A Little of This and a Little of That: Eclectic Homeschooling

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January rolled around and like many across the country, we have had the dreaded FLU in the house. Aside from the fact no one likes being sick like that, I also dread the long catch up period afterward.  I’m still in catch-up mode which is why I missed writing for the first week of the annual Virtual Curriculum Fair hosted by Susan from Homeschooling Hearts & Minds.

The theme for this week is Our Method of Homeschooling. Basically, how do we approach homeschooling.

For our family, it is eclectic homeschooling all the way with the need for my older boys to be self-directed with more of their learning.

Eclectic Homeschooling is how we learn in our home.

Eclectic Homeschooling

When you hear the word eclectic, you may think of a real hodge-podge approach to something. And, in many ways that IS how our family approaches homeschooling. While we might dabble with certain styles of learning, there is never just ONE approach for us. Rather, I will switch things up based on my needs as the teacher and my boys’ needs as the students.

We have some things that are a traditional textbook approach and others that focus more on literature. Some of the math is hands-on learning while other parts of it are delivered via a computer program. Occasionally, there are some areas that even border on unschooling!

I figure the beauty of homeschooling the boys is that I do NOT need to use a cookie-cutter approach to things. Some kids thrive with textbooks or workbooks while others spread their wings through the reading of literature and discussions.

Now, I as stated it isn’t just a matter of how my boys thrive in their learning. Sometimes there are needs which I have as a parent that trump their learning styles.

This winter, I’ve been working a job which has me out of the house for more than 40 hours a week when you add the commute time. Not being able to constantly be at home means that my older boys have to work independently. It also is why some of the work for all of my sons is on the computer.

Eclectic Homeschooling In Action

In past years, we typically did all of our work during the week while my husband was at his job.

Since I took the sales position, we have to fit things in when we can.

I wish I could say that we are all super enthused about the odd schedule for schoolwork. But, my boys are found bucking against the idea of nights and weekend school hours.

For my older boys, they can get most of the work done while I am at work. But, my youngest needs someone to guide him through it all.

What our schedule looks like at the moment:

Each Day Has a Different Schedule for Us

Monday morning: Check in with the boys and go over what needs to happen. I usually log my 2nd grader into his iPad to get online math done when I leave. Some weeks I am able to get a lesson of phonics in before I head out the door.

Tuesday: For the moment, this is one of my days’ off each week. I try to cram as much one on one time with the boys along with running errands. Those errands and making dinner all count towards life skills!

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: Work together in the morning before I leave at lunchtime.

Saturday: More errands if needed plus housework and making sure schoolwork has gotten done. Reality is that I often find certain teens have dragged their feet and now have to crank out some work..

Sunday: Mass in the morning and then I am off to work.

What do my fellow homeschool bloggers have to say about their Homeschool Method? Go visit them to find out!

Virtual Homeschool Fair 2018

How Our Academic Co-op Completes Our Eclectic Homeschool by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

A Method to Our Madness by Michele @ Family, Faith and Fridays

Finding Our Homeschool Method by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool

How We Homeschool by Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool

Give Us…. by Annette @ A Net in Time

A day in our Home by Sarah@DeliveringGrace

Lit-Based Education: How We Homeschool by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter

Overhauling Our Homeschool – Adjusting our “How” to fit our “Why” by Sabrina Scheerer @ Kids, Crunch, and Christ

A Day in the Life of a Homeschooler: Expectation Vs. Reality by Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road

How Charlotte Mason Transformed Our Homeschool by Brittney @ Mom’s Heart

Captain’s Log, Supplemental – Our Homeschool Days by Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break

How we get it done. by Kim @ Good Sweet Love

How to Organize Daily Curriculum with the School Cart by Jeniffer @ Thou Shall Not Whine

Learning For LIfe by Lori H @ At Home: where life happens

Eclectic Homeschooling: When It All Comes Together by Jen @ A Helping Hand Homeschool

A Typical Day? by Lizzy @ Peaches@Home

This is the Way We Do Our School, So Early in the Morning by Laura @ Four Little Penguins

Still Classically Educating After All These Years by True North Homeschool Academy

So what exactly is Life Led Homeschooling? by Dana @ Life Led Homeschool

The way we learn ~ 2018 Virtual Homeschool Fair by Jacquelin @ A Stable Beginning

Our Homeschool Routine by Joelle @Homeschooling For His Glory

Homeschool Methods – 8 Tips for the Journey by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset

If you homeschool, how do you approach learning in your home?

4 Comments

  1. you’re getting the work done.. betting some weeks are easier than others. 🙂 It’s hard to work and school at the same time… teaches a lot of independence in the youngsters though

    1. Dana,

      It is a work in progress and the reality is that the boys are behind right now. I know some people work FT and homeschool year round. I’m hoping to get to where I can do just things from home again to contribute to the household income.

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