-Get up and look out of the window for one full minute. Look at something so closely that you could describe it in detail.
-Stand and do some stretches.
-Close your eyes and imagine something relaxing or special.
-With your eyes closed, deliberately relax one muscle at a time, starting at the top of your head and finishing at your toes.
-Re-live your greatest achievements.
-Take a walk. The quieter and more attractive the place the better.
-List ten things you would like to do this week, this year or in your lifetime. Keep the list readily available so that you can remind yourself.
-Surround yourself with pleasant things such as flowers and green plants.
-Keep at least one day a week free from work.
-Allow time to switch off before going to bed.
-Relax at lunch time as often as possible.
---From '100 Essential Lists for Teachers' by Duncan Grey
My personal stress busters
-Take a step outside and get some fresh air. Breath deep for a minute or two.
-Stop everything for one minute, and you and the students sit together quietly.
-During bathroom breaks, stay an extra minute to wash your face, drink some water and reflect.
-Look for the positive in your students throughout the day. Especially a tough day.
-While the students are studying on their own, sit, lean back and close your eyes for a minute or two.
1. I get to be with my kids all day.
2. I am the one who sees them read their first word and write their name for the first time.
3. I know what they are being taught and have full say about it.
4. I get to have one on one time with them and help them understand what they are learning.
5. We can improvise and make use of that sunny day in the middle of the week.
6. I get hugs in the middle of school hours.
7. I am able to pace my children and do whatever works best for them to learn.
8. There are no failing grades. Learning is the highest grade.
9. I don't have to worry about my children being abused, beat up, or sold drugs.
10. I get to put my imagination to work at creating interesting learning experiences, and do them.
Here are a few of my favorite pieces of Kay's latest art:
Water colors and acrylics
Pen sketching, colored with pencils
Pastels
The next few are watercolors
Acrylics with PVC to make it shiny
Looking back over my time as a teacher, the number one key to success that comes to mind is: planning ahead. Many homeschool parents have stressed themselves out because of poor planning and not thinking ahead.
This is elementary when it comes to teaching, but it's amazing how many overlook this small, but consequential point.
How I plan ahead:
March/April: order the books needed, gather art and school supplies
April,May: plan out the basic curriculum for each child (I have 4 in school)
June,July: divide the curriculum into periods and weeks
August: ready for school. (In the oft chance that there is an unexpected occurrence, I have a one month buffer.)
The rest of my planning I do throughout the year. I prepare the next period at least 3 weeks before it is due, and I work on the portfolios as soon as the period starts. Great for keeping records up to date and not missing out on any pertinent information, or stressing, which often happens when letting it stack up.
Being a stay-at-home mom who teaches her kids is challenging. I have done it for the past 10 years, starting at baby hood and on into, now, 7th grade.
I have found things that work and things that flop. My teaching methods and 'battle' tactics would either make you smile or make you cry. Progress is sometimes snail like and at other times a galloping horse would be hard pressed to keep up. I am on top of the world or in the bottom of a ditch. But come what may, I would never trade it for anything.
And that's the reason for this blog. A place where I can share my woes and my triumphs, and give a glimpse into the often unseen life of a homeschool mom.