Our Muslim Homeschool

How to Organise a Homeschool History Trip the Charlotte Mason Way

homeschool history

One of the bonus points of a homeschool life is being able to go on field trips during term time when it’s quiet! But what are you supposed to do on a homeschool history trip?

Do you have to take all your books with you?

Do your children have to complete a project?

Do you have to collect “evidence” to prove your visit?

This blog post offers advice for each age group when attending a homeschool history field trip. 

homeschool history

Why are homeschool history trips important? 

The first piece of advice is the most important – you don’t HAVE to do anything! If all you and your children do is attend a field trip, explore your surroundings, and have a great day, then class that as a successful field trip! 

However, as homeschool mothers, we carry a heavy pressure to squeeze every learning opportunity as much as possible. So, how can you make the most of a homeschool history trip?

First, understand why a homeschool history trip is important. The Charlotte Mason philosophy encourages our children to build relationships with the topics they are studying. What better way to build a relationship with the knights of medieval times than exploring the ruins of their once-glorious castle? How better to understand the struggles of Victorian life than to trail through the London dungeons? 

By exploring history through trips as well books, children benefit from seeing their studies come to life. It allows them to experience the information first hand!

What should you do before a homeschool history trip? 

How do you prepare for a homeschool history trip? This part can create an overwhelming to-do list, if you’re not careful. So, it’s important to remember that we cannot possibly teach our children every single piece of information available. The aim of our homeschool is to create a lifelong love of learning and an appreciation of the journey. We need to spark our children’s interest.

So, before a homeschool history field trip, that is your only goal – spark their interest. Teach them just enough to create a buzz of excitement about your upcoming trip.

  • Read impressive battle stories from Arthurian legend before visiting a castle.
  • Discuss the struggles of Abdullah Quilliam before he established the UK’s first mosque.
  • Try a day living like Tudors before visiting the Tudor houses and museums. 

By creating this sense of wonder in your children, you are prepping them to make way for any new experiences the field trip has to offer. 

For your older children, encourage them to think about other things they would like to know. If they have their own set of questions they want answering during the trip, they are taking charge of their own learning and being responsible for the satisfaction of having their questions answered. 

Maybe they can research the field trip destination beforehand, and they can be the tour guide. Allow them to research what is available, and they can oversee where you go and what you do on the day.

Homeschool History: Level 1 (Under 7s) 

If following a Charlotte Mason philosophy, you’ll know the “requirements” for under 7s are minimal. The focus should be on being outside as much as possible, maybe a little arithmetic, and plenty of snuggles with living books!

But this is when a field trip comes in handy. A child under 7 can enjoy a homeschool history trip for exactly what it is – an adventure and a chance for more exploration!

Encourage your child to collect souvenirs, and I don’t mean the expensive ones from the gift shops! Maybe your child finds an interestingly shaped rock or a flower? Maybe they find it thrilling to follow a map of your location in a brochure!

Tip: Remember anything collected can either be sketched or stuck into their Book of Centuries to commemorate their historical trip through time!

Muslim homeschool curriculum book of centuries

To find out more about How to Use a Book of Centuries – CLICK HERE

The idea for this age group is to keep stoking the fire of curiosity and wonder. Children under 7 have a natural inclination to explore and ask questions. Your only job is to not get in the way!

When travelling home, or even the following day, ask your child to orally narrate what they did on their trip. Let them tell you what they understood and the connections they made.

Homeschool History: Level 2 (Ages 7-11) 

Once your child hits this age bracket, the intensity of work steps up a little bit.

Please note: this is by no means a hard and fast rule for this age group. Judge your child’s ability based on their progress rather than their age. If your child is still at the freestyle-exploration stage, leave them there! Often, they’ll show YOU signs they are ready to upgrade their learning. 

So, what can a child do on their history trip? If their trip includes a destination linked to a current area of study, your child probably already has some questions they need answering. Find out beforehand what they will have access to on your trip and help them come up with a list of questions they’d like answering. 

Another hands-on idea for your child is for them to document their trip – whether a video or photo diary, keeping a written journal, or even just collecting memorabilia for a scrapbook!

Tip: Take your Book of Centuries with you! You will probably come across lots of new information and dates on your trip. Let your child check this information against things they have already recorded in their Book of Centuries! [Purchase yours here UK  USA ]

Charlotte mason history book of centuries

Homeschool History: Level 3 (Ages 12+) 

Now is when we must get serious… right? Well, not necessarily! Once your child hits this age range, a lot of his/her studies may start to take a “serious” turn. Whether you’re thinking about secondary school or GCSEs, children will notice the expectations for their work are increasing.

A history trip is not that time. See your history trip as a blessing and a chance for your pre/teen to get back to enjoying learning and seeing what they can soak up without an official plan. Children absorb a lot more information when they don’t think they HAVE to! 

However, if you or your child are eager for more, set a history trip as part of a greater research project.

  • They don’t just have to visit Stonehenge; they are researching the impact of religion and spirituality in pre-historic Britain! 
  • They’re not just visiting Gettysburg National Military Park; they are creating their own timeline and map of the civil war.
  • They’re not just visiting Titanic Belfast; they are putting together an engineering report of the safety requirements for a cruise ship.
  • They’re not just visiting Mesa Verde National Park; they are researching the Native American contribution to civilisation.

Helping your child build connections with what they are seeing on their trip with other areas of study is a guaranteed way to embrace the Charlotte Mason mentality during their older years. Education is a study of relationships, and a history trip is a fantastic way for older children to appreciate how their different areas of study are interconnected. 

Once you get home

The days after a homeschool trip are a great time to soak in what you have all experienced and learnt. Whether you have an informal discussion or even go as far as to put on a presentation for family members! Find a way to recap or narrate your experiences and spend time with what you have learnt before moving on to the next topic. And that means you too! Join in with the children and show them that learning truly is a lifelong pursuit.

Keep focused

As you can see, there is no right or wrong way to go on a homeschool history trip. But what is important is that you remember your focus as a Charlotte Mason homeschool:

  • Discuss how topics are related.
  • Facilitate your child building their own relationship with their topic.
  • Remind them of the disciplines and habits required when out of the house.
  • Narrate back what they have learnt in a range of creative ways. 

What do you do on your homeschool history trips? Leave a comment with your history trip recommendations!

[Don’t forget to order your Book of Centuries here UK  USA .] 

Related: Muslim Homeschool Curriculum: How to Use a Book of Centuries

Related: Charlotte Mason in Our Homeschool Centuries

How to Start Homeschooling

Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

I teach you how to craft a curriculum for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources, and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home. 

how to start homeschooling

I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!

Interested?

Launch Your Homeschool enrolment is currently closed.

Doors open July 2022, insha’Allah. 

JOIN THE WAITING LIST HERE: 

Peace and love,

History of Islam

The History of Islam in the UK

History of Islam

One of the main benefits of homeschooling our children is the freedom to teach the subjects we feel are important. One of those subjects is the history of Islam. We want our children to not only learn about their Islamic history but to feel connected to it. A Charlotte Mason education is focused on building connections and relationships with the things our children are learning. Visiting historically significant sites is a key way to bring history alive.

