{ home } school thoughts

Turns out, I'm more curriculum than eclectic.

My two "most important purchases" -- a large dry erase board, and good shelving, were truly my two most important purchases.

Buying everyone a set a name-engraved pencils was a third good purchase.

When I fall into my former "school teacher" ways, good things happen.

When we crowd on the sofa and they fight over seeing the pictures and who sits closest to me, and then finally settle down to listen, good things happen.

Sometimes, they need their own space.

They like to see the plan for the day, laid out before them, before we start.

They like that little stack of starred and checked work paper-clipped together and sitting on their desks each morning.

Emma likes the striped paper clips. Mary likes the glittery purple ones. Elizabeth hasn't noticed.

When you're making dinner and discover that they're all back in the school room flipping through the books from that day, you know things are moving in a good direction.

When you find a good group, a good co-op, it's a really good thing.

Emma likes to raise her hand. For everything. And it's just the four of us. But I indulge her.

Though setting up "school rules" at the beginning seemed a little stuffy, they've really come in handy.

A piano in your schoolroom is a tough temptation.

I've heard it takes five years to get your own business off the ground. I think similar laws apply to homeschooling.

No matter how much preplanning I do, some things can't get worked out until I jump into the thick of it.

Turns out, laundry doesn't do itself.

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Based upon the emails I get about homeschooling, it seems like it may be time for an FAQ. If you have a question, would you mind sharing it in the comments? I can't promise to answer everything, but it will be starting point as I pull it together. Thank you!