project based learning Archives

As a former public school teacher and now homeschool mom, I’d love to share some free family resources.

I believe these will be super helpful in breaking up your day as well as helping you all enjoy this time together.

1.Your Home Won’t Be a Mini-Public School

It can’t be.

So, when your kids are done with their work hours before the normal 7 hours they’d typically spend at school, don’t panic.

You’d be shocked at how much time is lost in a school day to transitions, waiting for other kids to finish, lecture, questions, bathroom breaks, lunch, recess, interruptions, packing up for classes/ end of the day, and more.

You don’t have to worry they’ll backslide as long as you’re reading, writing, and practicing math every day (like you’re used to in summer and on breaks in small bits).

However, those seven hours can feel long, especially with siblings who aren’t used to being together all day.

To break up the day and enhance their learning experience, here are some links you can use for free:

FREE Resources for Kids Home During COVID-19

2.A Quick Morning Meeting will Save Your Day

Our boys get ready for the day and make their beds then have breakfast as their morning routine.

It’s that first sense of accomplishment that prepares us for the day.

We then have a “morning meeting,” to do Bible study, pray, and have a quick briefing on how the day will go.

Here they can know when they can expect screen time.

They can also ask any questions they might have.

Please don’t make the same mistake I did when I began homeschool and do a hard and fast schedule.

It likely won’t stick, especially with littles.

Then you’ll be left feeling frustrated, they’ll be defeated, and it just doesn’t have to be that hard.

It’s okay if they learn without a strict structure because each kid’s work is different and requires different timing.

Roll with it. I promise. You’ll be glad you did.

3.Breaks will Keep You Sane

Remember, breaks are a normal thing for people to want.

Taking some time to play, take a walk, or even setting a timer to let them do whatever they want for 20-30 minutes every hour will keep everyone happier!

4.When it’s NOON and They’re Done

When school is over before noon, and you’re wondering how to keep the kids (and you) from losing it, here are some things that don’t exactly look like learning but are actually really working your kids’ brains a TON:

playing, especially outside (we LOVE this Flying Squirrel!)
baking
playing games (here are our favorites!)
listening to music new and old
drawing (SO many step-by-steps on YouTube)
snuggling up and watching one of the TONS of educational and amazing things on Netflix for learning
watch a musical
check out a nature documentary
coloring
climbing trees
jumping on the trampoline
making up a song
playing pretend with a sibling
just doing something they are passionate about
learning a new skill
FaceTiming friends
going for a hike at a local park
going for a scavenger hunt

5.Asking What THEY Want to Learn

They may not know what to do with this question since it’s not how regular school works, but you may be surprised at how this pans out.

Take paper (butcher works great) and tape it to the wall for each kid.

Have them write or draw something they’ve always wondered, wanted to know, or had an itch to learn.

THEN allow them, within the budget, of course, the ability to search, learn, try, and FAIL then try again.

The biggest way to make sure they succeed in this learning is to quite frankly…butt out.

Let them make royal mistakes, even if they’re obvious.

That’s learning, my friend! You and I do it every day!

See yourself as a mentor not a teacher who has all the answers.

The boys never cease to amaze me during personal project time. Enjoy!

Final Thoughts

I know this can be stressful in the beginning.

But there is light at the end of that tunnel.

And it’s full of laughter and memories. Welcome to homeschool!

These free family resources for a new homeschool break down how to get the most out of these super flexible days!

5 Books That Grow Spirit and Mind

Last month, I read five books that grow spirit and mind.

They were powerful, helpful, and changed me forever.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success-Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

Find this book here.

This book helped shape my thinking from fixed mindset to growth mindset.

In fact, having been a teacher in a school who talked about this from time to time, I thought I had a good handle on what this meant.

However, I found I really had barely an inkling of all this could mean for me.

This mindset book has been helping me with my business, marriage, parenting, being a friend, and as a learner.

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to create the very best version of yourself.

Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners-Lori Pickert

Find this book here.

Again, having been a teacher during the age of PBL (project-based learning) I was curious about this idea.

The biggest question I had going into this was, “Why would I try this in homeschool if kids at my public school hated it so much?”

I was open to learning more and figuring out if it was something we could adopt at home.

As it turns out, I had no idea what true PBL actually is.

This not only answered my question, but it also encouraged me to have my children explore this as a part of how we live day-to-day.

They fell in love with it fast.

While I did skip ahead a bit here and there when this book was super repetitive, I found it to be overall very helpful to have a more child-centered classroom here at home.

The Soul Winner: How to Lead Sinners to the Saviour-Charles Spurgeon

Find this book here.

What a game-changer this book was for my spiritual life.

It was a book mentioned during one of my Bible study meetings, and it stuck out to me because I’ve been wondering about this as a Jesus follower.

This book is full of goodness, friends.

It is so practical and useful in terms of how to fulfill the Great Commission.

I’m so very glad I’ve read it and feel it even deserves a second read.

How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit-A.W. Tozer

You can find this book here.

What a fast, yet amazing read!

I found myself curious as I learned more about the Holy Spirit.

So, when I saw this book as an option to read, I grabbed it.

This answered a lot of questions I’d been asking about being filled with the Holy Spirit.

A small, but meaty book that’s definitely worth a second read as well.

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership-John C. Maxwell

You can find this book here.

As a person in charge of my own business, I find myself always asking how to be a better leader.

My job is to take care of those who are working alongside me building their own businesses.

I loved this book because it gave me such insight into many situations.

I have a better handle on how to be a better leader, how to be lead well, and most important for my particular business, how to find good leaders to dig in and work alongside them.

Final Thoughts

Last month’s reading was highly impactful.

I tried to find books that would help me grow in my faith, as a homeschool mama, and as a business builder.

These five books were outstanding for those three purposes!

Did you see January’s reads?

You can find them here!