History of Islam

By educating our children at home, we don’t have to abide by the school timings. We can use our days to take our homeschool on the road and explore history in the real world. 

History of Islam in Your Homeschool

As Muslim parents we feel pressure to push our children towards Islamic studies like Qur’an and Islamic history. However, like with most subjects under the Charlotte Mason philosophy, our children need to be engaged. We have to spark their interest and ignite their passion for the subject. To do this, sometimes books, crafts and games are enough. But if you have the chance to bring your lesson to life in the big wide world, you should take it. 

Tip: Don’t forget to take your Book of Centuries with you and fill it with all the new dates and people you learn about!

The Charlotte Mason philosophy encourages us to nurture relationships with the material and with each other. It encourages us to build connections and appreciate the knowledge we gain. What better way to do that than to take your children on a fun field trip? Field trips allow children to experience history for themselves and create valuable memories.

Does Islam have history in the UK?

When we think about the history of Islam, our mind very rarely considers the British Isles. However, the UK has some of the richest Islamic history in the Western world. Knowing we have such easy access to our own history on this island is exciting – and one way to transfer that excitement to our children is to help them experience it for themselves. Here are some fantastic history trips around the UK to enrich your lessons on the history of Islam.

Cambridge Eco Mosque

The Cambridge Central mosque boasts stunning architecture of both English and Islamic influences. By growing up in the West, your children will feel connected to this combination of cultures. This mosque focuses on connecting the human experience with the natural world. So the building goes beyond stone and marble and integrates nature throughout its design. It’s surrounding Islamic gardens will be a joy for any nature study enthusiasts following the Charlotte Mason philosophy. Children will see the importance of nature in a spiritual sense when exploring the beautiful gardens. 

History of Islam
Image credit :cambridgecentralmosque.org

You can visit this mosque as a family or book a guided tour through the grounds and gardens. The mosque even has an interactive exhibition open daily. This exhibition explores the scientific influences in the history of Islam from the 9th to 16th centuries. 

However, Cambridge Central mosque does not just highlight the history of Islamic civilisation and architecture. It is carving its name in modern history by being one of the first Islamic establishments to embrace an eco-friendly and sustainable existence.  

Activity Idea: Take your nature journals! Observe the beautiful gardens and select your favourite parts to sketch and colour in your journal.

RELATED: Teach Islamic History + Book List

Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool

You cannot discuss the history of Islam in the UK without mentioning the very first UK mosque. Founded in 1887 by Abdullah Quilliam, a Victorian English convert, this mosque boasts an impressive history. Children will love learning about his life and the trials he went through when establishing this mosque. 

History of Islam
Image credit :abdullahquilliam.org

Please note: as of the time of writing, the Abdullah Quilliam society is currently working on restoring and expanding the mosque. It is currently open for prayer times, but please check ahead before you travel there.  

Activity Idea: Life in Victorian England had its challenges for Muslims. Setting up the first mosque couldn’t have been an easy task. Learn what you can about the trials and triumphs of Abdullah Quilliam. Keep it fun and have your child orally narrate what they learnt on the way home.

The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world at the British Museum

The British Museum in London has a spectacular collection of galleries covering a wide range of historical periods. Interestingly, the museum has two rooms dedicated to the history of Islam. The display is called The Albukhary Foundation Gallery. 

History of Islam
Image credit: islamicworld.britishmuseum.org

While the website contains extensive videos and images for children to examine, nothing beats experiencing collections in real life. Booking a trip to this museum is enlightening for children. Let your children see how the history of Islam fits in with the rest of the world. Because, the history of Islam is not something separate – it is integrated into other time periods and civilisations.

Activity Idea: When looking at the exhibition, encourage your children to select the piece they like the most. They can either sketch it, write about it, or talk about it with you. Maybe it’s something you can research further at home!

Victoria and Albert Museum – Islamic Art Exhibition

This stunning museum in London holds a magnificent collection of Islamic art. With over 19,000 items from around the world, this exhibition explores the evolution of Islamic artistic influences dating back to the 7th Century.

History of islam
Image credit: http://www.vam.ac.uk

The similarities of these pieces whilst maintaining some beauty of each culture they originate from truly sets this collection apart. Your children will learn from each collection how Islam does not erase your culture, it simply enhances it with its beauty.

Activity Idea: Don’t forget your sketchbooks! Geometric patterns and calligraphy text are key elements of Islamic art. Allow your children to take their sketchbooks and attempt to replicate some of the beautiful patterns they come across.

RELATED: 10 Wonderful Art and Craft Ideas for Homeschool History

Halal Tourism Britain – Guided Tours

Like Cambridge Central Mosque, Halal Tourism Britain is making history by being led by Britain’s first professionally-trained Muslim tour guide. These tours allow you to travel through London and some of the UK’s biggest tourism spots. If you book one of their guided tours, you can see places like Trafalgar Square and Lambeth in new ways. You and your family can learn about Islamic influences dating as far back as the Ottomans. 

History of Islam
Image credit: halaltourismbritain.com

Activity Idea: Collect memorabilia such as tickets, brochures, and maps on your tour and stick them together in a collage of your trip! You can include diary entries from your children, itineraries, photographs, etc.

Connect to the History of Islam

Above are just a few ideas for trips around the UK for you and your family. The things you will learn on these trips can become stepping stones to other places. The more you learn about the history of Islam in the UK, the more places you will find to visit. You might be surprised how much of our Islamic heritage can be found on this small island in the Western world. 

If you would like to start including the history of Islam in your Book of Centuries, sign up for the Our Muslim Homeschool newsletter and receive some free images!

Related: Muslim Homeschool Curriculum- How to Use a Book of Centuries

How to Start Homeschooling UK

Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

I teach you how to craft a curriculum for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home. 

I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!

Interested?

Launch Your Homeschool enrolment is currently closed.

Doors open Summer 2022, insha’Allah. 

JOIN THE WAITING LIST Here: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses

Peace and love,

History of Islam

10 Wonderful Art and Craft Ideas for Homeschool History

homeschool history

As homeschooling mamas, we often have a love-hate relationship with art and crafts. But understanding the value of the activity can help motivate us to not only find more crafts for our children, but to even enjoy them ourselves. When teaching history the Charlotte Mason way, craft activities can be a wonderfully creative way to change up your homeschool history lessons.

homeschool history

(This Blog Post contains affiliate link. Please see Disclaimer for more information.)

Scroll down for 10 crafts for you to use with your children. 

Homeschool history and Charlotte Mason 

One of the main aims of the Charlotte Mason philosophy is to help children develop relationships – both with the topic they are studying and those around them. Craft activities are an incredible way to achieve this.

By enjoying a hands-on activity in your homeschool history lessons, your children will have something tangible to experiment with and explore. They have a chance to put their own slant on a history project and express their understanding in a fun and practical way. Additionally, children will build their own memories and visualise historical events and figures as they work their way through each project. 

Another key aspect of Charlotte Mason philosophy is nurturing children’s ability to express their learning. Whether this is through an oral narration where they repeat back what they have learnt or through a written narration where they summarise the points they felt were important from their reading. But a history craft, and the discussion it inspires, is also a perfect way to have your child narrate what they understand in a natural, organic way. 

