We all know that getting new curriculum can be so exciting! When new books land on your doorstep, you begin to dream about the perfect homeschool year ahead. And then a bit of reality sets in. A little overwhelm creeps in. Wait a second, how do I even teach my kids this subject? Don’t worry! Here are some helpful tips and FAQs to help you create your peaceful family learning environment.
#1 Take a deep breath
Breathe and get excited again! We’ve created the teacher guide to help you experience the joy of teaching your children. We've spent hundreds of hours researching and reading the available books, forming questions, writing notes, finding related websites and videos, and dreaming up assignments so that you don't have to! The teacher guide will give you confidence and step-by-step guidance.
#2 Flip through it
This is the best way to get accustomed to what’s inside the teacher's guide. As you flip through the pages before you begin, you’ll discover all the planning, prep-work, and book selections have already been done for you! Phew! Our curriculum team has decades of homeschool experience that informs everything they build into each and every teacher guide.
#3 Go at your own pace
While we suggest a certain pace for completing each study in a year (i.e. three lessons per week), we believe it’s most important to find the right pace for your family. This ensures that your children feel seen and that you avoid the stress of rushing through the course just to finish on a certain date. Remember, the journey is more important than the destination. Take your time and find what works for you. You'll be glad you did.
Inside each guide you’ll find:
Comprehension questions and discussion prompts to engage your child
Hands-on activities like copywork, coloring, and map-making
Vocabulary words to define and build a glossary
Website and video links for further study
Supplemental book recommendations
Answer keys for more advanced studies
FAQs:
Can I still do my own thing while using the teacher guide?
Absolutely! As you get into your homeschool rhythm you may find that you want to add to the study, subtract, or do a variation. This is totally okay (this is the reason you're homeschooling!) The teacher guide is there to help you, not box you in.
Do I have to do everything listed in the teacher guide?
We design each lesson to help you get the most academic value possible. That being said, your family is unique and our studies are not designed to be a list of boxes to be checked. Checking off boxes will not necessarily create the family learning environment you dream of. What’s most important is using our guides to match your family’s learning style, to connect with your kids, and to see them fall in love with learning.
How long do the lessons take to complete?
Lesson length is dependent on many factors such as your children's ages, whether you are reading the books aloud, how many assignments you want to complete, etc. The times below offer a good rule of thumb.
Primary grades (K-3) ~30-45 minutes per lesson
Intermediate (4-6) ~1 hour per lesson
High School (9-12) ~1.5-2 hours per lesson
There you have it! Remember to breathe, flip through it, and go at your own pace! We are here not just to provide you with the best books and curriculum possible, but we’re alongside you for the whole journey. Reach out if we can help with anything.
