How to enjoy fall and homeschool? In spite of it all? Just a few, encouraging tips for you. Those I gathered and pondered while in the midst this week. Mostly just those common sense things I need to remind myself of. Yes, this fall there are wonderful trips you could take, field trips to make. But more importantly there are memories to build. And if you frame your days with nature pauses you won’t miss a leaf changing.
Pause.
Pause for simple glimpses. Joy moments. This view above? Through the dusty window, the golden of a fall afternoon. The light dancing on the trees as I washed the dishes from lunch two hours before.
Focus.
Focus on simple steps. Nothing grandiose. Looking out the window. Just step outside. Take school outside. The lone zinnia in the overgrown garden just might catch your eye.
The same applies for the season of homeschooling you are in. This sometimes cross-eyed mama? I paused and noticed the younger two collaborating on an extensive block castle. The chatter between them. Wish I could put the pause button on their growing. But even so, it’s a joy to notice new skills, longer sentences, and especially a six-year-old sitting still with a Junie B. Jones book in her hands. Then there was the paper pile left behind by Middle Girl. A presidential journal all fixed up with George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Rest.
Sickness? My eldest son did ‘couch school’ this week because he is still nursing a sinus infection. But with the prompts from the wonderful nature grid from Handbook of Nature Study, he could look out the window, count the trees he could see. This eighth grader could use the binoculars and look for birds. Even when he felt bad. He also caught up on a whole lot of reading.
Eat.
Make simple recipes in celebration of the season. Just two ingredients to muffins to please many on a cool morning. Talk about pumpkins and other fall growing things. (More simple recipes in Everyday Cooking – a giveaway for you!)
Work.
Pick up a shovel and dig til you find something. For just 15 minutes – tackle something that is hanging over your head. Those appointments you need to make. Freshen up a room. Toss some laundry. Throw supper in the crock pot. Work breaks make me feel productive. Even getting a little done is better than nothing.
Look up.
Just soak up some blue sky. Sunshine. Blue makes a beautiful backdrop for fall colors.
Look down.
There’s beauty even in brown.
Go on a walk.
Take a close-by, familiar path. It just may help you find your way.
Learn.
Our favorite resources this week? Driver’s Ed app for our high schooler. Elections unit study for all. Plus I went to the Savvy Blogging Summit. Talk about continuing education. But that’s a whole ‘nother post (anyone poke fun at you for saying whole ‘nother?)
A hodgepodge collage: 1. the colors of homeschool | 2. teddy bear counter math stories | 3. U.S. Constitution and You – a favorite from Election studies along with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | 4. Let the Christmas music fill the house!| 5. Children’s choir open house at church – Middle Girl’s choir | 6. Littlest Girl’s choir singing Footsteps of Jesus | 7. Lil’ Buddy’s choir doing motions to We’re Going on a Bear Hunt | 8. strawberry watermelon Gatorade and new meds to hit Eldest Boy’s sinus infection head on.
We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. ~ Marian Wright Edleman
Many thanks to our Friday hostesses!
- Homeschool Mother’s Journal at iHomeschool Network
- Collage Friday hostess Mary at Home Grown Learners
- iPhone Photo Dump at Passport Academy
- Jamerrill at Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling
- Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
- No Fear Homeschool High School at The Daisy Head
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How are you enjoying this season – the fall season or this season of your homeschooling life? Click to leave a comment…
Phyllis at All Things Beautiful says
October 12, 2012 at 10:59 AMGetting outside and doing some nature study is a great way to get in some schooling and not miss the season, for sure. We are trying that recipe for Pumpkin muffins this week, but we are trying it with a Gluten-free cake mix. I will let you know if that works just as well. We have been battling allergy symptoms, so I can relate to trying to school through feeling bad. Looks like you had a great week despite it.
Nana says
October 12, 2012 at 11:08 AMBeautiful post…just made me want to get outside!
Forever,
N.
Angie Wright says
October 12, 2012 at 1:04 PMThe rain hits my window today. The boys were only out for a wee bit. My Tree Grid is ready on the table. As I know our Pacific Northwest is set to keep us inside til August – I am glad we took these last few weeks to be out side more. Embracing each day.
Hodgepodgemom says
October 12, 2012 at 10:43 PMOh I love following your Pacific Northwest nature studies Angie!
Jen says
October 12, 2012 at 1:15 PMYes, we definitely have to take advantage of the nice weather while it’s still around. Love how you use your mantel to display your books!
Hodgepodgemom says
October 12, 2012 at 10:45 PMThat mantel display was a big, wonderful duh moment for me! It’s right there – why not USE it? I really, really enjoy them right where we can see them.
Jenn says
October 13, 2012 at 11:06 AMLove the quote you shared at the end, and your photos too!
Such great reminders about enjoying the everyday:)
I saw a copy of How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World…bet we’ve read that book a hundred times, but it never gets old!
Heather says
October 13, 2012 at 2:41 PMThanks for the post. September was so fleeting! I wanted to bottle it up forever. Until it started to rain all the time. That made it all the more fleeting. Now it’s barely 50 and we woke up to 20 some degrees this morning. I’m still praying for an Indian Summer before a really cold, snowy winter!
Heather
Barb-Harmony Art Mom says
October 13, 2012 at 9:23 PMWe are still squeezing out some outside time, the afternoons are still quite delightful. I decided that I needed some new mums for the table so even on the cool chilly mornings I can gaze at the colorful flowers and be refreshed.
Today though was kayaking with friends, some picnicking, and then a drive home where the sunset is reflecting in the puffy clouds. Perfect end to the day.
Thanks for the reminders Tricia.
Ellen, the Bluestocking Belle says
October 14, 2012 at 2:44 PMI enjoyed this, Tricia! Sometimes the best way to appreciate anything is to notice the small things, the everyday things. That’s what life’s made of mostly, after all.
Mary says
October 14, 2012 at 4:34 PMThank you 🙂 I feel a lot more peaceful now, and I’m going to try your muffins this week.
I appreciate your support of Collage Friday. 🙂
Connie, the daisyhead says
October 18, 2012 at 3:46 PMSome lovely wisdom, my friend! With high schoolers in the house, it’s easy to get caught up in all they “need” to finish and forget to enjoy our moments. This is a wonderful reminder– they need it, too.
Thanks for linking up to HomeSchool High!