10 Homeschool History Crafts

1. Timeline 

Having a history timeline is an ideal way to visualise the order of historical events. Children can be their own historian as they record the dates and events of different periods. 

A fun way to do this is to create a history timeline on the wall or large poster board, like this one. Children add their own items or images to each historical period. They can add whatever they like: paintings, collages, photos, or little facts. 

For the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, you can use some free Seerah timeline images by signing up here.  

If you are pushed for space or prefer to keep the timeline contained, your children can keep a timeline notebook in a Book of Centuries. Purchase Our Muslim Homeschool’s very own Book of Centuries HERE, complete with an Islamic calendar! 

2. Build Al-Aqsa 

Masjid al-Aqsa is a place so rich in history that people dedicate their lives to it without ever knowing everything. As Muslims we have a special connection to this place and it makes a valuable addition to any homeschool history curriculum. 

Help your children bring the site of al-Aqsa alive by building their own 3D model. Using cereal boxes, plastic bottles and any other junk materials from around the house, children can get hands on with this activity. Use this diagram to get an accurate idea of the layout of the building and its surroundings.

This is a chance to talk about some fantastic moments in Islamic history such as Isra and Miraj, the Crusades and Salahuddin Ayoubi. 

Homeschool history

Related: How to Teach Islamic History + Book List

3. Who’s Who Game 

In history, there are numerous people for children to remember. Turn this challenge into a fun game by making “Who’s Who?” cards.

How to Play:

  • Firstly, create individual cards for each important person you are studying.
  • Secondly, include physical descriptions, achievements and general clues explaining who they are.
  • Then, one person picks a card at random and keeps it hidden.
  • The other players have to ask questions to guess who is on the card. 

The beauty of this game is it can be replicated for any time period, whether the Wars of the Roses during the time of the Tudors, or the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

As an example, take a look at this Who’s Who game of the Battle of Hastings from the English Heritage website.

4. Family History Journal 

As mentioned, Charlotte Mason stresses the importance of children building relationships with the information they are learning. What better topic to relate to than that of your own family history. Life has changed so significantly over the past few decades that you wouldn’t have to research that far back to find interesting things for your children.

Use the instructions here to make your very own family history journal. It’s important to allow children the freedom to express what they have learnt in their own way. Over time, let them draw, write, paint, or stick in photos and collages. 

5. Shoebox Time Periods 

This craft is extremely versatile and can be applied to whichever time period you’re studying. Use materials and items from around your house and grab a shoebox. Inside the shoebox, build a scene that represents a scene or location from your history lesson.

Here are some examples: 

  • If studying Ancient Egypt, you can build a pyramid, add the river Nile, and draw hieroglyphs around the side.  
  • For the Victorians, you could fashion a traditional Victorian street in London, complete with small toy models that children used to play with. 
  • If studying the American Civil War, you can build a depiction of the Battle of Gettysburg from 1863.

Use this link for further instructions and shoebox diorama ideas.

6. Famous Buildings 

Using model clay or playdough, you and your children can help each other to recreate famous historical buildings. Look at photos or documentaries, and discuss the history of the buildings as you work. You could build:

  • The Great Wall of China
  • The Colosseum in Rome
  • Pyramids
  • The Ka’ba
  • The Lincoln Memorial, etc.

7. Time Travelling Homeschool History Passport 

As you go through your various history projects, help children feel connected to and excited by the many different cultures and ways of life you are discovering. A great way to do this is to encourage children to keep their own record. 

Using the notebook tutorial for the Family History Journal, create a Time Travelling Passport. Children can draw things they discover about different time periods, stick in images they find during research, or note down their narrations. This craft can go alongside your Book of Centuries [insert purchase link here] and together they will make a wonderful record of your child’s historical discoveries and learning journey. 

Another great addition to this activity would be the Magic Treehouse books [insert Amazon link here]. This series features two children who travel back to different time periods in a magical treehouse. Your children can use their passport to document their own time-travelling adventures! 

Related:  Get FREE Seerah Timeline Images HERE

8. Get Cooking 

If there is one thing the internet has an abundance of, it’s recipes! What’s more, some recipes are child-friendly and will make a lovely addition to your homeschool history curriculum. Using different time periods and cultures, you can have themed cooking sessions. Try some of these to start off with:

homeschool history

9. Historical DIY

The next time you venture to the park or a local nature walk set your children a DIY tools challenge. During the Stone Age prehistoric people utilised stone, trees and leaves to craft basic tools. See what your children can create and bring home as a prehistoric souvenir. They could even draw their creations in their Time Travelling Passport! 

If you need some ideas, check out these engineering challenge ideas!

10. Learn Through Art 

Artistic expression has changed significantly. From cave paintings of mammoths to Michelangelo’s depictions of the Book of Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A great way for children to connect and relate to these works of art is to try and replicate them for themselves. 

Because of the wide range of art projects to choose from, this project is perfect for children of different ages. They can pick any image they feel comfortable with, whether it’s a cave sketching, Egyptian drawings from tombs or complete Tudor paintings. 

Don’t forget to add the dates of the original works of art in your Book of Centuries!

UK 🇬🇧 | USA 🇺🇸 | CANADA 🇨🇦  | AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 

Related: How to use a Book of Centuries 

Creative homeschool history for everyone

As you can see, homeschool history lessons don’t have to mean reading long biographies and composing written narrations. Craft activities are a creative form of narration and an opportunity for your child to spend time with the information they have encountered. Therein lies the beauty of the Charlotte Mason philosophy – you can mould the lessons to suit you and your children!

Teaching Islamic History with Charlotte Mason + Book List

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason emphasises the importance of well-written and inspiring books, or ‘Living Books’. Parents find themselves scrambling for recommendations and booklists for their children’s subjects. When we get to history, the book search becomes even harder. Not because we can’t find decent books, but there are so many to choose from, it’s difficult to know which books will suit our family values. As Muslim parents, we need books which portray other than the Western world’s view of history.

Scroll down to find the book list of children’s Islamic history books I recommend!

This Blog-post contains affiliate links. For more information, see Disclaimer.

How to read like Charlotte Mason

The Charlotte Mason method places living books as its central focus when educating children. When they cannot read a book for themselves, it should be read aloud to them. In exposing children to a nutritious diet of elegant literature and wholesome prose, they can absorb knowledge and maintain it. 

By gradually reading decent books, children develop knowledge and intelligence by making important connections in the material they are exposed to. The beauty of Charlotte Mason’s approach to education lies in its simplicity. Being exposed to a superb selection of books is all your child needs for an enjoyable and successful education. 

How to choose Charlotte-Mason-approved books 

One of the most common questions when starting the Charlotte Mason method is: “What is a living book?”

A living book is a book which is:

  • well-written
  • provides children with new ideas
  • a book your child finds enjoyable
  • inspiring and impacts the reader
  • literary in style, where possible. (However, they do not always have to be stories)

Now, this is why it is often difficult to narrow down a solid list of living books; because it will look different for every child. Where one child may find the ‘Just So Stories’ by Rudyard Kipling delightful and entertaining, another child might find them boring and difficult to understand. 

