Everybody knows YouTube.com, the free video media site. It seems like everyone these days is using YouTube’s services to make themselves a star, market their products and services and generally make sure that every bit of anything important is captured on video by someone somewhere. But how many of you ever considered using YouTube for your homeschooling?

How in the world, you ask, could someone use user-uploaded videos for teaching purposes? Easy, if you do a bit of looking around beforehand. You’ll probably spend more time sifting through available footage for just the “right” stuff, but with a little perseverance and patience, and perhaps a little bit of luck too, you’ll find plenty of material to add to your learning experiences.

YouTube for Social Studies: Much of the 20th century’s greatest moments and it seems as though all of the 21st century’s, as well, have been captured by video cameras. Don’t simply read about an event – witness it firsthand. Search for the event itself – 1968 Olympics – or for a key figure – Neil Armstrong. You may not have been born when the moon landings occurred, but you can still watch them with all the awe and wonder of those who were there. For events previous to the days before moving pictures, there are a wide choice of videos including entire movies (The Crossing, for example,) documentaries (National Geographic’s Ancient Egypt) and home movies of costumed reenactments. And then there are the travel documentaries, giving you a real world view of cultures and places you can’t truly experience with a book.

YouTube for Science: Everything from nature documentaries to home-made science experiments have been posted to YouTube. You can even see a frog dissection, a fine example of Bernoulli’s Principle in action or a volcanic eruption caught on film.

YouTube for Maths: Having trouble with algebra? Or calculus? Or are you stuck on long division? There’s a video tutorial for all of it. You’ll probably find what you’re looking for quickly and easily by add “Basics” to your keyword search – Algebra basics, basic long division, etc.

YouTube for Language: From phonics videos with catchy tunes and animation for the little ones to a college professor giving a tutorial on effective essay writing, to scenes from Shakespearean productions to both the famous and the not-so-famous reading or reciting poetry, YouTube has a plethora of videos to add some spark to your language lessons. You can even see a vid on how to do the dreaded sentence diagramming. Not that you’d want to, but you can…..

YouTube for Foreign Language: YouTube has at least one channel devoted to teaching foreign language basics – foreignlanguagehouse. However you can also find music videos, newscasts, even soap operas and movies, in a wide variety of foreign languages.

YouTube for the Arts: Want to watch a biography of Leonardo da Vinci from the History Channel? Or how about a video series on watercolor technique? Or have a front row seat at a performance of Strauss’s Blue Danube Waltz by the Vienna Philharmonic? You can have that all in one afternoon thanks to YouTube’s more culturally literate side. Talk about a music video!

You may not have thought of YouTube as an educational aid, but as you can see, it has a great deal to offer your homeschool. And it’s all for free, which makes it even better!

Suzanne Stewart is a professional freelance writer and marketer, and the author of Homeschooling on the Cheap. She has been homeschooling her children since 2002, using mostly Charlotte Mason’s methods and philosophies. She has studied Charlotte’s writings, as well as others’ works on Charlotte and her ways. She is currently the Charlotte Mason “expert” for the Christian Homeschoolers Taking a Stand blog. She lives just the other side of nowhere in rural WV with her 2 children, 2 dogs, 4 cats, a fish and a hamster. When not writing or homeschooling, she enjoys reading, playing flute and bowed psaltery, tramping across the hills and hollows of home, and practicing the arts and sciences of homemaking and motherhood.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suz_Stewart

You can find a Christian homeschool curriculum very easily now for your family or homeschool group. However, that was not always the case. I have been told that not too long ago, curriculum publishers were unwilling to sell their material to families. They feared that the resources would not be used properly and that individuals were incapable of using the materials designed for traditional school use.

Fortunately, those days are gone and most publishers are happy to serve the needs of the rapidly growing homeschool population. They eagerly supply the Christ-centered books, computer software, and even online courses that homeschoolers are looking for.

