Do you have curriculum still sitting on your shelf – yet to crack it open? There just might be some of us pulling along a big bag of guilt for not getting to certain things in our homeschool. It’s okay. There are so many circumstances keeping us from enjoying the extras. I’m sharing how to fit in all the homeschool extras. But first…
Time for me to pull out a favorite quote:
“You can’t change what you have or haven’t done over the past year. Just start where you are, ask the Lord to make you a “joyful mother of children,” pray for grace and wisdom (and strength and patience), and move forward.” ~ Vicki Bentley, HSLDA and Everyday Homemaking
How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras
How to fit in the extras is one of the most frequently asked questions I get. For example, yes, I love our curriculum but how do I work that wonderful resource work our day? How do we fit in science and history? But what about brushing teeth? What about the roaming toddler?
You’ve likely been concentrating on the basics. And we must do the basics well. But in this series I’ll share some strategies to help you with those homeschool extras. Even if you just might be cruising along pretty well. But, first off…
What are the basics?
Let’s define them. I see the basics as the three Rs. Reading, writing and arithmetic. The three subjects we start back to school with. We have only been doing the basics well in our back to school time from the holidays for about a week now. But that’s the beauty of the homeschool schedule. We can start slowly, getting our math and language arts under our belts before we mix in any more subjects.
Pause for this thought: I must say that developing a relationship with the Lord is first and foremost in our home. Even before those basic subjects. Bible study and character training. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
When our children were all second grade and under and there was a baby in the house, it was a really good school day when we got the three Rs accomplished. If you are living the life of survival, getting the three Rs done should be your goal.
I have written at length about how important it is to focus on the basics first. And how to do that with multiple ages, babies and toddlers all in the mix:
- The Three Rs for Multiple Ages “Of course the three Rs are each subjects children need individual attention in. And each of our children have math, English and writing studies specific to their grade level that we work on each school day.”
- Helpful Homeschool Habits for Multiple Ages “For over a dozen years we’ve turned to our habits as the ‘bones’ of our day. Our habits help us accomplish a basic school day and get food on the table. We leaned on one or two more heavily when all were age 10 and under. We’ve tweaked habits to meet our needs with growing children. For me, over the years with babies, toddlers, stacks of school books, hungry mouths and now towering teens, these are the basic routes I’ve discovered for seeing results.”
Of course, as children get older and into upper grades, those basics expand to include other subjects like science and history.
Next, let’s define the extras.
What are the homeschool extras? And are they really extras?
Well, in our house we call them the extras because they are the really fun part of homeschooling. The icing on the homeschool cake. The things we look forward to. But I feel strongly that mixing in a balance of enriching subjects makes for a happy child and a happy mama. A well educated child.
My definition of extras is any other subject. Yes, science and history are essential around third grade and up. In our home, we work those around the basic subjects. So they are included in the extras.
- science, nature study
- history
- geography
- writing and composition skills
- etiquette
- foreign language
- computer skills
- life skills
- PE
- extracurricular
- music lessons
- fine arts
- art!
- robotics, photography
- ham radio licensing, computer programming
Fitting in the enriching homeschool extras can work in several ways. Be sure to read the next in the series. I share how we get many of the above list accomplished with one resource.
Any time is the perfect time to soak up some homeschool encouragement.
Hop on over and check out all the topics by the ladies of iHomeschool Network – January 2013 Hopscotch.
- Day 1: How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras: What are the Extras?
- Day 2: How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras with Unit Studies
- Day 3: How to Fit in All the Homeschool Extras: Time Management
- Day 4: The Homeschool Extras Within Sight
- Day 5: Declare an Extras Day
~Subscribe to Hodgepodge for more homeschool help!
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What strategies are you hoping to gain from this series? Do you have any tips for fitting in the homeschool extras?
-originally published January 2013
I am still fairly new to homeschooling and I do love a quick unit study! They are fast and fun! Winning these would be great!
Very fun Tricia! Nice team up!
