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TracyFD
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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I am in the middle of burn out, we will eventually finished what we began for this year (we are halfway through), and I am dreaming of a different schedule, a different homeschooling experience . . . but am not ready to head the direction of unschooling!
This year, our "together" subjects are Lingua Angelica, Logic of English, English from the Roots Up, read alouds, art, and music appreciation. Pretty much everything else is independent: Teaching Textbooks, Phonetic Zoo or Wordly Wise, science, history, geography, Memoria Press Latin, poetry memorization, handwriting, religion, art appreciation & music listening, etc.
I like that my kids can usually accomplish this with a weekly checklist, and that it frees up some time for me to spend with my kindergartener.
What I do not like: our morning Together Time is regularly interrupted by speech therapy, a science class, weekday get-togethers with other homeschoolers, etc.
Other aspects that are not really working: relationships, discussion, cohesiveness among siblings and myself. I feel like a list maker instead of being involved in learning history and science. I tend to double up on some subjects (Latin, music, art, history reading) just to unite us all. Result - we get overloading trying to get to it all!
I am not completely sure this style of independent learning is the best for my 7th, soon to be 8th grader. I mean, it's great that she can work independently, but I hardly ever see her. She goes off by herself and when I sit down to engage her in narration/discussion she is very short and tight lipped, in spite of the years we have incorporated narration. I imagined this age to be more . . . Socratic. I think she would benefit from a school setting with peer discussion and expert teachers with a passion for teaching the subject.
I feel as if I have two choices: continue to be more structured and independent, but enroll in a homeschool so we get some support and online/telephone classes OR get the family back together for history and science.
So, if I were to go with the latter, and have the sort of schedule that would keep me happier and healthier (one that includes exercise), I am still not sure how I would fit it all in to a day and still have time to teach my 6yo to read, do phonics, math, and possibly FIAR.
This is what I have in mind -
All Together:
* go to the YMCA around 10am or 4pm (3-4x/wk)(I think this my take up a 2 hour time block with travel and a shower for mom)
* Connecting with History (daily)
* Science - such as Apologia with notebooking (2x/wk)
* Visual Latin (instead of Memoria Press)
* Classically Catholic Memory (daily)
* Art (2x/week)
Music Appreciation (2x/wk or listening over lunch)
Independent:
* spelling (Phonetic Zoo or Wordly Wise)
* grammar (undecided)
* math (TT)
* literature and history books
Guided:
* Writing skills and assignments (Story Starters? We've done a lot of IEW)
* Suzuki music practice (adds up to about 3 hours a day if I sit and supervise like I am sort of supposed to)
Not Sure:
* unsure if we would use CWH or CCM for poetry memorization/copywork
* unsure if CWH and CCM would cover enough religion, or if we should continue catechism or the Writing Your Catholic Faith handwriting books
Every "schedule" I sketch out (4 days a week) has room for everything - except time to teach my 6yo. And - every scenario I come up with eliminates the 4x/wk ballet class for my eldest. She will be crushed, but there's only so much time and money!
Ideas? Suggestions? How do I fit everything in? What should I cross off the list? 
__________________
Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle
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Mom21
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 1:33pm | IP Logged
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TracyFD wrote:
| I am in the middle of burn out, we will eventually finished what we began for this year (we are halfway through), and I am dreaming of a different schedule, a different homeschooling experience . . . but am not ready to head the direction of unschooling! |
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This first sentence stuck out as I read your post. My only suggestions is that you DON'T make any major decisions at this time. Let this winter period pass and then re-evaluate. I read just this week that many homeschoolers make major decisions about their homeschool situation because of the time of year . . . it's cold, dreary, mundane, holidays are done, etc. Maybe it's not the homeschool situation you're in but more so your frame of mind at this time of year. I know I'm tired of the daily grind of homeschooling but I don't make any major decisions at this time because I know it's because of this time of year.
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Aagot
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 1:57pm | IP Logged
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Tracy,
A few questions. If you went to the Y at 10, would you have already done some school work? What time do you want to start school?Also, what time is your dd's ballet? Can you be working out while she does ballet?
This may seem very drastic to you but here is what I would do.
Math 4xs/week
Reading aloud or on own, this would be living books from History, Science, and Religion. one subject per day the 4th day would be for art&music appreciation.
Writing- write one page narration for the reading of that day. The 4 th day could be Story Starters or grammar
That would be max three hours at min about 11/2 hrs. You could work with 6 yr old while the others are doing math and writing.
That is it. If you want to add on spelling, latin and poetry on their own okay. I would use the spelling time as handwriting practice.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 2:12pm | IP Logged
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I would make 2 lists.
1. List the skills you want to build daily. Ex: Math - basic facts. Reading - spelling words. Writing - handwriting. Religion - memorize prayers. List as many as you want - your dream list. Now rank them.