However, well-written books are easier to identify among the bookshelves in a store or library. Finding living books is a skill you develop over time, so try not to get too overwhelmed in the early stages.

Does Charlotte Mason include Islamic history?

When researching the Charlotte Mason book lists, it can be easy to assume the history curriculum doesn’t favour an Islamic look at history. Some of the books appear to favour an Anglo-Saxon version of events, complete with the wonder of the British Empire and the valiant efforts of the crusaders. 

Charlotte Mason

However, it is important to remember that the Charlotte Mason approach is an educational philosophy, not a boxed-and-ready curriculum. You don’t have to purchase the book lists from her schools in order to benefit from her teaching advice. There is an entire world of published books to embrace, so feel free to go out for yourself and find books which suit your children and your family.

Living books inspire children, preferably in a literary way. We can easily apply this principle to Islamic books and tailor our history lessons to suit our Islamic values. Remember, we’re not looking for textbooks, and we’re not looking for books which display disjointed facts and condensed learning objectives. 

Reading and your Book of Centuries

As well as living books, a Book of Centuries will prove to be an invaluable resource. After reading a passage from a history book, help your children find the correct timeline page. They can write or draw something to represent what they heard when you were reading. Find out more about using a Book of Centuries here:

RELATED: Muslim Homeschool Curriculum – How to Use a Book of Centuries.

The Our Muslim Homeschool Book of Centuries comes with the added bonus of extra pages during the timeline of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. This gives you space to dedicate extra details to that important period and dive into the lifetime of the prophet in fun and engaging way. It also includes a timeline featuring some important dates in Islamic history from 570CE – 1924CE. Purchase yours here [link to the Amazon listing].  

Like most history lessons, it can be difficult to keep the seerah engaging for your children. By using a Book of Centuries, your child can actively engage with the stories and decide for themselves what to include in their book. For more information and guidance on keeping your seerah lessons fun and engaging, check out this post [insert blog post link here]? the seerah one is not published yet.

Book list of Islamic History Books for Kids

If you need a book list to get you started, check out my list of recommended reading for history:

101 Seerah Stories and Dua by Goodword (Ages 3-8)

Amazon UK | USA

Lore of Light: 1 by Hajjah Amina Adil

Amazon UK | USA

The Muqaddimah – An Introduction to History by Ibn Khaldun (Ages 16+)

Amazon UK | USA

A Journey Through Islamic History: A Timeline of Key Events by Yasminah Hashim (All Ages)

Amazon UK | USA

The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Leila Azzam and Aisha Gouverneur (Primary school)

Amazon UK | USA

The Age of Bliss Series by Tughra Books (Ages 9-12)

Amazon UK | USA

The Leadership and Legacy Curriculum by Rabata (All Ages)

CLICK HERE

Muhammad: His Life Based on Earliest Sources by Martin Lings (Ages 16+)

Amazon UK | USA

Muhammad Messenger to Mankind by Nur al-Din ‘Itr and Usman Ali (Secondary School)

Amazon UK | USA

Muhammad the best of creation: A glimpse of his blessed life by Sayyid Muhammad Ibn al-Alawi al-Maliki and Amjad Mahmood (Ages 16+)

Amazon UK | USA

A Philosophy of Education (The Home Education Series) by Charlotte M Mason (For parents)
Amazon UK | USA

Your ideal homeschool 

Home education gives you the freedom to choose the topics important to you and your family. The Charlotte Mason method is particularly useful for this. The focus isn’t on the subjects you study, but how you present them to your children. Using the books above, a Book of Centuries, and a relaxed approach, you can make history lessons meaningful and enjoyable for you AND your children! 

Related: Homeschool History Curriculum | Islamic & British CLICK HERE

How to Start Homeschooling UK

Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

I teach you how to craft a curriculum for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home. 

I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!

Interested?

Launch Your Homeschool enrolment is currently closed.

Doors open Summer 2022, insha’Allah. 

JOIN THE WAITING LIST Here: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses

Peace and love,

Homeschooling curriculum

Muslim Homeschool Curriculum: How to Use a Book of Centuries

What do we need to teach our children? Which books should we buy? What topics must we cover? Teaching history in a Muslim Homeschool can be tricky. How do we teach the whole history of mankind in a way that makes sense to children of different ages? This blog post will show you how a Book of Centuries will completely transform your Muslim Homeschool curriculum.

Muslim homeschool curriculum - Islamic history timeline book of centuries

What should be in a Muslim Homeschool Curriculum for History? 

When following a Charlotte Mason philosophy, history allows children to build connections between historical events. Our kids must understand how events relate to each other and be able to discuss the lessons which can be learnt. 

To do this, it is essential children learn the order of historical events. Understanding when things happened is just as important as what happened. In a history lesson, your children are probably reading a variety of books covering history from different periods and cultures. But how can we gather this information in a logical way for our kids?

Charlotte Mason recommended children get to know a few particular time periods very well, rather than skimming over a brief outline of everything. Children interested in a certain time period will often find themselves absorbed in a single period of history for longer. However, they need to gather information in a coherent way, while understanding how events relate to each other. 

This is where the Book of Centuries comes in. 

Muslim Homeschool curriculum

What is a Book of Centuries? 

A Book of Centuries sounds incredibly important, doesn’t it?

And it is.

It is an organised way for your children to process the historical facts learnt during their readings, read alouds, and history lessons. A Book of Centuries is an essential part of any Muslim homeschool curriculum.

The Book of Centuries is set up like a diary and contains blank pages waiting for your child to fill them in. To guide them, dates are written across the top of each page. These dates usually span from around 4000BC (the time of first recorded history) and the present day. 

A Book of Centuries becomes a household treasure. You can have one shared between your children or they can have one each for their own personal collection. Over their years of homeschooling, children will continue to add to their Book of Centuries, their book growing and evolving alongside their historical knowledge.

Their Book of Centuries will become a cherished possession which they return to years later and recall the incredible stories. Having a place to record their historical findings encourages children to engage with what they are learning. They practice how to critically decide which pieces of information are important enough to include. Their creativity is sparked as they choose how to display the information in their books. They can choose to either write, draw, or even glue pictures and diagrams!

WATCH THIS VIDEO

How to use a Book of Centuries in a Muslim Homeschool Curriculum 

Now for the interesting part.

You know how to approach history, you know how important a Book Centuries is for your child’s Muslim homeschool curriculum, but how do you use a Book of Centuries alongside your history readings?

Charlotte Mason, recommends your children spend at least one lesson per week working on their Book of Centuries and timeline. This means they spend about 20 minutes gathering what they have learnt throughout the week and adding to their book. 

To add an entry into their Book of Centuries, children locate the page with the correct year. Then, they add content to those pages to represent what they are learning. This could be done in different ways:

  1. Writing the date of birth and death of famous people throughout history
  2. Small sketches of important relics, events, or locations, such as pyramids or castles
  3. Pictures printed from the internet of famous people or events
  4. Parts of leaflets cut out from history field trips

Is a Book of Centuries just for History?

The Book of Centuries is a versatile resource that can be used in more than just History lessons.

For example, if your child reads about Salahuddin, they will come across dates of important battles and crusades. These dates would be added to their Book of Centuries, along will a small description of what happened. Your child might sketch the armour and weapons used at the time. Some children might include a map of Jerusalem and the grounds of Masjid al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. 