We are using a unit study approach this year to study the continents. I have always added books, etc. to whatever we are studying, but this has been the best year yet!
Ok…forgot to say how we use Unit Studies in our homeschool! Well we a unit study family! That’s how we learn. So, unit studies are our core. Up to high school. We dabble in high school too.
Awesome info and encouraging. Lets me know I’m not off track.
Ive used Unit Studies to touch on the basis of things my children are really interested in but also to add in the necessary subjects that they need included in the study. Also I think using unit studies also increase the ability to learn something that is of interest to my children.
Great giveaway! I’d LOVE to win your new e-book.
I’m in the basics stage right now with 5 kiddos aged 10 down to a 13 week old. But so excited that we’re starting to get back into some sort of routine to add in “extras” again in the spring. I also find that summer is a fun time to do “extras” without the kiddos thinking they are “doing school.” Thanks for the chance to win!
We are currently working thru a space unit study, learning about the planets, black holes, comets, etc… I have found that my son works better with these types instead of the workbooks all the time.
I absolutely love doing unit studies! They are an integral part of what I do with my 3, ages 9, 11, and 12.
We use unit studies for our state study, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and Passover studies. I have also used a unit study for individual Character development. I usually schedule them during the winter as they are refreshing interjections to live’n up the drab winter months. The topics you are offering would be a FUN change of pace! 🙂 Thank you!
We are just starting to bring unit studies to our homeschool. With the premiere of The Hobbit in theaters this winter, we are currently reading the book, and using a unit study/lapbook we purchased online for only $5. It has been a great addition to the book, and the current fascination with the story and Lego sets at our house!
We use unit studies to further their own interests. We’ve done one on Medieval Times, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cars the Movie and they would love to do one on Doctor Who if I can only find the resources!
I have several of Amanda Bennett’s unit studies…they are so well thought out and planned! I have used them to change up the pace in our school, study the seasons, and to study a topic more in depth. My son is really interested in learning about world cultures so I am excited for her Passport series!
I have never tried a unit study. I guess I have been afraid to. If I win, I will do it.
I agree! Adding unit studies make a great addition to my planner. I like to supplement with unit studies and take a break from or add to the variety of the schedule. I think this art set is wonderful!
We used Amanda Bennett’s Olympics unit this summer. it was so fun to learn about sports I had never seen before.
We try to pick one unit study a month, and occasionally more if two parties can’t agree. They add the fun element for us, and I try to take them as seriously as everything else we do in terms of scheduling.
New to this site. Looking forward to checking it out more. Thanks!
This would be a great addition to our studies this winter, especially on days it’s just to cold to be outside.
This is a great post! Can’t wait to read more. I can use some encouragement. Thank you!
I love doing “one more thing” in the afternoon.
I’ve used a few unit studies, but would love to use more. I think my kids would like them.
We’re currently using Maestro Classics’ “Casey at the Bat” and a corresponding lapbook to explore music, instrumentation, poetry, and BASEBALL! Having a blast with it. It’s hard to stop at just the one planned activity for the day 🙂
What a wonderful resource your blog is! I’ll be coming back!
This is a great way to fit in those extra things I am always stressing about! I love this approach, thank you so much for sharing.
We’ve never done unit studies, but it seems a great way to get in those things that I never seem to get to. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have had some health issues so we are doing mostly the basics right now. But my kids love to do unit studies and to explore their creative side with art and crafts.
Tricia, we have. I am considering setting aside half of next year and allowing my soon to be sixth grader to select all of his lessons for 90 days – using unit studies.
We have NEVER used unit studies, but I really think my kids would enjoy doing them.
Thanks for a great giveaway, I love unit studies!
I have used unit studies based on Hands of a Child materials to study as many habitats as they cover. At first we cut and paste everything. Now, I have a renegade in the cut/fold/paste camp and just make these three write proper topic sentences for the paragraph answers to each question posed in the HOAC packet. I know that these are considered science for some, but as a former junior high geography/earth science teacher I consider these physical science pieces that add to our human geography study of Homeschooling with Index Cards flags of the World study over the past 5.5 years. It’s shaping up to be quite a 3″binder of work that the kids enjoy.
