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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Jan 06 2009 at 8:26pm | IP Logged
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I started out this school year with a set schedule following what I read in my Montessori books of a 3 hour block of work in the AM and another in the PM. I thought this would prevent my boys from rushing through their work to just get done so they could play. When Dec came I relaxed this somewhat as we had more family things to do like cooking, crafting, cleaning, singing, and so on. I rather enjoyed this almost unschoolingish time; but, I'm not sure if it would work over time...I have 5 boys and things can deteriorate to chaos in the blink of an eye.
So, I'm wondering what you do...follow a time schedule or just let the kids work on their own schedule. I'm not saying a schedule like Math at 8am, science at 10, etc...merely a set hours that are "school".
Thanks!
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Jackie
7 boys - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17 years
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: Jan 07 2009 at 2:05pm | IP Logged
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We try to get most of the school stuff done before lunch or shortly after. The children rotate between time working with me and time working on their own (during which they can come for brief clarification, but have to wait until I can get to them without being too disruptive to the one I'm primarily working with just then). There is no specific requirement as to how they order their time with me or their time alone. They usually hit upon an order in which they like to do their subjects based on energy/concentration level, but that doesn't hold rigidly from day to day. Breaks are allowed to clear the head from a too difficult math lesson, or whatever, but these are usually maybe 15 minutes. Sometimes a chore is accomplished as an aspect of the break - after doing Composition, someone might take the dog for a half hour walk, or something like that. I think allowing choices within the general structure helps the children to come to know themselves better -- by seeing how they approach organizing and attacking their schoolwork. The younger the child, the more the structure; *who* the child is also figures into this. We do try to keep the official school time grouped together into a particular portion of the day. Learning takes place at most other times as well, but we also need time for other things. It helps to be kind of in the same mode as one another at the same time -- too much gear-shifting doesn't make for a very peaceful Mom around here. 
Peace,
Nancy
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Willa
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| Posted: Jan 07 2009 at 4:26pm | IP Logged
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We do a seasonal approach.... if the kids are doing well with regulating their own time, we do it that way; if they seem to be having trouble with that, I might set up time parameters a bit more. My 9 year old is going through a very self-directed stage right now -- I've set up his learning things so he knows where everything is, and he just rotates from one to another. But my 6 year if left too much undirected will start bouncing off the other kids and quarrelling or getting silly.
When it's something that requires a lot of my supervising or teaching energy, I schedule it for the morning. Otherwise, it will not get done or I will fry out and become a horrible mom. Afternoons are for the looser, more self-directed things.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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Erin
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| Posted: Jan 07 2009 at 5:43pm | IP Logged
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Mooreboyz wrote:
| So, I'm wondering what you do...follow a time schedule or just let the kids work on their own schedule. I'm not saying a schedule like Math at 8am, science at 10, etc...merely a set hours that are "school". |
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Jackie
I have tried both ways and my honest opinion is with the amount of children you have and particularly with the 11 and 9yr old you need to have a set time. When I had only two schooling and less children I could be more relaxed but it doesn't work with five.
As Nancy says you can allow choices within the general structure but they need a structure just the same as a set bedtime (can you tell I'm working on the bedtime routine and seeing benefits?) For us the children know that we work between 8.30-12.30 everyday, I'll be honest and admit that it is a struggle some days as self-discipline is hard.
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Erin
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Jan 07 2009 at 6:16pm | IP Logged
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Wow, I needed to hear this today (honestly Willa I can relate, again- I am not a good 'afternoon' schooler). But what is one to do when we are all so lethargic (us being the kids here) in the am??
I also have found it was way easier to be looser with only a few kids...
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Jan 08 2009 at 1:14am | IP Logged
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I think you are right, Erin. I am going to have a set time schedule. Not only do I have a lot of kids, but right now I'm struggling with only having the nap time of my almost 2 yr old for working on intense stuff.
I do have one who is really not a morning person...he can't even eat before 10ish. I tend to be more motivated in the am and so would like everyone up and going by 8/9. This just isn't going to work for him. I'm thinking doing something like we need to work from 9 to 12 and from 1-4. If you aren't up for my breakfast, you'll need to take care of it yourself (for the older 3 anyway).
I'm trying something a bit different this week. We'll see how it works...sorta a blend of things.
Thanks for your input, everyone!
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Jackie
7 boys - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17 years
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sunshinyliving
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| Posted: Jan 08 2009 at 2:43pm | IP Logged
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Dear Jackie,
My children are roughly the same ages as yours and here is a type of schedule that works for us:
Morning Start: I lead a "classroom" type portion with all of the children. We all learn about/do several things together whether or not it is exactly on each student's particular level. For example, 5yo has speech difficulties and singing is helpful to him, so we all sing about 4 songs together (fun for all!) 7yo is studying the human body in science, so everyone colors/puts together projects for this while I read aloud our St. Paul book (which is geared for the olders). Depending on the day, I may discuss whatever Catechism point we're on, or read aloud a portion from the Treasure Box series. Regardless of age level, I make everyone listen- I think it is beneficial for review and for learning.
Next: The older two (12yo & 10yr)do work that they choose from their charts while I work with 7yo for about 30 min. You can see examples of their charts here: http://tinyurl.com/77zom2 .
Then, I go over things the olders need help with, do whatever household chores I have time for and take care of the younger children's needs.
Lunch: We start school around 10, Lunch is usually around 12:30, then I put the 1yo to sleep. (I'm pregnant, so I sometimes lay down with her and then fall asleep. The older children know that at 1:30 they must restart their work whether or not I'm there.)
After lunch:(or when I get up) I teach the older two in "classroom style" once again. We do poetry and current events during this time. Often they are given little reports or presentations to do which they give during this time.
Next:After this period, the olders work from their charts again.
I help olders with their work if needed and usually look over some finished work for them to file in their folders. Then I work with 7yo and then 5yo.
During this time, 1yo is usually busy trashing the house!
Before Dad comes home, we all clean our zones (me-kitchen and the 3 older kids swap weekly between bathrooms/dining room/living room.)
I hope you find a schedule that works well for you and your family!
Sincerely,
Diana
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Erin
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| Posted: Jan 08 2009 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
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Kristie4 wrote:
| I am not a good 'afternoon' schooler). But what is one to do when we are all so lethargic (us being the kids here) in the am?? |
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Kristie
May I be so bold as to ponder whether you are all getting enough sleep at night? I only say this from experience; for years we have been free in this area, drift of to bed whenever (aka late!) and get up late  These holidays I have been getting the younger children into bed by 8.30/9am (daylight savings and summer here) older ones have to have lights off by 10.30pm. Not only that but I am waking the dc up! They must be up by 7.30/8.00am at the latest (we are on holidays) Much to my surprise I am finding that my teenagers are getting out of bed earlier and earlier!
So I am hoping when we go back no more dragging the dc out of bed minutes before we are due to start.
Mooreboyz wrote:
| If you aren't up for my breakfast, you'll need to take care of it yourself (for the older 3 anyway). |
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Jackie
Last year in desperation I bought in the rule that if you haven't eaten by 8am you have to eat in the kitchen (no table) I'm planning on bringing the time back further this year.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Set schedule or Independence?
