| Author | |
marianne
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 22 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 300
|
| Posted: Aug 28 2007 at 9:24pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
What is the first schoolish thing that you do to begin the day? I need to tweak our routine already, and I'm wondering what works for others.
FYI, we are currently starting with music practice, but I think we need to warm up with something a little more gentle. (We work hard at our music around here.) I like the idea of reading aloud first, but then they are sleepy and snuggly and warm on the couch and no one wants to get up and go do anything else after we're done reading, so that is currently after lunch, kind of last thing. Thanks in advance for your ideas!
__________________
\
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 3:48am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Marianne
First thing we start with is prayers  Now I can call (and nag  ) them to come and they still drag their feet. If instead I start The Morning Offering by the time I have finished they have all run in and thrown themselves onto their knees  Soothes us all. 
Presently we start with chanting times tables and phonics chart, then maths. Not so gentle. When my oldest was about your oldest age I used to start with our faith reading. A saints or bible story, I limited it to half an hour. I did have to be disciplined as they were begging for more, felt mean but it had to be done.
I've also tried out unit study work before morning tea and seat work after mt, but that really didn't work as we were too tired and I wasn't disciplined.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
graciefaith
Forum Pro
Joined: June 08 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 361
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 4:52am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Breakfast!
We eat breakfast and before we start any kind of school work, we kneel before the altar and say the morning offering prayer, 3 Hail Mary's and then they have their private prayer.
Afterwards, we read a Bible story and a Saint story. Once i get CGS and F&L, we will add those as well. I find that if i leave Religion as the last subject, i tend to knick it off our day if we run out of time or if im being lazy. It's best we do it first and put that same importance on it as the 3R's. I usually plan some kind of craft to go along with either the Bible/Saint story and that is done after the other subjects. They love that part so they look forward to it. After we read the stories, we proceed to our other subjects.
I've seen a major change in attitude since deciding to do Religion first. It really eases them into the 3R's.
__________________
Blessed wife and mom of 3 girls, Sept. '01, Dec. '02 and Oct. '07
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Courtney
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 796
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 6:01am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We do Religion first, as well. I read a saint story or something like a Mosaic book and then proceed to F&L. After that, we usually do math or copywork. I've found if we do unit studies before math, math won't get done that day.
__________________
Courtney in Texas
Wife to Mike since 3/94 
Mom to Candace 10/97,Christopher 4/00 and Connor 11/11
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maryan
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 02 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3145
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 6:10am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Prayers
Breakfast (read a poem as we eat)
Chores -- quick ones
Bible/Catechism/Atrium (which of these depends on the day)
I'm only homeschooling one -- but the two underneath him all like to do whatever he is doing.
M kids still jump out of bed full of life...very early -- we haven't reached the groggy stage yet. So if I started on the couch with snuggling, I might never get back up!! We save that for a little bit later in the day.
__________________
Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sweetiesmom
Forum Newbie
Joined: July 31 2007
Location: Georgia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 7:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We are looking for a new schedule to start our day also. The plan is to get up, eat, chores then start our day with Religion/prayers all together. I have to have my morning shower....and I usually try to grab that once they are all at the table. I am actually going to try and follow a schedule this year for the first time. I will work with my K first on reading while the older 2 do independent work(and the younger 2 hopefully behave!). We will have scheduled time set aside to read History, Science, Geography....but maybe not everyday. And each school age child gets their own 30 min block with Mama. They are all excited. I am hoping it works!
sweetiesmom
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JuliaT
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 25 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 563
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 5:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We start our day with breakfast, chores, reading the Bible and singing some hymns. Then we have our read aloud. Next comes working with the oldest, then I work my way through to the youngest.
Blessings,
Julia
mom to 3(8,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
onemoretracy
Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 03 2006
Location: Georgia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 329
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 7:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Marianne,
This is working for us right now:
Everyone must be dressed, beds made, personal morning prayers said tidied up etc... and then downstairs for breakfast. After and often during breakfast we do a devotional reading of some sort maybe a saint story. Then we hit the books! We generally start with math just for the older ones and I do some letter and phonics work with the twins.
I am having to really be creative to spend my time with who needs the direction. My older boys (2nd and 3rd) are not really able to do all of their work independently yet and still need me to help out a lot. We do many things all together too.
Mid-morning is when things tend to come apart at the seams here. I give them a recess and run around break bc they really need it but I am having a hard time getting them back! 
