homeschoolprogress

How to Grade Hands-on Homeschool Activities and Projects (Free Rubric for Grading)

August 23, 2018 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether to grade papers or not for your kids can be quite easy to decide. If it causes unnecessary stress or increased motivation for your kids, you know. However, how to grade hands-on homeschool activities and projects fits into another category.

If you use unit studies which is mastery-based learning, do unschooling, or relaxed learning which all fit this same slant of mastery-based learning, you know it can be a conundrum on how to grade projects.

Looking back and analyzing what I did for each of my kids, I was able to come up with some guidelines I’ve used.

Hands-on Activities: Mundane or Monumental

Before I share these guidelines which will be of great help to you, let me remind you of two significant things of the superiority of hands-on projects over paperwork.

Don’t pass up valuable hands-on activities because you may not have a starting point for grades.

Grades really do matter when you live in a state that requires them or when you need to put something on a high school transcript like I’ve had to do three times.

It’s not as important to grade projects when kids are younger unless they need the motivation. However, to add them to a high school transcript becomes important so that you’re highlighting your child’s strengths and uniqueness.

Hands-on ideas and projects can be a superior way to grading because standards are self-imposed. This is opposite of how paperwork is graded.

Projects are not based on comparison to others like the present paperwork grading system. When a grade is given on paperwork it is in comparison to others the same age or the same grade.

We fight our whole homeschool journey avoiding comparison traps; implementing projects is an excellent way to challenge your kids and make them self-aware.

Basing grading on self-imposed standards creates critical thinkers who are testing and improving self and not in comparison to others.

Grading Hands-on Activities or Projects: The 6 Cs

I remind myself that with hands-on projects kids can progress at their own pace meaning they are more engaged and challenged or they can slow down and relax when a subject is tough.

Next, I set up standards for grading because we did not give up hands-on projects in the middle or high school years. A grade is needed for a transcript.

When I grade hands-on activities for my older kids, they all seem to fall under these six concepts which I use as standards.

1. Content

Content is probably one of the areas I spend the longest time grading. I look specifically for topics that I laid out for my sons to cover.

Although hands-on projects are about free exploration, it’s not always if you have specific objectives that need to be met.

For example, when we did our Amazon Rain Forest unit study, my then high school teen had to focus on not only the science of the rain forest, but the devastating effects of stripping the earth of the trees. Deforestation and the rippling effects globally was something I wanted highlighted.

Looking over his completed project of lapbook, writing assignment, and hands-on activities I checked for my objectives too.From there, I moved to what other concepts he included in his content. How unique was it? How detailed did he get? Did he look at the global picture? Are his thoughts illustrated or written in a way that is appropriate for his level?

Again, I’m looking at ways he challenged himself. Not ways to compare him to others his age.

2. Creativity

I use to shriek at the word creativity because I thought it was kin to craft activities. My boys are not the crafty loving kind of kids. Hands-on yes, but coloring and glitter no.

However, like you and I know creativity goes far beyond artistry or crafts.

Creativity is being able to use the imagination to be original. Hey, that is why I’m homeschooling. I’m original, my kids are original although they may not feel like it.

So I look for ways my kids were original in their projects. Did they come up with their ideas and rabbit trails or did they just follow what I asked them to do? When kids are little, this is okay. You’re teaching them to stretch outside of their comfort zone.

However, as kids get older, they need to prove that they are being self-taught, not just taking the guided tour from you. Creativity and initiative go hand and hand for hands-on projects.

3. Completeness

Completeness is another area I grade.

This may seem subjective, but again each mastery-based assignment has a purpose for that student. By not comparing him to others I look for ways he put forth effort to make the project a whole learning experience and yet individualistic.

How vast is his knowledge of it depends on how deep or complete he decided to explore.

For example, we did a FBI unit study for my teens. Using a large oatmeal box, my sons under the direction of the Mr. made crystal radios which is a homemade radio for picking up am stations.I thought that was it for the depth of understanding it. However, one of my teens pursued the subject of how sound is made without power and understanding the basics of reading a schematic.

In addition, the use of the radio and other ways of espionage led to an investigation of communism and Russia.

My objective or standard for this unit study was to focus on how the government interacts with other investigative branches. Clearly, my high school teen went beyond the objectives to get a more complete view of how the American government interacts with other agencies.

He was given a grade for his level of completeness based on his abilities.

4. Collaboration

Collaboration is an essential skill in both a career or college track. Real world learning is at its best with hands-on activities in a group setting.