Love unit studies, they have been a great help when teaching at our co-op!!
Can’t wait to see what this week’s posts bring! Love the Vicki Bentley quote!
I have used unit studies for holidays and animal studies. They are hard to fit in with the rest of my curriculum during the majority of the school year.
Unit Studies are our CORE curriculum, and extras are things like geocaching (love!), math drills, handwriting through ACTUAL letter-writing to family and friends (we use STAMPS and everything, lol). Unit Studies have revolutionized our homeschool, and made it so much less stressful for all of us!!!
The idea of unit studies is greatly appealing, but the application of them, for some reason, overwhelms me. I can’t seem to decide where to start. Thank you for these posts. They are encouraging me to look into the ones I have again more seriously!
I love teaching with unit studies…always did as a paid teacher, but have had a harder time as a home educator. Would love to have a springboard like these!
I’ve found using a lesson planner keeps me on schedule and then I can use the unit studies and not forget about them!
I have occasionally, I guess actually our state studies are unit studies, so YES, I do all the time……..
I’m not sure how I would use unit studies at this point in homeschooling with a 5th & 8th grader? But I’d love to try!
I have to admit that I’m not good at fitting in unit studies. I’m trying to though!
I just love unit studies. They are such a great way to learn. Thanks so much for all the inspiration your blog provides.
I’m not the best at unit studies, but I’d love to try harder!
Sometimes my son just gets into a rut and needs to break out of our routine. For those times, I’ve found that Unit Studies are perfect! He really loves geography and maps, so we usually do them centered around these subjects and then just expand. I already of a list of unit studies that I want to do this summer, once we finish our regular curriculum and before we move on!
I would LOVE to win these artistic adventure unit studies from Amanda Bennett
These look great Tricia. These types of studies are great for large families with multiple ages. 🙂
I would love to do a unit on digital photography, especially with my oldest who loves to do photoshoots with her stuffed animals and turn them into magazinez. 🙂
I have never used an unit study. I would love to get to try one out!
I love the idea of unit studies. As more of my littles need to be homeschooled, I believe this will save my sanity!
We use unit studies to go deeper with our Classical Conversations Memory Work
We did a unit study on Ancient Egypt after reading SOTW. My kiddos loves the unit study and want to do so many more.
This is my first year of homeschooling and I’m loving it! The last unit study we did was wonderful. I love the approach and my son retained so much more studying in this way. Thanks so much for the chance to win! Love your blog and the effort you put into helping other HS families succeed. 🙂
I have used a few unit studies for the last couple of years. Usually it is something my boys find interesting and we go with the flow. I would really like to try it more but I am not good a pulling things together so AB units look fabulous. Hope I win!
I love your site and would love to have more art and extras in our day. I know right now with all younger children we are often in survival mode 🙂
We are doing the Davy Crockett unit study right now. It adds adventure, excitement for my son. It allows me to get in the drawing, coloring and cutting he dreads and doesn’t think is fun with a “curriculum”. We don’t sit at the table to do any of it. Clipboard, iPad and books by the couch – we bring over the Pencil box with scissors, colored pencils and glue sticks. It’s like “hanging out” vs doing school. Lots of learning and lots of fun time together!
You mentioned you stretch TOG over 2 years. Is this also true of your High Schoolers? I have 3 in high school and one in middle. Just wondering how it counts as credit and if one is a senior, won’t they be missing the ending? I am still reading through your great blog posts so this may be shown but, I would love to know how you plan for the older ones.
When they are younger it’s so much more relaxed and fun! Now that they are older it seems a lot of business and I’m not sure how to make it more relaxed.
Do you understand what I’m saying? Lol!
Yes, I understand what you are saying 🙂 In high school we did our best to work through a year of TOG. But we never finished everything. Tapestry is so very rich and there were weeks we dug deep and weeks we skimmed the best off the top – according to the calendar and just life in general. Great question. Thanks for asking!