Simplifying/More independent

I have no idea if this will help or not, but I’ll share what I do.

My boys are 12, 8 and 5.  My oldest and I have gone between both “dependent” and “independent.”  As we speak he is very independent.  What I have tried to do is choose curriculum/books, etc. that I know he can do on his own (little prep work on my part) and have stressed to him that if he needs help he needs to ask.  I don’t want him going on with anything without full understanding.  He has a tendencies to think that he doesn’t need to fully understand it (which in some cases may be true), but then ends up stumped when he gets further along then wishes he would have understood the previous concept like I wanted him to:)

Anyhow, he keeps all of his own work in a crate (in his room or in the livingroom)….I look over things every few days or as soon as something is completed (depends on the subject).

And, with the help of the wonderful Organizer from this site, I print out his list for the day and he just gets started.  I also added in the ‘notes’ area a time frame.  I typed 10 minutes max or 20 minutes max or 20-30 min. max, etc.  He said that that has helped him tremendously.  He knows how long he should be spending or in the case of his least favorite subject right now, I put 5-10 minutes and he feels that is manageable.  He does use a timer and that helps or he decides that he wants to read a whole chapter so he may go over the given time, but that’s okay when he’s really into something.  He has been able to get through almost all of his subjects for the day using this method/Organizer.  If he is unable to it is usually some problem with his principal/teacher person:)

My other boys have their lists too and my 8yo is plenty old enough to check off his assignments, but he is easily overwhelmed, so for now I do it.  All of my boys have crates with their individual supplies (which I have pared down since we became CMers, yeah!).  

Oh, I was going to mention that my 8yo is becoming independent with some of his work as well.  I have found (hope I’m not wrong here) that this method lead to more independent learners.  Maybe it is the approach coupled with the supplies we choose??  I don’t really know.  All I know is that I find myself teaching less…..if ykwim?? 

Obviously I am right here with them and answer questions all-day-long and we do certain things together as a family (scripture memory/geography/Bible, picture, poetry, composer, etc.), but even with those subjects I am not always “teaching.”  I may have a CD that we listen to in the car or have my 8yo read some poetry to my 5yo, etc.

I hope this makes sense…every family dynamic is different starting with the fact that I only have 3 dc, not 5.  So, I do not have the experience/challenge of having 2 smaller ones to consider.  HTH