Benefits

There are several benefits to using a Christian homeschool curriculum when teaching your children, such as:

Bible-based content throughout the resource
Traditional views and values will be emphasized such as respect for the family
Support of your decision to educate your child at home
Careful treatment of delicate issues such as “occult practices” or “alternative lifestyles” that may be discussed in higher grade levels
Additional opportunity to dialogue with your child about Godly principles mentioned in the curriculum

A few of the well-known curriculum publishers include: A Beka, Alpha Omega Publications, Bob Jones University Press, Christian Liberty Press, School of Tomorrow, and Rod & Staff. There are others but most people are familiar with these popular names which are often seen at curriculum fairs and events.

Options

Just because you elect to use Christian materials does not mean that you will be required to “settle.” The popular publishers mentioned above offer complete curriculum packages and plenty of supplemental resources.

There are publishers who provide Christian unit study options, such as Five in a Row or The Weaver Curriculum. Some others focus on a single subject such as art or science as seen in the popular resources How Great Thou Art and Apologia Science for example.

A Final Thought

There are many publishers who offer Christian homeschool curriculum so your job will be to sift through the choices and determine which one is best for your family. Look at their descriptions in catalogs or online carefully to make an informed decision. Ask for samples or download a sample chapter, if available.

Also, check your Christian bookstores to see if they have the curriculum you may be interested in using with your child. Include him or her in the decision-making process if appropriate.

Choose wisely and remember, that no decision is “set in stone.” If your selection does not work for you or your child, sell it, give it away, and move on to something else. Do not become burdened with any curriculum that does not fulfill your needs.

For more information on Christian homeschool curriculum,visit http://www.AllAboutHomeschoolCurriculum.com/christian-home-school-curriculum.html. Claudette Upshur is a retired public school teacher and former administrator for Straight Arrow Private School, a homeschooling program in Oceanside, CA. She has completely home educated four of her ten children from preschool through high school and is currently teaching the others in grades one through ten. Learn more about this mom who enjoys teaching at http://www.AllAboutHomeschoolCurriculum.com, her helpful website designed with you in mind.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claudette_Upshur

You spent months agonizing over the curriculum you were going to use with your homeschooler. You negotiated room in your already full house to prepare a learning environment within your home. You steeled yourself against your family’s doubts over whether or not homeschooling was the best decision for your family, and hopefully you triumphed! You have done everything you can to get your child prepared for the road ahead completing their high school education, but why stop there?

Let’s face it, college is necessary these days. Whether your child wants to be an engineer, a minister, or a stay-at-home dad with something interesting to talk about, you need a college degree! It’s not news to you that homeschoolers are at a disadvantage in the college admissions process, in fact, if you’re like me, you’ve heard nothing but pessimistic views on a homeschooler’s ability to get into a university of their choice. Even trying to serve my country the army, my transcripts were looked at with the suspicious eye normally reserved for the shadiest of characters. I wish I knew then what I know now.

Unlike the above, this will be news to you: homeschoolers have a distinct advantage over traditional school children when it comes to preparing their transcripts. Unlike the average graduate entering college, the homeschooler’s transcripts can be customized to illustrate the value that their education and achievements will bring to the school of their choice! rather than just being one of a thousand printouts at the end of the year, you as a parent hold the keys to your child’s future at the tips of your fingertips. You will be the one crafting the transcripts for admissions departments to read.

I don’t expect that you know how to craft a transcript that will impress college admissions naturally, but with the right guidance and some serious effort on your part, you can be crafting amazing transcripts that show how much your child has to offer their community.

To find out more about how to make your student’s transcripts shine to readers, Click Here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Roberts

As a homeschooling family, I am sure this question has entered your mind. The idea of putting together a homeschool high school transcript can be daunting.

Many more questions are circling around in your head as your child(ren) get closer to high school, or perhaps they are already in high school. Some questions you might have are:

* When should I begin putting a high school transcript together?
* What should I include in it?
* How should I format it?
* How long should it be?
* What about grades? I haven’t been keeping grades. (most homeschoolers don’t)

And the questions can go on and on. I am sure you have plenty more.

