I think I would to transition into year-round schooling but I have no idea how.
*I’m wondering if it really is a benefit?
*How to get my kids on board?
*Would I receive the same amount of “breaks” but they’re just spread out in a way that isn’t too long or too short?
*Will I possibly feel more relaxed instead of feeling “rushed” to get through “whatever” in our traditional school year time frame?
I may have more questions and I could explain “why” I want to do this in a bit (gotta make breakfast) and why I feel what we are doing isn’t working. I could also explain what I’m hoping to avoid in the coming years if we make this transition. Whew!
I consider us year round schooling but we do only 3 subjects in the summer (light schedule): math, reading, writing. We go at it in the fall/winter and lighten up during the nice weather in the spring/summer. If we are going to study insects, I wait til June and just focus on science and math those few weeks. I think it feels more relaxed knowing we don’t have to rush. I like having a schedule thus why we at least do a few subjects during nice weather. I consider cooking/baking, sewing, house cleaning home ec/handicrafts so we focus more on them when we light up on the other subjects. I feel overwhelmed doing it all in 9 mos! My kids enjoy school so there was no problem getting them on board. They prefer not to do math year round but that’s tough! It’s something we have to do in our daily lives! Today when measuring/doubling a recipe my dd age 8 asks, “So we do math even when cooking?” lol Yes we do!
PS The other benefit is taking the breaks as needed. Family vacation: anytime! Something that comes up, we can afford to take off and pick up where we left off. Holidays/birthdays: take off a week to prepare. Still learning of course! But I take a break from math, history, writing etc those special weeks. Even though the girls are still doling writing when they write out thank you notes, and math when cooking.
I am an accidental year round schooler. 🙂 I usually don’t finish everything in our school, so summer ends up being an light catch up time. And I really like it this way. I can relax a little more knowing I have a couple of months to do some more lessons if needed. I usually finish up by the month of July and then start a new year late August. It really is freeing to know that I don’t have to be so strict with my schedule, especially if sickness occurs or hubby decides to take off work and we get a surprise break, or I just want to enjoy a beautiful day without lessons.
No matter what though, my kids are expected to maintiain their math skills and reading, so even on down times they have a few minutes of independent review on certain days. For instance, my son complets a page of Wordly Wise, and a math review sheet, and then gets to read during his quiet hour. Easy, but effective.
Thanks. I appreciate your comments. This is something that has been inticing since we began hsing but I just can’t seem to get away from the summer break!
I always feel like in a 9 month schedule we desperately need breaks (when they’re NOT schedule) and could be working during the scheduled 3 month break. Make sense??
My ideal would be:
Begin in Aug., 2nd week would be okay. Maybe do a 3 week/1 week off. Take off Dec. (I have lots of good plans for it, so it wouldn’t be a break, break, but a different schedule). Get back to work in Jan., same 3 week on/1 week off. Take the whole month of July off.
I don’t even know yet if that would add up to the 180 days required (better get to the calendar and start adding;). Does that sound right?? Doable??
During the 9 month schedule, I always feel like the weeks are too long between breaks and then when we do take a break, I feel guilty cause I know that we’ll take off the whole summer. I’m hoping the 1 week off during the year would energize us/give us something to look forward to/spend time on something that wasn’t quite “clicking” and not have everything else to worry about/maybe do some crafts/handiwork that I just don’t always feel like getting out during our official school days, etc.
Thanks again for reading about my plight and helping with the suggestions and examples.
Thanks Jo, I’ll read that too, well, actually I’m the one that asks about that too-hee-hee.
I think I have answered my own questions and would really like to try this schedule this coming year (like right now!). I’m going to get to adding it all up, use my Planning Your CM Education notebook and see what I come up with. I think that my kids will like the breaks built within the year to avoid burnout and possibly have a more relaxed mamma.
Thanks everyone for your examples, etc. I know there is other threads on the topic so I’m going to read them too.
I school yearround. This year a bit different. 3 weeks on, 1 off – sept thru July. 2 weeks off at Christmas and 2 weeks off in march. 3 off in august to plan for the next year.
We school year-round, too. We do 5 days per week mostly, unless something comes up. We do 2-3 full days per week for 8 weeks. I schedule 190 days on the calendar to do 180 lessons in. That gives us two weeks of days to take off for various reasons.
6 weeks, then 1 week off,
10 weeks, then 1 week off,
11 weeks, then 1 week off,
5 weeks and 1 week off,
6 weeks before going part-time for 8 weeks, then 2 weeks off.
There are so many options you can do. I am excited about your decision to do year-round schooling. I think it is a benefit. Your kids will like more breaks during the year, especially on a day when it is nice weather. We take off major holidays and birthdays.
We school year round. We’ve only homeschooled one year thus far but it hasn’t been an issue for the kids. I think it’s more relaxed somehow for all of us. It certainly changes/greatly reduces your time frames for planning! I think that’s why my earlier posts seemed so loosey goosey and gentle. The CM way is so integrated in to all we do -big and important, small and simple- that I think it just flows better for us to continue. Our aim is to instill that “an atomosphere, a discipline, a life” … I am always striving for a family philosophy, a feeling, whatever you want to call it that makes it all flow seamlessly … we’re living, doing, etc. we’re learning, growing, schooling. My new goal in this area is to always “be present” in my life’s moments (educationally/with the kids) instead of a 1000 other places in my mind so that we all get the most out of it.
I guess if anyone is looking for the relaxed, mellow CM homeschooling Mama (oh yeah and the horrible finger counter too!) … here I am!
I am thinking about year round schooling also. I’m schooling all high school level now. My daughter is really in to golf and does it 4-5 days a week and actively looking for scholarships. My other two are into music and art. So to accomodate all this I”m going to have to change our schedule. From what everyone has said it seems to take the pressure off (the teacher, that is).
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