Written by Amanda
As the back-to-school season approaches, we have a few tips to help ensure educators and homeschooling families are well-prepared, making this the best year yet. We have advice to help prepare for the year through practice, planning and preparation in LOE fashion.
Preparing as an LOE Educator
Calling all Logic of English teachers, administrators, homeschooling educators and tutors! We have a few recommendations to help you feel rejuvenated before the new school year. First and foremost, review phonograms, spelling rules and the spelling analysis process. Our website and YouTube channel provide free resources to help you prepare. One of our favorite resources is the Interactive Phonogram Chart, which allows you to review phonogram sounds in audio or video formats. Practice is essential!
Taking time to plan lessons is an essential characteristic of an effective educator. This means reviewing key concepts and organizing materials. Logic of English has several free resources on our website to support lesson planning. The Essentials Online Planning Guides can help any teacher break down whole-group lesson topics, online instruction, games and spelling levels for Essentials lessons. Another helpful planning resource is the Scope and Sequence for Foundations and Essentials. These valuable resources allow teachers to preview the essential skills taught in each lesson or unit.
It may be time to reorganize phonogram game tiles, flash cards or other LOE materials. When you and your students have easy access to materials, it can free up time to engage in joyful literacy activities. There are some creative ways to organize materials on our YouTube Channel. If you are using multiple LOE resources, try color coding materials based on Foundations levels or Essentials volumes.
Establish a Dedicated Routine and Learning Environment
Establishing a consistent routine can help smooth the transition from summertime to school. This may include laying clothes out the night before, using an alarm clock to wake up, planning family meals and reading bedtime stories. Some families enjoy creating checklists or visual schedules, which allow children to build independence.
Creating a dedicated learning environment can help students maintain a focused and productive mindset for school. Homeschooled families can help children organize materials and decorate their “school space” with Logic of English posters or Rhythm of Handwriting Wall Strips. Children attending school can create an at-home homework station free from distractions. They can collect materials like pens, paper and sticky notes to build a one-stop shop for study time.
Instilling the Joy of Learning
Setting aside time each day for reading, writing and educational games can energize a child’s passion for learning. Children can listen to fluent readers or audiobooks and practice reading aloud to family members or pets. This will help improve a child’s stamina when school is back in session.
Put your children in charge of making the weekly grocery list or encourage them to write cards to relatives. Students can revisit last year’s LOE workbooks to complete any blank handwriting practice or check out the free samples of Rhythm of Handwriting (manuscript and cursive).
Our Logic of English Game Book Complete Set is a fun way to review phonograms, decoding and spelling rules. A few of our favorite summer games include Phonogram Airplanes, Reading Basketball and Phonogram Obstacle Course. Choose various games from the game book and hold a LOE summer competition for your children, family or the neighborhood kids. Explore our free Logic of English Game Book samples to try out a few interactive activities!
Get Excited About School
Remember to make the start of school a positive and exciting experience to build student confidence! To build excitement, create a countdown-to-school paper chain. Plan a visit to your child’s school or its webpage to get familiar with the teachers and the school building. Students can also find a gift or create a drawing for their new teacher.
Homeschooling families can invite family or friends for a ribbon-cutting ceremony or red-carpet event to usher in the new school year. Collaborate with children to develop homeschooling goals or vision boards for the upcoming school year! We have free certificates of completion templates for Foundations and Essentials that students can work towards earning this school year.
Make This the Best Year Yet!
Preparing for a new school year involves a combination of preparation and excitement. Our dedication and enthusiasm for our students can make a huge difference. Let's remember to find joy in new beginnings, refresh our routines and habits, and make the most of this opportunity to positively impact students.