Fortunately for you, there is a ‘go to’ person who has done all the hard work. She has put her knowledge and experience together and can help you put together your homeschool transcript. All your questions can be finally answered.

There is no need for you to feel overwhelmed, weary or extremely frustrated. Creating your child(ren)’s school transcript can be simple and easy, like it should be.

Once you know how, you can relax and feel confident about your child(ren)’s college preparation. Colleges will love the transcript you deliver to them.

Another big concern you might have is accreditation. Does your transcript have to be accredited by some agency or school? The welcomed answer is, no, it does not. You can sigh a sigh of relief now. That in itself is a big weight lifted from your shoulders.

You can go on homeschooling as usual and the course will teach you how to neatly include everything in your transcript.

So head on over and discover the 4 simple steps to create a homeschool high school transcript. Stop fretting and continue to enjoy these wonderful homeschooling years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Albright

Should we be using a different measuring tool for intelligence? Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard University, thought so. In 1983 he developed the theory of multiple intelligences, a measuring tool that allows for a multi-faceted look at the qualities and talents that comprise true intelligence. Your homeschool curriculum allows the flexibility of incorporating aspects of this theory into all of your lessons in all subjects.

Using the multiple intelligence theory with your homeschool math curriculum is especially effective because math is often the most challenging subject to teach and learn. There are eight intelligences according to Dr. Gardner’s theory. You’ll find them listed below, with suggestions for how each one might fit your child(ren)’s learning needs and how to best integrate them into your math curriculum. Most children will often exhibit more than one of these!

Linguistic-Auditory Intelligence (“word smart”)
Your child loves to read, write, recite, and talk! S/he feels most comfortable curled up with a book or listening to or telling a story. Incorporate stories like “The Seven Swans” or “The Twelve Months” into first grade number recognition lessons. Clapping game rhymes like “Miss Mary Mack” could be a lead in to times tables practice in second or third grade math lessons. And word problems are an essential ingredient at all levels.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”)
Your child loves math! S/he is also good at problem-solving, recognizing patterns, and likes to conduct scientific experiments. Focus on the relationship between patterns and numbers, i.e., geometric forms and numbers, like the triangle and the number 3, the square and the number 4, etc. Use number “tricks” to encourage and enliven math practice, and point out patterns in the times tables, factors, etc. Relate math concepts to some of those science experiments!

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“body smart”)
Your child is physically active and has excellent eye-hand coordination and dexterity. S/he loves hands-on activities, tends to remember by doing rather than hearing or seeing, and is very good at dance and/or sports. Liven up your math lessons with lots of physical movement like stepping and counting, first the numbers and then the times tables. Adapt vigorous games like leap frog or tag for effective math skills practice, and include lots of hands on activities like making “real” numbers with clay and other materials and using manipulatives to learn math concepts.

Musical Intelligence (“music smart”)
Your child enjoys singing and playing musical instruments, recognizes musical patterns and tones, and remembers songs and melodies well enough to sing or play “by ear.” She’s good at thinking in patterns, rhythms, and sounds. Relate music theory to math concepts, (i.e., scales’ and notes’ relationship to fractions). Have your musical student compose songs that are helpful learning aids for challenging math concepts such as learning the steps in long division.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence (“picture smart”)
Your child loves to draw, paint, put puzzles together, and interpret graphs, charts, and maps. She’s good at visualizing things and following or giving directions. Include art as an integral part of your math curriculum with colorful and imaginative illustrations of concepts and lessons. Use visual patterns like magic squares to teach factors and other number patterns. Teach with manipulatives as much as possible, i.e. color-coded columns for place value, coin rubbings to teach decimals and fractions using money amounts, and incremental, color-coded fraction pieces.
Interpersonal Intelligence (“people smart”)

Your child understands and interacts well with others, and is skilled at assessing their emotions, motivations, and intentions. She’s good at verbal and non-verbal communication, seeing things from different perspectives, resolving conflicts, and creating positive relationships. Your math curriculum should include lots of group activities like math-adapted games, cooperative problem solving, and group projects that use math skills like building, cooking, gardening, and crafts.