2. List the broad knowledge and content you would like to cover. Ex: Lent, The Civil War, Mozart. Again, list as many as you want and rank them.
Next, look at your highest priorities.
For the first list, choose your (you and your student's) top 3-6 and use only THE BEST resource you have. Put the rest on the shelf for later. Challenge yourself to get each of these down to between 10 and 20 minutes a day. See if you can stack them together at your prime time (usually morning.)
For the second list choose your (you and your student's) highest priority and work on it thoroughly. Try to find creative ways to combine other subject matter into the content (Unit Study approach). Focus mainly on the people or characters involved. Read living books, rent movies, go to museums, listen to music. Master it! Then move onto the next priority.
If teaching your 6yo and your daughter's ballet classes are among your highest priorities, put them at the top of the list!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
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Hi Tracy,
I'm so sorry you're facing a challenging time...but honestly...it's not abnormal! I do think we all face it, and this time of year is actually a really good time of year to start doing some evaluating like you're doing. You've seen what works, what doesn't...and you're looking to do some brainstorming to bring some things back in line with a gentler, more enjoyable home education experience! GREAT!!
I'm in for brainstorming!
My first observation is that you have a lot that's redundant so my recommendations are going to be along the lines of Aagot's and they're going to eliminate some of the things you've got going on.
TracyFD wrote:
| This year, our "together" subjects are Lingua Angelica, Logic of English, English from the Roots Up, read alouds, art, and music appreciation. Pretty much everything else is independent: Teaching Textbooks, Phonetic Zoo or Wordly Wise, science, history, geography, Memoria Press Latin, poetry memorization, handwriting, religion, art appreciation & music listening, etc. |
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My first suggestion is to flip some of your independent and together work so that it looks something like this:
Together Time (that can be in the morning, or if your mornings are really busy-running times...why not after lunch tea-times?) These together subjects can be spread out over a week...with about 10-20 min tops on each subject.
:: Read aloud
:: Art (1x/week) - to include art appreciation
:: Music (1x/week) - to include informal music appreciation through listening to classical/studied works
:: Poetry - read aloud and memory work
:: Latin (I'd work on a Latin hymn or a little vocabulary all together...then let an older student complete a Latin lesson independently if they've had enough Latin to do that. Otherwise, I'd keep everyone together.)
Independent work:
:: TT
:: Latin, but only independent for the 7th/8th grader if she's ready to move ahead independently
:: Science
:: History
:: Religion
:: Penmanship
Tracy wrote:
| I like that my kids can usually accomplish this with a weekly checklist, and that it frees up some time for me to spend with my kindergartener. |
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Great! Keep that since it's working well for you then!
Tracy wrote:
| What I do not like: our morning Together Time is regularly interrupted by speech therapy, a science class, weekday get-togethers with other homeschoolers, etc. |
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Two suggestions:
Eliminate some of what you're trying to do together, and don't think you have to do every single subject every single day. Art, once a week is fine. Poetry, read aloud once a week is fine. So with your schedule, I'd probably shoot for something a little more realistic -
Streamlined Together Time
:: Read aloud 5x/week (from a variety of books if you like - maybe one day a picture book, another day from science or natural history book, another day from another book...and so on.)
:: Divide up the other things you want to hit and do one of them in addition to your read aloud.
Tracy wrote:
| Other aspects that are not really working: relationships, discussion, cohesiveness among siblings and myself. I feel like a list maker instead of being involved in learning history and science. I tend to double up on some subjects (Latin, music, art, history reading) just to unite us all. Result - we get overloading trying to get to it all! |
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Oh yes! You've got to quit doubling up. It equals burnout as you've found out. Come up with a simpler, more streamlined and realistic plan for together time and independent work. Stick with your checklists that are working for independent work, and then take some of those habit training issues (like discussions or cohesiveness with siblings) and brainstorm them individually one at a time. I think you'll find it easier to work on them once you've got a workable daily plan in place.
Tracy wrote:
| I am not completely sure this style of independent learning is the best for my 7th, soon to be 8th grader. I mean, it's great that she can work independently, but I hardly ever see her. She goes off by herself and when I sit down to engage her in narration/discussion she is very short and tight lipped, in spite of the years we have incorporated narration. I imagined this age to be more . . . Socratic. |
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I completely trust your ability to assess this situation best, Tracy. It is right and good for her to be stepping into more independence and responsibility with regard to her lessons and daily work. Perhaps you could kill two birds with one stone here and work on discussion and relationships by brainstorming how you can invite her into some of these decisions a little more - maybe through weekly meetings? What's going on that she feels this way? Is she feeling overwhelmed? Or maybe underwhelmed? Or like there's too much to do in one day, so she doesn't feel relaxed enough to sit and narrate with you at length? Ask some questions. It certainly doesn't require you to do anything but listen with sincerity. Do consider her answers and consider how you could accommodate her in reasonable ways.
