In my final installment of this Year-Round Schooling series, I'm talking about the difficult aspects of year-round schooling. As much as we would all like to proclaim the perfection of our lifestyle choices, everything comes with baggage and difficulties. One choice creates various issues that another choice would solve. It simply depends on which difficulties you are comfortable with facing. While I love the flexibility and advantages it gives our family, there are unique pitfalls that we have to watch out for.
Feeling Left Out. It rarely seems logical that I should feel left out since not following the crowd gives me incredible freedom in educating my children. Yet, when everyone is posting back to school pictures or doing all the summer things, it's hard not to get caught up in it sometimes. And it usually has nothing to do with the actual thing, but just not being a part of what's currently happening all over Facebook.
Losing Track. If you aren't great at record-keeping or lesson planning (like me) never having a clear beginning or ending can result in not having a clue where you're at other than just knowing everyone is learning every day. It's not the worst problem to have, but the older your students get, the more it will matter.
Out of Season Lessons. If you ever find yourself way off the traditional 9 month school year, some curriculum and lessons won't line up as nicely as they could. Apples and pumpkins are perfect for the fall and butterfly stages were meant for the Spring. Unless you plan it right or switch lesson plans around, sometimes things will just be out of season. It's certainly not the end of the world, but it's something to be aware of.
Breaks Must Be Intentional. Sometimes life decides when and how you will take a break. When someone gets sick or an unexpected opportunities present themselves, you just go with it. Other times, school might feel like it goes on forever. Homeschool parents already struggle with mental overload and not having predetermined, clearly defined breaks may feel like too much. That's why we are strategic about our vacations throughout the year and respect mom's burnout!
Year-round schooling isn't for everyone and not even possible in some situations, but if you ever find yourself in an emergency state with your homeschooling, don't despair! Giving yourself permission to seriously go with the flow in this season of life might be the best thing that ever happened to you! By keeping these pitfalls in mind, you and your family can thrive despite irregular events!
Patti Pierce - Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy - My Favorite Homeschooling Things
Wendy @ Life on Chickadee Lane - 5 Days of Nature Study
Jacquelin @ A Stable Beginning - Homeschooling my final 4
Christine @ Life's Special Necessities - Yes! You Can Homeschool Your Special Needs Child
Sally M - Tell the Next Generation - Tips for Homeschooling Struggling Learners
1 comment:
I never even really though about lessons being out of schedule. I guess we have been lucky so far to not be studying pumpkins in December. :)
I did jot down in my planner to plan out some breaks in our year since we do a modified year-round schedule.
Post a Comment