5 Ways to Use Technology to Boost Your Morning Homeschool Routine
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Welcome to the #TechieHomeschool IRL blog series! In this post, my guest Amy shares easy tips for incorporating techie tools that will help you maximize your homeschool morning time.
Get your day off to a fantastic start by using technology in your homeschool morning time.
By using a few online tools, you’ll love how you can relax and enjoy the experience with your kids.
Find out more about these resources plus ideas and tips on how you can include them in your homeschool.
Why Homeschool Morning Time Rocks
Do you start your homeschool day with morning time? It’s a wonderful way to begin your learning adventures at home each day.
If you’re new to homeschooling, you might be wondering what morning time means. Great questions!
Homeschool morning time is basically when the members of your homeschool gather and work on subjects together. In homeschooling world, other names for morning time are homeschool gathering time (that’s what my 5 boys and I call it), morning basket, morning meeting, and circle time.
It can be as organized or relaxed as you like. Morning time can begin at a specific time or be flexible. In fact, some families do it in the afternoon or evening!
A few of the benefits of having a homeschool morning time include:
- Customizable to best fit the needs of your family
- Time-saving because you can combine ages and stages
- Greater family connection (especially sibling relationships)
- Opportunities to learn at different levels (younger siblings are exposed to higher level concepts and older siblings get practice explaining things at a simpler level)
- Fantastic time to include electives and enrichment activities
Why Technology Is So Awesome for Homeschool Morning Time
If you’re concerned that morning time means a lot more work for you, no worries! You can enjoy this type of homeschool approach without wearing yourself out.
One of the biggest things that I’ve learned after 11+ years of homeschooling is that I don’t have to do everything myself. In fact, our homeschool thrives when I let go and outsource areas that make my life easier and less stressful.
The first place that I learned this lesson was with our homeschool morning time. When I tried to do it all on my own, I’d get so tired that I didn’t have enough to give to other subjects and to help my kids with independent work.
With technology, our homeschool morning time works smarter, not harder. We’re able to explore a variety of concepts, learn about current events (in a safe, age-appropriate way), and discover new interests.
5 Ways to Use Technology to Boost Your Morning Time
My boys and I have tried a variety of tech resources over the years in our homeschool morning time. Here are our 5 favorites:
1. CNN10
We have a relaxed routine for our morning time. We start with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. Then, it’s on to current events!
Our family doesn’t watch the news (for a variety of reasons but specifically due to anxiety). I do, however, want my boys to be aware of what’s going on in the world.
We started watching CNN10 as part of our homeschool morning time several years ago. These 10-minute recaps of world news provide just enough information without feeling overwhelming. Some of our best homeschool chats have come from watching CNN10 and processing what we’ve learned.
2. BrainPOP Homeschool
A recent addition to our homeschool morning time, BrainPOP has been an incredible way to explore a variety of topics and easily enjoy electives.
We use BrainPOP Homeschool Combo (for grades K-8). I love how you can either use the suggested daily topic or pick what you’d like to learn about that day. We’ve been able to complete required subjects for our state (Pennsylvania) like bike safety, fire safety, art, music, and health!
The best part is that I can sit back and watch the short videos with my boys. We make it a group effort to do the 10 multiple choice question quizzes (review or graded) at the end of each video. The boys enjoy explaining their rationale behind their answers and getting top scores.
In addition to the videos and quizzes, BrainPOP Homeschool has related reading, make-a-map, make-a-video, creative coding, and more.
3. Audiobooks
If I had to pick a #1 tech tool for homeschool morning time, it would have to be audiobooks.
As much as I love reading aloud to my boys, my voice can only handle so much.
Plus, it can be difficult at times to find the physical books that we want to enjoy. Audiobooks make those resources accessible (and often at more affordable prices).
First, I search our local library to see if an audiobook is available for free. LibriVox and hoopla are other fantastic places to find free audiobooks.
If I can’t find an audiobook for free, I use credits from our Audible membership. If I know that an audiobook (or series) will be a hit with my boys, I go with this option to build our collection.
…RELATED POST…
The Five Best Reasons to Listen to Audiobooks with Your Kids
4. Videos
Sometimes, you just need a visual component to really make a concept or lesson come to life.
Whenever my boys have questions or want to take a deep dive in our learning adventures, I find a video or two can be helpful. Videos have been wonderful ways to boost geography, history, music, art, and science.
I search YouTube Kids to find age-appropriate videos. Of course, we also use BrainPOP Homeschool videos.
5. Organization
To keep your homeschool morning time with technology organized and planned, I recommend using an online resource.
A simple Google Document or Sheet can be a great way to gather your ideas and store your plans (and site information).
Another cool option is Trello. This free online project management system is easy-to-use and an excellent visual tool.
Take Your Homeschool Morning Time to the Next Level!
If you’re just getting started with homeschool morning time or want to take it to the next level, technology is the way to go.
You’ll soon discover just how enjoyable and effective your morning time can be with just a few smart tools.
What are other ways to use technology in your homeschool morning time? Please share your ideas in the comments!
About the Author
Amy Milcic
As a homeschool soccer mom to 5 boys, Amy loves to use all that she learned as a mental health therapist to positively make life + learning fun.
At Rock Your Homeschool, she shares easy-to-use and creative resources, tips, and tools so you can make the most of this special time with your kids.
Techie Homeschool in Real Life Series
This post is part of the Techie Homeschool in Real Life blog series. If you are looking to increase your homeschool tech knowledge, you won't want to miss any of the guest posts! Learn more about the series and read all of the other posts included here.
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