Our Schedule

This is my first year with three “students” – but I already started incorporating dd#3 in January for her Kindergarten materials, so it isn’t too much of a stretch. When I start adding the more time-consuming and rigorous first grade materials after the first of the year (2012), I might panic. It never seems like I have enough “me” to go around or enough time in the day. It has helped that dd#1 has become a little more independent. She will certainly have to be more independent this year, with the goal of her doing much of her studies in a self-directed way next school year.

Daily Schedule
At 8:30, while everyone finishes their chores, dd#3 & I do her phonics and handwriting.
When finished, she is released to go have some fun on her own (which she does responsibly).

At 9, DD#1 & DD#2 join me for their math. I am “at elbow” for teaching (primarily for #2) or answering questions (both kids). As long as they work steadily through for 45 minutes, they have no homework in this subject. If they goof off, they have the rest of their lesson to complete on their own time.

They transition to working on their individual grammar workbooks for about 15 minutes and then work through Latin together for 30 minutes.

The smaller kids play with different toys in the “school area” during this time. The youngest usually goes down for a nap around 10:30. We all have a break then and the four olders get a snack while I start on lunch.

After snacks, the two older kids work together for 30 minutes on their religion schoolwork.

DD#2 is then released for the morning and DD#1 starts on her writing lesson. Once she is on the right track, DD#3 joins me for some math for about 15 minutes. Then, I finish getting lunch ready.

After lunch & cleanup, DD#1 works for 30 minutes independently on Spanish while I listen to DD#2 read aloud.

At around 1:30, the older two do between 1-4 sentences of dictation for a maximum of 15 minutes. Then, we start our History or Science studies, depending on the day. Both consist of some reading aloud, doing hands-on activities, writing, map work, drawing, coloring, and listening to music.

After the formal “school” stuff is over, dd#3 and I spend some time on a fun activity of her choosing – cooking, sewing, dress-up, crafts, me reading aloud, poetry, or drama (puppet show?).

Older DS has a lot of puzzles, Legos, blocks, and “tools” to play with during this time. He has “fun” workbooks that he can do anytime he likes. He has access to craft materials, Play-Doh, and other mess-making supplies right in our school area. The younger one so far spends some of this time in my lap or sitting on a chair scribbling nearby. He can also play with the blocks, trucks, and tools. The biggest on-going challenge for me is to keep an eye on them and make time to teach them to clean up after themselves before moving onto making bigger & better messes!

Trying a Checklist

I’ve been trying to figure out how to fit time into my day for the few items I’d like to do with Child #3 as she wants to start her formal Kindergarten work in January. The “learn to read,” handwriting/copywork, and manipulative/play-based math don’t take very long each day, but I’d like to give her an hour three times per week for her fun “K” activities.

In that vein, on this short holiday week, I tried something with Child #1 to gain some time and teach some accountability, responsibility, and self-scheduling. I gave her a checklist of all the school-related items she would have to complete on Monday through Wednesday. Each subject has a list under it and some include ‘fun’ activities. I’ve included just a few subjects to give you an idea of the list. There are notations when she needs items checked by me before moving on and ones where she needs my assistance before she begins.

Math
CLE 407 Lesson 6
CLE 407 Lesson 7
CLE 407 Lesson 8
Magic Squares: Fractions Worksheet

Map Skills
Map Skills D pg 39
Map Skills D pg 40
Map Skills D pg 41

Geography
Review all states & capitals learned to date with flashcards
States & Capitals Worksheet
*Play States/Capitals Game one time on the computer, any level.

Latin
Finish pages 48-49 by writing answers and practicing words out loud
Review vocabulary and prayers on page 26 & 50.
Complete pg 51-52
Take Latin Test

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She was so excited to be in charge of her own schedule. Her excitement knew no bounds and she reveled in her ability to decide not only what to do next but when to take a break and for how long. She went straight for the “easy” stuff and did it first. While she got a lot done on her first day, it was the fun stuff or the subjects she prefers. All the subjects she dislikes (because they involve thinking) were left undone.

On the second day, I gently encouraged her to get working on a few items of the “tougher” subjects like Writing, Spelling, or Math. Still queen of her own schedule, she ignored my gentle advice. In fact, she goofed off most of the late morning and again in the late afternoon. I kept quiet because this was meant to be a learning experience for her.

By this morning, when her younger sister had less than an hour of work to do total until done for the entire week, my oldest was in a panic. The tears were flowing and the wailing was almost as loud as the youngest when he wants to be picked up.

She counted some 18 items left and most of them were time-suckers (in her mind, at least).  She knew the rest of us were going to watch a movie this afternoon. She attempted to get a pass on all the rest of her work by whining a question about whether she needed to finish EVERYTHING before she got to watch the movie. This didn’t work, so she tried a temper-tantrum (at the age of 9 – truly humorous!) where she screamed that no one else should get to watch a movie if she didn’t. When this also did not work, she complained loudly and sobbed some more that I had given her too much work.

When at last she decided to get down to work, she was able to complete everything to my satisfaction while only missing the toddler-picked video (a Thomas the Tank Engine flick).

Perhaps in another month, we’ll try again.

Summer Plans – No Structure But Some Ideas

I thought about this previously, but was motivated to add it after reading cellista’s “Is it May or is it me?” post.

Most home schoolers I know are year rounders. We are not. I want my summer break!

I don’t want to stick to a schedule in the summer. I want to sleep in (as much as the kids will let me, that is), not have my chores done by 9:30 (start of school), or worry about getting something done each day for the official record.

Do I think learning should stop in the summer? No! Swim lessons are on the list for this summer.  I have a ‘review’ book or two for the oldest to work on “for fun” when she is “bored.” The local library will have a summer reading club that we may take part in each week. I hope to teach the eldest and possibly #2 to write in cursive using sidewalk chalk. There may even be some spur of the moment science experiments to go with the flowers and plants the kids are growing.

But if something goes wrong, if it all fails miserably, I won’t stress about it. It is summer – a time for fun in the sun and great memories. Besides, in our house, no one wants to do school on beautiful days.

And I have to plan my schedule for next year. But that is fodder for another post, another time.