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How to Implement Short Lessons
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Help! One of the things that is most appealing to me about the CM method is the use of short lessons, but I have no idea how to effectively do this. In the past, when we’ve tried this, we don’t seem to get very much done. My son is 7 and has a fairly high energy level, which seems to be rapidly increasing! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Where are you having trouble implementing this? I can give you some examples of ways. For math, only assign him one page to do, set the timer for 15-20 min. Let him know in advance to ‘beat’ the clock. Also let him know if he doesn’t ‘beat’ the clock, he’ll be doing what he didn’t finish during free time; on the flip side, if he finishes early it’s his free time (as long as it’s neat and shows good effort) Keep your eye on him during that 15-20 min. time. Is he working steadily w/attention and finishing soon? Then more work can be added. If his attention is too short still and after 10 min. he’s hanging off the chair, or what ever (that’s just what my daughter does sometimes), give him 10 min. and half a page and work your way up steadily. What you’re working for is training in attention. Don’t worry about getting the whole page finished; it will in time. The important thing is training in attention and teaching best effort; whether that be 10 or 20 min.
Repeat the same in h/w (start with a very short sentence or practing letters). My moving dd had trouble with h/w alot at the beginning so it was only one page in her h/w book until her attention got better. I actually have to slow her down and speed my son up; I set a timer for him to keep his dawdling under control.
With reading aloud, read a paragraph ( or even a few sentences)and have him narrate back. Increase amount covered as he improves. If he’s a woggler, see if he can color or other hands on activity and listen at the same time-some can. I started their independant reading narration skills ( them reading aloud to me then telling back to me what they had reda)w/the pathway and elson readers. They’re short stories/poems and makes for good comprehension practice.
Anything else you need ideas for?
Rachel
Shannon, Thanks for posting this question because it’s been plaguing me the whole three weeks we’ve been doing school. Rachel, how do you keep these short time tables with multiple children at VERY different levels? I keep everyone together for History, Science, Bible, and Spanish. BUT Math, Handwriting, and Reading are throwing me for a loop. I’ve got two speedy quick girls. I can’t give them enough work to keep them busy. They’re little, but they kick right through it. Then, I have one learning disabled boy who wants nothing to do with school. I have to carve out fifteen minutes for time with just the two of us. Finally, I have one who dawdles like crazy. I could work with him and keep him focused for fifteen minutes and he’d be fine. I used bookworm’s ideas for keeping him focused, but I’m having a difficult time spending so much time just with him when everyone else needs me, too. The minute I walk away from him, all bets are off. I’ve tried the timer… he cries if he doesn’t finish before the timer. Do I just need to devote this season to capturing his attention and not worry about the little progress we seem to make in math?
I have no idea how to speed up my boys and keep us moving during the day without sacrificing other subjects. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Jen
Hi Jen,
I have some ideas; but first, could you tell me what your children’s ages are? And which ones are the males/females?
Thanks,
Rachel
Rachel,
My oldest is Pete(12) and he’s the one with the learning disability. My dreamer is Wesley (11) and he’s the one I can’t get to focus. Then my two over achievers are Abby 8 and Kathryn 7. Thanks Rachel, I’d love any advice.
Jen
Jen,
I tried to send you something on private user, but it failed and I lost all I wrote. I worked all day on it! Please be patient and I need to try again tomorrow.
Rachel
Rachel,
I’m soooo sorry! Thank you for taking such time and thought in responding to my questions. Please take all the time you need. This week went better, but I’m still having trouble moving between all the necessary lessons for each kiddo. So, whenever you have a moment… :)… I’d be very happy to hear whatever you have to offer. BTW, my e-mail has my name jenkeithley and strangely there’s a gmail thingy at the end. If you’d like to decode that info and drop me an e-mail instead of posting here, that would be great, too!
Jen
Also, bookworm, if you read this, thanks again for the attention stuff. I’m still struggling with one of mine, but God is great and this week was pretty good. 🙂 I’m holding onto hope that ten years from now I’ll be able to encourage some other mom that our dc can overcome these issues.
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