Getting Organized

It is the start of a new school year and if you are a homeschooling mom, it can be a busy, crazy time. It is important to set some good habits in place to guarantee a good school year.

First, decide on a 'place' to do your school. Perhaps all your children will be around the kitchen table. Or, perhaps they enjoy working at different spaces. For older children, they may want to prepare their desk and create a fun space in which to work.

Second, determine your curriculum and school supply needs early. Make sure everything is close at hand. Look for inexpensive options on amazon or ebay. Prices can be much cheaper on these sites. Make sure there are plenty of pencils, pens, rulers, crayons. A home printer/copier is also a nice addition to the schoolroom for all those copies that you will need!

Third, always remember that you do not have to look like a public school. You can start really early, or a little later each school day, depending on your family's needs. Whatever the routine, determine a start time. Perhaps have all the children set their alarm clock and encourage a solid morning routine. Include some chores that will accomplish some cleaning before school (dishes into the dishwasher, beds made, floor vacuumed can do much for mama's peace of mind!)

Start with a prayer that God would lead your schooling. A Bible reading is also a good way to start the day.

It is helpful if mom plans the night or week before presenting the lessons. That will guarantee that all supplies are on hand and that mom knows what she is teaching. A schedule is EXTREMELY helpful, especially for older students. Create a form/template that you can fill in each week and include page numbers, how long the child should allocate for this assignment, etc.

Remember, that each evening, you will need to look over the work and give feedback and then plan all over again.

The last piece of advice is to search out a co-op. Christiana is a curriculum intensive co-op that meets two days a week and provides complete structure for the students. Other co-ops offer individual classes, both academic and elective. Co-ops can be a great way to get kids and mom out of the house, share ideas and build friendships.

And mom...always include dad in your homeschool pursuits. Dad could teach a class, be the 'principal' or just take the kids for an hour each evening so you can plan. Don't go it alone. A wise woman once told me that homeschooling is AT LEAST a part time job, so you need to treat it like that. While being mom, nurse, chauffeur, cook, launderer, maid, etc. you are now teacher too.

Do all that you do as unto the Lord and have a good school year!

Christiana is once again proud to present its Third Annual Prom: "Return to Neverland." This event, exclusively for home schooled students and their dates, has become the premier prom in the Baltimore, Maryland area and is held at Martin's West, one of the finest formal event sites in the area. Huge crystal chandeliers adorn the entrance, gorgeous floral arrangements and delicious full course meals create an evening to remember. A professional DJ and photographer complete the evening and over 50 raffled door prizes are given away. Each attendee leaves with a gift bag full of candy and surprises

The event will be held on Friday, April 29 and tickets are now available through the Christiana Homeschool website. Registrations and payment through paypal are secure and easy!

CHA Tutors

Christiana Homeschool Academy is comprised of about 70 families with kids in grades K-12. Classes are held two days a week and follow-up work is done at home the other days of the week. But who plans all those classes, grades all those papers and tests and holds the students accountable?

Well, many of the tutors are moms and some community folks who come in just to teach at the academy. God seems to provide just the combination needed each year and it is amazing to learn the backgrounds of the tutors who are teaching. Many of the science tutors were either teachers before homeschooling their children or worked in the science field. And the grammar/writing department has several writers with backgrounds in journalism, English and communications. The language department has Spanish teachers that are so proficient in the language that they converse in Spanish on occasion. These tutors love their subject matter and work long, hard hours to guarantee a quality education at the academy.

So, when you are checking out the academy for your children, consider the subjects that you love and could share with students. Enrollment is currently open with student spots available in most grades.

Mom Learns Too!

Christiana Homeschool Academy is all about a quality, classical education that stretches the mind. But the education is not limited to the school-aged students. Moms are also gleaning the benefits of this wonderful community. Often, during class breaks, tutors and moms can be found in the hallway, having a lively discussion about a classic. Or moms have even been known to form their own "book clubs" that meet during the school day. Several moms will be meeting in Feburary-April to tackle Wuthering Heights after reading Jane Eyre last spring. The regular reading discipline, the research into the author and setting and the fun discussions stimulate those middle-aged minds each week.

Other moms have been known to take the art classes after school and regular exercise classes are now offered for moms needing to tone up and relieve stress. Most of these activities are organized by moms for moms and have created closer community while encouraging healthy habits. And what better example to our own children. They do what we do!

So, join us...not just for your children, but for you too!

Snow Days...

With the winter upon us and a regular snow pattern hitting the Baltimore area weekly, what are the students and tutors at CHA to do? Well, the Academy follows the Carroll County school weather delays and closings. However, the students do not receive unlimited days at home with nothing to do.

Tutors at CHA are vigilant about keeping up with the syllabus schedule and while everyone loves several good days of sledding each winter, moms also desire that the school schedule to stay in tact throughout those cold weather months. So, in the case of snowy days and school closings, CHA tutors send updated homework assignments that will keep students learning at home with a little extra guidance from mom. Fortunately, with modern internet resources, teaching videos and worksheet resources, tutors are able to make quick adjustments to keep the students busy.

The CHA calendar is “fixed” so the year cannot be extended due to extreme weather. Thanks to the faithful tutors and parents who want to keep their children busy with academics, CHA students will still be done near the end of May. And those spring temperatures and warm, sunny skies are looking better and better each day!

First Day of School

For the CHA students, teachers and administrators, a new school year is an exciting time. We have had a restful summer vacation, slept in, read some books, took trips and maybe even tackled a home project. But when September and Labor Day roll around, the start of school is close at hand.

The first day at CHA is a relief for many homeschoolers because we welcome the accountability, feedback from other moms and support that the CHA family offers.

Homeschooling on your own can be a difficult task, especially when you decide to tackle difficult maths, sciences and languages. To be able to glean upon the expertise of someone who has made a career in math, or is a nurse and loves science is a welcome opportunity. God has wisely and strategically placed tutors at CHA that are able to offer instruction in some of those difficult subjects.

So, for those moms who are able to handle the multitudes at home, we applaud you! But if you are a mom who is struggling to keep things together and tackle multiple grades, we encourage you to check Christiana out. There are still openings in some grades and it is not too late to check into co-ops for this year.

Let the Summer Begin

The school year at CHA has come to an end. A rousing end-of-the year program, a comical production of “Night at the Wax Museum” and the emotional graduation of eight very outstanding seniors cap off an amazing year. Life is always interesting and engaging at CHA and this year was no exception. The teary good-byes and remembrances will long be etched in this writer’s heart.

Graduation at CHA is a special affair. Each senior is asked to assemble a two-minute slide show that recaps their life. Following the slide show, the senior speaks to the audience, offering advice to the rising seniors and thanks to parents, teachers and administrators. One senior reminisced about her years at CHA and the questions she had learned to ask…She began by asking “Who am I” and “Where am I going?” As she ended the speech, she again asked “Who am I” and answered by saying “I have no idea.” “Where am I going?” Again, she answered “I have no idea.” “But I have now learned the right questions to ask as I continue on this journey.” She realized that more information leads to more questions and that life is learning to ask and process and ask again. Students at CHA often end with more questions than they begin with and THAT IS THE POINT!

So, as we close the book on the 2009-10 school year, we look forward to next year…another senior class, a fall elementary school theatrical production, a spring high school theatrical production, a yearbook, a prom, a science fair and more books! Don’t forget the books