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Day 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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

Today, Day 28 is homeschool mom burnout tips and sanity savers. You’ll love the other tips on my 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

When I started homeschooling, I printed out EVERYTHING and I do mean EVERYTHING that I had found on a topic that we were going to study.

I put it all into huge 3 ring white binders.

Oh, it was organized, but like I have said before my organization skills had nothing to do with knowing how to teach.

Before I knew it, my shelves were overflowing with “unit studies”.

Well that is what I thought anyway. In reality, not the world I was living in at the time, my shelves were full of torturing tools for my toddlers.

Day 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Over scheduling and over planning are the telltale signs of not just the inexperienced, but of those that do not know how to say no.

We are going to practice how to say no in a minute, but right now, I want to share some questions with you that can be used to evaluate your planning and scheduling when burnout is brewing.

Questions for Homeschool Mom Burnout

Mark this and come back to them anytime you feel tension in your routine.

Have I been home or am I on the road too much?

Have I forgotten how to say no?

Have I taken time to pray, and get spiritual nourishment?

Have I taken time to share my concerns with my husband?

Do I need to switch curriculum or switch out my children with somebody else? Okay okay. Or is it that I don’t need to have my children do ALL of what a curriculum is telling me to do?

Do I need to obtain curriculum that is more structured so I am more accountable?

Do I need to incorporate more fun and relaxing times in my day?

Have I forgotten that curriculum is not magical, accredited or teaches character? I am teaching a child not a curriculum. So a relationship, capturing their heart and a (serving heart) attitude toward my children makes me view them correctly and that is as “individuals or persons”.

Have I forgotten that a child is entitled to a childhood with free time to explore, investigate and have a separate opinion from mine?

I have already shared with you how to realistically plan for your day on Day 8: Organize Your Home – Then School and a simple how to on lesson planning Day 20: Lesson Plan or Lesson Journal.

But I have not explained the secret to maintaining moderation and balance.

It is a simple exercise I do with my newbies in my workshop.

And that is to put your lips together and say NO! Let’s try it now—-say it out loud: NOOOOOOO!!! There, you said it.

I know you may be just the perfect person for heading up the potluck dinner for your friends.

Or, maybe you’re hosting a baby shower, or leading that volunteer group this year, but PLEASE hear my heart when I say: Give Yourself THIS year to learn how to homeschool and do not over commit. 

Think: Are not my children worth the things that I let go this year?

Place a high value on your children’s education and for being there not just in body when they have a question, but with a refreshed mind.

Learn the homeschool ropes and don’t make it extra stressful on yourself by trying to be supermom.

We all try on the supermom cape at various times in our journey and then put it away back in the closet. Some of us try  to wear it constantly and wear ourselves out.

Change your homeschool mood by turning over scheduling, over planning and over load into overjoyed.

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

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, Resistant Learners, Homeschool Mom Burnout

Day 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day: 28 Over Scheduling + Over Planning = Over load. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

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

Today, I’m showing you how to easily match the homeschool classical approach with Homeschool Learning Styles.

And knowing  that a classical approach is where families put emphasis on learning from ancient minds of the past allows you make the right choice for your family.

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

Further, here are some characteristics of the classical approach.

Look at four characteristic of the classical approach are

  1. There is a heavy emphasis on learning ancient languages like Greek and Latin.
  2. Language arts is a main subject.
  3. History is learned chronologically.
  4. Too, education focused on history of the Western Civilization.

What is a Classical Approach

I’ve read and used many definitions of what is a classical education through the years.

However, simple definitions are best.

And one simple definition of classical education is that it’s not image focused but language focused.

Much time is spent on communication of words, both oral and written.

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

In addition learning is patterned after the way a child’s mind matures and is divided into 3 stages.

The first stage is the elementary stage which is called the grammar stage. Kids this age love learning rules and lists.

And the second stage which is middle school is called the logic stage. At this age, children start to think more analytically.

Last, the third stage which is high school is called the rhetoric stage where children learn to write with originality.

Additionally, one of the best books I’ve read about classical education is The Well-Trained Mind.

How to Match Learning Style with the Classical Approach

As you can see, if you want your kids to have intensive language arts focus then you want to follow the classical approach.

However, matching learning styles to classical approach is not as easy.

As the parents we may have goals, but the way our child learns may be different.

For example, if you child learn better by images, then you may only be able to incorporate certain parts of the classical approach.

In addition, children who have a learning style of learning through hands-on may not do well with classical education.

The classical education approach does not tout a hands-on learning style approach.

For example, a child who is very book-ish will flourish with classical education.

Children who love words and language arts focus on writing and reading as subjects without being prompted.

However, it’s important to know what is your child’s learning style.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

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

Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles.

A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling.

However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

And although a lot of resources exist about learning styles, I like simple explanations.

Instead of using the technical terms in the educational world, I find using the term learning personality is more beneficial.

It’s easy to understand that each child has a different personality and it affects how and what they learn.

Some children are more language arts focus, others more craft focus, and still others relationship focus.

Styles of Homeschooling

For example, when I started homeschooling, I used only a workbook approach. It’s the only learning style I knew from my experience in public school.

However, as I homeschooled longer, I researched the other learning style approaches besides just workbook approach.

The other four approaches besides workbook approach are

  • the Unit Study approach,
  • Classical approach,
  • Unschooling approach and
  • Charlotte Mason approach.
How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

Determining which learning style works for your family helps you to choose curriculum that works for your family.

