Tomorrow I’m once again joining a large group of bloggers who post on one topic, every day, for the 31 days of October.
It took me weeks to figure out what topic I would choose this year. Last year, I chose two because I simply couldn’t narrow it down. (At that time, this blog was two blogs. It’s since been united into one domain.) The topics were read aloud and habits.
Several themes ran around in my head, but what kept coming up was the fact that people probably ask me more questions about homeschooling than any other topic. Despite the fact that I don’t consider myself an expert in homeschooling and have actually been very uncomfortable with giving advice, that fact remains. (See: the truth about homeschooling a large family)
Obviously, many people who are considering homeschooling or who are currently having challenges want to hear from someone who has been homeschooling for a long time (we’re going on 12 14 years here) and who still loves it and who has managed to avoid burnout, despite having several homeschooled kids.
So, who am I to deny my readers what they want?
I chose the theme Minimalist Homeschooling because my goal with the challenge is this:
* to disprove the myth that homeschooling must be burdensome
* to show how you can help your child get a high quality education without devoting your entire life (or entire day) to it
* that not a lot of money, space, or “stuff” has to accompany homeschooling
* and to bring a little levity to something that, during most of human history, was done by every parent without question – the responsibility of educating their children to become productive, independent adults and contributing members of society
Here we go!
And since 31 days is a lot of days to come up with content on ONE topic, help me out please. Leave questions you have in comments below!
P.S. Total coincidence; Educents.com is currently offering a $10 credit to new members. All you do to become a member is submit your email address, there’s no cost or obligation. Educents is a seller of curriculum and homeschooling supplies, and I can personally vouch for them as I’ve purchased several workbooks from them in the past. They offer discounts and great deals, sort of like a Groupon for the homeschooling crowd! Just use this link to sign up and your $10 credit will show up with your first order.
Here are all 31 topics in the series. More will be linked as they are added.
Note: I didn’t finish this challenge because my 7th child, a 27-weeker preemie, was born this month. His story is here.
- Intro post (this one!) 31 days of minimalist homeschooling
- What is education?
- Defining your educational philosophy
- Learning to trust
- Study without desire
- Complying with government regulations
- Bedschooling: homeschooling when you’re sick
- Homeschooling through a crisis
- When homeschooling is wearing you down
- Minimalist method of teaching kids to read
- Don’t sweat college
- Learning and personality: homeschooling your fun-loving child
- Learning and personality: homeschooling your sensitive child
- Learning and personality: homeschooling your determined child
- Learning and personality: homeschooling your serious child
- FREE Homeschool Printable Pack from Educents.com
- Getting started
- Choosing curriculum
- Maximizing school time
- How do you homeschool multiple children?
- Avoiding burnout
- Minimalist homeschool supplies
- How to teach homeschool subjects you don’t know or enjoy
- The importance of movement
- Don’t compare yourself with others
- Getting it all done: the nitty-gritty
Our family’s favorite homeschooling resources can be found on this page.
Love this! It’s pretty much what we are doing right now, minimalist homeschooling or as I sometimes see it “unschooling”. We do a little of reading and math, but my oldest is “kindergarten” age and most of our learning is just driven by their innate curiosity! I honestly could not imagine devoting some 16-18 years to doing “school at home” and following a curriculum when children are perfectly capable of educating themselves when you just provide them with resources and a little direction. 🙂
Wondering how to teach kids to do their own work without reminders and staying on them. My daughter just turned 7 and does not work independently very well. She daydreams, gets distracted, or just starts playing with one of her brothers instead of doing her work. Also, any resources for creating our own unit studies to make sure that they end up teaching/touching on many skills. I am going half-time with our living books-based curriculum, Heart of Dakota, so that we can leave room for unit studies. Oh, I am sure I will think of more questions, too! 🙂
As a fellow Katy Bowman fan, how do you incorporate movement into the concept of minimal homeschooling? Minimal homeschool and movement seem to fit together naturally, but do you have any specific ideas and tips? My son is only 15 months, but I’m a homeschool graduate and very much looking forward to homeschooling him and any future children 🙂
i’m excited to read this. i have a three year old and one year old, and i wasn’t homeschooled but i do want to homeschool my kids. the problem is, i know next to nothing about it! maybe this will give me a good start with my research =)
Carrie, I stopped by from 31 Days because I loved the name of your blog. Though I’m an empty nester I am interested in what’s going on with home schooling since I taught both our kids at home. I gave up trying to find the perfect curriculum after a couple of years and put things together myself and ended up designing a method of study that worked for me and my kids. My main goal however was for them to be free thinkers, enthusiastic about learning, and to believe that education is a life long process. My son just graduated from college and is working in AZ with a conservation team for 6 months where he’s having the adventure of his life, and my daughter is getting her masters in education and hopes to do educational research to study why and how children learn effectively. Thanks for encouraging people not to think of home schooling as some daily drudgery. I had a blast with my kids and they both turned out better than I could have imagined. Keep spreading the word! 🙂
Hi Carrie,
I woke up a bit down this morning and stumbled upon your 31 Day Challenge. It was the perfect thing to pick me right up and encourage me. I have been homeschooling now for 14 years and when I saw your minimalist approach to homeschooling, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. I love your website and enjoyed reading some of the books you have read. I will keep you in my prayers as you get closer and closer to your baby coming. Thanks for your honest and encouraging words.
Blessings,
Allison