy over discipline. So, I hope in sharing these tips from the trenches, you will benefit.

Tips from the Homeschool Trenches on Guiding Teens

When your children are young, you are making almost all the decisions on curriculum. It is not that way as they grow older.

1. Preparing for Adulthood Means Your Teen Gives Input Now.

Give up some of the control without giving up the authority as a parent.

Include your child in some of the research, scheduling and selection of curriculum.

It will be hard for them to learn how to weigh a heavy decision when they are an adult like choosing a job or marriage mate when they are not allowed to make a decision on books, science experiments and teacher’s manuals.

Learning to make decisions and accepting consequences for decisions made are best learned under your roof and while they are still living with you.

Day 19: Guiding Older Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

If your teen seems to be behind in every subject now that you are a full time homeschooler, don’t be discouraged.

2. Relationship Over the Three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic

but take time to work through the lower grades. You’d be surprised at how fast a teen can get caught up when he is inspired and has your support.

This is one time in their life when a relationship means more than the 3 R’s. A good heart will be of far more lasting value than not learning how to do math on their fingers.

Besides, I know a lot of brilliant people who still do math on their fingers.

Capture his heart for the doing of good and all education will be used for that. We want to teach our children to be self-less, not self-serving when it comes to helping others. We don’t want to lose that goal in the academic road that lies ahead.

Your teen may not look like they need you now and even to other people may look like an adult, but now is the time they your solid and consistent principles are needed more than ever.

Toddlers require a lot of physical work and it can be exhausting. Teens require a lot of meaningful conversations that seem to drain me at times faster than any physical activity.

Day 19: Guiding Older Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Then I remember I have a few short years left now and don’t want to waste any opportunities and discuss all that is on their mind.

My household has changed now and I find it weird and strange to ask things like did you remember to shave before we leave for a field trip.

3.Relationship with Others Outside the Family is a Must

Teens need a network of true friends outside their family. Having friends adds to the joy of living and many homeschoolers do not want their children to be loners. A lot of homeschool teens enjoy their life and it is natural to want friends.

I read one article that said learning how to make friends is like riding a bicycle and neither one can be learned from a book. We encourage our sons to make friends with persons of all ages. Long lasting friendships are priceless treasures. While they are with you and are honing in on how to size up a man by his character, you can guide them about social relationships.

Do their friends have the same values? Do their friends like them for who they are and not what they can get from them?

Day 19 Guiding Homeschool Teens And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Even though their life in the next few years will have plenty of demands of adulthood, don’t close the gap on the care free days of being a young man or young woman too soon. They will pass through this stage and enter adult hood which has it own weighty responsibilities soon enough.

One day I will exhale, but for now I’m savoring every moment of guiding my teens.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

Day 19: Guiding Older Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Day 18 Teaching Young Children – Elementary Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

| 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching young children or elementary homeschool is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Today, I’m sharing common mistakes to avoid when teaching elementary aged children.

This can be one of the hardest times of homeschooling because there is so much intensive training.

Elementary homeschool means not just teaching in the formative years but you’re going beyond academics.

When they are toddlers and preschoolers we understand they have a need to create chaos.

Day 18 Teaching Young Children - Elementary Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

However, as they grow and move on to grades 3 – 6, we should be expecting other things of them.

The elementary homeschool years was a time that I worked hard. Not only was I teaching them how to read and write, but I was developing their character as well.

Explaining common mistakes, I am hoping you will steer clear of them.

3 Tips for Elementary Homeschool

First, look at these tips.

1. Don’t Push or Be Overly Ambitious

Yes, easier said than done.

I have had many new homeschoolers tell me that their first grader loved doing worksheet after worksheet for hours and they let them.

Maybe so, but by third grade you will have a resistant learner if you keep that pace.

I have heard it many times when parents say they have a gifted learner.

Maybe so, but even gifted learners are still young children.

Anybody that knows me can relate to the fact that when I started homeschooling, arts and crafts was something that I rolled my eyes at.

What a waste of time I thought.

