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mamaslearning
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How do you do it? Is it a seamless flow throughout the day and each subject segues into the next? Or, are you like me and close a book, announce that math's over and reading is next?
Isn't there a better way? Any thoughts on how to transition from one subject to the next?
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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Becky Parker
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I would say we have more of a seamless flow. The way our house is set up sort of lends itself to that. We start in our sunroom, which is at the east end of the house. We do prayer and all our other morning things there. Then we move to the dining room table, which is the next room in the house, to do our math work. Then we move to the other end of the house, where are "school room" is, to do the rest of our work. The kids get a little mini-break between each move. After lunch and some free time, chore time and quiet time, we're back in the sunroom for tea time which is our last "schoolish" thing of the day. (Literature and poetry take place during tea time.)
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Mackfam
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Becky Parker wrote:
| I would say we have more of a seamless flow. The way our house is set up sort of lends itself to that. We start in our sunroom, which is at the east end of the house. We do prayer and all our other morning things there. Then we move to the dining room table, which is the next room in the house, to do our math work. Then we move to the other end of the house, where are "school room" is, to do the rest of our work. The kids get a little mini-break between each move. After lunch and some free time, chore time and quiet time, we're back in the sunroom for tea time which is our last "schoolish" thing of the day. (Literature and poetry take place during tea time.) |
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Becky,
This sounds so lovely!
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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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Becky Parker
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Thanks Jen. It's taken me 9 years to figure out a natural flow to our day. I finally decided to make it "intuitive", according to some great advice from a dear cyber friend! 
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Becky
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stellamaris
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We're sort of in-between "flowing" and "announcing". After morning prayer/religion time, I'll usually say something like, "OK, get started on your math." and one child who needs particular direction then will come work with me while the others just do their work more or less independently. From there on, the two independent learners follow the charts that detail their work for the day, while my ds who needs "an escort" to stay on task works under my direction. In this more relaxed way we cover grammar, Latin, reading, copywork, some nature sketching and a brief outdoor recess during the hours before lunch.
Later, for history, science, art, music (appreciation), and geography, I'll announce, "OK, time for <whatever>." and we gather and work/read/create together. These subjects include direct teaching time as well as independent reading time. Most literature read-alouds are done over lunch, alternating with books on saints or books just for fun.
I think I "direct" more when the children are younger; there is more "flow" as they become more independent and can move on with their work with less assistance.
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Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 11 2011 at 8:29am | IP Logged
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Becky Parker wrote:
| Thanks Jen. It's taken me 9 years to figure out a natural flow to our day. I finally decided to make it "intuitive", according to some great advice from a dear cyber friend! |
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 Good for you!  ....and....  dear cyber friend!
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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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Tina P.
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stellamaris wrote:
| who needs "an escort" to stay on task works under my direction. |
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Funny. Depending upon the day, I have one to three of those who need 'an escort.' It all depends on the weather and/or what they might have been playing together the day before. When they're playing constructively and cooperatively, I hate to direct them to individual tasks. I feel like I'm compartmentalizing their days instead of letting them relate freely and creatively with each other. But I do understand the fact that they need to get the work done.
stellamaris wrote:
| Later, for history, science, art, music (appreciation), and geography, I'll announce, "OK, time for <whatever>." and we gather and work/read/create together. These subjects include direct teaching time as well as independent reading time. Most literature read-alouds are done over lunch, alternating with books on saints or books just for fun. |
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I do these things in the afternoons as well. Unfortunately, sometimes babies or toddlers or my distractedness don't allow for some subjects to get done. art, music appreciation, and geography seem to get hit the hardest.
Quote:
| I think I "direct" more when the children are younger; there is more "flow" as they become more independent and can move on with their work with less assistance. |
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Agreed. In our family, we have independent readers who try to buck the system. I'm working on keeping a strict eye on one who quietly sneaks off to play or read instead of do his school work.  It's not easy with the baby and toddler constantly demanding my attention.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
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Erin
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mamaslearning wrote:
How do you do it? Is it a seamless flow throughout the day and each subject segues into the next? Or, are you like me and close a book, announce that math's over and reading is next?
Isn't there a better way? Any thoughts on how to transition from one subject to the next? |
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Lara,
I would say it is rather more seamless these days, but then we have been homeschooling for 13 years. When my oldest was 7yrs like yours I do believe I was leading more, and actually with my dd6 I still need to prod her.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
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stellamaris
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TinaP wrote:
| It's not easy with the baby and toddler constantly demanding my attention. |
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That's got to be the understatement of the year! It's truly tough as long as you have anyone under 4...frankly, when I look back, I have no idea how I did it...but, it does happen and you will be amazed by how much your children have actually learned, in spite of your distractedness. I have to say, whether you "direct" or "flow", your children are learning one crucial skill from you that I bet you never think about...that is THINKING!
I can't tell you how often my older children come to me and say, "Mom, these kids (meaning their peers) don't even know how to THINK!" and it is quite true. By giving your family a moral ground and by all of the little comments and questions you bring forth during the course of a day, your children are learning to think in ways that their peers are not...and it's a great thing! Facts and information can always be learned later; correct logical and moral thinking can best be learned at home and in one's youth.
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Transition between subjects