How best to teach it? At home with siblings of different ages or at a co-op with others who have different abilities.

For example, I graded my teen on collaboration when he did a unit study on the country of Turkey. He chose the topic for our geography co-op class where a presentation was required by our kids.

My then high school teen was the one in charge of the project, assigning the parts of the unit study to investigate, presentation of the visual poster board, completing it, and guiding his siblings to finishing their parts.

It’s one thing to have an idea and quite another to get a group who do not share your same experience to work together for a harmonious theme.

It was challenging to say the least as he had to answer his siblings’ questions, entertain their different ideas, and agree on another way to work out the assignment.

There is no way such a vital skill can be show on a paper. It has to be experienced. Then, there has to be a way to give that skill a grade.

5. Challenging

Another facet I look at when looking over a project or hands-on activity is to see if my kids challenged themselves. You and I know that nobody else knows our kids as well as we do. You know when they’re motivated and when they’re not.

I can use art as an example. How can a student challenge himself?

Depending on his skill level, just deciding that he would take on the project can be challenging for an art phobic student. I have a couple of kids that don’t feel they’re good artists. On the other hand for my son who has more natural ability I would expect him to go above it to challenge himself for a higher grade.

Did either student challenge himself with his presentation or did he stay at a comfortable zone with his skill level? Again, not in comparison to others his age or grade.Is the process sophisticated or complex as a whole? How much time my kids spend on a project can be a good gauge. Was the project a one day project or did it take weeks to complete?

If it took weeks, did he dawdle or was he engrossed in a way to figure out a different way to approach the task? Those are questions I ask myself when I look over their projects.

6. Critical Thinking Skills

Depending on the project, another area I look at is the level of critical thinking skills. Choosing unit studies as our preferred way of teaching was my choice because of how my children learned. They’re ready to pursue each topic in-depth instead of piece meal.

They want unbridled learning and I have fed that through the years. However, a higher level of learning requires that my kids know how to process and sort through information. Otherwise all of that information can be a runny mess.

Things just as poor reasoning, logic, quantified statements, brainstorming, analyzing sources are all part of critical thinking skills.

Depending on your child’s age, you can target the skills your child displays in his hands-on activity.

Hands-on Activity Rubric

Grading hands-on projects doesn’t have to be stressful. Don’t give up hands-on activity because you think they’re too hard to grade.

I’m so excited because today I’ve created a new form which will help you to grade hands-on projects.

As I explained above, I analyzed how I’ve created our numerous hands-on projects we’ve done through the years and I’ve reduced the standards to a printable form.

Not only did I create this newest form, but here I explain how to use it.

The top part of the form gives you place to jot down the activity, date you planned it for, and a box I like to use to match it to a unit study theme.

If you don’t do unit studies, then use the box to jot down your lesson plan number to pair it with the hands-on activity idea.

The bottom part of the form you’ll love because it gives you a place to check subjects which the hands-on project meets.

Yes, hands-on crafts may take more time to do, but you’ll notice how they also span way more subjects.

Then of course, there is a place to mark for the grade. I don’t believe in Fs.

If your child refused to do it, you know that before you start. This form is to help you and your kids both to make hands-on activities more engaging.

I know you’ll love this newest form to add to the growing list of forms for my 7 Step Homeschool Planner.

Exclusive Dynamic Subscriber Freebie!

Download this free printable by following my blog and being a loyal reader. Click here to join. Follow the prompt to CONFIRM your email in your inbox. Then, you’ll receive a link to my dynamic readers subscriber library.

I hold back printables just for my email readers. I would luv for you to follow my blog and get updates by email. Besides receiving seasoned veteran how-tos, unit studies and unit study tips, tips for teaching multiple ages of children. homeschooling your kids from Prek to High School, you’ll also have access to my Dynamic Subscriber Freebies.

Again, wait for the link in your inbox to my private area for subscribers AND then download the form there.

What do you think? Will this make it easier for you to grade hands-on activities or better yet include more of them in your homeschool?

You’ll love these other tips:

Hugs and love ya,

Wipe Out Self-Doubt: 13 Ways to Show Homeschool Progress (And How I Know My Sons Got It)

September 25, 2017 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Working in the sun 7 days a week and 12 hour days as insurance auto adjusters, my sons have been walking down rows and rows of thousands of cars as they’ve been processing insurance claims at their job.

The vehicles are owned by persons affected by Hurricane Harvey. Recently, the insurance company considerably reduced the amount of staff needed to work the claims; they kept only 5 people to finish up.