Too, my poor first son survived my “drill and kill”. But I learned soon enough that learning should be fun.

And that valuable gross and fine motor skills are taught through such fun things.

So, while teaching, instead of thinking about going up in grade level because they are advanced, think about expanding out.

Think of how to enrich what you are learning now.

In addition, the load becomes more the higher the grade because more is expected of them.

Allow them to step pace in learning to one that makes learning a delight instead of a drudgery to be fulfilled just because they have the ability. Remember this is no race.

Why do this instead of going on to the next level? Curriculum is laid out and planned with a child of a certain age in mind.

Day 18: Teaching Young Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

{Spending time with Mr. Senior 2013 in how to keep a room. At the time I remember thinking it was more important to teach him how to read so he wouldn’t be “behind”.}

2. Teaching Responsibility Now – Equals Freedom Later

As I mentioned earlier, homeschooling goes beyond the three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.

Also, I encouraged you in the beginning to focus on the 3 Rs of curriculum.

So, one more advantage to doing this is so that you have the energy to focus on developing their hearts and character.

Many days I had tears because it seemed like the messes never ended and then somebody needed me for something else.

However, taking the time to train them to put away their school supplies, pick up their toys, hang up their clothes and do chores around the house builds character.

It instills in your children a sense of caring for family and a pride in self-care.

Day 18 Teaching Young Children – Elementary Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp. Teaching young children or elementary homeschool is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. I’m sharing common mistakes to avoid when teaching elementary aged children.This can be one of the hardest times of homeschooling because there is so much intensive training. Elementary homeschool means not just teaching in the formative years but you’re going beyond academics #newhomeschooler

{Cleaning of my book shelves for a new year was always inhibited by one “walking terror” or another. Here is Tiny as he end up being my last preschooler. }

Many days I felt it was easier for me to do all the cleaning because it was quicker and done  “right”.

But if I did that, then nobody would want to be around my sons when they got older because then I would be raising ungrateful and spoiled boys.

3. Don’t ONLY Cover the 3 Rs

No I am not telling you something different now, I want you to eventually grow.

When you first begin and when you are overwhelmed, it is okay to just focus on the 3 Rs as you teach elementary homeschool.

Because if a child gets behind in art for example ,it will not handicap him for the rest of his life.

If he struggles with learning how to read, it can.

Additionally, new homeschoolers need to find a balance between finishing ALL of what is planned for the day in the 3 Rs versus moving on to the more fun subjects like art, geography, history and science.

It is not healthy and you zoom right to the top of the list of burnout and sending your children back to public school when you insist that you go beyond the 3 hours or so in the morning that is allotted for doing the 3 R’s.

I hear of nightmare stories of children schooling ALL day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and some yes even to 5:00 p.m. Nothing is accomplished this way.

Let me repeat, nothing ever has been accomplished except to have the child feel learning is drudgery. Instead of becoming a skillful, informative, well educated and loving teacher we have become a drill sergeant.

If attitude is the problem with your kids, I will share some tips on the rebels in your home on Day 26: Rebel or Resister – Are You the Cause?

Day 18 Teaching Young Children – Elementary Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp. Teaching young children or elementary homeschool is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. I’m sharing common mistakes to avoid when teaching elementary aged children.This can be one of the hardest times of homeschooling because there is so much intensive training. Elementary homeschool means not just teaching in the formative years but you’re going beyond academics #newhomeschooler

I encourage you to MAKE time for the fun subjects or the science experiment that you never get because they are always “behind” in their language arts or math. Are you planning too much?

Homeschooling Elementary Aged Children

Remember that if they are doing history or science then more than likely some writing and math will be involved. Many times during my journey, I have had to first do the science experiment or fun thing that seems to keep escaping us and then start the 3 R’s.

I PROMISE if you will rein yourself in and STOP the 3 Rs right about noonish and take up fun activities after lunch, your home school journey will stay balanced, rigorous, hands-on, fun AND advanced.

