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Cheryl
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| Posted: Sept 19 2005 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
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It's Monday of our 4th week and I have to say that I'm having a hard time sticking with MY plans for this year. Maybe my plans were a little ambitious even for me. (I had morning/night sickness until last week.)
The basic plan for my first grader was this: Saxon Math 1, Reading Made Easy, Faith and Life 1, FIAR, Picture Study, Nature Study, and Composer Study
I planned on doing BFIAR for my younger 2 and expected them to play quietly during math and phonics and do other subjects with us.
The first week went as planned except my ds 4.5 didn't play quietly and was very distracting and the 2 younger ones didn't want to do any subjects with us. Then, I figured out that my ds 4.5 would color quietly for periods of time.
Week 2 we dropped down to math, phonics, read the Bible and FIAR.
Week 3 we did Faith and Life and 3/4 of the math and phonics.
Today, starting week 4, my ds 6.5 chose Faith and Life to do first, but I couldn't get through it because my dd was into everything. So instead, we went out to get my sister a bithday gift and bought mums, pumpkins, and a hay bale for us. We had a pumpkin bread picnic and stayed outside for awhile. Then we had our usual quiet time (1 hour when my dd naps and boys play quietly or draw in their rooms.)
After quiet time we got back to homeschooling. We did Faith and Life. The math and phonics was...I can't think of a word to describe it, but my ds was completely silly, we had many interruptions. a simple lesson dragged on and on. My ds complained that he didn't have enough time to play. It wasn't fair that his siblings could play, "even he had to go to preschool when he was 4.5." I felt sorry for him. So we read a book on the couch, then we spent time together tearing apart my master bathroom. He enthusiastically scraped a wallpaper border for 1 1/2 hours.
At bedtime he told me he didn't want to do school until he was 7. I asked him if he would still read books with me. He said yes. I asked him if he would do religion (because he seemed to like it) he said yes. So I'm thinking about going with it. Religion and read-alouds with optional math and phonics I guess.
My husband who sometimes thinks we should have a boxed curriculum said it was Ok with him. So what do you think? Have you had experiences like this? Do you think it's a phase? Will he want to do school when he's 7? Does it matter? I'd like to read any feedback on this topic. Thanks.
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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Marybeth
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| Posted: Sept 20 2005 at 1:06am | IP Logged
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Cheryl,
It sounds like he wants to play and explore...I think why not? I think religion and reading alouds are a wonderful way to spend the day. We spent 1 and 1/2 hours cuddled in my bed this morning reading b/c it was a rainy day.
I think your read alouds could lead to some very interesting rabbit trails. Maybe your ds would enjoy making a lapbook or starting a notebook about a certain interest.
I bet seeing his little brother playing makes sitting still and paying attention hard for him.
Are you comfortable following his lead in regards to phonics and math? How about a computer game for phonics or a leappad? I am currently reading Ready, Set, Count 60 playful math activities for you and your child to share by Marlene Barron Head of the West Side Montessori School. Do you think your boys would play some math games with you?
Several summers ago I read many books by Dorothy and Raymond Moore about delaying formal education. I remembering have many "light bulb" moments reading their books.
Take care,
Marybeth
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ALmom
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| Posted: Sept 20 2005 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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Don't worry about age 6. We generally do not start any formal school at all until after age 7 - those children are my most enthusiastic learners. Use this year to set routines that will work later - like regular chore routines. I think it is great that he helped you strip wall-paper. Too much close work, too early - before a child is ready can create eye problems and boys often are not ready for a lot of seat work for many years.
Play a lot of games as per his interest and find fun craft type activities for cutting and pasting - we did a lot of cut and create books. Pay attention to left/right awareness and general eye-hand coordination as part of fun games like Simon says. Have lots of outside time. You'll be surprised at how much he already knows when you sit down to do more typical "school work". Follow his lead, answer his questions and if he asks you to show him how to write something, I'd do it big on a chalkboard/whiteboard rather than pencil and paper. Most workbooks are way too small a print for the age - but it costs less to print them small.
