It’s the middle of January and I am starting to put our holiday decorations away. Most years, things are so rushed In November and December I feel like I haven’t been able to fully enjoy the season. When the new year arrives I’m reluctant to move on. By January 2nd, many are ready to snap right back into business as usual. Not me. I’m a fan of the 12 days of Christmas….and beyond! For me, January is a time to savor and appreciate holiday traditions and put some lingering thought into hopes and expectations for the new year.
There were a few things that we didn’t have time for in December, so we’re taking time to do them now. For instance, our packet of kite paper is still waiting to be folded into window stars and I have a bowl of dried oranges that need to be transformed into a sweet garland. A few Christmas picture books are still unread, and the first of the year is the time to enjoy my sister’s lovely fruit cake. I’ve also collected some cozy craft ideas (thanks to Little Pine Learners 😉) to further enhance this continuing season.
And then there’s homeschooling
So, what about school? Well, I guess you’d say that’s the other side of the coin. While I long to continue in the rich, comforting mode of winter holiday, I also know that we cannot ignore our studies. So I take January as a transition month, and here’s how I do it:
Start with “autopilot” subjects
This includes any subjects that don’t require my input (or very little). This give me a little bit of extra time for holiday clean up and school planning. Math practice sheets, spelling workbooks, keyboarding, reading an assigned novel, hands on learning games are candidates for January back-to-school.The idea is to engage our brains, get back in the swing of things and become reacquainted with the subjects from waaaay back in December.
Free choice creative writing
Writing skills are so important, but jumping back into civics or literature can be challenging. So I offer more enjoyable options for a couple of weeks. Grammar and writing rules still apply, but the subject matter and style are free choice: essays, stories, reports, serious, humorous. Complementary drawings are encouraged (which somehow makes the whole thing more palatable for my kids).
Read assignments aloud together
For more toilsome subjects, instead of sending my daughters off to tackle reading on their own, I provide support by reading it out loud to them instead. It takes more time on my part, but it’s easy, usually interesting and involves discussion (which means deeper learning). And snuggling up with blankets on the couch is pretty nice.
Resume out-of-home educational opportunities
I’m throwing this in because lessons and weekly activities (music, dance, gymnastics, other classes) often start again during the first week of January. I wish this weren’t the case, but it is one more way to acclimate to the school routine again.
February will be here before I know it, and by then we’ll be back on a more rigorous track with all of our subjects. I already feel the pressure of June, knowing we have much to cover. But I also know that there are only so many Januaries of homeschooling left, so I’m going to make the most of this one and not rush things unnecessarily.
