If you are following a traditional calendar then you are about halfway through your school year. The halfway point is a great time to evaluate how the year is proceeding thus far. Time to take inventory and plan out the rest of your year considering all you have accomplished or still need to accomplish.
This January I have made big changes which included a complete overhaul in how school runs in my home. I have written before about the change my children are experiencing from homeschool to online schooling. This is a significant change by itself along with my first homeschool year with my five year old. So this has been quite a year so far in my home. The change to online schooling is one that will be evaluated at the end of this semester as we only just begun this experience.
My daughter’s Kindergarten year is going well. However, I have learned that she needs more structure in Kindergarten than my other children. So, I will have to provide more workbook type material since she is responding well to that type of teaching. She is very creative so arts and crafts time does not teach only art concepts but is used in teaching math and language. She makes posters, makes cookies, dyes pasta and uses them as counters, etc. I am happy with the curriculum I have picked for her. I am especially happy with Christian Liberty Press and Artistic Pursuits.
What to Evaluate and Questions to Ask Yourself:
Are you hitting your goals?
Do you need to redefine your goals based on your child’s performance thus far?
Is your curriculum working for your child?
What changes can you make to your schedule to make your day run smoother?
Is your teaching style and your child’s learning styles complimenting each other or conflicting?
Remember to stay flexible and don’t lose sight that cultivating a relationship with your children and your children with each other should be a top priority. It is easy to lose track of the human factor as you teach math, grade English papers, do the laundry and make dinner. Remember to cherish the time and never forget how appreciated you are by your family.