I would plan on read alouds and discussing religion and any activities that inspire him and have fun! I did that with my now 13 yo until she was about 11 (except with her we had to have some paper trail math for the state after age 7 so we did 5 problems to a page - she had some vision problems we were correcting and we didn't want to play tug of war with her eyes. Today she is the most independent learner, loves to read and write and is working very well above what is expected at her age (as per standardized testing for whatever that is worth). It was scary to go against the grain, but it really made a difference. Follow you child and your own instincts about readiness and don't worry and have fun!
Janet
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Sept 21 2005 at 8:00am | IP Logged
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I second what everyone has written. Schooling does not need to be formal at that age, and there are so many opportunities to cover the basics (phonics and math) in a fun, relaxed way if you feel that they must be covered. I think that educational computer games at that age are great. I also used colorful phonics workbooks that used matching, coloring, and connect the dots to "teach." This was as formal as our phonics program ever got (and we didn't do it daily unless the kids requested it). We did lots of crafts and hands on activities too. Just enjoy the time with the kids, especially now that you're pregnant.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Marybeth
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| Posted: Sept 21 2005 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
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Tomorrow we plan to start our fall theme. We have books, crafts, art projects, nature walks, zoo trips and science experiments planned. I am by no means creativity/crafty. I "took" most of my ideas from books. I wonder if your boys would enjoy learning with themes.
I'm greatly looking forward to using Elizabeth's Advent study! 
Just tossing some other ideas your way!
God bless,
Marybeth
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Cheryl
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| Posted: Sept 21 2005 at 5:13pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for all of your posts. They are helpful to me.
Marybeth, would you mind sharing some of your fall ideas. I just asked my boys what they would like to do this fall and here's their list after a couple of minutes of brainstorming:
make costumes
make leaf decorations
carve pumpkins
read books
act out The Five Little Pumpkins
play with Halloween dolls
go owling (we pretended last year)
make pumpkin pie
I added:
apple picking, baking with apples
going to a local farm that has hayrides, corn maze, etc.
walks in the woods
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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Marybeth
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| Posted: Sept 21 2005 at 6:39pm | IP Logged
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Cheryl,
This list your boys came up with is fabulous!! Here are a few ideas we have to learn about some in more depth than others...I plan to go with the main interest(s)...
seasons
leaves
pumpkins
harvest-we have farmers in my dh's family
watch the squirrels-we have so many on our property
nature walk-- taking digital photos so we can visit the same spots each season and keep a record of the season's changes
see the play Wizard of Oz
Crafts (I only put the ones I really really want to do)
leaf rub
wreath
handprint tree
make a scarecrow
Ds and Dh are going to collect leaves and then have leaf races with straws and see who can blow their leaf the farthest on our table. Dh plans to teach ds how to identify trees by their leaves and about trees in our area.
Cooking/Baking
pumpkin pie
apple slices
soup
make butter
try to get something from our families' farm(s) to use in our baking and/or cooking
We celebrate Halloween so I have ideas planned for Oct. which incorporate that holiday. I will then plan for Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving.
I promised myself I would not stress out b/c that takes all the fun out of it for my whole family.
Let me know if you find any really fun fall books to read!
Happy Fall!!!!
Marybeth
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Marybeth
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| Posted: Sept 21 2005 at 6:41pm | IP Logged
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I only put that part about stressing out to remind myself of my promise. I didn't mean to sound like a jerk! I was not referring to anyone else or implying other people get stressed like I do!! 
Marybeth
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alicegunther
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| Posted: Sept 21 2005 at 7:58pm | IP Logged
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Everyone is making excellent points, but I would also highly recommend short lessons of no more than ten minutes for math and phonics at that age. He will like it much more (and ultimately learn more) if he completes his formal work quickly and efficiently and then runs off to play with the others.
