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LisaD
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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Is this typical for first year home schoolers? It's really just my fourth grader and second grader doing anything formal. But we are b-o-r-e-d. My dd whips through her CHC language and spelling in about 5 minutes. She has memorized a poem (Jabberwocky). She does TT5 a couple of times a week, and multiplication copywork the other two days (she doesn't know any facts by heart, and uses her fingers and scraps of paper constantly). She likes geography, and spends the longest amount of time on that. She doesn't like history, but I'm telling myself that reading through the Little House books is enough for now. We use Faith & Life for religion, which she blasts through and doesn't want to discuss, or maybe doesn't know how to discuss.
My second grade ds, just draaaaaaags through every lesson. He does one page of Abeka Arithmetic 2 twice a week, and addition copywork the other 2 days (see dd's notes above). He is also using CHC spelling and language, which aren't hard at all for him. He hates to write. HATES to write. So, we do a lot of his stuff with him giving me answers verbally. We are reading Paddle to the Sea, and I count that as geography. He's not so keen on history, either, unless it's a Magic Tree House book. He is a very strong reader, though he hasn't quite got to the point where he really enjoys reading. I've abandoned Faith & Life for him, and we're sticking with learning prayers and using the St. Joseph 1st Communion Catechism.
All told, they spend less than an hour, four days a week, on seatwork. Most of the seatwork bores them. I'm bored with the grousing and sighing. Is this part of transitioning from a traditional school atmosphere to being at home? Sometimes I wish I bought a complete curriculum like Sonlight, but then I think, "Ugh. That would be even more time at the table listening to moaning and groaning."
Every day, the kids say, "What are we doing today, are we going anywhere fun?" They would like a "field trip" every day. This is so hard for me, because I am a homebody, gas is expensive, and part of me just doesn't get why we can't just stay home and read!
They have Karate twice a week, choir once a week, and fencing twice a month. Our homeschool group has a park day every week, but they usually only elect to go when they have fencing there. I am considering enrolling them in piano lessons (we took the summer off, and I've just never signed them up again), and I'm sure they'd be happy with the lessons part, not so much the practicing part.
The other thing we are struggling with is how regulate t.v. and computer time. We really never had to put limits on it when they were in school, because they were so busy all the time. Now, once seatwork is done, they are off to play Spore or Lego Indiana Jones, or watch PBS or Nick Jr. with the little guys. I hate cable t.v., but unfortunately our t.v. is so old that I can't block any channels, and if we get rid of it we have no reception at all, and dh won't go for that. I made the mistake of allowing my daughter to be sucked into the Disney vortex a couple of years ago (you know, all the girls at school watch this, why can't I...), but I think if I find things to engage her interest, she won't care about Hannah Montana, et al.
Wow, this a long and rambly post. Sorry about that. I think I just needed to get some stuff out that's been swirling around in my head.
One of my best friends has home schooled from the very beginning, but she uses K12, which is just like public school and soooo intense. Yes, her kid know a lot, more than their traditional-schooled counterparts, but I just cannot see myself using something like that and remaining sane. I don't feel like I can discuss my feelings and insecurities with her, because she'll just tell me to sign up with K12!
I just don't know what direction we should be taking.
Thanks for bearing with me, if you made it this far! 
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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nissag
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 10:38am | IP Logged
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Lisa,
Grades four and two don't need to be heavy. Sounds like a great opportunity for outings. Those are almost never boring and - at least with my own bunch - highly educational. Shoot, we made educational outings from walks down the road. We talked about currents while playing poohsticks, and learned about sewer systems from a couple of men down a manhole. Sometimes just getting out and taking advantage of the opportunities that pop up are the most memorable and fun. Museums of all kinds can be great fun, even with a troop of littles, so long as the visit is kept shorter. try focusing on a particular display you want to see and talk about.
If it's a filthy day outdoors, time for audio, video lessons (Classical Kids music is FAB), or craft projects related to a holy day upcoming... Or just run around and play.
Try a CM style nature study. Drag a picnic blanket outside and have the kiddoes go in search and bring things back to you. SUCH fun.