My two sons were part of the 5 kept. By the way, although they have worked doing various things, this has been their first real life (don’t you just hate when people use that word with us) job.

THIS is How I Know My Homeschooled Sons Got It

How do they measure up in their first real life job? One of their bosses told the team, “It’s hard to find kids in this generation with a work ethic like these two boys. They are prompt, do what they’re told, work well with the team, and work without complaining.”

Just prior to the boss speaking, the other employees had called attention to the fact that my boys have been homeschooled.

Homeschool progress, achievement, and success is measured differently by everybody.

And you know it’s not been my style to talk a lot about my sons’ achievements. I want my son’s to explore their options during and after homeschool without feeling the need to perform for the public.

However, I do know, like me, you want to know that your day to day efforts of homeschooling are working.

And letting you know how I know that my homeschooled sons got it, I hope that if you’re having nagging feelings of self-doubt that you’ll put them to rest today.

When a student takes initiative in his school every day that practice spills over to real life. Rigorous academics builds character. Giving your kids freedom to demonstrate mastery equips them with a can do spirit that will stick into adulthood.

What I’m saying is that there is a connection between rigorous academics while homeschooling and success later.

I have rounded up 13 ways to show homeschool progress. And although I didn’t use all of them with my older boys, I used a lot of them. Too, not every idea will work with every topic, but they give you a starting point.

ONE/ Student made maps.

Mapmaking and geography for homeschool study. Check out the tips!

Whether you choose for a student to draw a map from memory or label one teaching concepts get mastered.

Wondermaps have been our choice of maps. Whatever time period my boys are working on, we can use them as a blank outline or add as much information to them as we want to.

TWO/Field trip notes.

I’ve always insisted that my sons come back with at least three key things we learned on our field trips. Not only was it fun, but I was enforcing that learning takes place outside of a book.

THREE/ Student made powerpoints or webquests.

FOUR/ Create a timeline.

FIVE/ Engage in a mock discussion. If need be, create a limited time co-op.

SIX/ Write narratives.

Writing narrative is a great way for an older student to demonstrate that he understands a subject.

SEVEN/ Student made presentations.

Presentations have been a huge part of not only recognizing achievement but gave my sons impetus to create excellent work. You don’t have to have something as formal as a co-op, but even a small family audience will work.

EIGHT/ Teach the subject back to you or to one of his siblings.

NINE/Keeping a journal.

TEN/Create a song.

ELEVEN/Create a play.

TWELVE/Oral discussions.

Oral discussions with my sons is one way I was able to gauge their progress in literature.

If they couldn’t go beyond telling me the basics of a story using proper literary terms, I knew they really didn’t put forth effort to engage with the literature.

THIRTEEN/ Narration.

Narration is a Charlotte Mason technique that I incorporated into our unit studies. If a child can’t tell back what he read, he doesn’t really understand it. Look at my tips at my post Narration – Telling Back or Testing? Books that Make Teaching Narration Easy Peazy.

Although my sons job right now is tough, it works for them while they are still taking courses. And I’m just as proud of their work ethic as I am of any academic grade they make.

I’ve learned that my focus on cultivating their attitude was just as important as nurturing their aptitude. You can have both.

When a student takes initiative in his school every day that practice spills over to real life. Rigorous academics builds character. Giving your kids freedom to demonstrate mastery equips them with a can do spirit that will stick into adulthood. Grab these 13 creative ways for your child to show mastery! #homeschool

Tests are important, but they’ll never be able to prepare a homeschool child for facing real life. Try one or two of these ways above for your child to demonstrate progress.

Also, you’ll love these articles!

Hugs and love

How to Grade a Homeschool Unit Study for an Older Child (& high school assessment)

October 22, 2016 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I didn’t choose to do homeschool unit studies because I felt I was creative or liked flying by the seat of pants.

What I do like about homeschool unit studies is the unbridled time for learning topics that interests my kids. Later on I would learn that is called mastery learning.

Choosing to move away from laid out curriculum to mastery learning can bring a unique set of challenges for an older child.

And doing homeschool unit studies, with an older child looks very different than the themed learning I did with my boys in prek and Kindergarten. That is another topic to tell you about.

Today, I am sharing with you what I have been working on for several months; it is a unit study assessment for an older child and it works for high school too.

Grade a Homeschool Unit Study

I wished I have done it sooner, but you know I’m always slow about my homeschool forms because I need them to work.

It took me a while to wrap my mind around how to do an assessment as I was writing my notes for my older two sons.