Look at these questions which will help you to determine the best homeschool approach for your family.

  1. Do your child learn best by doing? Charlotte Mason, the Unschooling and Unit Study approach all focus on hands-on activities. Of course the topics you study about will be applicable, but each of these approaches advocates hands-on learning.
  2. Are you wanting your children to model great minds of the past? Then you’ll want to learn about the Classical approach.
  3. If your child prefers to stay on topic and you want to cover all school subjects through the one topic then research a Unit Study approach.
  4. Some families prefer that learning is child-led and the parent is only the facilitator. Then research the Unschooling approach.
  5. Maybe you live in a state where strict record keeping is necessary. Then, can you combine a workbook approach which makes test taking and record keeping easier with another approach loved by your family.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources:

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

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

The human body is a fascinating study and so is the pregnancy belly. Today, in my female study of human anatomy I’m sharing a fun craft. Also I have this Human Body Crafts page for more fun ideas.

Coming soon is a Human Reproduction and Development Free Unit Study for Big Kids homeschool lapbook that I know you’ll love.

To begin any study of human anatomy, it can be easier to talk to your kids by letting them make a hands-on craft.

Whether you want to cover a full anatomy unit study, or it is time to talk deeper about sex and reproduction you’ll want a relaxed approach.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Plus, I never shy away here from important topics for our kids.

So, if you’re teaching about puberty, pregnancy, conception, reproduction or similar topics, this hands-on activity makes it incredibly easy to understand.

And makes it a bit more real for your kids.

This project gently introduces the beauty of babies and female development.

It can easily be adjusted to your comfort level, your child’s maturity, and what you want to cover.

How a Baby Grows Resources

To give your middle schooler a little better idea of where and how a baby grows during pregnancy and how the body changes you can provide them with a fun activity.

It takes a little of the pressure off you both.

Even a too cool for school middle schooler will enjoy the relaxing and fun break from worksheets to dig into playdough.

Here are a few books you can add to this activity to round out the reproduction unit study.

If you don’t already have some of your own that you like, these books can be used for more than just a reproduction topic.

So, your kids will get a lot of use out of them.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Basher Science Human Body book has a small section in the beginning on several good terms such as man and woman, baby, sperm, egg, cell, stem cell, and DNA.

The series is a good reference tool for covering the topic. While the books are a little silly they are recommended for ages 10 and up and make a great addition to a middle school bookshelf.

The Fascinating Human Body Book may be a little young for your middle schooler.

However, depending on the maturity level it may be just right.

It covers small chunks of many different topics and has great illustrations.

Finally, the Anatomicum book is great anytime you are doing a study of any part of anatomy.

It is a handy reference book to add to your shelf permanently because it has beautifully illustrated diagrams on male and female.

Human Body Crafts

Reproduction Female Study of Anatomy

Next, look at this easy hands-on pregnancy belly craft. It requires a few easy ingredients.

  • Playdough in several colors
  • A Paper and pen
  • Plastic mini baby or tiny doll.

We got a bag of these adorable lifelike babies to use in our unit study. They were a little pricey, but we plan to use many of them in different ways.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Start by looking up photos of the female reproductive system and recreate the female reproductive organs with playdough. 

You could then have your child label the various parts like fallopian tubes and uterus. Be as detailed or as general as you like.

Use this opportunity to demonstrate the path of the egg with a pointer (or pencil) and how a period is your body’s response to an egg not being fertilized.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Next research Google photos or a book of a cross section for a basic outline of the female body.

Have your child draw a basic outline of a pregnant female body. This gives them a rough shape to work on and helps to create a visual of where organs and systems are in relation to each other.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

I found it easy to start by making the outline of the uterus and making sure our little baby fit inside it first then worked my way out with the other organs.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Roll playdough into snakes and coil to make the small and large intestines. Then bunch them up.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Too, you’ll want to add these other human body or anatomy resources.

Other Anatomy and Human Body Resources

Then continuing with the craft. Your child can make each system a different color if he or she likes. That makes for a great visual overall for all the systems of the body.

If your focus is just on reproduction, just make those organs a particular color and all others something else.

Be sure to show how as the baby grows and the uterus expands organs are shifted and pressed affecting everything.

Everything doesn’t have to be in proportion.

You just want them to understand the general makeup of the body and where it is in relation to each other as well as how and where the baby grows.

You might also have them recreate a sperm and egg with playdough as you talk about the job of each.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

In addition, understanding X and Y chromosomes are a very important part of reproduction.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

If you are at the point of teaching it, you could also demonstrate how the baby’s head eventually turns downward.

And explain the path it takes as it is delivered demonstrating how the body opens and adjusts naturally to allow this to happen.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Human reproduction and development are not easy subject to talk about with kids of any age.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

It’s an amazing and complex process which leads to the birth of a human being.

And I hope having this easy hands-on lesson will help you to make this topic a little easier to teach to your kids.

What do you think?

Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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

Day 14 is about a homeschool supplies list for the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Homeschool hoarders of supplies are a common and growing group.

This is one area where I feel it takes some finesse to find exactly what will work for you, but it is common to have overflowing supplies at first.

Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Day 14: A Homeschooler's Not Back To School List. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Look at my chart below as I divided up supplies into two categories.

A New Homeschoolers Back to School List 2 @ Tina Dynamic Homeschool PLus

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

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

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-12 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Have you started on your back to school list? What do you have so far?

Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 14: A Homeschooler's Not Back To School List. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}