Intrapersonal Intelligence (“self smart”)
Your child is self-reflective and aware, good at assessing strengths and weaknesses, understands the basis for motivations and feelings. She’s a creative day-dreamer who also enjoys analyzing theories and ideas. Include lots of “back story” in your math curriculum: history and biography, like the origins of the modern measurement system (the king’s foot, the original word for mile, mille: a thousand paces), the history of number systems, and mathematicians’ life stories.

Naturalistic Intelligence (“nature smart”)
Your child loves exploring the great outdoors, and has a lively interest in all things in nature, like botany, biology, and zoology. She’s good at cataloging or categorizing information, and likes camping, gardening, and hiking. Imbue your math curriculum with multiple examples of how math appears in the natural world, such as the spiral in the sunflower and snail shell, the hexagon in the snowflake and honeycomb, and even the octagon in street stop signs! Combine your math lessons with gardening, a wonderful mix.

Integrating all these aspects into your homeschool math curriculum will not only insure that your child(ren) will be more engaged and interested in their math lessons, but that their interest will result in better retention, higher test scores, and a lifelong love of learning. Math, more so than any other subject, needs to be taught and learned with high-interest, versatile, and creative materials and methods!

Marin holds a Masters Degree in Waldorf Education, and a California teaching credential in art. She’s had years of experience as a Waldorf class teacher in the early grades, has taught hands-on science and math to homeschoolers in grades 1-6.

Learn More about Homeschooling visit our website. Homeschool Math Curriculum
Sacramento Homeschool

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marin_Lipowitz

Beginning online homeschooling can be a freeing experience. No longer tied to a fixed schedule, the child(ren) and in fact whole families can benefit from one of its most distinct advantages: learning outside the box. The restricting, constricting box of public or private school can take many forms.

Some of which are: the daily school day schedule, (often starting and ending with a long ride on a school bus) less and less free time, as recess, enjoyment of the creative arts, and flexibility in teaching academics all tend to be curtailed because of school budget cuts and the pressures on teachers to teach to the standardized tests.

Going outside the school box can indeed be playful, though the work of learning is not neglected, but on the contrary is usually accelerated. Accelerated learning is just one of the benefits to online homeschooling.

The one-size-fits-all nature of the curriculum used in the classroom is less than optimal because it not only leaves some of the students behind, but often dampens the pure joy of learning for all students. Seat learning takes up the majority of the time spent in the classroom, and that alone can so remove learning from real life that it loses connection and thus credibility.

Boredom results as motivation to learn lessens, while enthusiasm and curiosity fade. When the lessons are tailored to meet the needs and interests of each and every student, like with homeschooling the joys of learning are happily rekindled. As Yeats said, “Education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire.” The homeschoolers fires do seem to be the most promising place for that to happen. Another greatly beneficial aspect of learning with homeschooling is the ability to literally go outside and play, anytime.

The decline in the overall physical health of our children is startling. It’s been well documented that many Americans, including children, are overweight. And the statistics for the accompanying rise in Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes in children is staggering. The good news is that this and many other health problems currently plaguing children are very preventable through changes in diet and exercise.
These positive lifestyle changes are more available to homeschoolers, as regular exercise is more easily implemented and meals and snacks are prepared and eaten at home.

As a child I was often encouraged to “go outside and play.” I wore a skate key at all times so that I could clamp on my shoe skates and go flying down the street. Sidewalk hopscotch was a regular if not daily activity, as was hide and seek, or jump rope, as well as many other wonderfully vigorous games.

TV was minimal then and computers were virtually nonexistent. And in school, recess was an important, indispensable part of the school day. So homeschoolers, do revel in you and your children’s ability to play: both outside, and outside the box!

Marin holds a Masters Degree in Waldorf Education, and a California teaching credential in art. She’s had years of experience as a Waldorf class teacher in the early grades, has taught hands-on science and math to homeschoolers in grades 1-6.