The bottom line is that I won’t give up our passion for mastery learning so that I can put grades on a transcript.

However, knowing in high school, that you do need more conformity, I created my own unique assessment.

Now with son number three, I have been able to put on one page what I’m looking for when doing a unit study with an older child, even a high school teen.

Let’s just face it, too. There is a lot out there for younger kids, but not a lot of specifics for older kids.

And because I deal in specifics and know generalities won’t help you or me either one, I prepared a detailed unit study assessment.

3 Smart Tips for Assessing Work for an Older Student

I will share the specifics about the assessment in a minute, but look at these other ways to record keep, grade and assess.

Keep in mind this is mastery learning or project-oriented type of learning. Think about assessing each part of the unit study using general marks like Distinguished, Satisfactory and Fair. Don’t get hung up on grades during the year because you can still assess one at the end of the year or unit study.
When it comes to language arts use a simple column method. I listed books and other sources my kids read, topics they wrote about and things they learned in grammar. Those things fall easily under the category of English in high school. I gave an assessment on those areas like Distinguished, Satisfactory and Fair when I graded them, but on the transcript I made them an A or B. We followed different writing programs through the years and I used the concepts they were teaching, but took the topics from the current unit study. Having a few teacher’s notes from the writing program gave me guidance on grading their writing, but I didn’t let it consume me.
Also,I wrote down the subtopics we studied. Even though we don’t have to record keep in Texas, I wanted to keep them for high school. However, if you’re in a an area that requires record keeping, then writing down what you have done is a perfectly acceptable way to show progress.

Another reason to record keep is that normally an older child needs feedback. I wanted my sons to know what I thought of their work.

It’s not only important to self-evaluate for an older child, but they need to learn how to handle feedback from me. This is part of adult life when others evaluate you.

unit-study-general-assessment-high-school-tinas-dynamic-homeschool-plus

About this DETAILED Unit Study Assessment

Look at how I created this unit study assessment, which can be used for an older child or high school.

It is a general evaluation of mastery.
Because there is no way I could cover every objective I have on my unit study unless I prepared an assessment for each one, I wanted one assessment that was unique. It is not about all grades and no benchmarks and vice versa. It has both a grade and assessments like I mentioned earlier.
I took each subject and highlighted two general benchmarks that I’m looking for at the high school level.
Also, unlike high school assessments, I created part of this assessment like a vocation adult mastery class because unit studies are about mastery. It’s important to treat my older children like they will be in the adult world of college and career. Each part of the assessment does not fit perfectly into a canned grading system. I’m not looking to fit each benchmark in my unit studies, but to have a general rule of thumb when grading.
The first section is the most important part to me because it deals with motivation and attitude, which are of more value to me.
The rest of the sections are about aptitude because there has to be some way to grade or assess older kids in each subject.
The last section is also of value to me because it is the very heart of mastery learning, which are projects. Projects are really self-evaluations for students because they demonstrate what they know and students will pick projects that fit their learning style.
Lastly, I can assign a grade at the very bottom if I need to. By not putting a grading scale, you can use your own.

Creating something unique that is both a mastery learning assessment and a grading system, I am excited to put this to good use.

I think it’s true when they say three times is a charm because with my third highschooler, I now have a super unique way to assess his efforts.

Also, I love it because it makes a great add to my Ultimate Unit Study Planner.

Ultimate Unit Study Planner Store @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus 600x

Download Here Free Unit Study General Assessment

Also, look at the nitty-gritty of how to create a unit study by reading 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating One Together, Unfolding of a Homeschool Unit Study – An Easy Mnemonic { I-SIP} and 3 Things To Remember When Homeschool Unit Studies Get Complicated.

Hugs and love ya,

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.

Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Why My Homeschooled Kids Are Not Given the Choice to Go to Public School

August 12, 2016 | 12 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Extreme homeschooling or parenting is not my style, but I do strive for being a balanced parent, which I feel is much more challenging than setting fast and hard rules. What does that have to do with why my homeschooled kids are not given the choice to go to public school?

Let me back up and explain first how your childhood affects your current parenting and homeschooling style.

We Can’t Just WANT Our Children to Make Good Decisions – Model It

Because my childhood was not one full of abusive parenting, I bring that know-how to my homeschooling. I had loving and balanced parents and still maintain a close relationship with them.

Oh sure, my parents made their fair share of parenting mistakes, like any parent will, but extreme, dictatorship-like decisions based on my parents’ personal whims was not one of them.