This little project may spark an interest in the crusades and the ongoing fight for authority in the Holy Lands. Your child will see how long this fight has been going on. Your child will understand how many time periods have influenced a fight that is still raging today.

As we’re taught by Charlotte Mason herself:

“…it is necessary to know something of what has gone before in order to think justly of what is occurring today.” (A Philosophy of Education, Charlotte Mason)

Charlotte Mason quote - history and book of centuries

In these ways, children are building their own unique record of history in a way that not only makes sense to them but also demonstrates how events and time periods relate to each other. Children develop an intelligent sense of time and the evolution of mankind.  

Where to buy your own Book of Centuries

Now, I’ve been where you are before. I completely adored the idea of using a Book of Centuries in my homeschool. I grabbed a blank notebook and started adding dates to the top of each page, each double spread representing 100 years. 

However, this is time-consuming, and it was incredibly confusing trying to manage the time span of 6000 years! Plus, as a Muslim homeschool, it was important to me to make acknowledge the Islamic calendar and its place in the history of our world. 

Because I know how tricky designing your own Book of Centuries can be, I have developed a book for you with the dates and setup already done. 

Muslim homeschool curriculum book of centuries

When you purchase the Our Muslim Homeschool Book of Centuries, you have a blank notebook all ready for your child with:

  • Islamic dates alongside Gregorian dates at the top of each page
  • Lists of key Islamic dates
  • Further reading suggestions
  • A page of profile cut-outs for you to get started
  • A page for your chid to record their own family history
Muslim homesschool curriculum Islamic history book of centuries

This Book of Centuries will help your child engage with their Muslim Homeschool curriculum and enjoy History lessons in an exciting way. No matter the age of your children, having a book they can add to themselves, without the work being done for them, will provide a satisfying sense of achievement, inshaAllah.

Purchase your copy straight from Amazon here: Amazon UK | Amazon USA

Muslim book fo centuries homeschool curriculum

Reading Challenge for Muslim Kids

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Summer is the perfect chance to have more time outdoors. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy a good book! You can help your children stay consistent with their reading habits and fall in love with reading with Our Summer Reading Challenge! It’ll get even the most reluctant readers excited to read and join in the fun!

Reading Challenge Our Muslim Homeschool

Why is reading important?

Reading has many benefits for children as they grow up, even if they can’t read by themselves. This is because books are a fantastic way to widen your child’s perspectives and help them understand experiences they might not normally be able to. Additionally, reading as a family gives children the opportunity to discuss topics from the book and expand their understanding even further. In this way, reading becomes a valuable bonding experience for the whole family.

How can a reading challenge help reluctant young readers?

A reading challenge is an excellent way to add some game-like fun to your reading time; your children will work together and have a goal in sight when selecting their books. By using a reading challenge, you can add a new element to your reading choices and encourage children to read outside their comfort zones and help them choose books they wouldn’t normally read. 

Our Muslim Homeschool Reading Challenge

The Our Muslim Homeschool Reading Challenge is simple – by using the 18 categories in the image below, children can spend their summer selecting new books to read and enjoy together.

The best part is the categories apply to any age group, so all your children can get involved! Have fun going to the library or bookstore and hunting for books to fit each challenge. 

By the end of the reading challenge, your children will have widened their reading experience and enjoyed a variety of books from different authors and genres. They may even find a new favourite! 

⭐Download the SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CHECKLIST HERE:Download

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Remember to share the books you will be reading using the hashtag: #OMHSReadingChallenge and enjoy seeing what other families have chosen for their summer reading challenge. 

Reading Challenge categories

Here are the 18 reading categories your children will need for the reading challenge. Now, I know some of these categories seem to be more challenging than others, so I have offered two suggestions for each category: one picture book for younger readers and one book for older readers. 

Some of these categories will overlap (a folktale may have won an award AND is also set in the Muslim world) but challenge yourself and your children to find one book for each category. Above all, remember that the more books you discover, the more fun the challenge will be! 

⭐ Download the SUMMER READING CHECKLIST HERE:Download

Book Suggestions for the Reading Challenge

If you’re struggling to find a book that meets any of the 18 categories, don’t worry! Below you’ll find some book suggestions for each category: one for young children and another for children over 10.

A book set in the Muslim World 

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams UK| USA

Oranges in No Man’s Land by Elizabeth Laird UK | USA

A book that makes you laugh 

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers UK | USA

Planet Omar books by Zanib Mian UK | USA

A book with a red cover 

Corduroy by Don Freeman UK | USA

When We Got Lost in Dreamland by Ross Welford UK | USA

A classic children’s book 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak UK | USA

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle UK | USA

A book about a prophet from the Qur’an 

Migo & Ali: Love for the Prophets by Zanib Mian UK | USA

The Great Miracle: The Story of Prophet Isa by Iqbal Ahmad Azami UK | USA

A book you have avoided reading 

This category will be completely personal to you, but make sure you look through the books you already have in your home – which one hasn’t been read yet?

A legend/folktale 

Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs by Sarah Conover UK | USA

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller UK | USA

An award-winning book 

Look Up! By Nathan Bryon – Winner of Best Illustrated and Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Award UK | USA

Asha & the Spirit Bird by Jasbinder Bilan – Winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award 2019 UK | USA

5+ poems 

A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson UK | USA

You Tell Me! By Roger McGough and Michael Rosen UK | USA

A biography 

Traveling Man by James Rumford UK | USA

Malcolm X by Arnold Adoff UK | USA

A book by an author you’ve never read before 

Similar to the category challenging you to read the book you have been avoiding, this category will be personal to you. However, here are a couple of Muslim authors you may not have come across before:

Karafu: A Freed Slave by Nahida Esmail UK

The Great Race to Sycamore Street by J. Samia Mair UK | USA

A mystery/detective book 

Officer Panda: Fingerprint Detective by Ashley Crowley UK | USA

Museum Mysteries: The Case of the Empty Crates by Steve Brezenoff UK | USA

A non-fiction book 

For younger readers, Usborne books are excellent quality with a variety of topics to choose from.

However, if your older readers would like to branch out and try something different, Heroes: Incredible True Stories of Courageous Animals by David Long is a wonderful choice UK | USA

Related: FREE Booklist for Muslim Children ages 0-5

A comic book 

My First Qur’an with Pictures by Shereen Sharief UK | USA

Science Comics series published by First Second UK | USA

A book that was published this year 

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho UK | USA

The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant UK | USA

A book with a Muslim protagonist 

The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad UK | USA

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan UK | USA

A book your mum or dad read when they were young 

The Babar Collection by Jean De Brunhoff UK | USA

Thief! By Malorie Blackman UK | USA

An audiobook

Audible UK and Audible USA has a spectacular variety of audiobooks for your whole family to choose from. On the other hand, if you would like to try some Islamic stories, Miraj Stories have a wonderful selection of audio stories and content for Muslim children.

Related: CLICK HERE to get up to 30% OFF Miraj Stories

Get the whole family involved!

The suggestions above are options for you to choose from if you need some ideas, but to get your family involved in the choosing fun, head down to your local library and find books to fit each category. 

