Here are some steps you can take to assess your homeschool program midyear.
1. Pray. Ask God to give you wisdom. Psalm 90 encourages us to ask God to help us “number our days.” He knows all of the things competing for your students’ learning time.
2. Look at the table of contents for your curriculum. Are you near the middle? If so, great! If not, consider:
- Is it essential that we finish the curriculum or can we continue it next year?
- Are we doing other activities outside of the curriculum that are equally or more valuable for my students’ growth?
- Why are we using this curriculum? Is it the right fit for us?
- Most importantly, curriculum is your tool, not your boss. Use it. Don’t let it rule your homeschool program.
3. Look at the calendar for the remainder of the year. Chart a tentative schedule, accounting for holidays and special family events.
4. Consider whether a year-round schedule is a good fit for your family. Maybe you want to take time off during the spring or fall. Maybe you want to continue one subject, like math, over vacation. You have the freedom to choose the schedule that works best for your family.
5. Remember your “Why.” This is the main reason you decided to homeschool. Is this need being met? That is far more important than finishing a workbook.
6. Finally, make a list of things that have gone well this fall. Look over your students’ work from August until January. Where do you see growth? Celebrate! It’s hard to see growth day by day, but over time, God is faithfully leading you and your family. It is worth the hard work.
If you still feel anxious about how your year is going, reach out to me at mrsgibson@me.com to schedule a consultation. Together, we can help your family thrive in this wonderful adventure of homeschooling!
