This is what we do on Friday in our classroom:
Math & Reading. That simple. Friday is our Homeschool Park Day, so we don't attempt much. However, I have found that the hours before we leave at 10 have to be filled somehow with productive activity, so I pull out some handy math worksheets, and we get after it. Plus my planning book looks better with those check marks!
On days when we've had a morning field trip, and I know I cannot expect a lot of productivity out of them, I've also done this: I will put the names of 2 core subjects and then maybe 3 supplementary activities, and a couple of fun ideas (read a book with Mom, etc.) on paper, put it in a hat, and they each have to draw 2 pieces out. If they draw their two core subjects, then guess what. We do those. If they draw 30 minutes of reading & coloring with Mom, then they get to do that. Oh, they get to have one opportunity for a re-draw.
The times we've done this, it's been neat. Because then it's their drawing & not my insistance that they do a subject. I am blessed with children who love to learn, so this is one way I lighten the load a bit.
Just another idea I'm passing along!
Quickie Math is the title of a folder that I keep in my planning box. (I use my planning box to hold my worksheets for the week.) Each subject has a folder and the box is divided into two sections, one for each child.
On a day like yesterday where I wouldn't be doing any topical teaching in their core subjects, I was able to have Bethany go to the Quickie Math folder (separate from her Math folder in the same box) and pull out a worksheet to complete. These worksheets are usually lessons we may skip because the content is more reviewing previously taught concepts. But we all know review has it's place. A graded math workbook would have the same effect in that it can be pulled out and taken on the go if necessary.
In fact, I recommend some sort of reader or graded topical workbook for most subjects on those days you do need to take learning on the road.
Today is Wednesday, April 14, 2010, but it's my Monday.
I have spent the last two days leading worship at a regional Pastors & Church Staff conference at a beautiful retreat center in our area. A lot of prayer and planning went into the event, and in honesty, for whatever reason, the planning part was rather excruciating for me. (I can probably chock that up to my crash course in PowerPoint.) The actual event and enjoying the hand of the Lord from session to session was more than worth it all. But in honesty, Worship Leader and Homeschooling Mother Kathy is tired and feeling a bit forlorn. (I've heard it's normal, but I don't get it. I really don't understand why I can't just do something that I love to do without these kinds of after effects.)
Getting through my Monday means this for me:
Bethany is writing Thank-You letters today. Let's hear it for Grammar & punctuation, spelling, penmanship and composition!
Bethany is correcting her letters. Let's hear it for Editing skills.
Daniel is cleaning out the recycling tub: Extra chores has a way of curbing a less than desirable attitude about our scheduled morning chores. Let's hear it for Character Training.
Daniel is writing a Thank-You letter also, but struggling with content. Remedy: Let's talk about the why's behind Thank-You letters, and how it expresses appreciation. Creative Writing Discussion: Check!
Lunch time: A surprise picnic outside in the backyard complete with silly laughter and joy.
Dessert: A mandated 30-minute quiet time!
Later: 1 math worksheet & 1 chapter in reading per child.
As for me, that's how I'm handling my Monday.
Here is their description:
The One Year Adventure Novel curriculumHere are a few of the lesson topics:
... guides students (grades 8-12) through the process of writing a structured, compelling adventure novel over the course of one school year. The program's unique approach to writing begins where many writing course don't go at all, with an exploration of Story.
The Heroic Quest
Point of View
Context and Synopsis
The Five Elements of Story
The Supporting Cast
The Villain
The Synopsis, part 2
Conflict
Disaster
Dilemma
Acts and Scenes
The Four Defining Chapters
The Novel Outline: Formulas,
--Plots and Subplots
How to Write a Chapter
Creating Emotion
The Illusion of Reality
Narrative Order
Character Masks
Setting
The Character Interview
Unexpected Humor
Unexpected Tragedy
Unexpected Grace
Irony
Cliffhangers
Voice
Writing the Climax
Revision and Rewriting
Formatting Your Manuscript
Sharing & Publishing
By clicking here you can obtain sample pages. The lessons are taught on DVD by writer Daniel Schwabauer. (Personally I think it's cool that a writer's last name would have the word Schwa in it!)
By clicking here you can see all you'll get when you make your purchase. A bit pricey? Well, 78 Video Lessons on 7 DVDs, Textbook, Workbook, Teacher's Guide, Prisoner of Zenda novel, & a Resource Disk. All this for $199. Personally. I think it's fine. Pricey, but fine. The teaching looks excellent, it's self guided, extra student workbooks are available, and if I were a homeschooled 8th grader or above, I'd jump on it. There's also a special pricing if you want to set it up for co-op use.
