Better late than never here is how our 2023 homeschool year went. Our 2023 homeschool year wrapped up in November right before Thanksgiving. Our learning year runs from January to November. We take our biggest break from the week of Thanksgiving to Ephiphany. This allows us to really sink into Advent and end our year reflecting on how God has moved within our learning life. We were all sick over Christmas which meant I didn't fully get my planning done, which is why posting has been somewhat delayed as well. Enough of that let's move on to how our homeschool year went in 2023.
Reflecting back I know there were many areas in which it could have been better. A lot of that stems from my undisciplined nature and not planning effectively. Not planning meant that I wasn't preparead and that showed. However, as the year went on I did become consistent in a few of our subjects. We have nailed our Bible time, we have a program we love and have a good level of variety. The other subject I mastered was Science. We found a curriculum we absolutely adore and it was some of the best learning we have had in a long time. As a result of this science curriculum working so well I realized we all learn really well when someone else teaches us via video.
History was not a success. I thought for sure we had a found something we would enjoy and while it went okay at first, it was not our cup of tea. So by the end of the year history was a bit of a struggle. The other areas in which we need to focus on going forward are language and math. I need to find some consistency and joy in these subjects to enrich our learning.
I think the biggest thing I discovered over this past year is that I need to really focus on our family, and how we learn best. It should not look like public school, and it shouldn't look like any one else's homeschool. God created our family unique and so our homeschool schould reflect that. This means for us utilizing more video based learning as well as ensuring I am not the only teacher. We keep the majority of our learning communal, and I do most of the reading aloud. Yet I am finding that they need my voice to not be the only one. So I am making some changes to our learning in 2024.
We test at the end of each year because in New Hampshire we have to test or do a portfolio evaluation and I find that testing gives me a better view of how they are doing in a general sense than the portfolio evaluation. I don't care about the test scores, they are just an easy way for me to ensure improvement and exposes them to what a standardized test is like. Peanut loves the testing and looks forward to it each year, the boys not so much. All children improved from the previous year, and all are at or above grade level.
We may be 10 years into this homeschooling thing, but I feel like I am just now finally finding my groove, and really making sure my plans reflect what our family looks like, and the learning styles of each of my children. God is really showing me how to cultivate our family culture and to disciple our children and teach them how to be obedient to Him. He is doing that by showing me how to be obedient, and me walking in that obedience. Homeschooling is one of the ministries He has called me to, and I feel so blessed and honored. I feel ill-equipped and always have in so many ways, but I know that's a lie and the truth is He has equipped me and gives me the strength and direction I need.
So while I felt 2023 was not an amazing learning year, God is showing me the way and I am trusting in Him, which means I anticipate 2024 will be even better as I really hone in on what works and doesn't work for our family.
Thank you for reading and I hope you have a blessed day.
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