In addition to your children enjoying the challenge, why don’t you get involved as well and find some adult books to fit the reading challenge categories?

Also, don’t forget to post your journey through the challenge by using #OMHSReadingChallenge on social media!

Happy Reading Friends!

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How to Start Homeschooling – The Muslim Parent’s Guide

It’s hard to know where to begin when you first decide to start homeschooling.

There are so many options! It seems like a blessing to have plenty of information about homeschooling available online.

However, access to so much unfiltered information can also make homeschooling appear a lot more complicated than it actually is.

Read on to find out how I can help you feel confident to start homeschooling in a stress-free way!

How to start homeschooling - the Muslim parents guide

How do you start homeschooling? 

It’s not difficult to research the benefits of homeschooling for your family. It’s easy to find a multitude of options for curriculums, reading ideas and crafty activities to do with your child. 

But how do you use all that information to teach your child in the most efficient way possible?

How do you know which curriculums are best for your unique family?

How do you maintain a beneficial schedule without homeschool lessons taking over your entire life?

Is it possible to still have time for yourself when the homeschool day is done?

How do you do it all?

All these questions build up in your mind and often lead to crippling self-doubt. Do you have what it takes to handle the full responsibility of your child’s education? 

How do you finally take the plunge and start homeschooling?

How to start homeschooling - muslim homeschooling course

Start homeschooling with ‘Launch Your Homeschool’

‘Launch Your Homeschool’ is an online course to help you find your own homeschooling path as a Muslim family. This course uses a combination of Charlotte Mason philosophy and crucial Islamic values to give you the confidence to develop your own homeschool curriculum that is suitable for your family. 

Instead of feeling anxious about the magnitude of the task before you, feel excited! You will gain the skills needed to design your own path in home education, a path which reflects your children, your family and your values.

Are you wondering if Charlotte Mason is suitable for a Muslim homeschool? Click here to find out!

Who is the course for? 

Launch Your Homeschool is dedicated to Muslim families who are striving to design their own unique homeschool life and develop their own curriculum to suit their family dynamic. 

This course is for you if:

⭐ The thought of homeschooling appeals to you but you’re not sure where to start.

⭐ You’re feeling overwhelmed by all the different options, curriculum choices and activities to do with your children.

⭐ You want to join the homeschool movement but find yourself confused and unsure how to practically get started.

⭐ You have a busy, hectic life (like most mums!) and need a self-paced course to complete in your own time

⭐ You’re a Muslim family hoping to find the right balance between your child’s Islamic and secular education.

Homeschooling Muslim girl
Start Help children memorise the Quran

What does the course offer? 

When you enrol in the ‘Launch Your Homeschool’ course, you have access to:

? A library of 17+ pre-recorded video lessons

? Accompanying fun-sheets to guide you through the lessons

? A supportive Private Facebook community

? Your very own homeschool planner

?And lots of special bonuses – CLICK HERE to find out what they are!

You have lifetime access to the course materials so you can work your way through at a pace that suits your schedule. With pre-recorded lessons, you can watch them whenever you want, pause and replay as you need to. This course is designed to be as convenient as possible, because I know how hectic life as a mum can be!

Launch Your Homeschool homeschooling course to help muslim families start homeschooling

The main skills you learn during the course are centred around homeschool planning and time management. Once you are confident in these areas, all the other homeschool obstacles will become easier and more manageable. 

With the course, you learn how to maintain motivation and consistency in your homeschool and feel confident about your journey. You will learn how to avoid common homeschooling pitfalls so you are well-prepared for your homeschool life. 

Learn all of this AND how to still dedicate time to yourself so you don’t experience homeschooler burnout! 

how to start homeschooling - the muslim parent's guide

How to access the course and start homeschooling 

Are you ready to Launch Your Homeschool? To enrol now or join the waiting list, simply click here and sign up for access to this beneficial course!

Will you start homeschooling with ‘Launch Your Homeschool’?

What are your biggest concerns when deciding to start homeschooling? Do you struggle with deciding on the best options for your family? Or maybe the thought of adding even more to your to-do list is extremely stressful!

Write in the comments and let me know what you hope to gain from the ‘Launch Your Homeschool’ course. 

If you’re curious to know how I started homeschooling my children, click here to discover our homeschool story.

CLICK HERE to learn more the course:

How to Homeschool – Get Started with this FREE eBOOK

How to Homeschool eBook

Have you decided to homeschool but you’re uncertain how to start?

When we start homeschooling, many often hit Google and Facebook groups desperately searching for answers to our many questions. Instead of answers, we often find an ocean of differing responses and come away with even more questions than when we first started! 

How do you homeschool your kids when everything is so confusing?

My new eBook, Home Eduction – What You NEED To Know is a simple beginner’s guide to all those confusing areas that prevent you from starting an amazing homeschool journey with your kids.

To get your hands on this helpful guide, simply CLICK HERE and receive the eBook for free! 

How to Homeschool eBook - Grab the free Home education ebook to find out what you need to know about how to start homeschooling

Read on and find out what’s included in this essential guide, how it can kick-start your homeschool and put all your worries at ease.

How to homeschool in your country

Legal issues are incredibly confusing for most new homeschoolers. When you first decide you want to homeschool, one of the biggest obstacles your way can be the confusion over how to legally and successfully start educating your child at home.

Home education can be simple and natural in many ways, but the legalities around it can be complicated and unclear!  

When you start homeschooling your children, it often feels like you’re going against the ‘norm’. If you have come into contact with this kind of attitude from friends, acquaintances, even family members, preparing yourself with knowledge of the expectations and legal requirements in your country will give you confidence in your decision and help you to move forward and even reassure family members around you. 

How to Homeschool eBook - Grab the free Home education ebook to find out what you need to know about how to start homeschooling

With a main focus on UK and US homeschool legal issues, this eBook answers many of the major questions you have when you first start to homeschool. And don’t worry if you live in other parts of the world, I have you covered as well with links and resources to help you find the legal homeschool information for your country! 

The Home Education eBook will give you much-needed answers to the main questions we ask ourselves before we start homeschooling:

? How involved will the government be in my homeschool?

? What is the best way to communicate with my local government?

? Do I need to deregister my child from school? And how do I do that?

? Do I need to contact my local education authority regularly?

? Can I get financial aid?

Start your homeschool by navigating the legalities with confidence!

Click here to sign up to the mailing list and receive your FREE copy!

What does your homeschool need?

Knowing your legal rights is only the start of your journey. Many new homeschoolers feel overwhelmed by the task at hand and even doubt their ability to deliver a decent education to their children.

But how do you do that? How do you know you’re making the right choices? What do you need to think about to ensure your children get the best education possible?

The Home Education eBook answers:

? Do I need to follow a set curriculum?

? Do I need teaching qualifications to homeschool my children?

? Does my country require me to track and report assessments for my kids? 

? How do meet with other homeschool families?

Stop telling yourself you can’t do this.

With the right tools, you can provide your child with a fruitful home education.

