I was talking to Catherine (of Blessed Adventures) about our curriculum choices the other day, switching gears 2 months in, and how we adapt our choices to fit us. I realized talking to her that I have slowly let go of the “must do everything just so” reigns and allowed us to be us. Using curriculum in the way that fits our family. Not artificially fitting, and ultimately failing with the best laid plans. I’ve embraced the books that say they offer lots of different options and we can just pick what we like. You know, instead of trying to do every.single.thing in there.
Mystery of History is our World History curriculum we’re in right now. I’ve drooled over this book for so long. And once Brenda let me borrow it and I chatted with her about how she used it and then asked Melissa about how she had used it as well, I relaxed and let myself just read the short little lessons. Then I really wanted to have something in hand for when we finished. I’m out of 3 ring folders, but we happened to have a plethora of notebooks from the back to school sales (thanks, Mom!) So, though we started these lessons a couple of months ago, we’re already reading back through them to refresh their memories and let them “notebook it.”
We still have our big daddy time line on the wall, but I wanted them to have one handy where they could keep adding to it as we go. I had them start it on the inside front cover of their notebook. We’ll continue to wrap it back under (just as if we were writing on the lines) as we go. I also eventually plan to get them the folders or binders and then just stick these papers into it.
This is the second lesson. That’s the entire days’ reading in World History – that page and a half. This is my 9 year old’s notebook page to go with Adam and Eve.
Each lesson is covered in one day. I read the lesson to them. Then I write the title of the lesson on the board, the years it happened, and maybe one other thing I want them to remember about it. They copy it into their notebook. Then I usually have them draw a picture to go with it. That’s it. So easy. So brief. Yet, still covering so much material. We try to do at least 3-4 lessons of World History a week. That’s it. Breathe. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be hard. It can be more fun that hard. I promise you can do this!
