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seven2hold
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| Posted: July 15 2007 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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I am returning to home schooling after an absence of two and a half years. I am a perfectionist with high expectations and lofty goals with a distaste for schedules and a flaw of putting the “urgent” ahead of the necessary. I feel that in calling me to home school again, the Lord is leading me to master myself and submit to a more orderly and balanced life.
My husband, knowing how difficult the task of home schooling is (also knowing that if Mommy ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy) gave me some helpful parameters in his agreement to bring the children home. He wants me to have a detailed schedule for every day of the year letting him know at a glance what page each child is on in each particular subject, he also wants me to take a week break after every four weeks of school. He wanted the schedule so if he needed to step in and teach for a day or two (our baby #8 is due in October and a firefighter‘s schedule has some wonderful home time) he would know exactly where to pick up with the kids. He requested the week long break for several reasons: 1. It would give us all a break if we had successfully followed the schedule, 2. It would give us a catch up week if the previous 4 weeks fell apart, 3. It would give me a week to focus on someone who needed more help, and 4. It would provide a week to figure out how to change what wasn’t working. The scheduling has been extremely time consuming, but I think it will help me to keep focus. I love the week long breaks as I know how difficult it will be to stick to the schedule.
I wonder if in my perfectionism I have overscheduled my children. Please give me feedback. My motto as I planned was "Keep It Simple". I feel like we're doing alot, but I think the individal lessons are not long (ie. a page or two of reading, etc.) I also have to remember that I will need to entertain a 4 and 2 year old and after Oct. a brand new baby as well. Am I being realistic? Am I setting myself up for failure?
Here is the material I have scheduled for the children:
6th grade:
Religion - Gospel 1 ch/week, Bible History 2 ch./week, F&L 1/week and Apologetics 1/week
Math - Teaching Textbook 6th grade (It should be out next month)
English From the Roots Up 4 new words/week quizzes on Fridays and a cumulative test every 4 weeks
Handwriting with selections from Proverbs
Poetry- 2 poems to memorize each term, and two additional poems to read each week (with a bio on the poet)
Grammar - Lingua Mater 2 lessons/week
American History - Sea to Shining Sea and historical fiction 2 days/week
World History - Story of the World and historical fiction 2 days/week
Picture study - 3 artists/year. I plan to do this during lunch. I also plan on having one of the children set this up while I am preparing lunch
Music study - Music Masters, biographies and classical CD’s (I plan on playing these during cleanup after lunch (again, with one of the kids setting up the CD player while I oversee the clean up)
Studied dictation - using passages recommended in Harp & Laurel Wreath
Writing composition 2x/week (maybe three) covering an historical figure we are studying. These will be placed in her book of centuries.
Science - I am beginning with It Couldn’t Just Happen, and will move on to other science books from our personal library and supplementing with DVD‘s from the library or Netflix. I’ve scheduled little on Friday’s (errand days and thought we could do experiments these days)
Geography - I have her looking up countries, cities, rivers, etc. we come across in other subjects in an atlas or on the world map.
Nature Study - @ 2 pages 4 days/week with Friday set aside for Nature study and journaling.
Literature - Little women, Around the World in Eighty Days, and (1 book/term)
Shakespeare - 1 play each term. She’ll read an abridged version in easy language, then we’ll read the play and then we’ll watch the film.
Additional ---- Music Ace CD ROM game, clarinet lessons and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
3rd grade:
Religion - Life of Our Lord 1/week, Catholic picture Bible 2/week, F&L 1/week and a St. Joseph’s picture book 1/week
Math - Abeka 3
Language - same as 6th grader
Handwriting - same as 6th grader after he has mastered the Cursive alphabet
Poetry - same as 6th grader (they are reading and memorizing different poems), but 3rd grader will read his poems aloud to K brother
Grammar - PLL 2 lessons/week
American History - This Country of Ours & The Catholic Faith comes to the Americas with historical fiction 2x/week
World History - The Pharaoh’s of Ancient Egypt and historical fiction 2x/week
Picture Study - same as 6th grader
Music study - same as 6th grader
Studied Dictation - same as 6th grader (different selections)
Writing Composition - same as 6th grader
Science Usborne Sci. books 1/week with experiments on Fridays
Geography - 3x/week Weather study, Map study and People and Places study
Nature Study - same as 6th grader (different level reader - he will be reading this aloud to the K)
Literature - I will be reading The Chronicles of Narnia aloud 1 ch/ day
Tales/Legends/Myths - one story 2x/week
Additional ---- Music Ace CD ROM game, piano lessons and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Kindergarten:
Religion - OT 1/week, NT 1/week, Seton Kindergarten Catechism 1/week, Saint story 1/week (I also have planned crafts for many of the bible stories
Math - Abeka K workbook and a rotation of manipulative work (rods, geoboards, 100 board, pattern blocks, etc)
Handwriting - cursive first 1 lesson /day
Copy work Not until he has mastered handwriting
Poetry - 3rd grader will read his poems & bios to his brother
Memory work - Prayers and catechism
Picture Study - see 6th grader
Music Study - see 6th grader
Science - don’t know yet. Maybe pair him up with 3rd grader?
