January has arrived! School will begin once again. Could anyone use a jump-start? Perhaps one of these ideas might help:

Time to Review Ask yourself, why am I doing this? Who called me to homeschooling? Spend some time remembering your goal. It is so easy to forget the goal, and without a vision--well, where are you? As youbegin to refocus, allow some joy to enter your heart.  There is a great deal of work to teaching your own children, but there should also be a freedom ofspirit, a joy in the fact that we are actually able to put our hand to this glorious task!

 Humor Try some new jokes from a good joke book as a class opener. Repeat as necessary to keep a degree of humor in your classroom. We're not talking about disrespectful silliness here, but just a good laugh, now and then to keep up spirits. Remember that happy little minds take in and retain far more than glum ones.  Cheerfulness is important!

 Find the Help You Need  If you are having a particular problem or two with your homeschooling experience, take the time to find answers. There are books, yourFCHM group, different curricula, veteran          homeschool teachers, and the Lord who grants wisdom and who has promised He will never leave you on your own. Don't keep going for another semester without dealing with the issue that needs your     attention. Get outside help, if you need it. Be your child's leader and problem solver, and your student will eventually learn how to lead and how to solve problems from your example!

 Kudos for Nature  If you are a teacher who has been dragging her feet over going outside with her children and doing some investigating and simple nature journaling, then consider this: Everything in our American culture today is warring against us getting out. Yes, from garage door openers, to video games,and so much in between. So, don't let it escape your notice that there are tremendous benefits to soul and  character from spending a bit of time each day admiring and wondering over the world that has been created for us. How will your children know what the Lord has made, if they are never outside? The more time spent, the greater the possibilities for worship!

 A New Beginning You thought I was going to leave this one out, didn't you? But here it is!  We have just entered a new year.  It reminds me of a line from the Anne of Green Gables movies, a fresh new year with "no mistakes in it, yet."  If there are some aspects of the home- schooling experience that you wish could be changed or left behind, now is your chance!

 It always helps to remember that the homeschool teaching experience is just like any other teaching position. There is trial and error, and much developing on the part of the teacher, as well as the student. You           certainly can try several different teaching techniques, and the time spent finding the ones that work for you, and for each of your children, is time well spent.

 Passionate vs. Driven Perhaps children do not learn as well from "driven" teachers. This is because it is actually fear that drives.  When a teacher becomes afraid she will fail, or that she is not checking off enough "to do's," or that perhaps she is [gasp] "behind," she presses harder.  This fear transfers to her students, and actually causes them to turn away from--rather than to turn toward--learning.  If fear is an issue, make sure it's dealt with outside the classroom--get to a place of peace and genuine confidence that you will accomplish every necessary detail in due time. 

A passionate teacher, on the other hand, teaches from love. It is her love of learning and sharing concepts, her excitement and sense of wonder for each subject, that inevitably draws her students gently and steadily into the cavernous world of academics.  A passionate teacher desires that her students learn, but knows that it's okay to slow down when necessary to solidify a concept, and to speed up at times to prevent boredom. She continually lets her joy overcome her fears.

So, go ahead. Take that refreshing deep breath. Enjoy the new semester, your children's sweet faces and all the wonders that you have been waiting to explore together. There are so few children in the entire world who are blessed in having this kind of educational experience, and you will do great!

Jane Lambert, beloved speaker and author of the Five in a Row series, lives with her husband Steve in Lees Summit, MO.  The Lamberts are favorite speakers at homeschool conferences and events across the country.  We are privileged to glean from their insight and experience, as they serve on the FCHM Executive Board of Directors.

Over this past year we have been getting inquiries regarding insurance for FCHM co-ops.  Questions arise because the church or building owner requires the co-op that is renting or using the space to have a standard liability policy.  Churches ask for this to protect themselves if a student or family member gets hurt during the period that the co-op is occupying the property.In the insurance and property world, this is somewhat standard. The property owner wants protection in the event that they are sued. The limit is usually one million.

Finding insurance can be tricky. 

 The rest of this article is in the FCHM Leadership Ezine

Scott resides in Vancouver, WA near the beautiful Columbia River.  He has been in Risk Managment for over 20 years, and serves on Executive Board of FCHM.