Sound solid reasons behind my parents’ decision, whether my siblings and I agreed or not was their pattern in making decisions.

Communicating lovingly to me and often why I couldn’t do something was always foremost in how my parents modeled to me.

Switching back to present day and helping many new homeschoolers, I noticed a common trait among some lax parents, which is wanting to get their child’s approval in some way for homeschooling.

I learned some homeschool parents bring negative patterns of their parents’ parenting or lack of it to their current homeschool. Homeschooling and parenting are inextricably linked.

Wouldn’t you agree that balanced parenting is harder to achieve than laying down arbitrary rule making?

Look at some of the common mindsets that I have avoided and/or adopted which worked for me in helping my kids see that homeschooling can be a superior education.

ONE// I don’t feel a homeschooler is called to homeschooling, but I do feel that homeschooling is THE BEST choice for ANY child.

Besides the obvious low teacher ratio, homeschooling is about choice of schedule, choice of academics, real life experiences, and an overflowing amount of enriching activities.

Which family doesn’t deserve to have a shot at that? I don’t feel only certain families are called to homeschool, but all families have the possibility.

However, just because homeschooling is the best method for every child to learn, it doesn’t mean everybody has the circumstance to. That is why I don’t believe we are called to homeschooling.

Good is not wished just upon some and others not.

The bottom line has been that because each year I had the circumstances to homeschool and knew it was the best option for any child, a life changing decision was not given into the hands of a child who may thinks he misses a friend or two. More on that in a minute.

TWO// Homeschooling can be similar to the mindset needed in marriage IF you value the homeschool lifestyle.

Marriage calls for a heavy commitment up front when you don’t really know your future husband until you start living with him no matter how long you dated.

Jumping into marriage without trying to find out as much as you can about your husband is not wise by any stretch of the imagination.

Making a marriage work is hard, but thinking in the back of your mind that divorce is an option or a way out makes the effort put forth in the beginning meager and utterly defeating.

My 25+ years of wonderful marriage is worth it and so is my 19 year commitment to homeschooling.

Both of those commitments required HARD WORK and success just doesn’t happen.

Homeschooling is similar to that type of commitment in marriage.

Focusing more on how to make homeschool work than dwelling on returning to public school requires a resolute determination, a belief in the homeschool approach, knowledge (which is gained) and focused energy.

Decision-Making Ability is a Gradual Process

THREE// Let’s talk teens, rebellious years and even single mom homeschooling.

It’s easy to assume that all of our homeschool years are going to be sunshine and rainbows, but you and I know that is a lie.

Like most teens, mine too have gone through times when they too buck the decisions my husband and I make.

Our process to help them has always been the same and we did this by:

Listening to our boys without interrupting them or telling them they can’t feel that way. They should have their own opinions and our decision for them to not have the choice to go to public school doesn’t deprive them of how to gradually start the decision-making process. It is a clear cut boundary.
Explaining the reasons why they don’t have a choice to go to public school. Your reasons may vary, but a few of our reasons usually went like this; this is a superior education, society has changed and we want our influence on you, your course load in high school can be lighter or heavier, you have more time for a social life instead of caged, you can have a job earlier, enjoy an apprenticeship, be free of bullying, be free of the atmosphere of drugs and savor freedom.
Acknowledging that we are capable of mistakes and all decisions are made out of giving our children the best.
Finding the solution or fixing the problem. For example, if one of my boys felt like he was missing out on friends, then I MUST fill that need. And you know that unless you decide to homeschool under a rock, activities are endless for kids. Matter of fact, finding other boys their age was a problem in our homeschool and I created a thriving co-op. Out of that co-op, my boys have lifelong friends. They also wanted to be with other homeschooled teens more, so they took art lessons, and ballroom dancing. I didn’t stop there, I planned movie trips and outings for boys and I planned for 2 or 3 field trips per month instead of our usual one. Yes, who is afraid of work anyway.

Single mom homeschooling is also more prevalent today and because homeschooling can be flexible to a mom’s work schedule, many single parents are lapping up that freedom.

When we give our kids the option to return to homeschool a mindset can set in where they think that something better exists, when in fact we are giving them the very best.

Why unnecessarily place defeat in front of you or your children?

