What? Just a couple weeks in and already reorganizing? Yep. That’s because we started slow and steady, savoring summer. (We still are!) Then we started adding in a little more with language arts. This week we are almost full-fledged back to homeschool with extracurricular activities on top. But at the heart of our reorganization is simplification and a reordering of priorities. This physical act of organizing is a reflection of an overall change in our homeschool.
So, we started our week pulling out baskets and repurposing binders. Each of our children have their own ‘central’ IKEA basket for binders. We made one for civics, a drama troupe notebook and an art-a-day binder (more on our new art-a-day habit soon!) We recycled papers and refilled with lined and printer paper, sharpened pencils and generally created a spot for each of our studies. The physical preparedness is so we are ready for what’s truly important. We want to get our basic reading, writing and arithmetic done and do it well! But we also are making sure there is time for creativity – for painting, for dreaming, for planning, for walking and talking.
We had a rainy Sunday afternoon of art – spontaneous and continuous for about half and hour with chalk pastels. Plus we pulled out the ‘stay forever’ acrylics (as Lil’ Buddy calls them).
This homeschool moment brought to you by second grade Rod and Staff grammar. The rest of the day was constant motion but I paused to etch this in my memory.
We pulled out the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series for Lil’ Buddy. Love this sweet series from Answers in Genesis which teaches basic truths about our God.
Plus the Tapestry of Grace I’ve reserved started rolling in! These delicious books I remember from our very first year of Tapestry. The older children were especially excited about I, Crocodile – they remembered from when they were grammar level. And what fun for those older children to start off their assignments with Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility the movie! (What I’ve Learned Homeschooling with Tapestry of Grace).
Simplification and Priorities in Homeschool
But though it sounds like we are adding in quite a bit more, really we are scaling back. The reorganization is part of a simplification of our homeschool. Our days are arranged so that we can be home more. And though we still have stacks and stacks around the house – it’s a reflection of the reorganization of priorities.
“I just spend like 3 hours reading a book.” ~ Eldest Girl’s Facebook status last night (stacks and stacks of library books and more – need to reorganize the school books on the mantel and make a spot for those!)
Home for homeschooling! The majority of the week we are home with long stretches of time to really learn, dig in, read, research, create, make, ask, find out, wonder, discover, develop character, correct, serve… Time for important things. Time to…
“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10
Yes, there are still some spider webs in corners and some baskets left unorganized. But we are focusing in on the important. Yes we have a full schedule, we have music lessons and more. But the Lord is reorganizing me and my thinking. Putting priorities back in order.
Many thanks to our Friday hostesses!
- Collage Friday hostess Mary at Home Grown Learners
- Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
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–> See the full Omnibus list here <– (Only through Sunday!) Read my thoughts about Homeschool Omnibus
AND, have you signed up for Homeschool Super Heroes yet? (it’s FREE!) I’m inviting you to hear my interview (next Thursday!) and many more homeschoolers. Be encouraged and equipped as you start your homeschool year. I’m humbled and honored to be one of the guests who was interviewed! I’ll be sharing my tips for art and homeschooling multiple ages. Plus:
- How art enhances a homeschool learning environment
- How to tailor art projects for any family and homeschool mom…even the non-artistic
- Practical tips and simple art projects to get started
So our reorganization is a bit of binders and such but mostly a reorganization of priorities. How about you?
Tricia ~ I understand what you mean. I think that simplification and reorganization is so necessary – especially when you have big kids in the house. We are trying to be HOME and simple every single day of the week, so that we can have all of our work done when we leave later afternoon for piano, baseball, youth group, or whatever the day holds.
Your homeschool has always been an inspiration to me, and since I had the pleasure of spending time with you earlier in the year it’s been even more of an inspiration.
Last Sunday was a perfect rainy day, wasn’t it? The whole weekend, really – we started a huge puzzle and did lots of reading around here.
Hooray for sunshine today — have a great weekend and thank you for always linking!
Mary, it surely works for us. I am a homebody by nature. So, tweaking and scheduling so that we are mostly home helps us to retreat and get things done. Plus I just love being home. But that’s not to say that we don’t enjoy a field trip. And we do have drama troupe, church activities, music lessons and time at the park with friends. And, yes, you are right – especially with older children. There simply more to do. Reorganization always! I so enjoyed our time together earlier this year – those hours flew by!
Tricia – so many of “us” seem to be in that “reorganization” stage…I think we are coming into a new season for home schoolers. The world is changing so fast…honestly I want go back in time somewhat to when it was simple!
Enjoy your school year!
Yes! Back to basics. Simple. I am all for it!
You have such a beautiful and comfortable home. What a great start to your school year.
I so understand what you mean!
Our days are scheduled for us to be at home almost all of the time, and we love and need that. One of my daughters has a before and after school babysitting job, another one will accompany me on my daily shopping trip, and we have quite a few field trips planned, but the rest of the time we are home on week days.
Don’t ask about the evenings, though! Sigh!
Oh it’s so good to know someone else made changes, lol! My kids told me not to change anything else this year, they were too busy, lol! So I made 2 final changes and we are heading onto our 31st day.
YES! Psalm 46:10 – God is really speaking to me in this verse and my online time (goals, etc.)
Thanks for sharing!
I’m always encouraged by your blog and this was truly no exception!