Simple USA geography. One state per week to name and color on a USA map beginning with states of family and branching out from VA
Nature study - see 3rd grader’s plan
Tales - 1/ week + Treasure box stories 1/week (6th grader can read these to him)
Literature - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (unless he follows the Chronicles of Narnia with 3rd grader)
Thanks for any input!
__________________
Kathy
Wife to John
Mother to DD(91), DD(93), DD(95), DS(98), DD(00), DS(01), DS(03), DD(05), and DS(07)
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folklaur
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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Hi!
That seems a little full to me, with regards to the 6th grader. For 6th - do they need to be doing both American History, and World History, and historical ficition for both, plus seperate literature selections? I don't think I could keep that many fiction books straight  I would be mixing up characters and time periods if it was me
And for K Science, couldn't you just use Nature Study and science experiemnts?
I ALWAY overplan, so I know how you feel.
Is there any way you could take your week breaks to write the schedule for the next four weeks? Especially with a new baby coming, I have no idea how I would possible schedule in Septemebr what pages my kids would be on in January, or March. 
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5athome
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 12:58pm | IP Logged
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I overplan too so bear with me. We just came off a schoolyear during which our 6th was born and I can honestly say it was a light year because having the baby and nursing (he only nursed well if I went alone to another room) ate up much of my time.
I think bringing the kids home is wonderful -- but I also think you will be better off starting slow with the basics or bare minimum. It is always relatively easy to add in things if you have the time. But if you go full tilt and try to do it all I think you risk burning yourself out, not meeting your dh's expectations, and squelching enthusiasm and fun for the kids.
One thing from the schedule I would suggest is to choose 1 history rather than American & World. Can you combine some of the writing items? Handwriting, Dictation, 2+ compositions a week, and journaling seems a bit over ambitious. Your time is going to be pulled in so many different directions, you may not feel able to really evaluate and give feedback to the kids on the writing. Why not do just a little but really be able to attack it in depth and provide feedback/refinements?
For the read alouds, I would consider using books on tape if they are available to you. That way, the baby's arrival will not disrupt the read aloud flow and could also free you up for nursing/housework/etc.
I hope I am not coming across too negatively. I know many of the talented ladies on this forum can breeze through things that would simply daunt me. Can you plan up until the baby is born and then see how things go?
Margaret
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
ds '08
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 2:01pm | IP Logged
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Kathy,
I think you might be setting yourself up for a let down, especially with the baby coming. I know you have the advantage that the older two are coming out of a structured school environment, but it still seems like a lot of work.
I agree with Laura about the history. Why are you doing both? If you really want to cover world history too, buy the SOTW CDs (Jim Weiss recorded them, they are good!) and use them during down times or in the car. They will get a feel for that time in history without it being another subject.
I am doing Sonlight Core 3 (American History) for Sydney and Benjamin. It might be a little simple for Sydney, but I will just supplement with more complex readers.
If you want to do dictation, take it from something you are already reading. This would be great to reinforce the Bible reading you are doing. You could also work in the writing assignments in the same way. I bought a resource called Bible-based Writing Lessons for IEW. I will use that with Sydney.
I have the From Sea to Shining Sea teacher's guide if you want to borrow it. That has writing ideas and samples tests.
I know what a perfectionist you are, and how idealistic you are. You will do a great job, and your kids will excel, even if you don't check a box for every subject each day or week.
You are in my prayers, as always. Pray for me too, because it isn't like I have this figured out yet! And don't forget, you got me into this way back when! 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Maryan
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 2:23pm | IP Logged
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Wow! Even as a teacher without household distractions, I don't think I accomplished as much. You must be a go-getter!!
Just some suggestions for your boy K...
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is so fun -- but my boy K loved the Chronicles of Narnia -- so I think that's a good plan for your K to follow your 3rd.
And... if you can't get the Bible crafts done, you can always have him narrate, you type & print, and then he can create his own picture.
