Okay, you’ve taught the trivium for twelve to fifteen weeks, and you have a good idea of how real-life over the last few weeks has measured up to the Strategic Semester Plan that you crafted. What homeschool curriculum worked? Which components did not work? What skills were mastered? Which trivium skills still need work?
One important thing to remember: favorable and unfavorable variances from the plan are completely normal! Sometimes unexpected family issues derail the best-laid programs, and everyday distractions often interrupt progress and delay fulfillment. No worries. Mastery of the three skills WILL come eventually, and you, as parents, need to keep your eyes on the long-term vision and make adjustments as necessary. If you know what your absolute, essential “yes” to-dos are for the child, it will be easier to eliminate the fluff that might seem like fun but doesn’t help you reach your goals.
To begin your discovery, complete the following “absorb, do, and connect” activities.
Absorb Activities:
Read Trim Your To-Do List with the 80/20 Rule- Watch What Stephen Covey Taught Me About Time Management (2:38)
- Learn how to give your kids Progressive Responsibility for their own work
- Be encouraged, Mom, as you Bring Order out of Disorder Every Day
- Remember education often happens when you least expect it, so relax and enjoy today (19:10)
Do Activities:
Complete an UPDATED Road Map to Mastery of Reading Skills worksheet- Complete an UPDATED Road Map to Mastery of Thinking Skills worksheet
- Complete an UPDATED Road Map to Mastery of Communication Skills worksheet
- Make a short list (either + or – ) of what homeschool curriculum did and didn’t work last semester
- Teach your kindergarten-3rd graders The 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Connect Activities:
Watch what Rafiki (Lion King) says about the past (1:03)- Pull representative academic work for the scrapbook or portfolio
- Record semester grades if you must after reading Homeschooling Secret: Wait ‘Til High School
- Keep track of highlights (honors, volunteer work, and leadership roles) for transcript
After you have compared the strategic plan to what really happened this semester in your homeschool, you you’ll want to make adjustments.
