| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kymomma4 |
Posted - Aug 09 2013 : 09:50:21 AM
Hey girls! I've been homeschooling my children for a year now. Ages 4, 6, 10, & 11. How do you guys spend your day? I'm still working on unschooling them and teaching them that we don't do "school" like they do school. I'm curious how everybody else spends their day. It may give me some ideas. I have a lot of women I'm friends with who are interested in what I do with my kiddos because they're frustrated with the system. Hope you girls are having a fabulous farmday!
Farmgirl #2361
"Blessed is the farmgirl who helps make the world a better and healthy place" ~ Me
"For she is clothed with dignity and strength and without fear of the future"-Proverbs 31:25 |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| BoldTurquoise |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 12:19:03 AM
Ok, the PLAN every day is that I get my oldest up (2nd grade) a little before the younger kids so that we can do his math and possibly reading before they other kids are up. He usually eats a small breakfast while we do this and then a larger breakfast once the younger kids are awake. During the bigger breakfast we do visual Bible study (similar to www.grapevinestudies.com) and then my oldest works on some independent work while I do core subjects with the kindergartener. Once all of our core work is done for both we move on to our unit study learning for the day which typically involves reading, projects, copywork and writing, etc....
We usually finish by about lunch time although some project may straggle on after lunch. I'm working on getting better about them having quiet, alone time in the afternoons to just look at books and so forth as well. We also do read alouds before bed.
One thing I AM considering for next year is to switch my oldest to Teaching a Textbooks so that it frees up more of my time to give to my younger kids as well.
You should check out www.susanevans.org and google her YouTube video for their daily schedule- it helped me so much!
Mama to 3 (so far). Homemaker. Homeschooler. Blogger. Doula.
A suburban girl tackling a country life! Be bold and gracious! http://boldturquoise.com |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Dec 20 2013 : 06:30:04 AM
life is crazy busy here with schooling! Around Christmas time, we try to take a Christmas-y look at our subjects, starting after Thanksgiving. Last year we used "Truth in the Tinsel." This year we looked at how different countries celebrate Christmas. What do all of you use?
As for "normal" home schooling - eek! We are eclectic in our style - everything from Math-U-See to unit studies to ACE, etc. I try to explore the kids' interests, but stay sane, and keep with Christian based curriculum as much as possible. Unfortunately, I am notorious for adding to and changing bought curriculums ;) |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Dec 19 2013 : 9:04:55 PM
we spend about a hour or two a day doing "school", math, social studies, science, LAs...etc...and the rest of the day they play. lol haha They do a few online games too-like Reading eggs, etc.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| sharlanicky |
Posted - Nov 07 2013 : 7:09:42 PM
I have two boys, a 6 year old and a 10 year old. I like to say we are relaxed homeschoolers. We have a curriculum and a schedule but we sometimes go off on tangents in our learning. We also volunteer and are involved in various community projects. We live near a historic state park, we like to dress up and volunteer there a lot. I believe it helps my children learn a great deal of history mainly because they are living it.
Sharlanicky
from the little "farmhouse" in the woods
Farmgirl Sister #5560
http://www.lookatwhatyouareseeing.com/ |
| musicmommy |
Posted - Aug 22 2013 : 4:58:50 PM
We've been homeschooling since the beginning. The boys are currently in 8th, 6th and 4th grade. I tend to be on the more structured side of things, but we're still pretty flexible. Here in Oregon, the only requirement for homeschooling is to send a letter of intent to the school district and then do the standardized testing at the required years. Other than that, we get to do what we please.
Like all children, my boys have their definite learning styles. I give them their list for the week on Monday morning and they get to choose how they make it through the list. Generally, we take one day for an adventure day. We do have a set curriculum we work through because I need that to feel like they are getting a good education that will prepare them for college if that is what they desire. However, the curriculum we use is different for each boy depending on his learning style.
As far as unschooling goes, I do know a couple of families who do it and are amazing. I've also known some who regretted it later on because they didn't put as much time and effort into it and it ended up hurting the kids in the long run. Again though, when done well, it can be a truly amazing education for the child. I do think it would only work with my middle though. He just loves learning.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
| cutie pie cottge |
Posted - Aug 22 2013 : 12:20:56 PM
Hi RoDonna! I have fond memories of my boys bringing home HUGE stacks of books from the library. I loved watching them learn. The library and now the Internet has helped make homeschooling possible for us!
http://holly-girlsatheart.blogspot.com/ |
| kymomma4 |
Posted - Aug 22 2013 : 10:49:07 AM
Thanks Holly! My four are kind of unschool/eclectic homeschoolers. They've decided they wanted to learn more about farming this month so we are looking at books from the library and will probably be visiting some of the different farms around the area. We will probably get into something different next month. We try to get the basics. My daughter loves books and workbooks, but my oldest son doesn't like them. He's a lefty because he broke his right arm twice when he was younger and doesn't like to write too much. Loves to draw and do hands on stuff with science. Math is used in the grocery and with my business. We tend to be all over the place. Kentucky is really not that strict with us. All they ask for is to keep attendance records and they've never checked them with any of the homeschoolers around here. They are suppose to have 185 days of school. I'll make sure to ask if I need help. I love having other homeschoolers to talk with. Thanks!!
