LLA Newsletter Issue #12

THE LLA NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

FOUNDER’S NOTE

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT

COMING UP

FOUNDER’SNote Hey Tribe!

“BURNOUT IS MORE COMMON THAN WE MIGHT LIKE TO ADMIT, AND IT CREEPS UP SILENTLY.”

As the founder of LLA, I've had the privilege to witness firsthand the passion and dedication each of you pours into educating your learner It's a journey filled with immense rewards, but I know too well it can also be one of the most challenging paths to walk With Summer quickly approaching, so does the number one enemy of progress burnout It would pain me deeply to see any of you reach a point where the joy of teaching and learning with your children is overshadowed by exhaustion and stress

Burnout is more common than we might like to admit, and it creeps up silently Here are three signs that might indicate you ' re on the edge of burnout:

You find yourself having less patience with your child than usual, where every day feels more like a battle than a learning journey.

Lesson plans are frequently skipped or not finished, not due to a lack of trying, but from a sheer lack of energy or motivation.

You're feeling numb, just "checking the boxes" to get school " over and done with," rather than engaging in the vibrant, fulfilling educational experience you set out to create.

If any of these signs resonate with you, please know you ' re not alone, and it's okay to seek support.

In light of this, I strongly encourage you to make time to just recharge! An easy way to do this is to attend the upcoming THSC Conference, organized by our community partners This event is not just an opportunity to gather resources and ideas for your homeschooling journey but also a chance to connect with other parents who understand the highs and lows of homeschooling It's a space to find encouragement, inspiration, and practical help to rekindle your passion and prevent burnout

Remember, taking care of yourself and recognizing when you need a break or support is not a sign of weakness, but a profound strength It's essential for not just your well-being, but for your child's educational experience as well This is why LLA exists, to partner with you and lessen the load Let's take advantage of the times we are together, learn from one another, and continue to provide our children with the love and education they deserve

With Gratitude,

WAYS TO AVOID HOMESCHOOL BURNOUT:

BE FLEXIBLE!

One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is the ability to tailor our schedules. As the year winds down, allow for more flexibility in your daily routine. This might mean shorter lessons, more outdoor activities, or integrating educational field trips. This not only combats fatigue but also keeps learning engaging and exciting for the whole family!

PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE!

Burnout often occurs when we neglect our own well-being. It’s essential to prioritize self-care, ensuring that everyone takes time to rest and recharge. This could involve setting aside time for hobbies, exercise, or simply doing nothing at all. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a necessity to maintain the energy and passion for homeschooling.

LOOK BACK AND CELEBRATE!

Regularly take time to reflect on the accomplishments and progress made throughout the year. Encourage your learners to share what they’ve enjoyed most and what they’re proud of. Celebrating these achievements, big or small, can significantly boost morale and motivation. This could be as simple as a family dinner where each person shares their highlights or creating a “ year in review” scrapbook together.

WHAT’S BEEN Happening?

LAST FRIDAY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF OUR FINAL WEEK DIVING INTO THE WORLD OF DINOSAURS. WE FOCUSED ON THE CRETACEOUS PERIOD, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE LAST ERA OF THE DINOSAURS.

The Littles enjoyed learning about the Cretoxyrhina, a sea-dwelling creature that resembled a modern-day shark They created their own replicas by gluing beans to represent the polka dots on the Cretoxyrhina's back. To further develop their fine motor skills, they practiced cutting zigzags to make their very own dinosaur eggs

During Logic Club with Ms Brittany from Brighter Futures Educational Therapy, we delved into the concept of brain plasticity and how we absorb new information. As a fun challenge this semester, we are working on memorizing all the US presidents! To get there, Ms Brittany helps the learners practice memorization by playing a game that gives them tactics to remember information quickly. This week, one group even managed to memorize a sequence of 12 random colors in orderimpressive, right? Give it a shot and see how far you can go!

Ms Patrice from Unique Speech Techniques brought back Social Club for our specials, where the learners engaged in a game that emphasized the importance of waiting your turn to speak. The feedback from the learners was that they found it much more challenging than expected The team that showed the most patience and active listening skills ended up collecting the most coins and winning the challenge!

We are now getting ready for a fun-filled field trip with Sci-Tech, happening this week, to celebrate everything we have learned during our dinosaur unit! We can’t wait to see all our learners there!

Cretoxyrhina cree-tox-ee-rye-nuh

Adia

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT

Stephanie

This week, we would love to shine a spotlight on Stephanie Lambert, the Executive Director of the Texas Homeschool Coalition (THSC)

Stephanie, who was homeschooled as a child, is passionate about empowering parents to homeschool their children and she advocates for homeschooling rights in Texas.

We are so excited about Stephanie's speech at the Texas Homeschool Conventions in Fort Worth this Thursday, April 18th from 10:15AM - 1:15PM as a special guest speaker.

Hope to see you all there!

COMING UP

LLA EVENTS

Friday May 17th 11AM-2PM

LLA Field Day

Do you wish your homeschooler got to experience some of the fun things you remember from your school days?

Come join us on our very own homeschool LLA Field Day with all the classic activities from your childhood!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Sunday April 21 1-4 PM

KERA Kids Fest

Family-friendly S.T.E.A.M. fun with appearances from Xavier Riddle and Nature Cat at Klyde Warren Park

Outdoor games, such as tug-of-war, obstacles, races, relays, and more!

Food and crafts

Neurodiverse-friendly Fun for the whole family!

LEADING LITTLE ARROWS’ WEEKLY

Book Recommendations

AGES: 3-6

PREHISTORIC DEEP SEA

BY THEA FELDMAN AND COTTAGE DOOR PRESS

This is a fun book that comes with interactive flaps and wheels, sure to engage any curious little paleontologist! Learn all about elasmosaurus, nautilus, basilosaurus, and megalodon!

OUT OF THE BLUE: HOW ANIMALS EVOLVED FROM PREHISTORIC SEAS

BY ELIZABETH SHREEVE

AGES: 12+

Have you ever wondered where the first animals came from? This picture book takes you on a journey through the transition of sea creatures to dry land animals. Shreeve makes high-level scientific concepts easy to understand in this beautifully illustrated book As a homeschool parent's bonus, we found you a curriculum to go with this book!

AGES: 7-11

AGE OF ANCIENT SEA MONSTERS: PNSO FIELD GUIDE TO THE ANCIENT WORLD

BY ZHAO CHOANG AND YANG YANG

This book explores time five hundred million years ago when sea creatures lurked in Earth's waters. Learn about the evolution of sea monsters throughout the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods as they each carve out their own path