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To transition oldest to complete independent work or not?
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Hi Ladies,
I am wondering if there are any negatives to separating my oldest dd and my younger two children for all subjects, including family subjects such as history and character development. My oldest has been doing her language arts, reading, math and science independently for most of this year and has really blossomed. She has a hard time learning when things are read aloud but she seems to learn very well when she reads on her own. Lately it has been a hassle trying to get everyone’s independent work finished so that we can all get together for our family subjects. I work with the younger two (who still depend on me for much of their work) and then wait for her to be finished so we can all get togeher or either it has taken so long to work with the youngers that she is sitting around waiting (not necessarily being idle), but then it’s hard for her to transition again into thinking mode. We’ve tried family time in the morning, but it didn’t work because the most rigorous subjects need their morning attention span. 🙂
I am just thinking that it may be easier for her to do everything independently. According to her, complete independence is her preference (allowed that I spend time at the end of the school day going over her work with her – which has worked out fine). We would still remain on the same history rotation and for other family subjects I would still be able to ask for adequate narrations because I will be doing the same topics with my youngers. Does anyone have an opinion on why this is or is not a good idea?
My oldest daughter is 11 and my younger two are 7 and 9 (only a year and a half apart). My youngers are pretty much on the same level with math and reading due to my 9 year old having some eye issues which held him back for a little while.
Any thoughts are appreciated!
This is exactly what we do. Dd12 works independently while I work with ds9, dd6, and ds4. Sometimes she will listen in to family history/bible, but usually she completes those assignments on her own. It works very well for us.
Hi Heather – We are in the process of transitioning my 12yo to independent work, and to be honest, it hasn’t been a problem at all. I have a feeling from what you mentioned about your daughter, that she has learned the good habit of learning from her own reading. If so, I don’t see why she shouldn’t progress on her own. For my dd, we are using oral and written narrations for accountability. I have also assigned a couple of ‘essays’ on topical issues so that I know she is getting the overall themes of what we are studying. Another option might be to have to work in a notebook or book of centuries that you could review with her each week.
I do still include my dd in hymn study, family devotions, map study, picture study, and composer study. She is pursuing the other electives (like poetry) independently. If family read alouds are pleasant for you all, you could continue to include your daughter there, as well.
Just my 2 cents! Sounds like your daughter and mine are stretching their wings a bit this year :-). Blessings!
The other Heather
Sounds like a blessing to me! That’s what we are working toward raising. Independent learning is the goal. It sounds like your daughter is more than capable of it. Your plan sounds great!
We do that, too. My 10yo does many, many things on her own now. (I could actually add more to her independent load, but choosing not to just yet.) My 9yo, too, is doing many things independently. I still work with my 7yo, and I will work with my littlest after he turns 6 in 1 1/2 yrs. Next year I want my oldest to do even more things independently. Same with my 9yo. I am aiming for nearly complete independence by 9th grade, except for needing help with something in particular. With 4 kids, I really need more independence so I can work with the youngers.
Oh, like ServingwithJoy aka Heather said, I do include them in hymns, devotions, picture study, and composer study and the like. Those are too easy to do as a family. 😛
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