Learn More about Homeschooling visit our website. Homeschool Math Program, http://MathByHand.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marin_Lipowitz

Not every adult knows a second language, and not every child admitted to college has a foreign language. In fact, in Washington State if a child earns an AA degree from a community college, and transfers into a state university, they may be able to bypass the entire language requirement. Some colleges do not have a language requirement at all, while others will insist on foreign language study before they will grant a degree. Essentially, if you do not have it going IN to the college, some want you to get it before you leave.

Foreign language study can serve a few purposes. First, it is a wonderful way to learn about English. When you study a foreign language and learn about verb tenses and grammar, it can increase knowledge of the English language. It can also help you understand the differences between languages – for example, some have articles (the) and other’s do not.

Second, a foreign language is great critical thinking. It is often a way for colleges to see how well your child studies and learns, and if they have the study skills necessary for a new language. It does take effort and thought. Much like math, a language is easier to learn when you do it daily, even if small amounts if necessary.

Third, not all countries speak English. In fact, one of the biggest complaints about Americans is that they think everyone does speak English. One reason for the “rude American” stereotype is when people insist on speaking English-only in a non-English speaking country. In order to successfully interact with people in other countries, whether as a guest or as a missionary, speaking their language is considered the polite thing to do. Even if it is just an attempt at their language, it can make all the difference.

If you cannot fit a second language into your normal homeschool week, there are options. You can search for a college that does not require a foreign language. You can strive for an AA degree from a community college, so that a foreign language requirement may be waived. You can incorporate natural language learning, rather than textbook learning. For example, you might learn Spanish during a mission trip to Costa Rica, interacting with native speakers, rather than sit in front of a computer doing Rosetta Stone.

There are a huge variety of languages to choose from; languages that are spoken around the world, languages that form the basis of scripture. American Sign Language is accepted at most universities, and it is a great language for kinesthetic learners. Latin is accepted almost everywhere as well, and it can be a great fit for a logical or non-linguistic child.

Need help homeschooling high school? Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, helps parents homeschool to college. She is an expert in how to craft a winning homeschool transcript. You can find Lee online at TheHomeScholar.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Binz

There was an article this morning in our paper about the new math curriculum being used in our area. I cannot believe they are choosing a single math curriculum that is supposed to fit an entire region. How many teachers are involved? How many different students? All those different individuals, and there will be only ONE BOOK???

I started getting concerned when they mentioned the book “Discovering” for algebra and geometry, and said “It’s also the series our school district has chosen.” First of all, any time our school district chooses anything, run the other way. They have a 46% graduation rate. That is our local high school:-)

“Some of the highest-paying and most competitive careers are in science, technology and medicine – all math-intensive fields. Meanwhile, more colleges and universities are requiring applicants to take up to four years of math in high school.”

That is a very good reason to teach math, and a very good reason to be conscientious about it. I would also like to point out that it is not all about pay either. Nursing, for example, is a math-based careers that is more about mission than money.

But do you have to choose between math “investigations” vs. extensive explanations and practice? I love the fact that homeschoolers can have it both ways. You can take a traditional textbook and add supplements that encourage understanding. But you know, some kids need more practice, and some kids need more explanations. Some kids just flat out need more hands on activities! I am not sure how one math book can serve the needs of every student.

I know that homeschoolers feel very concerned about upper level math. How much harder would it be if you were a non-homeschooling parent? Imagine trying to help your child with homework when you did not choose the book, have not seen it all year, do not have a video or an 800 number to call. What a nightmare! My friend had a child who used the Discovery book in public school. The schools were not able to help her and so they hired a tutor. Even the tutor who had a math degree could not figure out the Discovery book!

It was interesting to see them comparing these math books to the whole language vs. phonics debate. I remember thinking that different children learn to read in different ways, and that a mixture of the two can help. Math may be the same way.

