What Do You Really Need to Know?

What are your learning goals for each subject in your homeschool? Do you find yourself--or your kids--becoming overwhelmed? Maybe some subjects and lessons are really brambles in the forest. Can you cut out some of the nonessential brambles?

If you feel pressured, maybe you can let something go in favor of what your kids really need to know--right now.

For instance, are your kids still struggling with reading? Teach the most used words first. 1234read.com offers a free list of essential words.

Concentrate on teaching the most important words. Then go on from there, and learn more.

No, no, I still believe in the importance of phonics. However, we can prioritize our phonics instruction to concentrate on the most used words, and how to learn them most efficiently.

I like to cluster similar word sound parts, and teach them together. For instance, if you can read and write "it," then you can learn "bit," "sit," "fit," and many more. Kids will quickly begin to see the patterns in reading and spelling. They will grow closer to the day when they become truly independent readers and learners. Then they will be equipped to learn whatever they need to know.