Take comfort understanding that during the public school day, there are  just a very few hours of actual instruction time between recess, lunch, roll call and other interruptions.

Please don’t give up when the going is tough.

Yes, my sons are older now and I am here to tell you the blessings of enjoying teen boys that know how to clean my home, cook and buy groceries and take care of me when needed is a blessing I couldn’t see when they were very little and tears poured from my eyes.

Day 18 Teaching Young Children – Elementary Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp. Teaching young children or elementary homeschool is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. I’m sharing common mistakes to avoid when teaching elementary aged children.This can be one of the hardest times of homeschooling because there is so much intensive training. Elementary homeschool means not just teaching in the formative years but you’re going beyond academics #newhomeschooler

(Mr. Senior 2013 & Mr. Awesome at my niece’s wedding last month along with much loved aunts and uncles on hubby’s side.)

Happy tears now stream as I see the handsome (I admit my obvious bias) and loving men they are becoming! Young children don’t stay young long, they do grow up.

Can you see the realization of your vision as you teach and LOVE your young children?

Day 18 Teaching Young Children - Elementary Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

Teaching Young Children @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Hugs

Day 17 How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today for Day 17 how to choose a homeschool curriculum is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Appreciating the fact that children come “pre-wired” helps you to be selective when it comes to choosing a homeschool curriculum.

And when you’re new knowing how to choose a homeschool curriculum can be scary.

But we accept the fact that we cannot change our children.

Instead of seeing our children for what we think they should be, we start accepting their personalities.

Day 17 How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Also, instead of choosing A Beka, Bob Jones, Rod & Staff, Sonlight, or Tapestry of Grace because our best friend uses one of them and it seems to work for her, determine what are your needs as the priority.

And my experience after 20 years is that best friends or seasoned veterans find it hard to reach back to the time when they were new.

Much of the advice they give you is based on hindsight.

How to Choose A Homeschool Curriculum

While hindsight can certainly be of value, you will still need to experience the “newness” on your own.

I don’t want you to discount advice from seasoned veterans.

I want you to think about your needs. Following another homeschooler exactly is not your goal.

You came to homeschooling because you have unique needs.

5 Tips for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

5 Tips for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these five tips for choosing a homeschool curriculum.

1. In the beginning focus most of your time and energy on the subject your child struggles in.

There are free placement tests that will give you a better idea of what grade your child is in.

I have said this over again and that is please don’t assume that you take your child out of one grade and that he is in the next one up.

Even if your child places at a grade lower, it is better to have an easier year your first year instead of tears the whole year because you thought they would get behind. They will not.

Many homeschoolers can testify to the fact that children learn like an ebb and flow pattern.

They can move a couple levels ahead  one year and then one year they need longer to dwell on a subject.

But, most all of the families that struggled wished they would have taken the advice to choose something a little more relaxed the first year.

Focus your energy on the one or two things you want to accomplish. If it’s math, then spend extra time focusing on that right now and leave off science, history or art.

Though they may be fun and exciting, you have time to add those. The more children you have, the more time this takes.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.  

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

That is enough about me.

2. Purchase only the 3 R’s right now. Fold in Other Subjects Gradually.

With the growing number of subjects that you may want to teach, remember that the basics are the core of any year.

By spending your time focusing on math and language arts, you have time to purchase history or science after you boot up your school. Any routine needs a warming up period.

Forget pulling ALL your material out on Day 1 of your school and be stressed out by trying to get through it all.

Day 1 can include math and some writing and then glow in the fact that you got that done.

That is a simple doable two thing checklist for the day. Gradually, over the next few weeks fold in the rest of your subjects. You will LOVE this!

Be aware that there ARE differences between subjects in the order you should teach.

For example, when teaching a child to read, it is a natural progression to recognize the ABC’s, then to associate a sound with the letter and then to put those sounds together to make a word.

However, does it really matter the order if you study about the ocean versus the Amazon rain forest? Absolutely not. It does matter the order of the 3 R’s.

Again, lap up this time to learn to focus on making good choices for the 3 R’s for your children.

