I know homemakers are known for constantly moving furniture and reorganizing and moving pictures and changing curtains and all of those stereotypical things. I, on the other hand, am constantly organizing and reorganizing our classroom. When I taught in a classroom, I had a class-room, I had a specific space with a desk and filing cabinet for me, lockers and desks for the students, etc . . . I was able to acquire a wonderful second chalkboard, two sets of bookcases, and a couple of extra bulletin boards. The school provided the basic core curriculum and I purchased a few extras to enhance the curriculum. Still, for the most part, everything was provided for me and the setup was very straightforward and simple to manage once I found a system that worked well for me and my class.
Homeschooling is so much different though. Yes, my husband has acquiesced to my pleas to have a room set aside for just school and I've taken over what was intended for a dining room. It is completely devoted to school. Still, there are some major differences between organizing a classroom in a school and organizing a classroom for a homeschool.
- I have more than one grade level in a homeschool. This makes more of a difference in the amount of basic core materials I have alone. Having only five students sounds amazing to a classroom teacher, but having four different grade levels in one room is not as easy as one would think. There is no end to books, lesson plans, workbook pages, etc . . . Organizing it all is a challenge I was simply not prepared for when I started homeschooling and it is a constant job to keep up with.
- My students never leave. This is major. When I taught in a classroom, I was able to arrive 30-45 minutes before my students and prepare for the day, pray for each student before they arrived, etc . . . I also had time after the students left to prepare my materials for the following day, file papers, work on grading, etc . . . Homeschoolers do not have this luxury. We do not have in-service days. It's like they say, "trying to clean your house when you have young children is like shoveling your driveway while it is still snowing." It is difficult to make any significant progress.
- Limited space and materials. I have been extremely blessed to be given a chalkboard, a couple of desks, a filing cabinet, and a yearly allotment to use for our materials as well. Most homeschool families have to work with what they have available. Of course, you don't need a perfect 'classroom' to teach your children, but I think most homeschoolers would like a space and a system that works for their family.
- I never have the same grades to teach year after year. Classroom teachers do sometimes move from grade to grade, but generally they find a grade that they like and stick with it. This way they can expand their curriculum each year and gather materials over time to add a little extra each year since they teach it every year. Homeschoolers have to adapt and change each year as their students progress which is exciting but requires a lot more planning and preparation. This is compounded if you are teaching more than one child. This year I have two preschoolers, a kindergartener, a second grader and a third grader, but next year that will all change.
Because of these differences and many others, I am constantly changing the way our classroom and classwork is organized. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy it. It is just a process of learning and adapting that I never anticipated when we chose to homeschool. Making learning a part of our home whether it is 'school time' or not is what makes homeschooling such a blessing in our home. If it takes a while to find an organization method and a schedule that works for you, don't despair. I've been homeschooling for four years now and I am still trying new things all the time. Besides, it keeps the kids on their toes.
P.S.
Sorry for the extremely long-winded post today. I am trying to avoid the mountain of laundry that is waiting for me. :)
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