And maybe I'm too K.I.S.S. -- but I would just give him a larger puzzle (not a toddler one) of the United States to conquer rather than study geography on any formal basis.
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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
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seven2hold
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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WOW!!!! So many great suggestions. I guess you all think I'm biting off more than I (we) can chew.
I guess I find so many great ideas here & I just want to do everything. I can't begin to tell you how much I eliminated. 
My 6th and 3rd grader are coming out of Catholic school and are used to lengthy homework, writing assignments, tests to study for, etc. I feel that I am offering a much lighter load than they had in school. No tests, lots of reading (which they love)etc.
Why an I doing both American & Worls? Because I am following th MA schedule. 6th grader is reading less than 10 pages per assigned day from the texts. The story fomat makes it an easy read. I also love the American & World History texts I purchased! But, I have scheduled up to four fictional novels/month in addition to some easier (d'Aulaire and DK or Usborne) books for the sixth grader (she's already read three of the novels in advance ). I thought she could easily handle this as she read at least 1 book every two days in addition to her school work last year. Of course she did say that some of the books didn't look that interesting.
I really want to enjoy homeschooling. I know I have to be on top of me and my responsibilities to make school time run smooth for all the kids. I really thought with a 4 and a half day schedule with a week long break every four weeks it would be doable. I'm only planning on teaching 32 weeks this year. Should I really cut stuff now, or should I give it a whirl and see what to change to a weekly activity from a daily one. If I do end up cutting things back some of my subjects scheduled for the first 14 weeks can stretch to the end of 32 weeks!
I like the idea of listening to books on CD. We did this frequently on our trips to & from school. However, I really wanted to force myself to the couch for 1 chapter/day to snuggle with my kids on the couch. This is hard for me. I've been reading aloud to my 5 & 3 year old pretty regularly. We just finished The Wizzard of Oz and are starting Gulliver's Travels. There are a million things I could be doing besides reading to them. Once I'm settled and begin to read I get so much pleasure out of sharing the story. My son asks me, "Mom, remember when the scarecrow..." And I know just what he's talking about.
I did plan 1 week off around the baby's arrival and 1 week with only math & religion to do. I also have a dear childless friend (please pray for Amy) who has asked if she could take a week off work and come every day for a week to help me after the baby comes! I AM blessed!!
I really like Charlotte Mason's philosophy and want to copy her format to create an environment that encourages the children to enjoy the learning.
Thank you for the input you've already given. But, shouldn't I give this schedule a run with the idea that I might need to do some serious trimming?
Molly -- thanks for your prayers! You also are in mine. I almost posted on your thread or on Ruth's - but didn't want to hijack either  .
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Kathy
Wife to John
Mother to DD(91), DD(93), DD(95), DS(98), DD(00), DS(01), DS(03), DD(05), and DS(07)
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Ruth
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| Posted: July 17 2007 at 12:32pm | IP Logged
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Hi Kathy. This does seem like a lot, but I also feel like I'm not doing enough. I usually end up frustrated with not finishing everything I want to do. I don't have any advice. I think everyone here has given you very good advice. I do like your idea of a 4 and a half day schedule with a week long break every four weeks. I'm also doing 4 and a half days of school for 32 weeks. I will keep you in my prayers. I'm still trying to figure this out.
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Ruth
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ami*
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| Posted: July 17 2007 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
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Hi 
I'm not nearly as experienced as many of the women here, but I did want to mention that you may want to start with these expectations, but know that you are NOT a failure if you have to drop something.
I'm really relaxed right now (we start K this year), and one of my goals if for my son to just LOVE to learn...so with that in mind, I may have to tweak/adjust as I go...and I know that I'm not a failure if I have to drop something.
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: July 17 2007 at 2:09pm | IP Logged
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Kathy,
I think that you should cut down a bit too. It's not so much that your schedule *can't* be done (in my mind) but more of whether or not it *should* be done. One of the beautiful things about homeschooling (IMO) is that we can give the kids more time to make connections and discoveries on their own. They can have their own rabbit trails and spend some time pursuing personal interests. In this house we would have trouble doing all that you have planned (I had a 6th grader last year and a 7th grader, k and pre-k.) and still have any free time left over.
I do think that it's good to over plan (I do it every year.) but only to a point. my two cents!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: July 19 2007 at 11:20am | IP Logged
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Hi,
I too think that it looks like alot....I know around here the more streamlined it is the better it flows. All those wonderful things like picture study, music appreciation, poetry etc. we do on a rotating basis- when we've covered the basics, we read aloud the next thing and then pick one of the above things some days.
My two cents.... 
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Are my daily lesson plans realistic?
