Seven Habits of Highly Effective New School Years

Maureen Wittmann pointed me toward Maureen of Trinity Prep School's "Seven Habits" meme. This one's more than fun, though -- it's full of encouragement and ideas from all kinds of homeschoolers.

Trinity-Prep-Maureen used a literature theme for her list, so I decided to go with a fun theme, too -- haiku. If badly written haiku annoys you, just click away right now (or, as my kids love to say: "Don't look at me! I'm hideous!")

Here's my list:


1. Pray

Can't do it alone
Must turn to my God for help
He is always there

2. Look back

Hindsight sure does help
I can see what worked last year
and the failures too

3. Look ahead

Our destination:
Are we just filling a pail?
Or lighting fires?

(with thanks to William Butler Yeats who said, "Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of the fire.")

4. Talk to the kids

What delights my kids?
How can I include passions?
I must know their hearts

5. Find the right books

We so love our books
Books, like friends, enrich our lives
We'll read loads this year

6. School supplies

Supply shopping's fun
No matter where your school is
New stuff still delights

7. First Day
(this one will require two haikus)

We start out with Mass
Then we go out for breakfast
It's a tradition

With God and coffee
Our year starts out perfectly
Who could ask for more?