Can you picture the start of each game? Where do the lead players meet? That's right ~ there in the middle of the field with the official and sometimes a few others, both teams meet up, slap high fives or give each other a wink (I'm sure to say ~ Not today buddy!), & flip a coin. After the official directs which team won the toss & whether or not they will receive the ball, he also tells you which end zone is the "home" field. In boxing, the referee tells the boxers where they can hit & that they must listen for his call or the bell. In soccer & basketball, nearly the same procedure as football takes place. Everyone is aware. All players know what is happening. No one can say, "I didn't know that this wasn't my end zone!" (Although, I'm certain someone's tried!!!)
You need to do the same in your "classroom." If you have home schooled before, your children basically know the rules. If you have not, these are uncharted waters for you & your child & both of you are begging for someone to give you the parameters. But regardless of whether this is your first or tenth year, each year brings new challenges, new children, new curriculum, or at the very least, new wonders! Setting the expectations "for the game" are essential!
Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 says, "Whoever obeys His command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him."
Create a schedule. Show each child how long they will have to complete a given subject. Let them know when the school day will end. Let them know when it begins. Let them know when you will eat lunch, if your day is not ending at that time. Most importantly, let them know your flexibility. Some days are more flexible than others ~ Tuesday & Wednesday you have PE & a co-op class just after lunch so your child cannot work past the scheduled time that day. But Thursday's are wide open so if they are struggling with something, you can play catch up that day. Being flexible with a schedule takes practice ... And if you're the Type A scheduler like I am, it takes A LOT of practice! :O) I assure you, however, that you will make sure the task is completed.
Prepare your child for what they will learn. Show each child his/her curriculum. Tell him/her the "scope & sequence" of the year .... What he/she is going to learn throughout the course of the year. It can be as simple as saying, "In science this year, we're going to study Astronomy through Genesis 1:14-19 & how God created night & day & the things which separate them on the fourth day." You could also allow them to sit down and flip through some of their work text pages. You should let them know that each (day) (week) (month), you will be posting a task list for them to see the things which need to be completed. For younger children, daily or weekly is best. For older children, giving them a monthly list allows them to create a weekly/daily plan in order to meet these goal & take accountability.
Take an inventory of interests! I'm sure you know what your child is interested in but I find 9 out of 10 parents who do this, find out valuable information they DID NOT know about their child. Make it simple ... Ask questions like, "What do you want to learn?" or "Tell me something you already know and want to know about (a particular subject or topic)." With younger children, you can do this orally ... The older ones typically enjoy doing this on their own so typing it out for them is usually more beneficial.
SET BOUNDARIES! I cannot emphasize this last suggestion to you enough! Think of all the things which could possibly come up in a day & tell your child what to do in that instance. It's overwhelming to do ... So creating a list of 5 - 10 general "rules" or "boundaries" will at least give them direction. Things like My pencil broke! ~ or ~ I have to use the restroom. ~ or ~ I need a break! ~ or ~ I'm finished! ~ or ~ I just don't understand this stuff! Letting them know your expectations for how the day is going to work & what they are/are not allowed to do within those parameters when things arise, puts everyone at ease because we all know how to play the game now.
Do you remember what happens at the end of the game? Most of the time the players meet each other somewhere in the middle & shake hands or speak somehow to one another. But there are beautiful, rare occasions where you see players huddled together, knees bent, in the middle of the field, lifting up prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord for any number of things. While the scripture in Ecclesiastes tells us a wise heart knows the proper time & procedure for everything, it is not revealed to us via email from God. (If you're getting these though, PLEASE put me on His mailing list!!! HA!) It comes through knowing His Word & hearing His promises & listening for His timing. You are called to lead your children ~ So who is leading you? Listen to His call upon your heart for these procedures & plans. Begin & end each day with prayer & let your children know that regardless of the day's activities & how much work was completed or not completed, we need to thank Him for this opportunity of learning & for continuing to order our thoughts & minds day by day...Because He knows the proper time & procedure for it all!
HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!
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