Don’t overload yourself in trying to purchase everything by August because there is no need to.

There is NO race. You have now gotten off the little school bus and guess what? Curriculum providers sell curriculum year around. tee hee hee

Actually there is a huge advantage to start homeschooling with just the core subjects because you can slowly read the teacher’s manual and get familiar with the schedule.

Your focus is not torn between trying to start the science experiment right away and getting in the core subjects.

Then after a few weeks or longer of doing your core or 3 R’s, you will be a little more discerning when choosing history, science, art and anything other subject that your family has a desire to learn.

You can now give those subjects your utmost attention and make better choices. Avoid beginning all your children on EVER Y subject on the first day.

There simply is need to do that and it is a first timer’s mistake. You are now becoming a little more experienced following this series.

3. If a Teacher’s Manual Makes You Feel Secure, Purchase One, Two or Three.

Most new homeschoolers that I have helped do not feel totally secure with their new found freedom. They derive some comfort from a teacher’s manual that has perhaps suggestions on scheduling and teaching.

I have often heard seasoned veterans recommend to new bees that they don’t need a teacher’s manual for teaching a subject.

While this may be true, you are the only one to decide if you need one or not.

However, one reason veterans may encourage you to not purchase a teacher’s manual is because it may only be an answer page and not really give you any background information or teaching tips.

It is important at this point to understand that not all teacher’s manuals are created equal. Some teacher’s manual have turned out to provide gold nuggets of information and others I have pondered why I purchased them.

One more factor to determine if a teacher’s manual is an asset for you is how much background information you have on the subject.

Maybe you are a public school teacher who formerly taught math. Obviously then, math is your strength and you will not need as much assistance.

To help you narrow down your favorite teacher’s manual, I have a printable check off list as you hunt through curriculum.

teacher's manual checklist @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Download below my Checklist for Purchasing Teachers Manuals. What to Look for!

teachers-manual-checklist-copyright-Tina-Robertson.pdf (2066 downloads )

Determine which subjects you need more help in and examine each teacher’s manual as you choose curriculum. They can really help or hinder your progress as a home educator.

4. Boxed Curriculum Can Help Boot Your School Up or Box You In

. Back on Day 1: Learn the Lingo – Then Go, I encouraged you to get familiar with the definition of a boxed curriculum. Just so that you don’t have to click back there right now I want to remind you that it basically is a “curriculum or grade in a box”.

The lesson plans are laid out day by day for you and the teacher’s manuals tend to be scripted. Every subject you need and every book comes in the grade level.

A lot of new bees find this comforting and there is value in having a pattern to follow as you learn to homeschool.

A mistake a lot of veterans make in the beginning is to feel the need to complete EVERY assignment. Instead of remembering that they are teaching a child and not trying to cross or mark off a check box for each day, they became a slave to the curriculum.

If you decide to use a boxed curriculum keep in mind that you ARE the teacher!

This means you can skip, yes SKIP and even THROW AWAY and yes – TEAR OUT pages that absolutely make no sense to do.

Boxed curriculum providers do provide busy work too. Avoid the I-am-only-on-Lesson-70-and-I-SUPPOSE-to-be-on Lesson-90 mentality.

There is no  suppose to be place, there is only where your children are suppose to be.

Balance is needed because boxed curriculum can provide relief when life is stressful and you do not want to lesson plan.

Following a well laid out lesson plan has its advantages because then as you move away from a boxed curriculum, you learn what a well planned day can feel like.

5. Does it fit the Approach You want to follow?

For example, if you decide that you feel more comfortable with laid out lesson plans then do not spend time on curriculum that requires you finding material and lesson planning.

You can give them a peek as you start to school.

This very simple tip will keep you from looking right now at EVERYTHING. Believe me when I say this, but you will have LOTS of time to swoon over books and curriculum and to feed your love of curriculum.

Right now, you need to focus on the 3 R’s and the subjects that your children struggle with the most.

Conserve your energy so that it lasts the whole year. Curriculum providers are ALWAYS ready to sell anytime of the year.