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar shares some of her time each week to provide free homeschooling advice to parents. She also shares many free homeschool resources to help parents in the noble cause of homeschooling their kids through high school. Find more information at TheHomeScholar.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Binz

All of us dream of impacting history in some way. We may not admit it, but as we work through our days, often we struggle to find a way that our lives have an impact on others to the point that we are noticed, or at least our efforts are noticed. Sometimes that happens for us, and sometimes it doesn’t happen, at least not until later in life. We can’t always see the fruit of what we do, particularly as homeschoolers, until the seeds that we plant have time to grow and bud into fruit and frankly, that just takes time.

We live in a world that likes instant gratification and immediacy, so time is not something that we like to wait on. But sometimes, instant gratification does not have the longest term byproduct. Think of the weeds that sprout up quickly in the spring. They don’t live very long, do they? In my back yard, we’ve had some particular challenges this year. A very cold winter complete with an overabundance of rain has wreaked havoc on our grass. Add to that the fact that we have two, yes two, Great Danes just a little over a year old, and you can imagine that the wear and tear on our lawn has been great. I see a lot of weeds coming up, but not as much St. Augustine this spring.

However, that St. Augustine grass is there. I can see pockets of it. It will need nurturing and extra care and attention, but it can come back. With a little effort, time, and a lot of patience, I will eventually be able to say that I’m tired of cutting the grass this summer, just as I’ve said in other years. But for now, it looks as if the weeds are winning the battle and may die out leaving me a lot of dirt.

This is similar to homeschooling in a way. As homeschoolers, we see pockets of growth in our children, but sometimes we focus on the weeds. We are busy instructing and training, but sometimes we exaggerate the weed-killer necessary instead of the fertilizer. Both are needed.

As a Christian, I regularly seek the scriptures for guidance, but on occasion, I will also look to the Hebrew texts. It was in the Jewish culture that Jesus grew, so the Hebrew texts can be fascinating. In the Hebrew Talmud, I recently saw an intriguing quote. It said, “When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.” Patience. Expectation for the future. These things take time, but as homeschoolers, perhaps it will be helpful to keep this in mind. We may be teaching our own children now, but it is those same children who will impact the next generation, so whether we see it immediately or not, we are indeed impacting the future – for many years to come.

We see this principle in the Bible, too – Luke 8:8 is the punch line for the parable of the sower. “Other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” So be patient in teaching. Take care to fertilize and pull a few weeds. Remember that homeschooling is not a quick fix, and above all, know that what you are doing to educate your children is a gift for future generations to come, even if you don’t see the immediate results.

If you would like to get more information on college prep, educational coaching, homeschooling, or curricula for middle school and high school, please visit our website, http://www.nationalhomeschoolacademy.com. To download your free “Casting Your Vision Statement” guide, click here. http://www.nationalhomeschoolacademy.com/default.aspx?name=nha.support

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Camille_Rodriquez

How often have you wished for a few extra hours in the day in order to manage your homeschooling lifestyle? The day won’t get any longer, but you can get stronger in your ability to deal effectively with each day. I’ve included some time management tips that can get you back on track in your daily life. In fact, in my opinion the most important question that you can ask yourself everyday in order to manage time is “What do I need (to do) right now?”

To ask yourself this question doesn’t make you needy, it makes you aware of what is truly important and reflective of your purposeful goals in a given moment. The “to do” is in parentheses because sometimes the most important need you have is not to take action but to wait, pray, meditate, or simply relax into a state of beingness rather than doingness.

These tips are organized in a DO and DON’T format but please be aware that you will have your own management style that feels best and most empowering to you. So your first step is to become aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies in regards to how you perceive time. The more self aware you are of your perceptions about time, then the more able you are to efficiently use your strengths and to effectively discipline your weaknesses.

DO’S

1. DO PRIORITIZE YOUR DAY: For those of us who like daily to do lists, I recommend that you create a list of no more than ten important items to accomplish for the day. Any more than that will be cause for frustration when unforseen events happen to make havoc with your sense of accomplishment. On days like these, feel grateful if two of your important items have been accomplished. Real detail folks will have master plans, monthly plans, and weekly plans along with these daily plans but remember to keep the daily list short and important so that you can avoid a sense of guilt and self blame, which are real time wasters!

