September 26, 2019
How we go about homeschooling while travelling?
In the morning, before we leave the apartment, we homeschool the girls at least 5 times a week. On travel, there is no such thing as weekdays or week-ends but we insist on maintaining a healthy routine. Naema is in 3rd grade and next year, she will join a French school so her level of knowledge in French needs to be appropriate. She speaks it well because that’s the only language we used at home while living in the US. Last year, she did the 2nd grade French curriculum on Sundays with a workbook at home. We liked the method so we thought we would use the same concept this year. We were advised to go with a teacher’s book, more thorough when it came to explaining concepts and with more practice exercises. So far, we are happy with the book! We also want the girls to keep up with their English therefore we also elected to get an ELA workbook for Naema with the 3rd grade curriculum. Last but not least, we bought a Maths workbook in the US. rom what we have seen, the level in mathematics seems more advanced in the US than in France so we will keep building on what Naema learned last year. However, we will also introduce concepts that she will need next year in France like the metric system. So we carry a grand total of 3 books for Naema.
For Lana, we found a Pre-K book in French. It’s very basic but we work writing and reading skills on the side. We just found a nice collection of books in Beijing’s international bookstore to work on the sounds (in English).
Both girls will live and breathe history and geography on the journey so no need for books!
Naema usually does French or English + Maths and works roughly 1h to 1h30 per day. Teaching to one kid is easy, we have all their attention and can go very quick. Plus, Naema is a fast learner so it helps. But some times are more difficult than others depending on the mood.
Lana usually does 30 minutes on the book and we do side activities and songs for another 15-20 minutes.
Of course the girls have more free reading time during the day, depending on our activities. After reading the 1st four Harry Potter volumes this summer (volumes 5 - too dark for her age - will be for next year), Naema moved on to the Chronicles of Narnia (we are struggling to find volumes 5 and 6 so we moved to the Fives' series in French).
Lana also has her little collection of books (Petit Loup in French, Biscuit in English)
Coralie and Salah
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