Tracy wrote:
| I feel as if I have two choices: continue to be more structured and independent, but enroll in a homeschool so we get some support and online/telephone classes OR get the family back together for history and science. |
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Don't eliminate any of your options yet, but do let them sit a bit on the backburner while you brainstorm and make some simple changes and see how you might walk through this challenge. And it's nothing more than a challenge!!! Nothing is wrong! Families grow and change and sometimes we're caught a bit by surprise. We just need to prayerfully brainstorm our way through it!!!  Structure and independence can work very well with a relaxed homeschool that still invites togetherness, exploration and sharing. I know, because that's been our family priority for several years and it works!
Tracy wrote:
| So, if I were to go with the latter, and have the sort of schedule that would keep me happier and healthier (one that includes exercise), I am still not sure how I would fit it all in to a day and still have time to teach my 6yo to read, do phonics, math, and possibly FIAR. |
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My priority would be:
:: Work with the 6yo
:: Facilitate some independence and communication with the 8th grader.
:: Identify one habit to work on at a time that would make our learning room run more smoothly.
:: Drop several (or all of the) programs that are redundant or time eaters (to include FIAR, CWH, CCM, Phonetic Zoo, Wordly Wise, etc.).
Let's see...I'll take a stab at your first go-round. You'll just discard any idea here that seems like it doesn't fit with your family, but since you asked, I'm going to just let you know up front that I find a lot redundant...so I'm going to streamline a lot based on that. Ok?
My revision of your first go-round (My comments will be in green)
Quote:
All Together:
* go to the YMCA around 10am or 4pm (3-4x/wk)(I think this my take up a 2 hour time block with travel and a shower for mom)
* Connecting with History (daily) 3x/week - This would be my read aloud time then.
* Religion - 2x/week - This would be read aloud time on days we're not reading from history. It can coordinate and tie in with your studied period of history.
* Visual Latin (instead of Memoria Press) 2x/week at most...and if it were me I'd just work on a few vocab words and one prayer in Latin.
* Art (1x/week)
* Music Appreciation (listening over lunch)
* Poetry - 1x/week
*** So that's a read aloud either in history or religion every day, one day of art, two days of Latin, one day of poetry work, and I'd leave the other day open just to be flexible. ***
Independent:
* math (TT)
* literature
* history books (only an independent read aloud for anyone over 5th grade. I'd let the together time history reading stand for everyone else.)
* Science - I moved to independent. This can be done by older kids - littles don't need a stand alone science program. I'm not a fan of Apologia. If Apologia works for you that's great. You didn't ask my opinion, so I'm offering it a little freely here and that means that I trust you'll completely disregard it if it's something that works.
* Copywork/Penmanship - don't do this twice. Copywork IS penmanship. Choose selections from your history reading or religion. Don't ask for x numbers of lines copied, or a stanza copied...do ask for 10 minutes of best effort. And call it done.
Guided:
* Writing skillsI'd only work on writing skills with my 8th grader, and only very gently, maybe meeting together once a week. We do this through written narrations.
* Suzuki music practice (adds up to about 3 hours a day if I sit and supervise like I am sort of supposed to) This is a lot of music practice daily. I'm going to go out on a limb here and make what could be an uninformed assessment...but...this seems disproportional. I wouldn't ask for 3 hours of math daily. I don't ask for 3 hours of chores daily. I like things to be proportional because there is a real need for time to complete other work AND time to relax and pursue other interests. I'm NOT opposed to music practice at all!! In fact, my kids do practice! But not for three hours daily. I'll leave it right there for you to consider further with your dh, or to ignore me completely! )
:: 6 yo reading time - Find the most consistently settled time of the day - morning, after lunch, after dad gets home and can work/task other children - and spend 10-15 minutes working on reading. You can use a program if you like...or not. But you don't need redundant programs for this. 10-15 min spent 3 - 4 times each week is plenty.
I'd eliminate both of the following, but I'm leaving them here for my explanations:
Not Sure:
* unsure if we would use CWH or CCM for poetry memorization/copywork I'd drop one of those programs entirely. They're both good, but together would be too much. Think of it as eating too many rich foods - a moderate amount is good...too much leads to an upset stomach. Choose one. You can find poetry from either source, or independently.
* unsure if CWH and CCM would cover enough religion, or if we should continue catechism or the Writing Your Catholic Faith handwriting books Keep spending 10 min on catechism, and add in a simple religion book for each child...something living like Marigold Hunt's Life of Our Lord for Children. Or something comparable and age appropriate. |
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Now, I've been piecing this together over a good bit of the day...so I'm sure I'm cross-posting with other great ideas!
