Catch your breath!

Take a deep breath.  Yes, it’s now October.  No, you haven’t done any of the labs in the Apologia textbook.  (Yes, as a matter of fact I am clairvoyant!)  No, you aren’t a failure.  Before you give up and list the unused kit on Facebook, take a minute.  It’s October, not May.  September can be a lot.  Your family got back on a schedule.  Some of the kiddos adjust more quickly than others.  You may be on the struggle bus all month trying to get math started after breakfast. You might feel as though you are juggling fifty things.  Stop beating yourself up because it took a month to get adjusted to the fall schedule.  Instead, set aside one hour on Fridays.  Start with the first lab or two.  Stop when one hour is up. Really.  The labs aren’t going anywhere.  Repeat next week.  Does it really matter that you’re behind on experiments?  I don’t think so.  Tell your kiddos it’s a review.  Just what do they remember from Module #1?  This is going to be the best year yet!

Hoopla has textbooks on audio!

 Hoopla has digital audiobooks—including textbooks!  Many libraries offer Hoopla!  Yeah!  They have recent editions of Apologia’s science textbooks. The only caveat is that Hoopla has the most recent editions.  

How much is a used graphing calculator?

I buy used graphing calculators frequently.  I lend the TI 83 calcs students; they hold on to them for several years to use in math and science classes.  I keep a set of TI 84 calcs in class.  Teens forget their devices.  We use the TI 84 calc with EasyTemp sensors, as digital thermometers, too.  I have had the best luck buying used graphing calcs from Good Will online.  Really.  I tried eBay and Amazon.  Both times, the less expensive calcs had gritty keys.  Boooo!  

How much do new calcs cost?

Now, before I bid, I check to see the calc powers on and the cost of shipping.  My target price for a TI 83 is $15 and $35 for a TI 84.  I usually buy a lot of TI83 models to get an individual price of $15.  I just bought TI 84s.  The price is about the same as eBay; all the calculators power on and work.

Make a timeline!

 Timelines are a skill all kiddos should learn to create.  My Brit Lit Class created and Anglo Saxon History Timeline.  I like timelines to be on number lines—not just dates and events in chronological order.  Below are samples of the Chem Class Atomic Development timeline.  I started assigning two timelines in my classes when I learned that students hadn’t learned how to create a timeline on paper, with a number line.  I fixed that.  You should, too.  Yes, initially my Brit Lit class thought they would be putting the pictures in order.  Not quite.

What if you need to pause home-schooling?

You’re home-schooling for a reason!  Life happens.  Military families move every two to three years. One friend is back and forth moving to a new house and selling the existing house.  Families welcome new babies.  Kiddos or parents face illness.  Sometimes a family member dies.  There will be times home-school goes on pause while you cope.  First, lessons are paused,,not over.  What can you do to catch up? Plan to add 15 minutes to your daily schedule once you restart.  Add just one extra lesson: one handwriting exercise, on geography worksheet, one more story, etc.  This small change may be enough to allow you to finish strong in May.  Ordinarily do you plan lessons four days a week?  Make it five.  Do you take a long break at Christmas and Easter? Pare back the breaks. When you resume classes, focus on basics.  Skip electives and extracurricular activities this year.  Explain that swim lessons, piano, soccer, 4-H, ballet, art, etc are all worthwhile.  You might forego Co-op field trips, park visits, and fundays.  You just won’t do anything extra until your kiddos are back on track.   Instead, make your courses your priority! 

Shop the thrift store!

 Our church has a thrift store at the back of the property.  The proceeds go to the needy.  The shop often separates home-school materials.  The local library system has used book sales monthly—another great source of materials.  Good Will online often has home-school books, kits, and materials listed.  Although, I do know many people balk at Good Will cherry picking donations to list online.    I just took some screenshots of current listings at Good Will.  There is always an eclectic assortment.

Visit an audiologist!

 My friend, Joanna, visited.  She’s a home-school mom.  She and her kiddos were studying the sense of hearing. After making a call, the family visited an audiologist!  The office was a family business and spent time explaining the ear model on hand.  The kiddos took turns testing their own hearing.  What an experience!  Call around!  Explain you home-school.  See what happens!  BTW, Joanna’s family is also exploring a battlefield a month.  They’re just that cool!  Now, use your imagination and start making calls!