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Wanting to be at the point of others who have posted…..
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I’ve been reading threads on Mamas who are so happy with how their year(s) is going so far. I want that peace and joy in our schooling.
Curlywhirly suggested I post what I am doing and I may get some help. So I will do my best.
I have 3 boys – 9, 6, almost 2.
Here is what I am using or plan on using as we are still easing into and finding our schedule/rhythm:
We do lessons 4 days a week.
All together:
Bible Study Guide for All Ages
Daily Devotional for kids
Memory verse
Calendar (just reviewing days of week, months, etc)
Literature read aloud – 3 days (right now it’s Lightfoot by Burgess)
Poetry – 1 day week
Science – 2 days – reading through Kid’s Guide to Gods Creation. Plan to do Apologia Astronomy but I worry it’s too wordy. But we’ll see.
History – Beautiful Feet Early American
Art – picture study, reading books on artist – every couple weeks painting a picture
Music – SQUILT but haven’t started that yet
Health – gym class 1 day, Abeka health book – just reading and discussing so I have a flow of things to cover. Wanting to add in Pearables Lessons in Responsibilty for Boys sometime
Picture Book Read Aloud – I have it on my schedule so I’m sure to read a “good” book every day. DS3 always wants short board books so I mark this down to help me remember. I plan on working my way through Honey For A Child’s Heart.Company just came. I will come back to list what each boy has on their own and the struggles we are having later tonight after they leave.
OK. Now I’ll see how much I can get out before the kids start pulling on me.
Me – I went to Christian schools who all used Abeka. I was homeschooled a couple years in the middle of that. Starting in 8th grade, I went to public school.
I can’t get past the “school” mindset yet. I am working on it but I still see things as “behind” when we struggle. I think “We’re not where we are *supposed* to be” and then I get stressed. A lot. And then when I get stressed, I don’t know what to do and then I do nothing. Too many choices, voices, opinions, and I get lost and can’t decide.Oldest – 9yo
Map Skills – everyday he does a map of the US for the states. Doesn’t take long – couple minutes.
Math – Math Mammoth (this is one of our struggles)
Chapter Reading – currently working on My Side of the Mountain. He doesn’t get to it every day like I would like but when he does it’s at least 15-20 minutes.
Read Aloud – I have him read something aloud every day to practice as he still struggles a little. Some days it is our devo, other days it is a book to his younger brothers.
Penmanship/Copywork – Still working on cursive. Just a couple lines of something each day. He just finished Psalm 23.
Spelling – I have Rod and Staff 3 to use (this is another struggle – over the last 3 weeks, we have done 1 1/2 lessons)
English/Grammar – I have Rod and Staff 3 that we started last year but haven’t started it yet this year.Middle – 6yo
Math – Math Mammoth. I add in rods and am trying to learn some techniques from Education Unboxed
Reading/Phonics – Phonics Pathways, Explode the Code (one sheet a week just because he likes them – for now!), leveled readers by Nora Gaydos
Penmanship – practicing handwriting – working on Psalm 23. 2 lines a day (some lines are only a word or two on the worksheet)Youngest – almost 2 – into everything. Makes schooling hard. Still nurses. No set nap time.
Struggles –
Boys are always fighting, picking, teasing. Sometimes when they do get along I wonder where *my* boys went. lol
Middle seems to be doing good and enjoying his lessons.
It’s Oldest that is struggling the most.
Math – He does not have his add/sub facts down at all. We are working on multiplication and he understands the concepts and is just starting to work on facts. But — for example – the other day I asked him to do 1 page of clocks. He sat there forever and it still didn’t get finished. He says there are too many on the page. He did better the next day when I sat with him, writing the answers for him and doing some on the whiteboard. (It’s not a writing issue because he does fine with copywork).I wonder if it’s worksheets because……
Spelling. I get the book out and he just shuts down. I can see it in his eyes. He agreed to give this spelling a try until November (when we take a long break to visit family) but I don’t think we’ll make it that far. I just don’t know what to do. We worked with All About Spelling last year – intermittently, and he liked it but…… I don’t know. There were just so many parts to it. Tiles, cards, book, notebook for writing. I NEED SIMPLE! (Not yelling, just stressing!)
