Doing almost all subjects with the children?

I recommend the ONline SCM Organizer. Prior to putting in the resources, I plan on paper using the 5-step system from the SCM Blog (scroll down for the rest of the steps):

http://simplycharlottemason.com/2008/03/12/new-planning-series/

They each get their own printout and chack it off as they go and I check to make sure it’s done. It’s about the best 9.95 a month that I spend!

I don’t read all the books either; just skim along in the chapter as they narrrate. For science and history I still do a a basic resource-AIG for science and a main history book-then they also have their own history and science readings. Over the past year, I’ve been moving mine, ages 10 and 11, to a more independant stance. My son can chack his own work, so that’s helpful.

Rachel

@Heather, I still have plenty of read alouds that we cover almost daily, Miller stories, CHOW, Bible, literature (so I know what they’re narrating then).  My oldest ds is doing a community class with some history and has discussion questions related to the chapters, we go over those together.  His Gen Science from Apologia has study guide questions and tests, and we use both of them.  I used to read all of his history (and some lit) to him but I just ran out of time to do that.  When we discuss or when I see/hear him make connections (along with narrations) I can tell he’s light year’s ahead of where I was at his age in regards to history and lit. 

My 9yo ds tells me EVERYTHING. He wouldn’t leave out anything if he could help it, trust me.  Even when he reads to himself, he reads outloud, so I can hear it even if I don’t feel the need.  Plus, we’re using the 1-3rd level books (could’ve used a combination of 1-3/4-6 with him and he’d been fine, that’s why we’re doing more “history” read alouds), so his books are much easier for me to pre-read or skim along. 

I am in the process of trying to get caught up on some lit reading myself so I’m better prepared as they get older.  I didn’t read many classics as a young person, so I’m enjoying them now, sometimes alone and sometimes with my kids.

I just wanted to add that I always skim over a book, read the back, pay attention to the chapter titles (that’s important to me, don’t ask) and ask questions like I’m interested in some part of the book, (like, “Refresh my memory on that, would you please.”) before my kids narrate.  I think it helps them to know that I’m really interested in the book, I don’t have time to read it, so please narrate as if I did.  If I’m confused in an area of the book (doesn’t matter which one), I just ask them to explain “whatever I’m confused about” in more detail.  I don’t ask in a worksheet kind of way, but in a genuine question, I’m confused (not that their narration was confusing, that would be rude) and truly want to understand.

I don’t know how CM any of this is, but I don’t have time to read every book (even if I wanted to, which sometimes I really do), but it seems to be working so far. 

OK, I’ve rambled long enough.

I guess I’m the only one who thinks the OP  schedule has just about the right amount of “hand-holding” for 10yo…..Most things are still done as a family with the children doing a few mostly on their own.

In my family, the first subject that I hand over to the children to do independently is Apologia General Science at around 7th grade. Prior to 7th grade (age 12/13), I expect to be fully involved. However, my 10-12yo do strive to have a little independence. They do free reading independently.  I have selections for them to choose from but anything that I require them to read, we read together. They will do part of their math lesson independently once I’m sure they are understand the lesson. They also pursued their own interest in handicrafts, etc. during this time. The expectation is that I’m fully involved but they can take charge of an area of their education if they are capable and willing. I just don’t expect it for my younger kids.

FWIW, both my older kids were almost fully independent by 14. I also read all books that I required them to read.  I could not have a discussion about the book  if I was not as intimately involved as they were with the story.  I only read the extra/free reading if they could convince me that it was worth reading OR if they were reading an unfamiliar author.

Just offering a different opinion. Enjoy finding the balance that works for your family!

@Heather: AIG is fine. It’s simply presented and to the point, though not as rich as Apologia. I read it aloud 2x/wk and we talk about and answer the questions. I have a different interpretation of Genesis 1:3, but other than that, I use much from The Amazing Story of Creation and Beechick’s Genesis: Finding Our Roots book.

My children do Apologia separately. My son just reads them through and does the experiments as he wants; my dd uses the Journals, because otherwise she wouldn’t be able to mentally sift through all the info. provided within the books.

@my3boys…you cracked me up about your 9yr. old. My son, 11, is exactly the same. Very detailed and tells me everything and everything he reads. He also reads aloud many things and I have to inform him that that’s a distraction to me and we didn’t ask to be read to. He even likes to come and tell me what he’s read from his Star Trek Encyclopedia and Chronology and the Preface to The Silmarillion (who reads the prefaces?) and the author bios.

An additional point is it’s also not just about when the child is ready to be more independant, but the other demands within the family circumstances that require the mother to hand over the reins to the oldest in some areas (by him or her leading instead of mom) and them being more self-directed since, as a result of the family’s circumstances, mom’s other responsibilities (or chronic health problems) are demanding her attention, too.

 Rachel

Many good points here!  One thing I just thought of, too, is how the child learns best.  Both of my kids seem to give better, more detailed narrations on material they read on their own than from what I read aloud.  Though part of that is because the books I read are sometimes more difficult (science with more terminology, history spine material, etc..) Also, I allow them to draw, do crafty things while I read which I wonder if that’s a bit of a distraction….anyone have comments on that?  What do you allow your kids to do while you read?  Sorry, should probably start a new post for that:)  Gina

Charlotte’s words from Vol. 6 pgs 182-183

“Form IIB has a considerable programme of reading, that is, not the mere mechanical exercise of reading but the reading of certain books. Therefore it is necessary that two years should be spent in Form IA and that in the second of these two years the children should read a good deal of the set work for themselves. In IIB they read their own geography, history, poetry, but perhaps Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, say, Scott’s Rob Roy, Gulliver’s Travels, should be read to them and narrated by them until they are well in their tenth year. ………..

The transition to Form IIA is marked by more individual reading as well as by a few additional books. The children read their ‘Shakespeare play’ in character. Certain Council School boys, we are told, insist on dramatising Scott as they read it.”

What I get out of this……Children should start reading a “good deal” of their schoolbooks in History, geography and poetry during their 10th year. However, I do not get “independent”. If the children are dramatizing and reading in character in form 2A (11/12) then the reading is outloud and to someone. Right?

Thoughts? Perhaps my definition of independent is different.

I am in no way seeking a debate. Just clarifying my own thoughts.