Farmgirl #2361
"Blessed is the farmgirl who helps make the world a better and healthy place" ~ Me
"For she is clothed with dignity and strength and without fear of the future"-Proverbs 31:25
www.marykay.com/rcarson4 |
| cutie pie cottge |
Posted - Aug 20 2013 : 09:11:54 AM
Hi, Kymomma4!
I guess I could be considered a veteran home schooler. I home schooled 4 boys with only one left at home- sort of. He's been spending most of his summer with his older brother and his family in another state so I've had a mini retirement of sorts. My oldest boys were in public and private schools before coming home so I've experienced all sorts of formal education and all styles of home schooling .
My youngest, 15 is currently a true blue unschooler and is flourishing. We had more structured learning when he was younger because of the laws in the state we were in but here in Idaho, we have more freedom.
As to how I spend my days- I do my thing- cooking, cleaning, shopping, crafting and he does his. Before leaving on his vaca, my son was studying typing, leadership, business, math, guitar, chess, history, spelling and fitness. He studies all on his own without help from me and uses his own money to buy books. we've given him the choice to attend the public highs school but he's too independent and wants to keep learning on his own!
I'd be glad to answer any questions if you have any!
http://holly-girlsatheart.blogspot.com/ |
| Sitnalta |
Posted - Aug 12 2013 : 11:14:10 AM
We don't start until September this year. I do a more traditional school setting with my children. (ages 7,6, &3) We have text books and tests. We work about 4 hours a day sometimes more or less depending on how the day starts and follows. The kids lead for the most part. I have a lesson planner of things I would like to get through that day, but if we find something along the way that makes learning more fun or we can work with, then it heads up our learning day. Right now, my 6year old is in 2nd grade focusing mainly on Math and learning to read/Phonics. My 7 year old starts 3rd grade this year with Math, English, Reading, Spelling, Science, and History. Flexibility is good, routine works better for us. :)
"Wonder Woman hasn't got a cape, she just turned her apron around"
Farmgirl Sister #235 |
| kymomma4 |
Posted - Aug 12 2013 : 10:21:33 AM
I'm thinking about getting Teaching Textbooks for math. We go to the library every two weeks and the game farm often. They love the animals and learn a lot about the animals of Kentucky. I've been finding a lot of stuff online for free. I'm reteach a lot of stuff they were supposed to have learned while in the public school. My teacher friends think that it's great I'm homeschooling. Which was a surprise to me. I'm still learning a lot about this choice of education for my children, but I'm having a lot of fun watching them grown and find out what they really like.
Farmgirl #2361
"Blessed is the farmgirl who helps make the world a better and healthy place" ~ Me
"For she is clothed with dignity and strength and without fear of the future"-Proverbs 31:25 |
| SandraM |
Posted - Aug 11 2013 : 8:11:35 PM
This is my 17th year homeschooling. I have two left at home. We have done so many different things over the years.
This year they are in the 7th grade and they wanted to try something different so we are doing some switched on school house. Not sure if we will like it but at this age they want to do it on their own and this provides some of that but I also wanted more structure than we have had in previous years.
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 10 2013 : 6:59:11 PM
When we began to home school our children the oldest was starting high school.
We had a 2nd grader, 7th grader and 9th grader.
We kept to a schedule since that is what they were used to and it worked well for us as far as the book learning. We did other things with the home school group in our area. They did plenty and more that met the requirements for our state. I didn't really think to much on unschooling them because they were still being schooled, just at home. We did have some "moments" but those were life learning times not academics. It was a bit more difficult I believe because we started when they were older. I wish we had started when they were younger and had we known about it then we may have but you start where you are and do the best you can. I am enjoying that my oldest daughter is home schooling her children and I have the privilege of being involved in that. I think each family does things differently according to the needs of their children.
Denise
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Tall Holly |
Posted - Aug 10 2013 : 6:32:21 PM
Good evening,
We do not unschool. I understand the attraction but I think that you have to spend a lot of individual time with a child to provide the resources to encourage the child's interests. I do not have that kind of time and my children have not been motivated enough in their pursuits of interest to do it on their own.
Right now we have not officially started our school year but here the homeschool year can start July 1 and end March but can go on until June 30. So, the youngest boys who are 5, 7 and 8 spend most of their time outside. They watch public television until 9 in the morning and then in the afternoon for a couple of hours. Sometimes I debate with myself about it but they do enjoy it and it gives me time to do the house chores I need to get done without having to worry about what they are doing. (two of the boys joined our family in January and sometimes forget that belonging means not caring about things as well as people so they need to be watched more closely)
The boys go for a walk/run for 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the woods with my dd who is 17. They play in the pond or stream when they get back or pick blueberries. Sometimes one will help in the garden. Sometimes they just play outside. We do not spend a lot of time inside on nice days.
At 2:00 or so the two older boys do one math lesson in their Singapore math workbooks.
Before bed we read or they play with the connecting blocks while they take turns showering.
We have homeschooled for many years.
Holly
farmgirl #2499
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