Whatever makes the most sense to you...whatever is most INTUITIVE TO YOU is the right direction! You've done great at identifying some of the challenges, and some of the things that are already working. Keep working within that frame! Expect to make some changes, live with them a bit, discover they don't fit quite right, and change again...all with an eye toward what fits your family now! I'm cheering for you, Tracy!  Let us know if we can help you refine this further.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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TracyFD
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 6:02pm | IP Logged
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Oh, Jen, you are such a dear to put so much time and effort into helping me put the pieces of this puzzle together! Contemplating 5th, 6th, 8th grades AND teaching my little ones is more daunting than I thought it would be. We seemed to be on a good path, but it's proving to be too much to continue, especially with all the redundancies!
First I want to clarify that the music practice is 3 hours total, not per child . The Suzuki method recommends daily practice to be the same duration as lesson length, so my oldest does 1 hour on violin, the next one goes an hour on piano, my son practices 30 minutes on cello, and my 5 soon to be 6yo wants to begin harp (gulp!) so that's another 30 minutes. Parents are encouraged to be there to play along, help, coach, motivate, etc.
I am going to re-read this over the weekend and take notes! Maybe I am not so off-base having science and history done independently? At least some of the reading selections? I will re-think my desire to have them together for science. In the past they have been perfectly happy reading Abeka science books. I have encouraged nature notebooks for years, but we are in MN! Summer is best for this! We do subscribe to Nature Friend and often submit the drawing projects.
I am just thinking that history enrichment (DVDs, field trips, hands on projects) would be easier if the three were all on the same time period. Right now I have one on the first half of Sea to Shining Sea, one on the second half, and one in the middle of CWH Vol.1. I think we would all get more out of history if we were doing the same time frame, but including some independent work within the study.
I like that CWH includes copy work selections, bible history, and Catholic concepts. I *think* the author is working on a supplement that incorporates IEW writing too, but I think you are right on with your recommendations to save gentle writing for my 8th grader.
It kills me that CCM and CWH would be too much, but I have a hunch you are right!
I am currently varying our read alouds, and like that. We have Anne Frank, Child' History of Architecture, Suzuki's Nurtured by Love, and Pyle's The Wonder Clock going. I do find it difficult to keep up time for this - seems to work best if we (they) have a lot of laundry to fold 
Have to make a ballet/stations of the cross run tonight. That's the other piece - she is super fit with 7+ hours of ballet/wk and I am tipping the scales at my all time highest chauffeuring and splurging on way too many Starbucks while I wait for her. I gave up Starbucks for Lent 
Thanks and I will check in later! 
__________________
Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 22 2013 at 6:17pm | IP Logged
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I know you're going to print and read and consider this later, Tracy...but I wanted to add a couple of thoughts as you do.
TracyFD wrote:
| Oh, Jen, you are such a dear to put so much time and effort into helping me put the pieces of this puzzle together! |
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Nonsense! I am more than happy to brainstorm with you! And honestly, Tracy, as my older two began moving into some of those upper grades, it was a call for me to begin to reconsider how I was scheduling our days, too. If it's any consolation, that serious brainstorming effort resulted in a format and a rhythm that was more universally fitting all-around for our family and has remained so for several years with just little bits of tweaking here and there! So have hope! This time invested could result in a great format that really bends and works for your family for some time - even as they grow more!
Tracy wrote:
| First I want to clarify that the music practice is 3 hours total, not per child |
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Got it! That makes so much more sense! I know you'll find a way to accommodate that practice time in a way that fits!
Tracy wrote:
I will re-think my desire to have them together for science.
>snip<
I am just thinking that history enrichment (DVDs, field trips, hands on projects) would be easier if the three were all on the same time period. |
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I actually don't think you're off here at all. I do have all my kids springing from the same general place in both science and history - but their reading is age appropriate for each. And rather than trying to do a different "spine"/text for each student, what works for us is a common read aloud. Both in science and history.
So...an example. This year's science focus is chemistry. I actually am not doing a read aloud this year in science...just because it's a very streamlined year for us, but I could!! Each child is reading about chemistry - from the high schooler and her high school reading right down to the 3rd grader and picture books which are more geared for his level.
Same with history. This year's history period is American. High schooler is reading John Adams, Federalist Papers, etc. Middle schooler and elementary aged student are reading from the same period, but books that are age appropriate.
So...just wanted to affirm your notion that springing from a common place with a large crew IS easier (not necessary, but it does make sense and is much more workable!), both in the scheduling and in the ability to tie in supporting resources! So, keep going with that idea! BUT...don't assume you need a special program in order to do that! You CAN come up with booklists for both science and history, across age ranges, without a program! And we can help with those details, too, if you need that!
Ok...off to ballet for you and dinner for me! You're doing great, Tracy!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Design a Schedule for Me?
