Your family might think you are nuts; Your friends worry about the social skills of your children, and there are so many choices for a curriculum that it is just overwhelming. This is a great adventure you are embarking on. It might seem daunting, but it is not. Embrace the challenge, and know there are some things you can do to make the journey a little less bumpy. 

First,  I would suggest finding a good co-op. A co-op is short for cooperative. This is exactly what it sounds like. Parents come together and share their individual strengths to help each other educate their children. At first, this might sound like more work, but there is a big secret about co-ops: co-ops are not really for your kids but for you! You need someone to cheer you on without questioning your sanity. Plus, those great friends are going to give you ideas of what worked and what did not work with the curriculum. What works for one child may not necessarily work for all your children. The people you meet at co-ops are wonderfully god-fearing, and they give you the ability to keep going on those tough days. Do not discount the importance of a support group during this time. I remember play dates in the park,  amazing field trips, shared laughter, and crying. Most importantly, I remember being strengthened to stay the course.

Second, do not be afraid to ask for advice. I wanted to look like I had it all together. I am sure you do, too, especially if friends and family are doubting your decision to homeschool.  But do you know what? No one actually does have it all together. If you do not feel comfortable teaching a subject, especially as they get older, then share responsibilities. Co-ops are a major part of helping in this department.  So are online classes. There is nothing wrong with seeking help when you need it.  It is worth the risk of seeming incompetent.

Lastly, if you remember that your child doesn’t need to know everything there is to know before they graduate, the pressure is off. Teaching children to love learning, helping them to know how to learn, and leading them by example if far more important than curriculums or knowing gads of facts. Keep in mind the end goal. Keep in mind no education is perfect. When I think of my public school education which graduated me with barely any reading skills, I realize I did the right thing by homeschooling my children. And I loved doing it well most days!

Let us mention the biggest fear you have right now: I might ruin my child’s education. No, you will not. You love them too much. No one cares more about your child’s education than you do. You were made to be their first and best teacher.  The best advice I give newbies is that you just must be smarter than your child by one day. If you are not smarter than them, then go to the park and get smarter that night. We all had that fear, and your children will not understand or appreciate your sacrifice. Even so, all the effort is worth the end result. Treasure this time with your children, and don’t let anyone or anything, especially fear, keep you from it.

For more on homeschooling and help, visit www.hisvesselacademy.com

I began making videos a while ago but didn’t do it consistently.  I was challenged this year to add more videos every week.  If you have problems with a child learning to compare fractions, I have the video for you.  My students never have an issue with this topic after they learn it this way.  https://youtu.be/8KPmMwGcFC4

Looking for an older child and want an ACT tip.  This technique can be used in most of your ACT problems.  https://youtu.be/THWWaXbyfCo

Looking for a site with great math games.  I evaluate one almost every week.  Here is one on Turtlediary.com  https://youtu.be/hebO_RQTq9o

From Elementary to High school, I probably have a video about it. Don’t see a video but want one.  Give me suggestions; I am always making new ones.

In September, I plan on starting a new series called “Math on the go,” and my first stop is the Cincinnati Zoo, where I talk about math and the hippos and rhinos.  Who knew there was so much math with just two animals.

My youtube channel is @marycarroll-mathvideos4883 Subscribe if you think it might be useful.

Teaching children in multiple grades and at different stages of development presents challenges in the home classroom. One way to incorporate everyone is to use unit studies. Unit studies take a topic and explore every aspect of that topic. Hands-on activities and experiments compose a large portion of unit studies. I did unit studies when there was no Internet. You can do it if I got it done without an internet connection.
I did not incorporate all topics together, but I tried. My guide was my children’s interests. If one said they wanted to learn about something, then that is what we studied. One of my favorite memories of this was when we studied birds for one full year. Yes, the entire year, we studied birds! We studied the migration patterns of birds and the anatomy of the birds; we collected feathers and identified the birds. Yes, I know about the dangers of feathers now. I did not back then; remember no Internet. We visited many places all over the country collecting feathers.
My favorite story is when we were at Sea World, and my son Chris pointed to the flamingos and said, “Look, Mom, that feather is right there. Can I just jump over the fence and get it?” As a good and responsible mom would, I said, “ Yes, but be quick.” I did not want to get kicked out, so my other children and I became the lookouts. No, I do not suggest you go to that extreme but remember, we were more relaxed in the past; plus, the pens had lower fences.
My point is we enjoyed crazy adventures that my children will remember. They do not remember the homework or the studying, but they remember when mom put away the books to do real-world learning. Everything we did became a class, like doing our laundry or sewing doll clothes.
Another thing I learned was not to study history out of a textbook. It is desperately dull. I tried to make it alive by reading books set in history and doing things the characters did. One time, when we were studying the Oregon Trail, I had the kids make butter the way pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail did it. My daughter remembers this not so fondly. We rolled a jar of heavy whipping cream for over an hour, and it still was not butter! I quickly went to the kitchen, put the cream in the blender, gave it a good whiz, put it back in the jar, and rolled it around for a few more minutes. Amazingly, it became better! Even though the activity didn’t go exactly how I wanted, my daughter vividly remembers it. I am sure she heartily appreciates butter!
When you are teaching subjects, try to make them alive. You do not need much money to travel; just plan simple activities, find places close to home that offer hands-on experiences, pitch a tent in a state or national park, or visit friends and relatives that live in amazing places. Whether you travel or explore the area you are in, there are plenty of things to see in the real world.
Did my children have gaps in learning? Every child in America has gaps in learning. Gaps in learning are inevitable. Think about your learning and how you didn’t know everything when you graduated. It was not because you didn’t learn these things but because you didn’t grasp them. However, unit studies do something more important than teaching children everything there is to know: they give children a hunger for learning! Isn’t that the most important thing a child can learn? So, when considering how to teach your children, give unit studies a chance. You might be surprised how much you learn too!

For more information, visit: https://www.hisvesselacademy.com/

A great way to bring the family together in one fun project.