Elementary Homeschooling: Fostering a Love of Learning – Amy Roberts (Through the Years Series)
"Elementary years are key for nurturing a love of learning, not for overwhelming them with seat work." ~ Amy Roberts
Yvette Hampton and Amy Roberts, from Raising Arrows, talk about creating a love for learning in elementary homeschoolers, in this installment from our "Homeschooling Through the Years" series. Discover methods to keep homeschooling fun, manage different age groups, and find a balance that works for your family. Perfect for new and seasoned homeschool parents!
Recommended Resources:
Connect with Amy Roberts at Raising Arrows.net - Podcast, Blog, Courses, Resources
Homeschool Teaching Methods Overview - Sonya Shafer (Homeschool Survival Series)
Elementary Curriculum Discussed:
Book Lists:
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature, by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson
Podcast Recommendations:
Listen to the full Homeschooling Through the Years Series here.
Homeschooling Every Subject Series
Schoolhouse Rocked Series and Topic Directory
Stream Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution for FREE Tonight!
Get your FREE Homeschool Survival Kit!
Discussion Questions:
1. Amy mentions starting their homeschool day at 10 a.m. How does your start time compare, and what factors influence your family's schedule?
2. The concept of "teaching to the middle and assigning to the edges" was discussed. How do you tailor your lessons to accommodate various age groups within your homeschool?
3. Amy talks about using morning time to bring everyone together for certain subjects. What activities or subjects do you find work best for collective family learning in your homeschool routine?
4. Amy advises against overwhelming elementary students with non-essential subjects. How do you prioritize subjects and decide what is essential for your children at this stage?
5. Flexible scheduling and an adaptable mindset are emphasized throughout the episode. Can you share a time when you had to modify your homeschooling approach due to changing circumstances or challenges?
6. The role of physical activity breaks and permitting fidgeting during lessons were highlighted. What strategies do you use to incorporate movement and accommodate your children’s need to be active?
7. Amy suggests keeping lessons short and engaging, especially for younger children. How long are your typical teaching sessions, and what techniques do you use to maintain your children’s attention and interest?
8. The importance of read-aloud sessions was repeatedly mentioned. What are some of your family’s favorite books for read-aloud time, and how has this practice benefited your homeschool?
9. Amy talked about re-aligning expectations about subjects like history and science for younger students. How do you incorporate these subjects in a way that keeps the learning process enjoyable and stress-free?
10. Morning time and specific subjects like Bible and history are staples in Amy’s routine. How do you balance Bible teaching and discipleship with academic subjects in your homeschool day?
11. How does Amy suggest parents balance the focus on academic essentials with making learning fun for elementary kids?
12. What strategies do Amy and Yvette recommend for managing challenging phases in the elementary years, such as tantrums or sassiness?
13. In what ways can parents ensure they are aware of their child's interests during homeschooling?
14. How does the "Edge Method" (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable) help children transition to independent learning?
15. Amy talks about automating and systematizing school routines. How can this approach benefit both parents and children in a homeschooling setup?
16. What are some creative ways to incorporate science and history into homeschooling, as suggested by Amy?
17. How can parents determine when a particular curriculum is not working for their child and make necessary changes?
18. What is the importance of fostering a love of learning in elementary years, according to Amy and Yvette?
19. How can parents share their own passions and hobbies with their children to enhance their learning experience?
20. Amy emphasizes the significance of not pushing kids too hard when they seem to be done for the day. How can parents strike a balance between encouraging persistence and recognizing when to pull back?
21. **Emotional Management**: Amy Roberts emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause of a child's emotional distress during school time. What strategies does she suggest for dealing with elementary-aged children's emotions, and how might these approaches benefit the parent-child relationship?
22. **Balancing Academics and Emotions**: How does Amy suggest parents balance academic demands with emotional needs in elementary-aged children? Can you think of a situation where this balance might be particularly challenging?
23. **Open Communication**: Both Amy and Yvette stress the importance of open communication with children. How can parents ensure that they are effectively listening to their children, especially during busy homeschooling days?
24. **Curriculum Choices**: Amy discusses the types of curricula she prefers for elementary-aged children. What considerations did she highlight when choosing curricula, and how can they influence a child’s learning experience?
25. **Independent Learning**: What are the benefits of fostering independence in elementary-aged children through specific curricula and activities, as discussed by Amy? How can this independence impact their transition into middle and high school?
26. **Interest-Led Learning**: Amy advises letting children pursue topics of interest outside of school hours. How can parents facilitate and support this interest-led learning without overwhelming their schedules?
27. **Time Management**: Why does Amy stress the importance of maintaining margin in daily schedules, and how can this flexibility positively affect both parents and children in a homeschooling environment?
28. **Discipline vs. Understanding**: How can parents differentiate between defiance and underlying issues in a child's behavior, as suggested by Amy? What are some practical steps for addressing each scenario?
29. **Experiential Learning**: Amy mentions the importance of incorporating activities like nature walks and hands-on projects into homeschooling. How can these experiential learning activities benefit elementary-aged children’s educational experience?
30. **Family Dynamics**: In what ways does Amy suggest ensuring that homeschooling fosters positive family dynamics? How can the balance between family activities and independent work contribute to this?
Sponsors:
Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Our mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through our print and digital curriculum and online classes.
BJU Press Homeschool is dedicated to providing homeschool families with academically strong curriculum rooted in a biblical worldview. They offer a complete curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, available in both traditional textbooks and video courses. By teaching through the lens of Christ’s power, they help students view the world through the transformative story of God’s creation
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The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast is a member of the Biblical Family Network. Our mission is to support and encourage the family by providing the very best podcasts on family, discipleship, marriage, parenting, worldview, culture, and education, all from a Biblical perspective. Visit the website for more great shows, like the Thinking Dad, Culture Proof, Homeschool Insights, and Made2Homeschool.
