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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 2:22pm | IP Logged
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Dawn, I really enjoyed the post on your BLOG with the pictures of your learning area...beautiful! Since I tried to post a reply, but failed, here's a tip that you, and others who use totes, might enjoy...you can use hooks on vertical surfaces, like sides of bookcases or along free wall space OR use oversize cup hooks on the underside of tables, counters or deep windowsills to hang your totes. You'll be amazed at how much space you can free up! We have a large cup hook on the underside of our family command center, for my large purse/tote, which is extremely helpful! Totes and well organized spaces are useful tools that help make implementing lesson plans easier! Disorganization seems to be one of greatest causes for getting side-tracked or derailed, even with the best of plans. A peaceful, organized environment can be as important as lesson plans and curriculum. That does not mean you have to invest a lot of money or redecorate your entire house to create a homeschool friendly space...use what you have or keep your eye open for secondhand items or relatives' castoffs, and try to think outside the box for creative ways to make your home a place where living, loving and learning together is peaceful, positive and productive! When your home and learning spaces are well-ordered you will find that you are better inclined to create meaningful lesson plans...and hopefully, follow them (at least somewhat). Even the BEST lesson plans are simply that, a PLAN....never etched in stone or granite...they are meant to be a guide, from which you can take many a wondrous sidetrip! Plan away, and remember to enjoy the journey!
Teresa, I saw your post right after posting above...you've accomplished exactly the type of things I was trying to describe! We also live in a smaller home (1450 sq. ft.)... like you, I've learned to fashion spaces where learning can flow freely and easily! Getting rid of excess and creating well-ordered spaces for learning are key to a pleasant family and homeschooling environment! You've obviously mastered that concept!
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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mariB
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 3:27pm | IP Logged
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In Vermont we are forced to keep a portfolio(one of the options) in 8 subject areas. It is kind of a pain due to the fact that I may want to do a lot orally, say in science or history, and then I think OOOOhhh! I don't have enough for our portfolio. I love the 52 week idea. Right now I have accordian files for each of the children.
We used to have to submint scope and sequences for each of our children and not vary from them. Now they only require that we submit them for the 7th grade.
I think I would love to unschool for once. No lesson plans. Just a list of arithmetic, writing, religion,history, and science and let them choose what they want to do in those areas and then do what ever the kids feel like doing that day!
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 4:19pm | IP Logged
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Servant2theKing wrote:
Teresa, I saw your post right after posting above...you've accomplished exactly the type of things I was trying to describe! We also live in a smaller home (1450 sq. ft.)... like you, I've learned to fashion spaces where learning can flow freely and easily! Getting rid of excess and creating well-ordered spaces for learning are key to a pleasant family and homeschooling environment! You've obviously mastered that concept! |
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Well, I wouldn't say "mastered." But it is working well for us at the moment. Who knows if it will continue to work, but I am hoping!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Erin
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 7:02pm | IP Logged
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Rachel
I have just completed my plans for the year. WE are due to start our new 'school' year tomorrow. So this is all fresh for me at the moment.
Let's see first I have written (in Word) an outline for 2007, ie. Language Arts and then I have sub headings such as spellling, dictation etc and write under those headings how I intend on doing these areas. I'll cut and paste a bit here:
Program Outline 2007
Language Arts
Allow an hour and a half for language arts.
1) Phonics/Reading- Daily
Immerse Mariah and Malachi in phonic sounds through repetition and games. Daily reading practice is to also be a part of this program. Both children are to be fluent readers by the end of the year. Xavier, Dominic and Chiara are to know thoroughly the double letter phonograms. Occasionally ask the older children to read aloud.
2)Copywork- Daily
Older children will write a poem or a Bible quote over a weekly period. Mariah will begin with basic letter formation. Insist on correct letter formation from all children.
I hope this gives you and idea of what I mean (and doesn't bore you) I continue this with headings for the 4Rs plus the creative arts. Obviously some headings have sub-headings like Religious Formation, may have Bible, Cathechism, saints etc.
Then I have a routinue sheet (created in Excel) I can post that if that's what you are needing. After a few years of trial and error it is fairly realistic these days. Although I'm sure by week 2 I will be back to tweak a little. I have a Kindergartner this year to add plus my dd will be expected to do more being a grade 8 student so I may need to tweak my expectations. But that's fine.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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HeatherNY
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
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Dawn:
Thank you for all your help. This post is wonderful!!!
It must have taken a while to put together. May the Lord bless you for all your efforts.
Love,
Heather
P.S. I love the picture on you on your blog. It's so warm and welcoming.
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Dawn
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| Posted: Jan 28 2007 at 5:05am | IP Logged
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Heather, thank you so much! You are very kind. 
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Paula in MN
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Yes, Dawn, thank you for posting. I can't wait for post two!!!
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Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Feb 05 2007 at 11:10am | IP Logged
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I was also inspired by Dawn's post, and all of your ideas on planning, so I finally got around to writing my own post on how I do lesson planning, with some examples of projects ds will be doing.
My planning post
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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MommyD
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| Posted: Feb 05 2007 at 11:24am | IP Logged
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Dawn, you are wonderful!! I was so inspired, I went out last night and bought a crate and made folders. I don't need the weekly folders (yet) but the seasonal folders are already working really well. THANKS!!
MommyD
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Willa
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| Posted: Feb 06 2007 at 1:38pm | IP Logged
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I was just coming here to post a link to your planning post, Theresa. I really loved the way you've set up learning centers for your children, and am trying to brainstorm ways to modify that so that it will work for my more vague, conceptual little brain I think my 11 year old would love the approach of moving from center to center, and it might work well with my special needs 7yo as well.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Lesson Planning