Last night, I sponsored a Curriculum Share Night at my house for our Homeschool Group Moms. The focus for the evening: anything Language Arts. We had about a dozen Moms bring their Language Arts curriculum, both what they're presently using and even some selections they're no longer using. I think we had a little bit of everything: Shurley English, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Winston Grammar, Bob Jones, Abeka, First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind, Hooked on Phonics Master Reader (for struggling readers grades 3 & up), Language Lessons for the Very Young, Queen Homeschool Handwriting, Spelling Power, Handwriting Without Tears (almost spelled "with our tears"....how true that is!), Writing Strands, Writing with Ease, and others that I am not naming just because I've only had one cup of coffee.
What we did was set up a few tables, and then organized the tables by the following subjects: Reading, Spelling & Handwriting, Writing, English & Phonics, and supplemental material. It was like a mini-curriculum fair-somewhat like the one we'll be having in Phoenix in late July. We all just browsed for awhile, and then the conversations picked up, and people sat together and talked about why they liked a particular curriculum to whoever might be asking them about their choice.
The bottom line is: there is so much wonderful curriculum out there for homeschooling families. The choices are good, the curriculum is solid, and best of all, it's doable. (Did I mention we had coffee & tea, and lots of goodies brought by the Moms?) I've said it before: "Don't try this alone!", and last night was proof you don't have to.
Next up: Another curriculum share on the 20th of this month: History, Science, Math, Unit Studies, Bible, & everything we forgot to bring last night including the camera!
Once again, the beauty of homeschooling, as they say. I have just been crowned from my head down to my heart as my son's favorite mammal. I think I'll congratulate myself! So, here's to science, and to my son's understanding of the value of God-breathed human life, and not just any life, but of his favorite mammal, his mother.
Today one of our homeschooling families a.k.a. majorly special friends came over and we spent the afternoon together: children playing, fixing dinner, & planning! Planning for next year. Curriculum to choose from. Her list is much shorter than mine which is in part a tribute to her decisiveness. I need about 9 more children so I can try out all of the curriculum that interests me.
Everybody needs somebody....often, in homeschooling world. Don't do it alone. Find that support group that fits your family needs, find a buddy who loves to dig and look right along with you. Get a homeschooling magazine that you love, find some blogs worth reading, and be encouraged. Don't forget that homeschooling is the greatest privilege as a parent when it comes to your children's education, and it's to be taken seriously and joyously!
Now, for the fruit of our labors, here's MY list! (The bold print is what we're currently doing and could continue with the next level the following year-all others would be possibilities.)
DANIEL:
Math- Horizons, Continue drills with Calculadder
L.Arts- Character Quality Language Arts, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Rod & Staff, First Language Lessons (Well-Trained Mind), Bob Jones, Writing With Ease for Writing. (We completed most of the Bob Jones LA for this year, but isn't challenging him at this point. We can continue with Explode the Code & Brainquest for supplemental to finish the year.)
Spelling-Spelling Power or a spelling workbook (Currently using Flashkids Gr 2.)
History-Beautiful Feet (Ancient History for next year), Story of the World, Mystery of History
Science-Apologia/Considering God's Creation, Real Science 4 Kids
Reading- Bob Jones
Daniel likes to stick with a particular curriculum, for example, NOT doing Horizons does not appear to be an option. Same with Bob Jones Reading-he loves it! Sounds like a plan, and makes it simple for me unless I'm the one desiring the change.
BETHANY
Math-Saxon, Horizons, Teaching Textbooks, Rod & Staff . Continue drills with Calculadder.
Changing back to Horizons from Saxon is an option in that I would be using a similar methadology with both students. I'll have to see what happens with Daniel in Grade 2 Horizons ...which we just began, as that was when they just popped in a topic to teach with no explanation as to the why of their method when Bethany was doing that level. It just seemed out of sequence, so we switched to Saxon for this year. Working o.k., but not the perfect one.
L.Arts- (currently in First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Level 4-no other levels available). CQLA, LLATL, Rod & Staff, Analytical Grammar, Bob Jones.
I could do CQLA for both children-a bonus there.
Writing-Writing With Ease, IEW or another Writing Curriculum
Spelling-Spelling Power
Penmanship-Continue with Queen Homeschool if more penmanship work is necessary
History-Same as above (for Daniel) except that I forgot one! Would love to explore Galloping the Globe. Could I do that with a history as well? Possibly so!
We do History & Science together, although each child has graded readers in both subjects to help us cover in topic what their peers are covering. We use Bob Jones & Abeka for History & Science readers.
Science-Same as above (for Daniel).
Continue with typing for Bethany and Latin for Bethany & Daniel ( Just brought that back into the mix this semester.) Planning to co-op either History or Science with another homeschooling family.
Art & Music-Art appreciation for both/Piano lessons for Bethany
Sports-Continue with Sports Kidz AZ for weekly P.E., and add a sport of their choice through a weekly league play. Sports Kidz AZ P.E. functions as the practice for whatever sport they're currently offering through league play. It cuts out the need for an extra practice each week. We love that about Sports Kidz AZ.
In summary: We have a full load but I would be happy to ease up on some of that. I am willing to cut out supplementary Language Arts stuff if I can find a good curriculum.
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