Mom's Tutor School

By Ana Huron 
 

 

• A filing cabinet and a label maker is a large family’s best friend. Don’t be stingy with the folders…label one for every conceivable category. You will not be able to remember everything that happens, nor find that receipt or document that is now so desperately needed! Make a file for each child as well and put in only very special and important items such as birth certificates, social security cards, etc.
• Cook enough for leftovers, if possible.
• Delegate, delegate, delegate! Work out a responsibility chart and stick to it. By the way, we call our household jobs “responsibilities” rather than “chores”….one is a “ready response to duty” and the other is a “hard task”. We use a weekly rotation for responsibilities so that children can master their area for a whole week. Pair younger children with older ones so that they can work alongside and learn the job well.
• Start getting ready for church (or anywhere you go together) the day before. Pick out the outfits and have them pressed and ready, including socks, shoes, and accessories. Pack baby’s diaper bag also.
• I once asked my little brother how he got so smart and became a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force. He said “A steno pad”. He once walked into his office and saw his entire desk and computer covered in stick-it notes. He felt sick and wanted to turn around and go back home. A superior officer handed him a brand new steno pad and told him to transfer each item on each stick-it to that pad and bullet the list. A few moments later, his desk was clean again and he had that list. Get yourself a steno-pad and make a bulleted list. As you accomplish each item, cross it off, highlight it, erase it, check it off…whatever makes you grin from ear to ear. You may not become a lieutenant colonel, but you will get things done!
• My top tip is my Homeschool Tutor’s Schedule. I prayed for this idea after I desperately asked God to help me with my one-room schoolhouse. I just didn’t know how I could spread myself around to all the children at once! With this method, I am able to spend one-on-one time with each of my “students” and keep everyone else busy in the meantime.

 
 

I realized my possible solution after I saw my son’s college schedule. He didn’t always attend each class each day. Some classes were attended 3 times per week, some bi-weekly, and yet others once per week. The weekly classes were usually long, intense and packed; the professor gave enough homework to last the entire week. I realized that I could do the same with my “students” and so we set up a “tutor’s school”. This gives me the opportunity to give private instruction to each child and cover areas I may miss otherwise. 
 

I took a schedule sheet with hours of the day down the left side  and five days of the school week across the top. The year I started this plan, I had twins in 11^th grade, a 9^th grader, a 7^th grader, a 5^th grader, and a 3^rd grader. 
 

• Each grade is assigned a 2 hour slot on one particular day. From 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, I sit with one child (or two in the twin’s case) and go over lessons in detail.
• I use those two hours to check homework, teach new lessons, and give new homework. The subjects covered are basically the language arts (spelling, grammar, and writing) and math. Sometimes, if we have extra time, I use it to play an educational game, or just talk.
• It is understood by the other members of the family that this time is designated! Interruptions are not allowed unless someone is not breathing or bleeding profusely.
• I am available for questions or help anytime after 12:00.
• The child learning phonics has the hour between 9:00 am until 10:00 am daily. Younger ones are also included in the lessons as long as they are quiet and not disruptive. The older ones are working on their household responsibilities during this hour.
• History and science are subjects we all do together so they are taught at different times and only twice per week and never on the same day.
• Children who play instruments are also given time to practice daily.
• If I miss a child’s day due to “life”, we can make it up later in the day, perhaps, or on Saturday.
• Keep the curriculum balanced between desk work and hands-on projects so that children can remain busy with work while you are with someone. We keep history and science fun and family-centered with projects and reading aloud, whereas the language arts and math are workbook/textbook oriented. There will be days when you are needed elsewhere or are not feeling well. Children need to know when to buckle down and do what they know to do with their books and projects on their own.
• Teach children handwork or a hobby. We knit, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider on plastic canvas, use a “knifty knitter”, scrapbook, whittle, or draw. These are ways children can use their hands and show productivity. No one is ever allowed to say “I’m bored”. When all else fails, I think everyone may have a front porch/sidewalk/driveway that could use a good sweeping, a garden/landscape area that could use some weeding, etc.

 
 

When I became my children’s tutor instead of the one-room school teacher, I find that I am able to spend better, quality time with each individual child and I am a more effective teacher. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to see this idea!