Here are some don’ts:

Don’t use the return to public school as a threat. It may give your kids the wrong impression of people who have had to use public school. Besides threats and intimidation is not a way to parent.
Don’t keep asking your children if they miss school. They are only going to tell you what their limited experience has been and they do not have the ability to make life changing decisions.
For sure don’t ask a homeschooled teen if he thinks he should return to public school. Problems will not get better when he is away from you, they only go below the surface for a while to reappear.
Don’t think a child has to experience bad or experience public school to appreciate good. If that seems to be the case, focus on how to help them appreciate what they have. Appreciate means to hold in high value. Attitudes and actions prove appreciation or lack of it. A return to public school doesn’t build that in children.

Leave behind rigid and unbending rules, but set your homeschooling up for success by creating boundaries for it.

Why My Homeschooled Children Are Not Given the Choice to Go to Public School @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I know you’ll love these other tips:

Hugs and love ya

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.

Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

How to Grow to Love Being a Homeschooler

June 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether it was a last-ditch decision or you planned for years to homeschool before your first child was born, everybody who begins to homeschool has to make the decision to grow to love being a homeschooler or not.

It can just be an educational choice or you can decide to passionately live the homeschool lifestyle.

Enjoying the benefits of the homeschool approach without adopting the lifestyle is possible, but not without being short-changed.

How can you adopt the homeschool lifestyle or be sure that you are embracing it to the fullest extent that your circumstances allow?

Look at these three ways how to measure your growth.

ONE | You have stopped trying to find the perfect curriculum.

It was about five years into my homeschooling journey when I learned that the challenge of choosing curriculum wasn’t going away. I knew that teaching my sons through everyday life was paramount.

Nurturing a Love for Lasting Learning

Living the homeschool lifestyle means that curriculum is now just a tool and you learn that it doesn’t really teach anything.

Sure, I need to have objectives and choose curriculum that gives me the freedom to teach my worldview, but I am doing the teaching.

What you are willing to do to teach your children is way more valuable than what you are willing to buy to teach them.

The challenge in homeschooling is not the endless pursuit of curriculum, but in helping your child to maintain his love of learning that he had when he was young.

Adopting the homeschool lifestyle means that you have moved beyond curriculum, progress reports, tests and needing accolades from friends and family that you are doing a super job.

Now, you simply don’t care what other people think. Did I mention it’s really liberating?

Learning that your life, no matter how boring you may think it is, it’s full of rich meaning for your children.

TWO | You maintain a homeschool routine, but not necessarily a rigid schedule.

Another tell-tale sign that you have embraced natural learning is that no longer do you fight to maintain your homeschool routine, but now homeschooling is not something extra you do in the day. It is the way you spend your day and everything else now revolves around it.

It’s hard for anything you begin to become a lifestyle overnight.

I think about being newly married or when I lost a lot of sleep when I brought my first son home from the hospital. Significant changes in my life called for significant effort to make them part of my life. It’s not long after the new changes in your life that you realize it’s hard to remember a time without your kids or your spouse.

Homeschooling becomes the same way. You are not constantly worried about completing curriculum or making grades and testing. Like life, you realize homeschooling has certain tests that need to be met, bt you meet them like you do anything else in your household.

THREE | You learned that you can’t homeschool on an ‘island.’

Associating with and joining with homeschoolers is like being immersed in learning another language. Until you do it, you can’t see where you’re coming up short.

For example, I didn’t fully appreciate how much faster we could learn another language until we had moved overseas. Having studied Spanish for many years, I had a good command of the vocabulary, but it was fragmented.

After we moved to South America and received total language immersion, it made me fully appreciate the language, lifestyle and culture.

When you refrain from meeting up with other homeschoolers or isolate you and your kids, it’s not only unhealthy, but it’s unnatural.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not telling you that you have to be a social butterfly and join every possible homeschool groups. Some groups are just too extreme for my taste and I tend to be very picky.

How Are You Measuring Up in Adopting the Homeschool Lifestyle?

What I am saying is that when you and your family stand in stark contrast to those in your neighborhood or your friends, you need a support system with others who are like-minded.

Instead of being overly critical of other homeschoolers’ choices when you meet with them, look at what you can learn from them. I received tips on how to homeschool multiple children, make time for myself and move ahead on curriculum when we were hitting a brick wall. Without the tips, I would have struggled longer.

Growing is part of everyday life and it’s amazing. If something or someone is not growing, it’s always a sign that something is wrong.

Have you adopted the homeschool lifestyle?

Grab some more ways to be an empowered homeschooler below:

3 Reasons Why Homeschoolers Are Take Charge People
Go Ahead and Make a Mistake: Homeschool Without Fear
10 Books That Boost Your Homeschool Zen (When It May Be Sagging)

Hugs and love ya,

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.

Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Save