Homeschooling Tips I Should Have Known Sooner

Homeschooling can be tough! However, those of us who have accepted this special vocation know it is worth it. So, how can we make it more manageable? The best answer to this question might be found in the best homeschooling tips I gathered for Overwhelmed Mother of Three:

#1 –  Adjust to Succeed

Consider combining students in the same course.

Adjust each student’s curriculum to meet their needs.

A student can be in different grade levels within his or her curriculum.

If a course is too easy or hard, exchange it.

If your student is really struggling within our regular curriculum or has a special learning need, contact our Special Services department.

#2 – You’re in Control

The lesson plans are guidelines; you can adjust them as needed.

You do not need to complete every assignment in the lesson plan.

You, not Seton, decide when your student is ready to move up to the next grade level.

The three “Rs” (reading, writing, and arithmetic) are the only formal courses your students need before Seton High School; consider teaching the other courses more informally without testing.

#3 – Timing is Everything

Students have 14 months to submit Seton-graded work.

Seton has no quarterly deadlines.

Try to submit Seton-graded work as it is completed; it will give you and the student a feeling of accomplishment.

#4 – Grading

Parent grading is not required.

Only Seton-graded work must be submitted to receive a complete grade report.

Your students have an opportunity to redo all Seton-graded assignments.

#5 – This Will Help

Create an educational “Mom’s Busy” box for each student. When you are too busy to assist students in need, send them to their busy box until you can help them.

Try to begin each day with each student’s least favorite course, either English, reading, or math; the rest of the day may go much smoother.

Have students complete written assignments as they are assigned; trying to catch up on several writing assignments at once can be very frustrating.

#6 – Older Students

Expect older students to do most work by themselves.

Trust, but verify, that the older students are completing their work.

Consider “block scheduling,” where students focus on a single subject. This approach allows them to complete a week’s worth of assignments in one day and potentially finish a year’s curriculum for a subject within four to six weeks.

Block scheduling can be adapted to include multiple subjects in a day. For example, students might dedicate mornings to one subject and afternoons to another or alternate subjects for full-day sessions.

Here to Help You

I hope these homeschooling tips will help you on your journey. Most importantly, please know Seton is here to serve your needs, not vice versa. Do not hesitate to reach out to Seton with any questions or concerns. There are no “dumb” questions.

About Laura Fusto

Laura Fusto received her BA in Communications from McDaniel College. She and her husband, John, have been blessed with three daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, golfing, shopping with her daughters, and playing pinochle with her husband and their friends.