The following are simple pointers for homeschooling as a single mom:
Please consider reading the previous blog post for additional information:
Helpful Hints for Homeschooling as a Single Mom – (singlemomoutwest.com)
As you consider homeschooling as a single mom, there are a few things to remember. These are things that took me a while to figure out.
I knew my kids were behind in school, but I wasn’t sure what to do about it.
Over the last couple of years, I have gained an understanding of what is genuinely needed for homeschooling as a single mom. And I hope these lessons will help you as well.
Please note I only speak this as a mom. I do not have a degree in education, but I do have experience as a very concerned mom.
Acknowledge where the kids are. But don’t panic. Many kids are behind.
Especially in a post covid world.
In the beginning, I didn’t fully understand the situation. I thought perhaps they weren’t working as hard as they should. But that was not the case.
These kids were probably at least two years behind where they should have been. That was my first lesson in homeschooling as a single mom.
We had a lot of ground to recover. And I was thrilled to learn that going back was completely doable when homeschooling!
Instead of being discouraged about where they were in their education journey, I began to love that I could start them where they needed to be.
And that is what I hope you understand! Going back to get fundamental skills is completely attainable!
It may be a bit of a shocker! But don’t give in to discouragement. Know that this is the situation that many kids deal with.
Single moms and their kids have often been through trauma, are short on basic needs, and are limited in time. That’s okay! We need to acknowledge where we are.
There is something wholesome about starting where we need to be!
Don’t be afraid to go back.
After seeing where your children are in their education, consider returning to get basic skills.
Our education system often pushes kids ahead in grades and subjects without mastering basic fundamental skills.
I think this is a mistake. If kids cannot read, they cannot answer test questions. If they cannot spell, they cannot write fluently. And if they cannot do basic math, they cannot complete the next math level.
The kids are then given tests to determine if there is some reason they are having trouble in school. I do not believe that kids in crisis test well.
Then, we have kids who believe they are not capable of learning, and that is not true in many cases.
I’m not discounting learning issues or disabilities. But if you feel that your child is capable of learning, and they are still behind, maybe there is a better way.
Moms know their kids. A random school psychologist may not.
Mastering reading, writing, and math should be a priority. And if that means you go back a couple of years to learn fundamental skills, then so be it because rushing ahead doesn’t help them in the long run.
Focus on reading, writing, and math.
I know all subjects are essential for a well-rounded education. But these fundamentals are necessary for everyday life. So, double up on these!
They will need the vocabulary and comprehensive knowledge from other subjects to do well. We will pick up science and other books for summer reading and additional reading assignments.
They may need to focus primarily on reading, writing, and math, but forgetting the other subjects will put them behind as they age.
There are specific curriculums to help with reading, writing, and math.
Phonics for reading.
In America, kids in every state are behind in reading skills. And I genuinely believe this is because we have gotten away from basic phonic skills. They may take longer to learn, but the skills are needed daily. And without them, we are poor readers.
There are many different programs for phonics, but these are the ones that I have used personally, and I have seen how helpful they are.
Abeka
Abeka does an excellent job laying out the alphabetic sounds on flashcards.
If your children are younger, they have specific books that are part of the Abeka phonics program and do a great job following up on the phonics skills. The books may not be age-appropriate for older children, but the phonics cards can still be used with older children.
Writing
Learning to write should be a priority! These will help you get started!
Handwriting Without Tears
I love this resource! It has dramatically changed writing for my kids. This series has workbooks and resources for every skill level. The books are available from preschool through cursive writing. All of the workbooks are available on Amazon.com.
Explode the Code.
I wish that I had found this resource years ago! I am now having my older children complete them as well to get the practice of writing with phonics. It’s a great program!
Spelling
All About Spelling
I love this program! It is one of the best spelling programs I have ever used. I would recommend this for children not exposed to phonics or spelling before. Even if your child is older, the program will work. You may go through it faster, but it’s best not to miss the spelling and phonics of the program.
You may be able to buy some of the workbooks and sets from Amazon.com, but they are mainly sold at the All About Spelling Website. They also have an All About Reading program that I have not used, but I imagine it is excellent. Here is that link:
https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling/
Sequential Spelling
This program is excellent for older kids exposed to some phonics. But it can work in most situations because, with this program, they are learning spelling patterns. I highly recommend this program.
A very experienced homeschool mom suggested this program to me, and it does help older children learn to spell consistently and thoroughly.
Math
Flash Cards
One of the best ways to increase math skills is through flashcards. It’s repetitive and can be adjusted to whatever skill level is needed.
Another great way to increase math skills is through electronic toys specific to math skills.
ACE PACE Homeschool Math Curriculum
This program teaches all subjects, but I like the math program because it is so thorough, and you can jump around to the skills that need to be worked on. Christian Book Distributors, CBD, sell it. Here is the link to that:
https://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool/ace?event=EBRN&catid=2288187&cat=ACE%2FPACE
Other curriculum ideas.
Power Homeschool
There are many great online school programs for children. I chose this one because it is highly flexible and affordable. I am supplementing it with written and hands-on work, but the program is easy to use and effective.
This program has most of the additional subjects you will need in your homeschool journey!
Here is the link to this program:
https://www.powerhomeschool.org/
In conclusion.
Many different programs and options exist as you begin to homeschool your children. Remember that there are options, but ultimately, you must do what works for you and your child.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but focus on the basics first. After that, you can grow and discover other subjects. There are many free resources available online!
It’s an exciting journey and one well worth taking!
Please follow up with this post for additional information on homeschooling.
https://www.singlemomoutwest.com/homeschooling-as-a-single-mom/homeschool-curriculum-options/