It's early days yet, you'll find your rhythm. And Advent is coming, which should keep you hopping with all the attending busy-ness. Maybe this is a good time to enjoy the lack thereof?
Blessings,
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Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
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5athome
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 11:21am | IP Logged
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Would it help you to make a rough draft schedule? You could then schedule in when tv & computer time/video games are allowed. Do you have any type of toy rotation you could do that they could look forward to for example:
Monday: playdoh or art project a.m./wood treehouse p.m.
Tuesday: lego play a.m./potato heads p.m.
Wed: lincoln logs a.m./playmobil p.m.
Thur: blocks & cars a.m./board games p.m.
Fri: knex a.m./measuring with lentils p.m.
Ideally our schedule would go something like:
morning seatwork/Chores/a.m. toy rotation/computer time/Meal prep/lunch/read aloud/chores/naps for youngest/ independent reading/outdoors for walk or sport/snack/tv time/meal prep/dinner
Do you have families you can arrange playdates? I would force yourself to go to the weekly homeschool group gathering even if the kids grumble and you don't feel like leaving the house. I sometimes feel that way but always end up so glad /i went.
I believe you are correct that Sonlight & K12 will not make your life any easier - it doesn't sound like you need any more seatwork.
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
ds '08
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gracie4309
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
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We've had similar issues with t.v., video games, computers, etc. Started homeschooling after our oldest dc had been at school for several years, and were used to all of these things. After 4 years of homeschooling, I still struggle with how much is too much, and I'm not always consistent  .
Looking back though, I realize we have cut back a lot, but gradually, so it wasn't such a big deal. Definitely find something fun to replace the electronics, take it slowly, and maybe start using computer time and tv time as motivators. Some families allow them only on weekends if all work has
been done, but I use them as privileges that might be lost if schoolwork, chores, etc, aren't done, or for bad behavior.
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Grace (wife to Jim, mom of Nick-16, Mary-13, Sam-8, Paul-5, and Patrick-5)
How Sweet The Sound
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 6:17pm | IP Logged
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You've got the tablework part down, but it might help to keep in mind Charlotte Mason's directive, "Something to do, something to love, something to think about" every day.
I would not recommend adding in more outside activities. I see so many new homeschoolers doing that nowadays and they often burn out. Stay at home. Make home the best place in the world to be.
But don't just stay at home without a plan. Have you looked at Serendipity? It would be a perfect framework for some handcrafts, and you could focus on the saint study (making the Wee Saint Folk along with reading about the saint for the week) along with the Fairy Tale for the week (use these for oral narration).
Have your mornings start with chores, and then breakfast and then clean up. Since tablework is going fast, don't start it too early...maybe 9:30ish? Finish by 11-11:30 with a read aloud they will both enjoy (don't be afraid to still use picture books with a 4th grader) and then excuse them for a break (outside, preferably) while you get lunch going.
In the afternoons, something like this, maybe?
Monday: Fairy Story, song, saint story and Wee Saint Folk
Tuesday: Nature Study and drawing
Wednesday: Fairy Tale, narrate and illustrate
Thursday: Cooking project/teatime for the letter.
I like Fridays free, but if you needed another activity, it takes a bit of time to color in the Flower Fairy.
Also, since they are both good readers, I would recommend a quiet time every day where they are reading. I would have this coincide with naptime. These blocks should be close to 30 minutes for the 2nd grader and 45 minutes to an hour for the 4th grader, if they are strong readers.
There is definitely a learning curve in deschooling and getting used to a homeschool rhythm. I've heard estimates around 1 month for every year they've been in a traditional school, so you aren't out of that yet.
