As we begin 2020 this is a good time to do a quick evaluation of your school year so far. It’s easy to get mired in the day-to-day routine of school and not consider changing things if needed.

What is going well? I take it for granted when things are going well, but perhaps it would be better to figure out what is going well. Here are some questions to ponder:

• Is it the curriculum? Does your student love math because of the way it is presented? There may be other types of teaching styles for other subjects that are not going well.
• Does your daughter/ son enjoy the subject matter?  Consider incorporating that into other subject areas. For instance, if dinosaurs are a loved topic, how about not only using this for science, but also math (measuring the distance of various creatures, graphing the lengths), or Language arts (writing a report; doing a lap book, or reading books about them).
• Is it the time of day or where it is placed in the day that works well? Do you have a son who likes to sleep in or a daughter who is an early bird? Fit the schedule (within reason) that accommodates their sleep patterns. After all, you have the flexibility to begin and end when it is best for your family.

What do you think needs to change? Let’s face it, some subjects are just not our daughter/ son’s favorite and no matter what you do, it doesn’t seem to go well. But, what about a heart-to-heart talk to her/him about making the most of the school day? These are things to consider why things aren’t working:

• How are attitudes? Bad attitudes breed bad lessons and bad school days. I know, I have done this myself. 😦 Teaching with the right attitude and expecting the same from your child will help with the tough things.
•  Is the curriculum or subject too hard, not challenging enough, or just plain boring?  You do not need to stick with the curriculum if it is not helping you to teach your children. If you are looking for some curriculum ideas check out Cathy Duffy’s website: https://cathyduffyreviews.com/
• Do you need to change your daily routine? If you teach the easy subjects first and the harder ones last, your child’s focus could be waning. How about teaching the hard things first, take a 10 minute break and come back to it?
• Is your son/ daughter sitting too long? Everybody needs a break. How about for your younger son/ daughter having wiggle breaks or brain breaks?  Set the timer for 2- 3 minutes and choose an activity such as do jumping jacks,; run outside; get a drink of water and a handful of nuts or granola; carry the books you have already used back to their place of origin, etc. Your older daughter/ son can stretch their legs; get a small snack; get a drink of water, etc.

If you have other ideas please let me know. 🙂

Have a great week! ~ Lisa ~