CHOIS Connection is published quarterly by Christian Homeschoolers Of Idaho State.
This article appeared in a previous issue.
CHOIS Connection
Tidbits
by Linda Patchin
"Fresh Starts and Clean Slates"
Fall 2005
One of the things that I love most about living in Idaho is that there are four distinct seasons here. Each changing season creates it's own sensory delights. The fall brings cooler temperatures, crunchy leaves, shorter days and the smells associated with a new school year. I love the fresh scent of newly sharpened #2 pencils, the inky smell of brand new workbooks, and the waxy aroma of new crayons. All of these olfactory sensations remind me that September is a time of new beginnings.
Those of you who are veteran homeschoolers have probably learned how to slip easily into a new school year. Beginners may be facing this inaugural experience with excitement and a little bit of trepidation. Please be assured that an awesome adventure awaits each and every one of us this year as we diligently teach our precious children! It's going to be a great year!
Most homeschool veterans will surely agree that every year has it's own trials and triumphs. Every year has it's own challenges and rewards. Every single year, brings the incredible privilege of learning new things with our children, as we are also blessed to learn more about each child as an individual, and ourselves as parents.
One thing that I learned about myself years ago was that I needed to attach seasonal reminders to certain tasks so that they could become habits. For example, one thing that I try to do in the beginning of each new school year is take stock of my children's health. The first week of school is an excellent time to record their height and weight and plot their growth rates.
This is a good time to schedule a routine physical. Public schools require a kindergarten physical prior to admission. Sports physicals are performed before each season begins. When you take on the task of homeschooling you also assume the role of school nurse. Don't take your children's apparent good health for granted and neglect these important periodic exams.
Hearing and vision assessments are normally conducted at the beginning of the school year in order to prevent learning disabilities from occurring due to impairment. For many years, the Lions Club has performed hearing and vision testing for children. They can provide a great opportunity for a co-op or support group to hold a screening day for their members. They're listed in the phone book. You can find additional information about vision and hearing on the internet, and here are two websites that I have found particularly helpful in the past: www.asha.org/hearing/testing/#schoolage, and www.aoa.org/conditions/schoolage_vision.asp
Dental health should not be ignored. Proper nutrition and good oral hygiene are essential parts of our overall health. The American Dental Association recommends biannual cleaning and fluoride treatments for children. While visiting your dentist, ask for disclosing tablets for a fun experiment with your children. The following website is a great resource: www.ada.org/public/topics/parents/tips.html.
Another easy screening that normally takes place in schools at this time of year is a scoliosis check. You can perform an annual screening all by yourself. Visit the website www.scoliosis.org. Click on Resources; then "1 in Every 10 Have Scoliosis."
Whenever a child is enrolled in a public school, immunizations are mandatory. Homeschooling allows greater flexibility. If you are a parent who has chosen to immunize, then it's a good time to inspect your records to determine if all of your child's immunizations are up to date. It's also a good idea to store this information in several places, including your purse, or another organizer that is kept with you at all times. Accidents often happen when we're away from home, and in an unexpected, stressful situation it isn't easy to remember things like whether a tetanus booster is necessary, or which one of your children is allergic to penicillin. Keep this information at your fingertips!
Just like the weeds in my garden, my children grow faster in the summer. Fall is a good time to check the fit on their safety equipment. Does their bicycle helmet fit securely or has it been outgrown? Are their car seats compatible with their new height and weight? Do you know the new car and booster seat regulations in Idaho? Are you sure?
Whew! It's hard being the teacher and the school nurse, isn't it? Are you ready for a different assignment? Let's take a look at another one of our jobs, which is the position of school social director. Each new school year gives us a fresh opportunity to reevaluate the social activities and sports that we participated in last year, and to consider some new interests as well.
You might want to start by listing out all of the extracurricular activities that you participated in last year. Determine how successful each one was at meeting the needs of not only your child, but also your family as a whole. Assign each activity a position on the importance scale.
I believe that one of the greatest temptations that homeschoolers face today is the temptation to involve their children in too many outside activities. If your homeschool is starting to resemble a car-school, then you already know what I mean. Your children will take their cues from you. If outside activities are given time preference over academic pursuits, then don't be surprised if your children have a lackadaisical attitude about their schoolwork.
If you're consistently getting through your school assignments each day, and you're comfortable with the living conditions in your home, the clutter and cleanliness factors, then it may be time to take a look at some additional activities.
Fieldtrips are an excellent use of time. They provide children with hands-on experience and information straight from the source. I recommend small groups, comprised of families with whom you are compatible, and who share similar goals for the experience. I have come to learn, over the years, that not all home educators share the same goals for fieldtrips. Some want a purely educational experience, and others are looking for the social benefits and friendships that form during group activities. These differences can create tensions that undermine the success of the trip. A widely varying age range often results in frustration over information being either over some of the children's heads, or far beneath their information level. This provides fertile ground for misdeeds on the part of bored children. Small groups allow the personnel from the fieldtrip site to target their presentation to the specific interests and age levels of the children, and small groups allow for greater accountability for misbehavior. Take some time to set goals in advance for what you want each fieldtrip to accomplish.
Additional activities are as varied and diverse as the individuals pursuing them. Sports, drama, music, co-ops and quilting bees can all be found within the greater homeschool community. Many worthwhile activities are found outside of the community as well. Use discretion and don't be afraid to use your parental veto power when necessary.
Finally, use your extracurricular activities as a place to find friends for your children and yourself. I encourage you to look for these friends amongst groups who share your interests. It's hard for us, as adults, to be good friends with someone with whom we have nothing in common. For our children, being homeschooled is not any more of a common friendship bond, than attending the same school is for publicly schooled children. It is unrealistic to expect a close friendship to form by virtue of this single common factor.
If you're new to this environment, you may find that there are many well-established friendships in place already, and it might take time and a little extra work on your part to get plugged in. I urge you to be patient and keep trying. If you want to have friends, then be friendly. Arrive at an activity with a smile and warm greeting. Ask lots of questions, and encourage others. Start conversations. Don't wait for someone else to initiate a friendship. Extend invitations. Before you know it, your group of friends will be wide and assorted.
A brand new school year is a great opportunity to start fresh with an entire academic calendar ahead and last year's mistakes buried in the past. May God bless you this year as you lovingly lead your children on an amazing homeschool journey!
CHOIS ©2001-2008 All rights reserved.