How to Homeschool eBook - Download your Free copy of the Home education book to find out what you need to know about how to start homeschooling

Tackle home education challenges

As beautiful as homeschooling is, it isn’t always simple. In fact, many of us find multiple challenges and obstacles standing in our way before we even start. However, many families continue to homeschool successfully, despite facing some tricky situations.

The Homeschool eBook offers advice regarding some tricky homeschool challenges:

? How will my children find chances to socialise?

? Can I homeschool successfully with multiple children?

? Is it possible to homeschool an only child?

? How do I juggle working and homeschooling at the same time?

Challenges such as a job or multiple children don’t prevent you from bringing home education into your family.

The Home Education eBook addresses each scenario and offers advice and reassurance along the way.

How to Homeschool eBook - Grab the free Home education ebook to find out what you need to know about how to start homeschooling

If you really and truly long to provide your kids with a home education, don’t let these challenges stand in your way. 

Every homeschool is different and that is the beauty of home education. With a variety of family dynamics and circumstances, home education is not only possible but preferred as it can fit around your unique family life.

Home education beyond primary

Most homeschool blogs and Instagram accounts seem geared towards the younger children, usually up to age 11. But what about our teenagers? What will happen to our happy home educated children as they begin to approach the age when they will need qualifications and to prepare themselves for going into the world of work or university? 

The Home Education eBook addresses this concern. It helps you paint a picture of what the options may be for older children and those wishing to apply to colleges and university. Will home education be a crutch or a valued stepping-stone? Read the eBook to find out!

Want to get your hands on the eBook?

No matter how old your children are or where you live in the world, this eBook is a valuable resource to have on hand. Save yourself the trouble of scrolling through Google and reading confusing information for hours and hours. This eBook brings all the essential information into one easy-to-read document. All you have to do is Sign Up!

CLICK HERE and receive your Free copy of Home Education – What You NEED To Know!

How to Homeschool eBook - Grab the free Home education ebook to find out what you need to know about how to start homeschooling

How to Homeschool When You’re Overwhelmed

How to homeschool in lockdown

Homeschooling is not easy. Pretending like it is only leads to further pressure and more stress! But how do you homeschool your kids when stress levels are rising and things feel like they’re falling apart?

Read on to find out how to homeschool when you’re feeling overwhelmed. 

How to Homeschool : 12 ways to homeschool when you're overwhelmed!

How to Homeschool AND Take Care of You

First of all, you need to make sure you are taken care of. You cannot possibly hope to be in the best form for your children if you are feeling depleted and stressed.

Follow your own pursuits 

When we become mothers, we find ourselves dedicating every moment we have to our kids. We forget that we are also women with our own goals, own desires, and our own dreams. Don’t neglect these! Find time in your week to follow your own pursuits whether its painting, pursuing your own learning, or playing an active sport. Try to do anything to help you wind down and feel happy and content!

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How to have a homeschool breaks 

Breaks are essential when it comes to homeschooling, but how many of us regularly take advantage of a break? We make sure to give our children breaks from their schoolwork and time for snacks or some fresh air. But make sure you also take a break and not use it as a chance to do other chores or tasks! Breaks are just as important for mum as for the kids. Use this time to have a cup of tea, meditate, or just sit outside for a little bit. These regular breaks throughout the day are extremely effective in refreshing you to continue the day ahead. 

How to homeschool when you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Charlotte Mason quote

RELATED: To find out how a homeschool day looks for us, check out Our Muslim Homeschool’s Day In The Life!

Physical needs 

As mums, we also regularly neglect our own physical needs. Make sure you’re eating properly, staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest at night. If you are feeling tired, weak, or hungry you cannot be in the best state to teach your children. By attending to your own physical needs and taking care of yourself, you will reduce the chances of burning out quickly and feeling that all-too-familiar exhaustion!

Reward yourself 

Just like your kids get rewards to motivate them and keep them on task, mums should have rewards too! As you work your way through each day, week and month of homeschooling, reward yourself. You deserve it! Homeschooling is just as challenging for you as it is for your children and you should celebrate your achievements. Whether that’s buying yourself something, taking time out to be with friends or even having a quiet night in with a bubble bath!

How to homeschool when you feel overwhelmed and stressed from our muslim homeschool
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How to have a homeschool mentality

The beauty of homeschooling is you can be as different from school as you want to be and keep the features you love. This is YOUR homeschool. So, make it yours. 

Don’t compare 

Everyone has a unique way of homeschooling because no two families are the same. Sure, we may borrow certain ideas from each other, but even our execution of those ideas varies depending on the unique differences of our children. We each face different struggles, so never compare your progress to those of other homeschools. You may be achieving things another mother struggles with. Remember, people rarely share the extent of their difficulties on social media, so avoid comparing yourself to the people you see in your Instagram and Facebook feeds. 

How to homeschool when you're overwhelmed and stress. Don't compare! From our Muslim Homeschool

Keep it simple

This is your homeschool with a limited number of children. You don’t have to accommodate for a class of 25-30 children. So, do yourself a favour and keep your life simple! Start with the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. Then you can slowly work your way into other subjects, some of which may only require you to read a book aloud to your children and encourage some discussion.  

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Scrap it! 

If something isn’t working for you or your children, SCRAP IT. You don’t have to prove anything. Some things click with some families but cause complete chaos in another. You’re in charge, so you choose what you do as a family. When you spend time and money on a new curriculum or resource it can be tempting to keep going with it no matter what, but if it is creating negative learning experiences for your child, don’t be afraid to stop. With any new curriculum, especially the pricier ones, it’s always best to try some form of trial or sample before you commit money to it. Make sure it’s something you and your children will benefit from. 

How to homeschool when you feel overwhelmed and stressed

Be gentle

Always be gentle with yourself, particularly at the beginning of your homeschool journey. This is a hard road for even the most experienced veteran homeschoolers. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, you just get better at troubleshooting and knowing what works for you. Every new year can be like starting again and learning new things as your child grows and enters a new year/grade. Take one day at a time and celebrate the small wins. 

How to make homeschool easy

Having the right mentality is one thing, but this is much easier if you have made practical steps to making your homeschool tasks easier. Whilst the ideal scenario is sitting and working with your kids as they complete magnificent, sophisticated pieces of work, this isn’t usually the reality. Some days you’ll be lucky if you read a single book together. And that’s ok. But there are things you can incorporate into your homeschool day to make lessons a little easier. 

How to homeschool when you're overwhelmed and stressed. Charlotte Mason quote

The joy of reading aloud 

Reading aloud is probably the most popular homeschool activity. And for good reason – it is highly effective! Give your children something to work with such as Lego blocks, jigsaw puzzles or colouring. Then select a book to read to them. This can be a fictional book which is above their reading level or even a non-fiction book for subjects like History or Science. Read aloud to your kids and then discuss the contents together. You’ll be surprised by how much they absorb!

RELATED: Click here to find out what books we’ve read in our homeschool.

Gameschooling 

Learning through play has always been the primary way children learn at a young age. Thankfully, there are plenty of games out there with education and key skills built right in. Head to Word United to see some amazing examples of games with purpose. When either you or your children feel the frustration rising and the workbooks are being discarded in a huff and a puff, grab some games! Your kids won’t even realise they are still learning as they enjoy the delightful change of pace!

