EVERYONE NEEDS ACCOUNTABILITY
For Something - Even Adults - So Why Wouldn't Kids?
There are times, many times, since homeschooling that my kids worked independently. However, the quality of their work while done independent is debatable.
WHY KIDS NEED ACCOUNTABILITY
- To show off their work
- To make sure they are on task and not confused
- To teach them to share their progress, understanding of a topic, or challenges
- To teach them that no matter what work you do, recalling it is necessary, fun and useful for deepening the learning
HAVE THEM TRY TO FIGURE THE PROBLEMS OUT BY EXPLAINING WHAT THEY UNDERSTAND
Accountability isn't always about having your kid show you what they've learned, or making sure they did the work that they were supposed to. It's about teaching them a method about discussing what they don't understand, don't like to do, or love to do and how to explain that to another person without it being stressful.
CLEARLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Before they start a lesson or assignments, explain what they will be accountable for, what the time frame is, and the consequences of not finishing. This doesn't have to be about punishment but about choices.
For example, "If you don't finish your math this week, that work will go to the weekend and you won't be able to do any extra-curricular activities until it's done. I'm excited to know what you think about this topic."
MAKE IT ABOUT THEM TEACHING YOU
My kids loved giving a weekly presentation on what they learned that week. We'd select a different topic each week and they would summarize it, break down the lesson and teach us.
ACCOUNTABILITY isn't JUST FOR THE KIDS, but FOR OURSELVES to KEEP THE COMMUNICATION OPEN and teach our kids that learning at home is a partnership.
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