English – I haven’t even started yet. He didn’t enjoy it all last year but I was trying to do it “as is”. I wonder if I can make it more enjoyable – doing orally, omitting things, etc. I’ve read so much that it is a good, solid program and I want that for them.
I’ve asked DS1 how he thinks he learns better but he doesn’t know. And I’m not sure either.
I see people comment on how enjoyable their day was and “is this really all?” type of questions and I wonder what I’m missing. Is it just this season with having the toddler that things seem so chaotic?
I admit that I haven’t been the most disciplined with doing school the last few years. A surprise pregnancy that turned high risk, I think I had some mild PPD after and just this year started feeling “normal” myself. Trying to get the house decluttered and more organized, dealing with things in the house and cars that keep breaking. Life. Just life.
What can I do or change so we have more peace and joy in our school and our home?
If there is anything else I can answer in order for you to help me, please let me know.
I am reading For The Children’s Sake now and have CM Companion for next. But it takes me a while to read. By the end of the day I am tired and my eyes can’t focus, nor can my brain. 🙂 I would love to watch the All Day Seminar and it’s on my mental wish list.
I know this is super long. Like I said on the other thread – I wish I could meet with someone IRL and have them walk me through it.
Thanks for reading all of this and for any advice you can give. Thank you for all the info here too. I wish I could just sit and read it all.
I found with my 3rd daughter (9yo) that sitting with her while she worked or using material that was more interactive worked much better than just leaving her to do her worksheets. The middle of last year that started to change some. But for a while I had to change my expectations as she just wasn’t ready for it.
As much as I liked a lot of Math Mammoth’s concepts and progression, dd did not do well with it at all. Definitely had the shut down factor going on. We used MEP for a while which I loved as there was a lot of material covered but the worksheets looked very simple. But that definitely takes one-on-one interaction so time consuming. She then moved to Critical Thinking math and learned a lot. This year we have gone back to RightStart and it is going well.
When I read the list of what all you are doing together, I was overhelmed just trying to imagine doing that with a 6 and 9yo. Maybe per day it isn’t as much as it looks reading it in list form?
I have found that taking the time to use teacher intensive program in the younger years is worth the effort. Those young years are when you are building foundations which will allow your student to have much deeper learning when he gets older. If you allow the foundation to be weak, it makes it much harder in the upper levels. So although it seems easier to just give him work to do on his own, it is important to make sure doing so is building a strong foundation.
I keep it really simple up through 3rd grade then start stepping it up a little in 4th. But it really is okay to just focus on a good foundation in those early years. Then you can move on from there as your situation allows. I understand the ideal of having the broad spectrum of subjects available to your child. But if it is too overwhelming then it is not worth it.
My kids hate worksheets–anything more than a map page or maybe one short page of math problems, and their eyes start to glaze over, the complaining/distracting starts, and the day is all downhill. So this year, among other things, I ditched Explode The Code (which was our main worksheet hangup) and it has made a HUGE difference. I sit with them and do Alpha-Phonics individually, which is much faster and more personal.
I (try to) address bickering calmly with “If you don’t finish your work now, you’ll have to do it during playtime later because it needs to get done. Is that what you want to do?” and that usually brings them around. I don’t say that as a threat, just a statement of fact, and somehow when I put the choice in their hands, it’s more motivating for them.
If that math program isn’t working for you, have you considered switching? A lot of people love Math U See and Life of Fred. Also, what about apps or computer games for math facts? There are a ton out there and my kids love them. TellingTime is one excellent app they play a lot. I even have a math songs CD in the car 😀
One suggestion I encountered online somewhere was, when homeschooling with toddlers in the house, do something with them first… and plan activities to keep them busy while you’re working. I print an extra map page page for mine to scribble while we do geography; he joins in on our silly song and dance break; he’s allowed to play with some of the math manipulatives (like a pattern game) or I try to set him up with play doh or a tray of salt for “drawing” in or coloring books. I certainly don’t have the whole morning full of activities, but enough to keep him from getting too bored (and starting to empty the kitchen cupboards, wake the baby, unfold the clean clothes, etc etc etc!)
