Monday, October 3, 2016

A little homeschool honesty...

Okay ladies, let's be honest, how many of you have ever felt like you would so lose on the tv show, Are you smarter than a 5th grader? I don't think I would last very long on there at all!!  And yet, here I am homeshooling a 4th, 5th, and 6th grader?! Shocking, I know! :)

This last week in school was a rough one. We are in our sixth week school, and it felt like we had been going to school for half an eternity. to sum it up...one rough week!

On Friday my guys take quizzes on what they learn during the week. They did okay on the tests, but some of them were like pulling teeth! As a teacher I felt like a total failure! It seemed like they couldn't remember anything that they learned.

So, it was time for a change!

Either I swallow my "super mommy" pride and admit that I needed help, or have a total break down of our schooling. I decided that my pride had better go! 

I have always known that kids all learn in different ways. And, my guys are no different. It's funny, but I think all my guys learn in different ways. :) Eryn can usually read and understand, Maryanna is a very visual learner and hands on, Eli is a mixture of both! So, it was time to incorporate that into our schooling. I know, "Why didn't I do that sooner?" Well, I just didn't. Not a good excuse, but it's the best I got! 

Math is a subject that my kids have struggled with. So, as a change, I have found different you tube channels that explain it ways that my kids understand. I incorporated the videos into our school today, and boy what a difference! I saw the lights go off in their heads as they understood something that I was having trouble explaining to them. It took a goofy guy dancing about fractions for Maryanna to grasp the facts. Hey, I'll watch the goofy guy dance all day if it means my guys are learning!!   

I had to swallow my pride, admit my guys weren't grasping the facts by my teaching them alone, and change my thinking on things...all in one weekend! But, believe me, It's worth it! Today has been a smoother day in school than we have had in a long time. Yes, our school days are longer, but if they are learning, I'll take it!

I hope my honesty has helped someone. We are all human, we all make mistakes, so, let's own up to them, correct them, and head in the right direction! 

I hope you have a happy Monday homeschooling Momma!!