Family Circle Time: Plan the Best Part of Your Homeschool Day {Schoolhouse Crew Review}

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What do you think of when you think of “Circle Time”? For me, it conjures up images of happy times in elementary school… a group of kids together, singing songs and learning about each other. It was a time for celebration, a time for review, and an energetic start for the school day.

In a Homeschool, “Circle Time” is going to look a little different. Kendra Fletcher of Preschoolers and Peace wrote an ebook, Circle Time: Plan the Best Part of Your Homeschool Day to help make this morning gathering easier for Homeschool families to accomplish.

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What is Circle Time: Plan the Best Part of Your Homeschool Day

This 33 page eBook is a simple overview of a Homeschool Circle Time routine. Kendra’s Circle Time is a “catch all.” It’s not about singing a song, and talking about the calender and then moving on. In her home, they do everything from prayers and bible memorization, to current events, poetry, art and other whole-family activities.

Circle Time isn’t just a blip in the morning; it becomes the core family time during the day. Kendra suggests making any and all subjects that can be accomplished together a part of Circle Time. Her Circle Time can last as long as two hours, and includes all the members of her family.

In the book, she talks about how to get older children interested, how to keep small children happy, and how to organize your Circle Time resources. She also shares a Question and Answer session, with the questions from Homeschool Moms, and her answers.

Circle Time in Our Home

We have had a “Circle Time” routine in our home for years. I call ours “Morning Meeting.” During our Morning Meetings we do a lot. Our Morning Meetings are also used as a “catch all” time, mostly for review and memorization.

Circle Time in our home is used mostly for memorization and review. This is the time when we review our vocabulary words, practice Latin, review phonograms, learn about the calender, time, weather and patterns, and sing happy songs. Circle time signals the start of our day, and gets our bodies and brains working.

This book was not what I had expected it to be. I had anticipated it including things to do during circle time, and more concrete guidance. For example, it suggests you memorize The Kings and Queens of England, or sing songs; but it does not include the list of kings and queens, or any songs. I would have loved for this book to have more tangible resources to use during Circle Time.

Circle Time: Plan the Best Part of Your Homeschool day is a short overview and a suggestion of things you could be doing, rather than something to pick up and use with your children. It’s a tool for encouragement and ideas.In our home, Circle Time is nothing new; I have a solid routine and organizational system. This book was an encouragement to me that I was on the right track.

The printables included were very basic- a list of potential items to cover during circle time, like “history, science, math instruction, letter writing” and memorization ideas. There was also a form to help you organize your independent work and group work.

I think it would be helpful for a Homeschooler who is looking for a new way to incorporate whole-family learning into their daily routine. Kendra’s system also feels more directed towards older children than I have, so families of older kids will benefit from her ideas of bringing everyone together.

Starting our day together is one of my favorite perks of homeschooling. When we have Circle Time, the day runs more smoothly and the kids stay focused. Our routine brings my family together, and for that reason, I want to encourage you to incorporate whole-family learning into your Homeschool routine.

In a Nutshell

This 33 page book has ideas and suggestions for created a whole-family learning time in your Homeschool. Circle Time: Plan the Best Part of Your Homeschool day contains ideas and suggestions for bringing the whole family together, including young children, suggestions for things to learn together, and planning forms. Read more reviews from other Homeschoolers by clicking the banner below.

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Purchasing Information

This eBook is available from Preschoolers and Peace for $4.99

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