The kids will be expecting nonstop movement and activity. Homeschooling allows for what Charlotte Mason called Masterly Inactivity...essentially, giving them the time enough to be bored (without the option of tv/video games) so that they will develop constructive hobbies and interests. Do they have things to do that are unstructured? Legos, lots of crafting supplies, molding doughs with cool tools (not just playdough), handcrafts likes needlepoint or knitting, etc. Keep them busy (Something to do) but don't let them fall into the tv habit. Consider getting a grow a frog kit or something like that and have them track growth, draw and love on it (something to love). For reading, give them books they wouldn't think about reading on their own, that are engaging (something to think about). Look on Mater Amabilis' site for some fabulous options, particularly in their Nature Study category. Also, give them good history readers since neither of them are particularly interested in history right now. By next year, after reading great history books, they might be more interested. And then, I would choose one history program that is very hands on to do with both of them (Serendipity would be great for this, too).
Finally, don't be discouraged. Its normal for the beginning of the homeschool year to need to be tweaked, even for those who've been doing this for years. I have had to rework my homeschool year more than once in the last month. Its hard to predict exactly what will work each year especially with littles in the house.
Give it time, it'll get better. In fact, it'll get great.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 6:25pm | IP Logged
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Well, I don't see any science on there. Science experiments are always fun! 
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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LisaD
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 7:48pm | IP Logged
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Bookswithtea wrote:
Stay at home. Make home the best place in the world to be.
Give it time, it'll get better. In fact, it'll get great. |
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Oh, I want it to be great!! I want home to be the best place to be, I am just struggling in getting there. I asked dd what she wanted to do more of, and she said crafts and science experiments. Ds said, "I don't know." LOL!
I am off to check out Serendipity next.
I tend to set the littler kids up with Lego and other toys, but the olders always seem to gravitate toward what they are playing with, so maybe I need to plan more opportunities for them to have play breaks with the littlers...maybe when I'm working one-on-one with a child, the other could go help occupy the littlers.
Thank you all so much for the ideas!!
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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LisaD
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 7:52pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
| Well, I don't see any science on there. Science experiments are always fun! |
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Mea culpa. We were all really disappointed with CHC's Science 2, and dumped it right away. I haven't replaced it with anything. I was kind of hoping my scientist husband would volunteer to take over. That didn't happen.
I am going to do some water experiments this week to tie in with our Oceans & Rivers/Water Cycle studies in Geography. Hopefully that will be met by my children with some degree of happiness.
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 7:59pm | IP Logged
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I find that when we follow my own personal rabbit trails a bit things go very well because it's something I'M very interested is & I'm able to pull them in. For instance, this year we're studying geography because I want to know where all the countries are. We use 3-part Montessori cards, Geo-puzzle from Timberdoodle & Geography Flip-Overs from Rainbow Resources. We always do better when I'm learning along side them.
Also I think it's really important to talk with the kids & find out what they're interested in. Then head to the library & help them find books that they would like to read. You could also add in a few movies on their topic of choice.
A great read aloud could be just the ticket - even if it's a book on tape. My kids all loved "The Indian in the Cupboard" for instance. They also have enjoyed "My Side of the Mountain", "Sign of the Beaver" and "School Story" just to name a few.
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Brenda (mom to 6)
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Elena
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| Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 8:05am | IP Logged
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I'd get a list of books, (like from the back of Elizabeth's book) and start reading them. My kids LOVE to read together and we have discovered so many wonderful stories! If I were you - I'd be doing that!!
I'd also add some fun arts and crafts projects and some fun science experiments!
I can't imagine being bored!! 
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Elena
Wife to Peter, mom of many!
My Domestic Church
One Day at a Time
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missionfamily
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| Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 8:18am | IP Logged
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Lisa--I was also wanting to point out that in addition to the great suggestions you've received, many people find their kids need a fairly long stretch of time to "deschool" and get into the groove of enjoying learning at home. Rather than a lot of table work and "school-like" work, time outdoors, lots of handcrafts, and lots of read-aloud time can be the focus for now, and you can add the other things back in slowly and gently over time. I'd suggest you ditch all workbooks for now with the exception of any math work that is not causing angst in the kids...do a bunch of fun stuff, totally engage yourselves in Advent when it gets here, and come January, take time to evaluate what curriculum is working and what is not, and reintroduce things in January.
Just my opinion.....
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Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: We're bored...
