Year 'Round Homeschooling Update

 

The cobwebs were easy to remove. It was the picture books and well-loved curriculum that took some time. This past weekend, my kids and I cleaned out what used to be our homeschool classroom. My husband and I had set it up in the early years when I was beginning to get my bearings straight—establishing a routine. Yes, I actually had a classroom for homeschooling. Of course, my idea of what a classroom actually is has changed dramatically over the years. From a year-long mission trip to Mexico as a family to starting up a business on our humble homestead, education is no longer confined to the four walls of the thrifty schoolroom that we used to use. 

As my youngest begins to age out of the materials geared toward younger learners, it is hard to let go. Desks have been replaced with a pool table. Maps on the wall replaced by musical instruments, and a computer lab now sits where my kids would work diligently on their workbooks and manipulatives. Though I am still homeschooling and have many years ahead of me, having one graduate and two high schoolers helps me to put homeschooling into perspective. I am continually reminded that the years are short. This is one of the reasons why year-round homeschooling is so valuable to our family. We are able to give ourselves room for a break from the traditional materials when other opportunities give us a chance to learn differently, or when we simply need to rest.  

Homeschooling year-round has been working so well for us over the years that I wanted to give you an update for the 2024/2025 school year! I generally begin each child with their new materials in August. They then have until the following August to complete them. If they push hard, they can technically have that subject "off" until the following year as soon as they finish it. Or, they can choose to work ahead and start on the next grade's work a year early. How does this currently look for my eleventh grader? Well, since he finished his chemistry in February, he has started on his senior year physics course. He also finished his math and is working on next year's math. Between summer jobs and being a camp CIT, this gives him the freedom and flexibility to take months off at a time in the summer and still be ahead when he officially begins his senior year of high school in August. 

My other high schooler does not work ahead but she is able to finish her work given an entire year. She is motivated to get her courses done by the deadline and paces herself so that can happen. This also gives her the ability to pick up odd jobs when available. 

Most of the subjects are combined for my elementary-aged boys which has worked well this past year. We completed their history curriculum in December, so I chose a simple unit study to focus on until the new school year begins. We spend about five to ten minutes a day on it, and it is perfect to work through during the summer months. It gives them consistency and routine throughout the summer without being too demanding. 

Last week, they completed their science curriculum for the year, which was exciting! We love the younger Apologia series, and they had a blast with the Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics book. I am looking forward to diving into another Apologia book beginning in the fall but until then, we will keep science low-key with the sweet An Animal a Day book that I can easily pair with a quick YouTube video throughout the summer. 

As for our read-alouds, we are on track to have the entire 9-book Little House on the Prairie series completed before August. We have made it through six of the nine books and have been using an interactive Laura Ingalls Wilder Unit Study along with it. This has been a fun and relaxing time with my two younger boys—a part of homeschooling that I would not trade for anything. 

I find it important to keep the learning going throughout the summer with the little ones. We will keep it going with math, reading, and writing, while keeping it simple with science and history. What has been your experience with year-round homeschooling?