How to homeschool when you're overwhelmed with gameschooling

Get them online

The internet can provide more than resources for us to print and laminate. There are multiple websites which are designed to help children independently take charge of their learning. Khan Academy and Khan Academy Kids are perfect examples of programmes which facilitate your child’s learning in a range of subjects. And it’s completely free! The fact that your children can navigate these websites pretty much independently means it can grant you some extra time for a break or to get some other things done.  

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Get outside

In the end, there is no greater remedy for feeling overwhelmed than going outside. Just breathing fresh air and having gentle exercise each day will help both you and your children feel refreshed. If you want, your children can take their nature journaling supplies, but it’s not necessary. You’ll be amazed at how much learning and development happens when children are just relaxed and having fun in nature! 

How to homeschool when you're overwhelmed from our Muslim Homeschool

How do you homeschool? 

There is no doubt homeschooling WILL feel overwhelming at times, but make sure you look after yourself and take advantage of the flexibility homeschooling provides. 

How do you make life easier when homeschooling gets overwhelming? What tips do you have for making homeschool life smoother when it feels like it’s spiralling out of control?

Drop all your tips and advice in the comments below!

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How to Homeschool – 5 Essential Steps to Prepare to Homeschool

How to Homeschool - 5 Essential Steps to Start Homeschooling from Our Muslim Homeschool

The new school year is here and homeschool prep is at the forefront of our minds. This may be your first homeschool year and you’re wondering how to get started. How can you homeschool if you’ve never done it before? These 5 essential steps will show you how to homeschool easily throughout the year!

We often start the year with good intentions, meticulous plans and well-prepared resources. However, after a few weeks, we risk the ‘homeschool slump’ when the enthusiasm dips and the good intentions we started out with are difficult to maintain. With these 5 key steps, you’ll be in control of your homeschool life!

How to Homeschool - 5 Essential steps to start homeschooling! From Our Muslim Homeschool

This blog-post contains affiliate links. Please see Disclaimer for more information.

1.   Work out your daily rhythm

To discover how to homeschool in the best way possible you must realise that everyone is different. There is no one correct way to do things, so spend some time figuring out what works best for you and your family. 

During the day, structure your homeschool subjects in a way that makes the most sense for your child. If your children are more focused in the morning, get the difficult topics (like maths) out of the way first. If your children start to get a little tired around early afternoon, use that time for gentle and relaxing Poetry Time. 

How to Homeschool - 5 Essential Steps to Start Homeschooling From Our Muslim Homeschool

Figuring out what works best will go a long way in keeping your days as stress-free as possible. Your rhythm may change throughout the year – you might enjoy Poetry Time over breakfast! And that’s fine. If you pay attention to how your children respond to their subjects, you’ll know instinctively when and how you need to change things up. 

Related: Homeschool Poetry – Why bother?

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2.   Establish morning and evening routines

Even before you start homeschooling, it’s a good idea to get your whole family into a routine for each day. Routines are very different from schedules! Schedules can be restrictive by dictating what gets done and for how long, and if you have a bad day (and let’s be honest, the reality of homeschooling is things rarely go according to plan!) then the whole schedule can fly out of the window leaving you more stressed and unorganised than before!

Routines are different. Routines tell you what order to do things. This gentle structure is very helpful for children in keeping them grounded and focused. They are able to relax by anticipating what comes next in their day – whatever time that may be! 

Incorporate a routine in the morning before you start school. For example, your children have to make their bed, eat breakfast, help clear the table and then get their school things out. 

How to homeschool - 5 essential steps to start homeschooling

When it comes to the evening, nothing helps kids wind down for a good night’s sleep like a stable evening routine. As mothers, we are used to using a bedtime routine to help babies sleep through the night, but older children benefit from a bedtime routine just as much. For example: Once they finish their work for the day, they can put away their school things, eat dinner, clear the table, tidy up their toys, have a bath, read in bed, and then lights out. 

A routine is the perfect way to add structure to your day without the restrictions of a tight schedule that can easily go off track.

If you’d like to know more about using routines in your day, I talk about it more here!

Related: Productivity and Time Management for Homeschool Mums

3.   How to Homeschool and get the chores done too

Chores are something we all hope and pray we can implement with our children, but day after day we find ourselves overwhelmed with housework and it seems like no one is helping! When trying to homeschool, it can be extremely difficult to focus on enjoying the time educating your kids when a long list of chores is distracting you. 

By distributing manageable chores across your children, you achieve a number of things:

⭐It’s less stressful for you when you know certain things are taken care of. 

⭐It instils a sense of responsibility amongst your kids.

⭐They develop a meticulous love and care of their home and bedroom. 

⭐Home economics is an extremely valuable homeschool subject. Giving your children chores will teach them life skills which will prove to be priceless in their older years. 

Consider adding ‘Chore Time’ to your daily routine so you can better relax and focus on quality time with your children.

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4.   Plan your meals

Staying with the theme of organisation, meal planning goes a long way in keeping you in control. I talk about how to implement meal planning into your homeschool in my podcast: Raising Mums – Run Your Home Like A Boss

By knowing the week’s menu, you can plan your shopping ahead of time and only buy the items you need each week. This way, you save money and reduce the amount of food that goes to waste!

How to homeschool - 5 Essential Steps to Start Homeschooling From Our Muslim Homeschool

Get your children involved by asking them which meals they would like to have. Your older children could even help prepare a meal each week. This is a great opportunity for them to learn those all-important life skills!

I use a fantastic online meal planning tool called PLAN TO EAT. If you would like to try it out, they are currently running a 30-day FREE TRIAL!

CLICK HERE to sign up! 

Related: Podcast- Run Your Home Like a Boss

5.   How to plan your homeschool year

Planning is essential when homeschooling. You need to have an idea what you will use each day, otherwise you find yourself constantly frazzled trying to get resources ready on time. 

It can be very easy to fall down the ‘homeschool rabbit hole’ when looking online. The longer you search the more excited are to try every curriculum and every downloadable resource you can find. Whilst this is thrilling at first, after a while you quickly become burnt out by the amount of activities, eBooks, and videos you have at your disposal. 

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It’s impossible to predict what your entire year has in store for you, but you can find the balance between structured organisation and having freedom to change things when you need to:

⭐Yearly: Each year, have a loose plan for how you will homeschool. This plan includes books you will read, Maths and Phonics programmes, Science and History topics, etc.

⭐Every 6 weeks: This is where you can be more detailed. Using the topics and programmes you’ve already chosen, plan 6 weeks in detail. Which subtopics will you cover? Which pages of those books do you need? Which activities and worksheets need to be prepared? Gather everything together and note down your plan so each day your mind is clear, and you know exactly how to homeschool that day. 

how to homeschool - how to start homeschooling From our Muslim homeschool

Remember, you can’t possibly do everything! So, pick the topics you want and prepare the activities you can realistically get done.  

Want to know more about planning? Check out Homeschool Planning 101.

Related: Podcast-Homeschool Planning 101

What advice would you give?

When it comes to homeschooling, countless people have plenty of advice! We all need help from other homeschool mums, so please share your advice in the comments below.

What steps do you find essential when starting your homeschooling year? How do you homeschool successfully?

Share with us in the comments below!

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