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Hubs and I go over what the kids need to be doing on a semi regular basis, every several weeks. The older 3 do most of their stuff on their own. We have to read papers and check math (grr) but the rest is mostly a matter of them spending the time doing the reading.
The little three are the ones that occupy the bulk of my time. But, even so. I find that 3 hours a day with the little 3 is plenty.
After the first few chores of the day are done and breakfast is eaten and laundry is started then we get down to business.
We start with Bible reading. I use an audio Bible on my computer and we all follow along in our own Bibles. I have it read the Proverb of the day and then a few chapters depending on where we are that day. Usually on Mondays we read the chapters for our next week’s Sunday School lesson, then the rest of the week we alternate between the old and new testament. Right now we are in Psalms and John. We’re just marching our way through the whole Bible a few chapters a day.
At this time we also study our Catechism question and read (at least once per week) a chapter from Sketches from Church History. This goes along with our Sunday school.
After that the three olders go to their rooms (or stay in the soon to be vacant den) and begin their independent work starting with Balancing the Sword. They record their answers, to the chapters we have just read, in a spiral notebook.
Then they continue on with Math, one lesson a day in their respective Saxon texts. Tex is in Algebra 1 (GRRRR!!!), Hank is in Algebra 1/2 (Grrr!), and Dusty is in 87 (grr). Praise God for solution manuals and answer keys!!!
Hank uses a book called Learning English Using Punctuation and Capitalization. This book is self-directed, yay, we love self-directed texts.
All three of the olders are reading Elements of Style, Thoughts for Young Men, and Woe is I. (Thoughts for Young Men and Elements of Style get re-read, they just finish one day and start over again the next day. Woe is I can have a rest for a couple of months before having another go.)
They also have a Copywork lesson each day. I bought these from Queen Homeschool Supply and they’re wonderful. Money well spent, I used to scrounge for copywork every day, now it’s already there in the book, just waiting for them to get to it. I love that.
They also read. They have 3 types of books going at all times.
- Historical Fiction – usually a Henty or Ballantyne.
- Biography – usually from the Leaders in Action series.
- Fiction – they choose, but it usually ends up being from the Redwall books.
They also produce an essay a day. Narration, as Charlotte Mason called it. I have them write about what they read that day. Usually they choose the Bio. or the Hist. Fic. but sometimes others. I try to read the essays right away and give only one or two suggestions.
For Spanish instruction they are using Pimsleur Instant Conversation. This is also done independently.
While the olders are doin’ their thing I am in the dinning room with the three youngers.
We start off with Math, grrr, get it outta the way. Rowdy is using Saxon 5/4. With Slim and Sally Mae I’m using a book called Mathematics for Little Ones. It will take them all the way up to being ready for Sazon 5/4. We are using the Math Shark every day. I have Rowdy and Slim take 5 turns and Sally Mae usually does 3 turns. I record their times in the back of their math notebooks and they like trying to beat their previous time. Rowdy does his Saxon drills daily. Slim and Sally Mae do math copywork.
Since I outlined Sally Mae’s routine recently we’ll skip ahead to Slim and Rowdy. They have similar routines, just on different levels. They both practice Cursive Handwriting using books I found at my thrift store. They also have a Copywork book and a Language Lesson book, both from Queen Homeschool Supply. Slim works in his Explode the Code book. I like the eye appeal of Explode the Code but I don’t think there’s much learning going on. I’m planning on letting him complete the book he’s in and just dropping it, I’d rather teach Phonics/Spelling using the Noah Webster Reading Handbook (CLP) or the Handbook for Reading (ABeka). They are all enjoying writing their Journals daily. For our Read Aloud and History we are currently reading On the Banks of Plum Creek and The World of Columbus and Sons. Slim and Rowdy are both reading 3 books.
- an ABeka reader
- a Nature Reader (CLP)
- a fiction chapter book
We use The Learnables Spanish at least 3 times a week.
Ya know? That seems like a ton once it’s all written out like that, but it goes pretty fast. We have gotten into a kind of a rhythm, and I’ve had to instruct the kids in not interrupting, not leaving the room without permission, and not dawdling when they should be working diligently. And sometimes I bribe them with chocolate chips. But we enjoy our time together and they’re learning.
I really don’t see the bigs very much during the mornings. They like to get their noses to the grindstone and get the work done. Stop being impressed, they’re after some computer time, and they know there’s not a snowball’s chance if they don’t have their schoolwork done first. But I can be quite generous with my only working computer IF . . .
Tomorrows post: Laundry
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Just a thought on how to take the “Grrr” out of algebra.
Take a look at the sample video tutorial lessons at http://www.usingsaxon.com.
The lessons are taught by a retired Saxon high school math teacher with more than twenty years experience with John Saxon’s math books.
Art Reed
Awesome stuff. My older two (5th and 6th grade) do most of their work self-directed but I usually end up helping both in… you guessed it… math! Then I have my 3rd grade son who needs me by his side the whole time to help and keep him working and my five year old also needs me by her as she just started Kindergarten. I teach history all together and we’ve recently started having official PE so we can make sure we are healthy. I am trying to put some arts and crafts, and I try to read aloud to the brood. The older two read for “fun” and I’m trying to change any tv viewing (when allowed) from cartoons to more educational fare. I’ve found out that they all love watching the series “Planet Earth” on the cable channel Planet Green. I can let them watch it because they already have learned to ignore any “evolution/old earth” talk. I really like your essay a day idea.