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Love, Alice
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Mary G
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| Posted: Sept 22 2005 at 6:58am | IP Logged
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alicegunther wrote:
| Everyone is making excellent points, but I would also highly recommend short lessons of no more than ten minutes for math and phonics at that age. He will like it much more (and ultimately learn more) if he completes his formal work quickly and efficiently and then runs off to play with the others. |
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Alice -- I second this !
I didn't think it was possible to really get them reading and doing math if only 15 minutes a day, but it has been amazing as I have held to it this year -- they don't get fussy, if they're stuck on something, we revisit it the next day, etc. We start arund 8:30 and by 9:30 or so, we're done with all table work, they ahve a break and then we all do the "fun" subjects -- history, lit read alouds, science, etc.
It truly does work to keep the "mechanicals" down to a minimum -- yes, they have to learn them, but minimize and they seem to learn more....
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Cheryl
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Mary G. wrote:
I didn't think it was possible to really get them reading and doing math if only 15 minutes a day, but it has been amazing as I have held to it this year --
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We have been doing phonics for less than 15 minutes a day and my son says he doesn't want to do it until he's 7. (which is in 3 months) The Saxon Math does take longer though. Even if he isn't dawdling, many of the lessons take longer than 15 minutes. What do you do for math?
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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alicegunther
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Mary G. wrote:
| I didn't think it was possible to really get them reading and doing math if only 15 minutes a day, but it has been amazing as I have held to it this year -- they don't get fussy, if they're stuck on something, we revisit it the next day, etc. We start arund 8:30 and by 9:30 or so, we're done with all table work, they ahve a break and then we all do the "fun" subjects -- history, lit read alouds, science, etc. |
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Mary, this is exactly what I have been doing with my first and third graders. They are flying through their lessons with joy and not a single complaint. Their favorite thing to do is to beat the clock and accomplish even more than the goal. I also notice they are far more focused and do not drag through the lesson wasting time.
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Love, Alice
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jdostalik
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Cheryl,
I use Math-U-See with my kids. I have a five year old boy who is really enjoying the Primer book (kindergarten level). He loves math and it doesn't take any time--maybe 10 minutes a day...Feel free to ask me for more information. I know there are a lot of MUS supporters here!
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God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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Mary G
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| Posted: Sept 22 2005 at 1:35pm | IP Logged
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Cheryl wrote:
Mary G. wrote:
I didn't think it was possible to really get them reading and doing math if only 15 minutes a day, but it has been amazing as I have held to it this year --
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We have been doing phonics for less than 15 minutes a day and my son says he doesn't want to do it until he's 7. (which is in 3 months) The Saxon Math does take longer though. Even if he isn't dawdling, many of the lessons take longer than 15 minutes. What do you do for math? |
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Cheryl:
OK, first thing you need to do is ignore all the advice from non-homeschoolers and relax -- sometimes phonics seems like potty training -- when they're ready they'll let you know and you'll be surprised how well they do. This is more important than holding to some standard that says they should be reading by K or 1st grade -- God's mansion has many houses and if you are reading to your son, showing him how fun reading can be, he'll pick it up in his own time. Many folks on this list can give you specific examples of this.
Blessings and know that you are in our prayers
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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momwise
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| Posted: Sept 22 2005 at 6:46pm | IP Logged
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Cheryl wrote:
| The Saxon Math does take longer though. Even if he isn't dawdling, many of the lessons take longer than 15 minutes. What do you do for math? |
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Hi Cheryl,
What we did, back when we were using Saxon math regularly, was to do a few problems representative of the lesson. For example I would go over the lesson, pick 2 or 3 of the practice problems, and then go through the problems and give them a few problems of the concepts I knew they needed practice on and once in a while I'd throw in a few they were fluent in just for the practice. If they know how to do a problem very well, they really don't need to keep doing it every single day; just often enough to remember the concept.
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Should I ditch my plans?