__________________
Tracy
DH Lee
DS Jake-10
DS Ryan-9
DS Luke-6
DD Laine-6
DD Mary Clare-3
DD Sara (Dec.6 '08)
My Blog
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
vmalott
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 15 2006
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 536
|
| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 7:57pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't consider prayers or breakfast as schoolish, but as life, so to answer your question:
The oldest three (almost 13, 11, 8.5) have a list of daily work they may choose from to work on independently. 11yods likes to do it in order, starting with math and working down through assigned reading. The other two pick and choose what they want to start with. I'm hoping this will turn into my time to work in another room with the youngest three (6, 4.5, 3), but today it was my shower time.
This is a good way for them to work on waking up and becoming civil. They all have work to concentrate on and aren't required to work together. We save our family subjects (history, science, art, and music) for when they are finished with the daily work. By that time, they're ready to sit and listen to a read aloud or plunge into a fun project or experiment they can work on together.
Valerie
__________________
Valerie
Mom to Julia ('94), John ('96), Lizzy ('98), Connor ('01), Drew ('02), Cate ('04), Aidan ('08) and three saints in heaven
Seven Times the Fun
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
|
| Posted: Aug 30 2007 at 4:47pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We get going around 9, when everyone is breakfasted. I don't consider prayers "schoolish," either, but then this is how we "do religion," and it is how our formal day starts.
Typically we:
1) read about the saint for the day, if it's a feast day
2) do a round-robin reading of the Mass readings for the day (ie one person does first reading, another person does responsorial psalm, another does Gospel)
3) we do some collects for the morning and/or novena if we're doing novena
4) we sing the Salve Regina or other Latin hymn
5) we sing a hymn in English -- this week it's "Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies" I print the words out from the Oremus Hymnal, and if we need a playover, their site will do that, too. The Cyberhmynal is another good resource.
Alternately, we pray the Rosary, but this is our routine right now. Funny, in the course of devotions, we "cover" saints, Bible, and music, at least . . .
Then my 13yo goes to the computer to write, my 9yo sits down to do math and writing, and I read to my 5 and 3yo or put some words on the kitchen chalkboard for us to practice.
So that's how we kick off our day.
Pax,
Sally
__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angel
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293
|
| Posted: Aug 30 2007 at 6:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We generally say our Morning Offering at breakfast, then discuss Catechism and/or read from the Bible or another religious book, then some read alouds. (The kids draw while I read). After this, they get antsy so it's a good time to break for chores. After chores comes individual work.
--Angela
Three Plus Two
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
gracie4309
Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 12 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 119
|
| Posted: Aug 30 2007 at 7:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
After breakfast, grooming, chores, and prayers, we begin our "school" day
with math. This year we are using Math-U-See, and they all watch my 13yr old dd's video lesson (my boys are entranced by anthing they see on a DVD or video ). Then the boys watch their lesson while I help dd get started on her written math. After that, I help the boys with their math work. So far,
this seems to get them into schoolwork mode. After math, we generally do reading then religion, but sometimes we stick a craft in there if they are getting restless.
__________________
Grace (wife to Jim, mom of Nick-16, Mary-13, Sam-8, Paul-5, and Patrick-5)
How Sweet The Sound
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
marianne
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 22 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 300
|
| Posted: Aug 30 2007 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks for the replies! All of your routines sound wonderful!
__________________
\
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: Aug 30 2007 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
It takes my dc an hour to dress, brush hair and teeth and get breakfast eaten. 
Then it's into the living room for read aloud on the sofa. It's almost the only way I am able to get started.
This week it's been Peter Pan . Great read-aloud. 
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CathinCoffeland
Forum Pro
Joined: May 19 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 367
|
| Posted: Aug 31 2007 at 3:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I didnt notice anyone starting the day with "physical" activiity.
But after breakfast since daddy is home until 10;30 we have "family stretch".
Which is just what it sounds like simple stretches and a few basic exercises.
If the kiddos are really rambunctious we will send them out for laps around the courtyard...dd 6 loves this...ds 3 is my pokey "ferdinand" and daddy often has to chase him around
We dont get into projects/stories until daddy goes. but our "PE" time is an important part of our routine.
esp. when the winter rains come.
Maggie
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: Aug 31 2007 at 8:57pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, Maggie! I'm barely moving in the morning. Forget about exercise! I send the kids out for jumping jacks and laps when they exhibit a bit too much energy, though. :)
In the past we have started our days with Catechism and then math. (And usually the boys would begin their independent work earlier.) This year we're going to try to do some copywork/dictation between Catechism and math. Big change, I know.
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: How do you start your day?
