(on) The Road (to becoming a) Scholar: Planning my upcoming school year...

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Planning my upcoming school year...

I've bought the books, made my library lists and still I can't get anything down on paper! I think I've finally succumb to the only plan one week at a time. Have you (before TJEd) sat down and planned out a whole semester?

Here's my confession. I'm so good at the planning part. I have done it just about every year before. What I stink at is execution! After reading _A Mother's Rule of Life_ by Holly Pierlot, I both cheered and cried. I can easily make a FABULOUS schedule for my homeschool. I just can't stick to it.

What is it? I can plan book clubs and have no problem executing them. I can plan meetings, and they run well. I can plan meals. I think the problem is that I was requiring and not inspiring my kids, so we would get hung up on "getting the page done". I'm not kidding. There were times we would be doing Math all day because I THOUGHT they needed to finish the page.

So, here's a look into my days (as I'm planning them ;-). Check back with me once we start up whether I stick with it. I'm printing it here to make me a little more accountable:

7:00am - Everyone up.
7:30am - Everyone dressed and at the breakfast table
8:00am - Chores (make beds, daily chores)
8:45am - Readings of the day, Religion and Catechism OR Daily Mass
9:30am - Kidschool
(Monday - Writing/Spelling/Phonics/Math)
(Tuesday - Science/Latin/Math)
(Wednesday - History/Geography/Math)
( Thursday - Creative Thinking/Spelling/Phonics/Math)
(Friday - Art/Music/Spelling)
12:00pm - Lunch
12:30pm - Clean up lunch, school supplies, etc
1:00pm - NAP TIME for little ones and self directed learning for older ones which will include: Mom reading a classic aloud, listening to a classic on tape or CD, reading to oneself, working on a project of interest, practicing instruments, learn a new language,
OR
(Tuesday - Gym and Swim)
(Friday - book club(s))
3:30pm - Check in with Mom (Tell mom what you did and write it down in school planner)
3:45pm - Tidy up the house, snack, set the table for dinner, do any afternoon chores
4:15pm - Free time (Mom makes dinner)
6:00pm - Dinner & Clean up
7:00pm - Family Time (Read classic aloud, play games, watch a family movie, go for a bike ride or walk, visit a park, work on a project, attend Cub Scouts, library night, etc)
8:30pm - Everyone gets ready for bed
9:00pm - Bed time for kids

We don't do sports programs, usually and we tend to not do a lot of extra curricular activities or outside classes unless 2 kids or more are participating (to cut down on the running around). This keeps us at home mostly.

Stay tuned for a status report...

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The Road Scholar

Cathie and her husband are blessed with six children and have home educated them since 2003. Before children, Cathie developed curricula and taught classes for adults around the world on a variety of topics in the computer industry at the corporate and technical school level. She loves to develop curricula, teach homeschool co-op classes and organize book clubs. For five years, she held board positions on a large homeschool support group such as general coordinator, membership coordinator and advisory member.

Workshops, Presentations and Seminars

To arrange a presentation for your homeschool group or convention contact me here.

Topics:

Beginning Homeschooling - Beyond the Basics

Are you new to homeschooling? Where do you start? How do you ensure a very good (not just adequate) homeschooling experience, especially in that important first year? This practical how-to session will help you determine the appropriate first steps on your homeschooling adventure. We'll talk about picking a curriculum, scheduling and strategies for developing an independent child as well as strengthening your family and social relationships.

Get Your Game On!
Using EASY, Almost No-Fuss Games to Help Keep Learning Fun

Kids love games and so much is gained by playing games: learning to taking turns, good sportsmanship, patience and development of relationships. By using games, we can tailor to the needs of the child - not just academically, but socially, too. Come join in the fun yourself and learn how easy it is to put together games for your children—and you don't have to be creative to do it, either! Besides learning how, you will walk away with instructions, tips and resources to make your own games at home.

How to Get Your Kids to See the Light (or Feel it or Hear it)!

Teaching different learning modalities requires different tactics. Learn how to determine which modality your child uses and find ways to present material so that it sticks the first time, especially if it is different than your own learning modality.

This Old Schoolhouse

The school marms and school masters of yesteryear taught several children at different levels and formed many of our favorite American heroes. We will look back at how those school marms ran their one room schools and take some tips on making our school days more successful. We’ll talk about schedules, curriculum, discipline, independence, character development and motivation for the one room school in your home.

Socrates Meets Homeschool Mom

If Socrates could teach you one thing, it would be to use his method (the Socratic Method) for literary analysis. This presentation addresses the fundamentals of literary interpretation from within the accessible world of children’s literature, so even young students can easily identify the language of literary analysis. As they mature they will readily spot these fundamentals in more difficult works, enriching both their understanding of the literature and their appreciation for the author’s handiwork. Learn the aspects of literary analysis and how to help kids appreciate and find the meaning in all the great books they read.

The Motivation Myth

What do sticker charts, time-outs and spelling bees have in common? They are examples of “Carrots and Sticks.” Over the last 40 years, study after study has shown that "Carrots and Sticks" don't work for long term motivation, especially when thought is required in the process. How are you motivating and inspiring your kids to study, do chores and reach goals? Learn about what truly motivates kids, how to mentor them and help them become successful in their endeavors. I will dispel the myths and reveal truths about human motivation and mindset. And here’s a hint. It’s you, not them. I hope you will join me to find out what that means.