Patience is key to teaching I believe. Not something easy to achieve but patience in teaching, guiding and managing 2 boys goes a long way. To be patient, I guess taking in my stride helps. I have to remind myself time and again to learn the art of repeating gently when Zech does not seem to understand. I'm terrible in teaching handwriting and recently, in teaching a beginner how to read. This is something I know God wants me to work on. Encourage and motivate are 2 important guidelines for me. It's something I need to allow God to work in and through me rather than relying on my own limited abilities. On the first day of school last week, we reviewed what was taught last year. As usual, while teaching handwriting, I had to make Zech rewrite a particular letter so that it's neater and formed correctly. I realised my tone was really crucial as that motivated Zech to rewrite several times without complaining.
As I take baby steps to improve on the way I teach, I know I need more inspiration. I'm thankful for a book my friend has given to me last year. This book, 'The ministry of motherhood', emphasizes on giving grace to our precious ones, just as Jesus has given so freely to us. I've put aside some time every night to read a chapter so that as my day draws to a close, I can read and reflect, gearing myself for another brand new day.
In my homeschooling plans, God has to take centre stage. Our family theme verse from Proverbs 16:9 (A man's heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.) reminds me every morning to commit my plans to the Lord. It's one of the verses Zech memorises every day during our morning devotion. He remembers it better than I do. This time, as we start the year anew, I have taken more time to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide me every day while I teach Zech. It makes a great difference. Although I'm still busy preparing the resources and other stuff getting ready for the next day, I feel more prepared and calm compared to last year.
A few things I feel are useful as I begin the new homeschool year.
1. Little things such as filing help me in being more organised. I use many files to be organised but this is one of the most useful files which I recently bought and am using daily in homeschooling Zech. Just need to repack the file once a week. It's a file with many compartments. I divide the compartments into day 1 to day 6 and different subjects. Much easier for me to keep track and to look for things.
2. Using a pocket chart to display sight words, word cards and sentence strips is not only a classroom essential, it works for homeschool too. I bought this pocket chart from 'Growing Fun' last Dec when they had a 20% off storewide. Paid about $20 after discount.
3. Sometime late last year, it struck me that what I've always believed may not be totally right. Awful feeling! But learning to let go and embrace new ways makes one a better educator. Used to tell others how I hate using flash cards and readers. But they have a place in teaching reading I realise. When Zech first started reading independently in Mandarin, that really set me thinking. It' still not too late to discover I need to use a good mixture of methods to ensure Zech can read effectively. Balance is key here. Not over relying on flash cards etc but to make sure all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) are taught using different methods and approaches.
It's the third day of homeschool. Not a day has gone by without frustrations but I'm grateful for the reminders that cropped up every now and then when I was almost losing my cool. It's possible because all things are possible with God.
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