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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Sept 21 2012 at 10:05pm | IP Logged
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how do you do high school? I am finding it takes a lot of time and I am struggling. While ds is pretty independent, I find for some subjects I need to read, too. And I struggle to find time with housework, a high maintenance dd, activities, entertaining dd and others, homeschool planning and other special projects(dh has a new job and I am trying to sort out the benefits and other transition stuff while he works:)
we are doing Rc History and I am very excited but not prepped yet, because I need to do reading and plan some. And ds's literature course. I cannot find time to do his assignments and reading myselfso we can have some discussions, which I know he needs. Oh, and my own spiritual reading?
Prayers and maybe some suggestions?
Thanks.
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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Sept 21 2012 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
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Do some books that you can get on audio.. for you, not him.  then you can be listening to the book while doing housework and other things that keep hands busy but the brain more idle.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Sept 21 2012 at 10:26pm | IP Logged
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Use driving time to discuss reading assignments, go over plans for the week and other useful activities.
Accept that high school is time-intensive, but don't feel you have to do 100% of the work. Allow your son to take the lead on some things. He can talk with you (or write) about his literature assignments - you can read summaries if you don't have time to read the entire work, so you understand what he's discussing - and share his opinion, thoughts on writing style, symbolism, theme/setting/characterizations, etc. You don't have to be an expert on everything.
Honestly, my house has been a wreck since ds (now 20) started high school. We clean regularly - tidying happens when people are coming over or when we can't find something.  My husband's job involves long hours, travel and stress. That leaves me with driving DD around and all the paperwork/bills/family stuff/emailing. My husband comes through in the clutch, but the day-to-day stuff is mine. Something has to give, and at our place, it's organization and tidyness. It's not the ideal situation, but it gives me time to work with our daughter and get her everywhere she needs to go.
Now she has a job, too...more driving!  
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Sept 21 2012 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
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Sparknotes could be helpful. They are like online Cliff notes and give you plot summaries, discussion ideas, list major themes, etc. Often I will use them to refresh my memory about books I've assigned that I have not read myself in a long time, but I suppose they could work even if you have not read the book at all.
Sparknotes
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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drmommy
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| Posted: Sept 24 2012 at 8:15am | IP Logged
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Sometimes I will ask my high schooler to regurgitate what she read...then we BOTH learn! Car time is great too, as Nancy said. Spark notes, Cliff notes, etc are also wonderful. Be rest assured, there is no way you can read everything they do (well, at least I cannot). I work 3 mornings per week, so it is hard to keep up with all three girls' reading. I concentrate on my special needs girl first (more time consuming), and then with the seventh grader and tenth grader, I ask them a lot of questions about what they are reading.
The best thing we did (for organization and tidiness) is to get rid of the TV (shocking, I know). It has helped tremendously for cutting down the distractions, etc. We choose to live pretty minimal, so choosing clothes, shoes, etc are very easy and there are less choices to worry about. Our hair styles are simple, bedrooms are simple, closets really pared down, etc. We have their books only in the school room, and I really try to keep on paring down. It just makes for easy cleaning, easy decision making, and less time looking for things. We do not shop recreationally, which helps a lot to cut down on the time and the "wants". Then, we carry that over to simple activities too.
It has benefitted to simplify SO much in all areas of our lives. We find we have more time for prayer, Mass during the week, quieter home, and more time for converstion, hence more time for discussing their literature! I don't know if that helps, but it has helped us so much in our educational and spiritual lives, and even my marriage!
God bless you as you consider what is best for YOUR family. There are some good suggestions here. High school is tough...hang in there, and you will see the fruits!! Bridget
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 6:35am | IP Logged
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Thanks everyone. I have learned this week that it is hard for me to be gone at the beginning of the day. I guess this is a learning curve, high school. Wow! I thought was going to find it easier,
Thanks for the helpful hints. Now to motivate...
Have a good day, all.
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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 7:47am | IP Logged
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Well, I thought I'd add my 2 cents. I found that texts that have teacher manuals that have chapter summaries very helpful. Didache for religion is like that. For history - we choose a text book that comes with premade tests. History then is really an independent study - I set the pace and assignments and she does them. I tell her when tests will be and the assignment textbook questions . . . which I have the answer key to - so viola - mom doesn't have to read! I do read the literature when she does - mainly I do that before going to bed at night. I don't plan literature cause I will find a good study guide for the literature book we are reading.
Grammar I just assign and grade 1 or 2 times per week with her.
Math for my oldest (now almost 20) was time intensive because I read and did lessons on my own too in order to review. Now I am on high schooler number 2 and I don't look at the lessons ahead of time - we grade yesterdays problems, then watch the dive cd - then she's on her own to do the problem set.
So, I guess my advice is - yes I love classical charlotte mason , real learning but - in high school I do more text books. 1. because it is less time intensive for me 2. I feel it is better prep for college (where they will be expected to take a textbook and read,work through it, understand it and remember it for the tests - all on their own basically! So, some independence is good! When they go through a text book - teach them how to study - not just read. Then there is little need for mom to read the text because mom does not have to review the chapter with her kid!
Anyway - thats how I do it.
Oh - your yougest dd is the age of my ds. I schedule his day so times I meet with dd in high school he has independent work he cando. (still have to meet every day with my high schooler for math and at least once per week for other subjects to check on progress and grade). So ds 9 years old can do spelling, grammar, finish math, read, handwriting, educational ipad apps. . . while I am with my high schooler. When he is done with school and I need to be with her - he knows what things I will let him do (maybe not tv, yes to some toys. . . ).
HERE IS MY BEST ADVICE: KIDS NEED TO DO HOUSEWORK TOO! Dust, vaccuum , bath rooms. Set times when you all clean. Youngest can be taught to dust and even do sink and toilet. The oldest can do any cleaning!Too bad if they don't like it! You put lots of time homeschooling and they should help clean!
Barb
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: Time
