A few weeks ago when I posted about our choice of homeschool curriculum, I promised a post about what our school day looks like. I've always been laid back when it comes to school. A year or two ago, I started to panic when I realized that high school loomed large, but I feel that I've gotten my emotions back in check and we are on a good course. So, our days are again laid back and as easy going as I can make them. That does not mean that they are without academic rigor. I expect much from my children. I personally believe that the public school system dumbs down their curriculum (here's another link regarding this subject). But perhaps we will save that debate for another day.
On to our typical school day. I have to note that there is little that is typical about my family. With 4 birth children and 1 foster child, days are always a little hectic. Also we are a very busy family with plenty of outside activities to keep us hopping. But here is what we strive for every day. If we hit this mark 3-4 days a week, I'm happy!
Evan (8th grade) usually wakes around 7:00 (which was long before the rest of us before Baby B came!) and gets started on his school work. He is required to do the following things each day:
Bible - 30 minutes (he is allowed to choose whatever portion of Scripture he would like.)
Math - 1 lesson each day - he is currently using Saxon Algebra 1
Reading - 1 1/2 hours each day - he is reading through the book list that I created - He is currently reading the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
History/Science - 30 minutes each day - alternating between the two daily - Currently he is reading Beacon Lights of History Vol. 1 and The Sciences by Eward Holden.
Writing - 1 hour or 1 page each day - usually he is composing an essay either based on his current reading or based on a topic that I have assigned - Currently he is working on a research project about Honduras.
Poetry/Current Events - 10 minutes each day - alternating - For poetry we use the suggestions at Ambleside Online. For current events we use magazines from God's World News.
Nathan (3rd grade) is required to do the following:
Bible - approximately 15 minutes per day - He is using the Keys for Kids devotional books
Reading - 30 minutes each day - He is also reading through the book list and is reading The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton Burgess
Math - 1 lesson per day from Saxon 3
Spelling - 15 minutes per day - Spell to Write and Read
Poetry/Current Events - 10 minutes per day alternating between the two daily
McGuffey First Reader - 10 minutes 2x per week - Nathan is required to read this aloud to me so that I can make sure he is pronouncing the words correctly and understanding the use of punctuation.
Occasionally he is required to write an original composition and we work on grammar, punctuation and spelling based on the mistakes he's made in his writing. He is also required to narrate to me so that I'm sure he's comprehending what he's reading (Evan is required to do this as well.) These are both very Charlotte Mason ideas.
I am currently working with Elizabeth on phonics and basic math concepts. She is using Spell to Write and Read. She uses Math-U-See Primer for math.
Ben and Baby B are just tagging along for the ride. They are wonderful children, but not always the most helpful when it comes to getting school work done. *wink*
Friday's are supposed to be our Friday Fun Day. It is a shorter school day. The kids are still required to do math, but less reading. Evan alternates each Friday reading either How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler or Community Civics and Rural Life and discussing it with me. We also do once-a-week unit studies on Friday. We are currently doing a study of the Life of Jesus.
Believe it or not, we are usually done with school by lunch or 1:00. This is great for me as the kids can have some free time and I (hopefully) have a few minutes to relax or get some work done (usually the latter).
What's your typical school day like? What would you change about it?
~Linda
0 comments:
Post a Comment