What does help us is a varying of our routines. Although, I know some families like to start at exactly the same time every day and have a schedule almost written in stone - and that works out great for many! But for us, we are much more flexible in our daily rhythms. Sometimes what works best when we get the school doldrums is to shake it up a bit and do things out of the regular order. Or in a different room. Trying to keep a sense of humor helps too! Let out some silliness and music! Leave the books and take a walk and then come back with better focus..... I'm thinking of ideas as I type this!
Even in our flexible routines, I think it is best for us to begin our school time with prayer. We pray for diligence and cheerfulness each morning and read the Word together and sing our song of the month. That does help in setting the tone for the rest of their studies. It's still hard sometimes, but it does help!
I would love to hear some suggestions on keeping school fresh for the last weeks of the year. My son just read this over my shoulder and said, "Field Trips!" Any field trip suggestions for Classical Greece and Ancient Rome?
As I close this post, I am reminded of Paul's assessment of the Thessalonians in verse 3 of the first chapter of his letter to them. Notice the motivation they had in their work - it wasn't duty, or obligation, or fear, or selfishness. It was faith, love and hope!!! This is my prayer for all of us who feel tired as we finish the last several weeks of the school year with our children:
May OUR work be produced by faith,
OUR labor be prompted by love,
and OUR endurance be inspired by hope
in our Lord Jesus.
(my paraphrase)
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1 comment:
Hi Jenni! Just stopping by, enjoyed reading your blog. Maybe for classical Greece--checking out a picture book on Greek architecture, identifying the three main types (um, can't remember what they are right now), doing a drawing lesson/coloring lesson, and then going "downtown" where ever you're at and trying to find examples of each? Of course a restaurant stop and mall trip might have to accompany! Then take pics of the building to put along side the drawings?
If you're close (within a few hours maybe?) to a museum, I'm sure they would have sections on Greece and Rome, if you're willing to do an extended field trip. We are in the middle of the Mojave Desert, so we only do one of those a year. :)
HTH, love your blog!
Nice to "meet" you!
Marla
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