The visionary types who like the big picture but not the details should make sure that they actually do complete the two most important daily items. Finally, this list is not just about you. It should reflect what is important in your activities in relationship to your partner, your family, and your world. Yet do make sure the list includes one thing you would enjoy doing for rejuvenation, fun, or a sense of peacefulness.

2. Do Strive For Efficient Action: When you consider the important daily items on your list, reflect on how you can do them more efficiently. I am not talking about frenzied multi-tasking. I am suggesting that you think consciously about how you can make the most efficient use of your time. If you are driving into town, take a moment to remember what you need to bring. If you are going to go shopping, look at your shelves and review what staples you need and decide whether you want to shop for a week’s food or just today’s. Perhaps you can combine a shopping trip with a trip to the library so the books aren’t overdue. Or perhaps you should also reach out to a friend or an older person and pick something up for them as well.

3. DO PREPARE FOR HOMESCHOOLING At least one item on your list will be daily homeschooling. Work to be well prepared so that your teaching can really connect with your child in a creative way and so your child understands and can execute the work of the day in a well ordered way. You can also learn to use some newer tools like the internet more effectively in homeschooling. New internet programs like Lesson Pathways.com can be a real help in allowing you to create well ordered and complete daily lesson plans using the internet.

4. DO Learn To Delegate Household Tasks: Your life will be much simpler and more efficient if you learn to create a rhythm with your children and spouse that includes daily house jobs that are age appropriate. A ten year-old can make her own bed and tidy her bedroom and playroom. She can fold and put away her own laundry as well as have a job like sweeping or mopping the kitchen floor daily. These jobs should be part of a daily rhythm and habit pattern that is as regular as brushing teeth. In our house, the bigger house jobs are done before school time and the tidying up is done before bed. In case anyone forgets their routine, we have a posted list of Happy House Jobs that includes the jobs of every member of the family, including the parents. Mom’s list of household jobs should NOT be three times as long as the rest of the family combined!

DONT’S

1. DON’T GIVE FROM AN EMPTY WELL: If you find that you are feeling overwhelmed, overcommitted, and fatigued, then you are trying to give from a well that is drained of energy. You need to find ways to recharge your batteries. Being an effective time manager means being aware of how you feel at any given moment. If you aren’t feeling alert, productive and at least somewhat centered, then you need to change your to do list to include balance time for yourself. It is so important to find time each day to nurture the nurturer.

2. DON’T CONDEMN YOURSELF: In order to effectively manage your time, you must manage to forgive yourself for all your perceived mismanagement! If you were not well prepared for your homeschooling day, forgive yourself and find ways to prepare more efficiently. If your household reflected more chaos than creativity, look at what didn’t work and resolve to do it differently or clean it up. Remember that tomorrow is a new day!

3. Don’t Lose your Vision and Goals: You may have days that are challenging, but do not let the perceived burdens of a day cloud your sense of vision and goals for the next day. Try to release those burdens at the end of every day so that you can reconnect to your sense of purpose and allow yourself to be guided by that higher purpose. Remember that even in a day that seems difficult to bear, you only really have to identify what you need to do right now.

In order to manage time effectively, it will help if you remember this list of do’s and don’ts. You are going to have your own personal management style which you should honor and within that personal style you can learn to use your strengths more efficiently and work with your weaknesses more effectively. Make sure that each day completes two important items yet also contains some time to nurture the nurturer. Don’t waste time on guilt and condemnation but learn from your mistakes and correct them in each new day.

Most importantly, learn to live a life that helps you to truly connect with your highest goals and helps identify what you need (to do) right now. As you accomplish this, your efficiency and your joy in each day will grow.

Jennifer K. Gray is the Director of Operations for LessonPathways.com.

Lesson Pathways is an innovative online curriculum created entirely from INTERNET RESOURCES, making it easy for educators to use educational resources and links, with limited pre-planning time!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Gray