There are many approaches in how to choose a homeschool curriculum. 

You do not have to take an “all or nothing” attitude toward curriculum choices. In other words you do not have to be ALL textbooks OR ALL unschooling. P

ick and choose what you like in each approach and avoid an “all or nothing” thinking.

Finally, knowing how to choose a homeschool curriculum doesn’t happen overnight.

Focus on the elements of each approach and see what fits your family’s lifestyle and apply it.

Because we have different learning styles, we might be using multiple curriculum even within the same family. Be willing to adjust along the way.

The last thing I want to share is a quote from a book by Sally Clarkson Educating the Wholehearted Child that I really liked because of how much curriculum I had hoarded needed my first year:

It is nearly a rite of passage for new homeschooling families to buy curricula that ends up gathering dust on the shelf. Usually, it turns out to require more preparation and involvement than they are willing to invest, or it doesn’t fit their lifestyle. It becomes an investment in experience. What we all learn, though, is that any curriculum is only a tool — it doesn’t really “teach” anything. The attitude and commitment of the teacher is far more important than the tool. So if it doesn’t work, don’t worry. Put your unused used curriculum on the table with everyone else’s and buy real books next time. You’re experienced now.

Day 17 How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

Day 17 How To Choose Curriculum Other Than the "Looks Good" Method

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Day 16 practical tips for learning styles is our next topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

What you come to appreciate more about homeschooling is that being a first-rate teacher is not as easy as it may seem and it requires work. 

You’ll want tips for learning styles so you’re armed for the personality of your different children.

In the beginning, new homeschoolers spend more time choosing curriculum than they do improving their ability to teach.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Remembering that you are teaching a child and not a curriculum should motivate you to want to understand more about the learning process.

Learning tips and tricks of the trade takes time, but you should begin reading about learning how to teach  rather than focusing exclusively on choosing curriculum.

Day 16: Practical Tips for Learning Styles.{31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

{My curriculum sale last year.}

Too, applying knowledge of what you know now about learning styles will help you to tame the curriculum colossus.

Instead of focusing on learning about ALL curriculum this year, you can focus on just what your children need.

There will be plenty of time to come up for air and survey other options as you plod along.

Tips for Learning Styles

Along with my next post Day 17: How To Choose Curriculum Other than the “Looks Good” Method, I want to put in a nutshell what I have learned in my 20+ years or so of homeschooling and in my 10 years of advising other new homeschoolers. Easy?

Absolutely not because each family has different circumstances, but you need a starting point that works.

Between aligning curriculum that fits your child’s learning style and arming yourself with the strengths and weakness of each curriculum, your first year will be less daunting.

Look at some tips below.

Determine what your children like and don’t like and then you can see ways to teach that fits their learning style.

For example, if you have a child that learns best by hands-on, should you waste your time looking JUST at workbooks?

Workbooks have their place, but you are not trying to follow pubic school thinking where some feel that finishing a workbook equals learning.

It does not. I finished many work books when I was in elementary public school, but it did not always equal to mastery of the concept because I was lousy in math though I was a good student.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.  

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Also, I have created an easy course where you don’t have to wait to learn about learning styles.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

Here is another example if you have a child that is a Competent Carl.

If he already excels at math, does he really need a lot of your help? Will purchasing a drill and kill workbook and your over explanations make him enjoy the first years of homeschooling?

On the other hand, if you are busy helping other children and you know that your Sociable Sue prefers one on one time with you, have you allowed time in your schedule to give her or him your undivided attention?

Refer back to these tips on what each personality likes and dislikes.

Ask yourself: “Am I the kind of teacher that “I” would want to learn from?”. If not, make improvements. It is a hard pill to swallow to make honest assessments, but homeschooling is for the brave and the humble.

Preparation is key to making sure your children enjoy you as a teacher.

Do you see some teaching tips you can implement now?

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

8-14 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

15 – of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 
Day 16: Practical Tips for Learning Styles.{31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}