Last year I was new to homeschooling, and I am just now starting to feel like I am getting comfortable with it all.
I have decided to plan out more of a schedule this year, I hope I have weeded out some of the things that don’t work for us.
Tentative plan starting August 2nd is 6 weeks of “regular” schooling, and 2 weeks of “easier” schooling.
During the 2 weeks off for the kids, will probably be my busiest time. That is when I will plan and shop for the next 6 weeks of school, and also give my house a good thorough cleaning.
This chunk of 6 weeks feels more manageable to plan and knowing that my house will once again be cleaned every 6 weeks feel so good to me. It really lifts that overwhelming feeling. Also it makes homeschooling more affordable for me, as I will NOT be purchasing all of their curriculum at the beginning of the school year. I will purchase it as they finish up something.
About curriculum: That is something that I have not completely decided on. So here is the list that I know.
Math:
Tommy- finish up Math U See Epsilion.
Emily – continue to learn multiplication facts 1-12, begin division.
Katey- continue to recognize numbers and how many each number stands for.
(I hope to purchase Teaching Textbooks for Tommy. I am still looking for Emily something, she may stick with Math U See)
Science:
Tommy and Emily will continue in Botany, and then I plan to move on to Flying Creatures. Katey will continue to do the science experiments out of botany with us.
Plus she is having tons of fun exploring nature with a magnifying glass.
Another fun science book we have been doing experiments out of is Nature in a Nutshell. (I highly recommend this book, it is simple experiments with things you probably already have on hand, and the experiments are all pretty quick)
History:
This is one I am still deciding on. We have just finished up Ancients History Odyssey. I did like that one, I am looking at my other options. I may choose to go back to them but then I am undecided at which one, Middle Ages, or Modern (Pioneers), Middle Ages comes next, but my children are really interested in Pioneers right now.
I am also leaving room for any review items that I get as being a part of TOS Crew. I also do not feel like this is all I will teach. I will be willing to add to our load once we get going and see what others are doing,, and how they work.
This post is linked up to Heart Of The Matter's Not Back to School Blog Hop and Latter-day Homeschooling Back to Homeschooling Blog Hop!
17 comments:
I have to take a break sometimes as well to clean house and reorganize. Otherwise, it drives me nuts!
Sounds like a great plan you have! We are going to do 9 weeks on 1 week off. We'll have to see how it goes, I might end up tweaking it a bit down the road. I am going to have to check out the Nature book, I am trying to get into nature study with my girls. Oh, I am apart of the Crew this year too!
Stop by sometime, if your interested in joining I am hosting a Statehood Postcard Swap.
I like your plan. I hadn't considered scheduling a week or two of "homeschooling lite" for deep cleaning and organization. I really like that idea!
GREAT IDEA!!! I don't know why I have never done this! My house will be so excited! I usually just get more and more run down and overwhelmed.
You and I are both beginning our second year of homeschool, I didn't realize that!! We are using Teaching Textbooks and LOVE it! Also, studying Botany this semester and loving it too!
Like your new layout/design:-), and header too!
Ah, we skipped middle ages the first time we came to it too, my oldest was just more interested in american history. It has worked out okay, so if that is what the kids will love - go for it!
I was on the Crew last year--it was a great experience. You are wise to leave a lot of room in your schedule for review products! We had a very flexible schedule as we tried to fit everything in!
Home schooling is W.I.P = Work In Progress. I am in my 8th year and every year I learn something new. Each year is different and we are always so blessed following God's will. Congrats on making it to year two. Have a blessed one.
Hopping over from the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop...
I love the idea of 6 weeks / 2 weeks with those planned "lighter weeks" to make space for cleaning, planning, shopping... for me, I would try to schedule things like doctor's appointments in those 2 lighter weeks too!
Thanks for suggesting Nature in a Nutshell... we hadn't seen that book before and it looks great.
Have a wonderful year!
Teaching Textbooks is worth EVERY PENNY. I'd advise to do some of the sample lessons online so you buy the right grade. I've found they are a fair bit behind the Singapore Math we were using, which is fine, but that means we are working on seventh and fifth grades at the same time... but the fifth grade stuff is harder. :)
What an interesting sort of schedule. Don't you just love the individuality of homeschooling and how we can set whatever schedule works best for our family?
Thank you for sharing on the NOT Back-to-School blog hop.
I love "family style school" - what a great way to sum up what we're doing!!!
I really, really like your idea of 6 wks on, 2 wks off - we're about to do a huge 950 mile move to TX and are learning how to be adaptable... I think your idea would work really well as we look ahead. Taking it one chunk at a time rather than 1 whole year. Thanks much!
Every year it gets easier and better. I'm in my 4th year of homeschooling and I feel even more committed. Enjoy the process. It is all part of the homeschool experience.
What a great list. It looks like you're going to have a wonderful homeschool year!
I'm so glad that you joined the Hip Homeschool Hop today. :)
Sue
The Homeschool Chick
Thanks for joining in Hip Homeschool Hop. I'm excited to get to know you better!
Meghan
www.thetuckerstaketenneessee.com
www.facebook.com/hiphomeschoolmoms
www.twitter.com/hiphmschoolmoms
Weeding out what doesn't work is just as important as finding was does - don't you agree? =)
I am so excited to see all these blogs I'm finding that are also using Apologia science. We'll be doing the astronomy. I can't wait - I'm so excited. =)
(Here from the Not Back to School Blog Hop)
It looks like you have a great year planned! I'll be visiting from the TOS crew and the blog hop again soon.
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