And I’m sorry if my post about “is this really it?” made you feel bad! :-/ I certainly didn’t intend for that! I am certainly no expert and am learning every day! But the past two years were such a struggle for me trying to balance too many plates and keep up with a “school at home” type schedule. It was such a relief for me to find CM and see that it CAN work for our family (although I know every day isn’t going to be roses!)
OH and one other trick I stumbled on completely by accident–as I was trying to incorporate some kind of composer study–was that if I put on classical music when we start school each day, it helps the kids “shift gears” into school mode and focus better. Totally works for us! Maybe it would help you?
Hidden Jewel – How did you like the Critical Thinking math? Why did you switch from it? How was it compared to Math Mammoth?
For the list of all we do together – art, music (when we start), health, the Pearables (if we start) are all 1 time a week. We might look at artist picture or listen to music more than that but ony have a “lesson” once a week. Science and History are on opposite days. Lit we read 3 days with Poetry on the 4th day. Yesterday we read 3 of Child Garden of Verses poems.
Viking – I have considered switching math but cost/finances is a factor. We have tried xtramath online but the timed thing makes him a little anxious and it’s not a true “game” – just timed drills. He doesn’t get “excited” over that. I saw one online game the other day but I can’t remember now what it was. I thought maybe he would like it. Will have to find it again. He is really good at remembering things he sees. He can rattle off facts on animals that he has seen on Wild Kratts or Animal Planet. So maybe an online game might help.
Oh! Please don’t feel bad about your post! It actually helped me realize that is was possible to get there and I just have to figure out how it will work for us. It was encouraging and was not negative for me in any way!
So here is one of my biggest worries – oldest is 9, 4th grade. The math level we are working on is beginning 3rd grade level. But he doesn’t know his add/sub facts. How can I help him solidify those without making him feel more “behind” or “stupid”? Does that make sense?
Thank you both. I appreciate it.
The only thing I have to base my liking/not liking CT math on was that she learned. When she started CT she was struggling with math. By the end of the year she was right where I felt she needed to be to move on to 4th grade. We started CT because we were at a point where I was not able to do one-on-one math with her. It turned out to be a good thing. We switched back to RightStart this year because I do have the time to spend with it and because I love how they approach things. I wanted her to have the thinking skills that RS instills. And her younger brother is starting RS. So it made sense to have her use it too.
If you have a smartphone, I could suggest some math apps my kids like 🙂
I’m not familiar with Math Mammoth, but are there units you could do that don’t require those facts as much? Like measuring, weight, etc? Maybe you could work on those with him and set a separate time of day to do math drill…
Just wanted to chime in and say I have a 9 and 7 and 5 year old and the list you provided doesn’t look too long to me (I know HiddenJewel was asking). If you’re keeping lessons short it’s totally on par with where we are.
If you still want DS to read aloud to you, you might want to try having him read something that you’re going to read aloud – just to save time – if it’s at his level and he can read fluently enough. So history or science, and just have him read a short bit for practice and then you can take over.
With the two year old, I’d really try to establish a set nap time – my past two toddlers I trained to be morning nappers through their twos – I did it on accident with the first one – we dropped the afternoon nap and not the morning, and then I knew it could be done, so I did it on purpose with my now three year old. It’s SO nice to have 90-120 minutes toddler free for getting things done in the morning. If you’re not able to do that, then you might want to try doing school with your older two in the afternoon when the toddler naps. Schedules can be difficult, but not nearly as difficult as a wild 2 year old! Of course you could also train your two year old to sit quietly on a blanket (I’ve heard it can be done LOL!), but again, I think establishing a regular nap time is probably easier.
Seriously though, it does sound like your sanity would benefit from some overall habit training with all the kiddos. Bickering and complaining make any curriculum worse. It takes lots of diligent attention – I don’t have it down yet for sure! But it is easy and delightful when everyone is doing what they are supposed to be with good attitudes – even with a wild toddler.I just wanted to add, maybe for your encouragement, that my ds just turned 12 and in 6th grade. This is our first year homeschooling because the public school failed us. We had to go back to 2nd grade math :0 and are doing the Math Mammoth Blue Series. It is going great and we are moving quickly. Also, I am discovering other issues as we go. He is a great reader and speller but comprehension is a major issue. I went to the library a couple days ago and got picture books and math books(suggestions from livingmath.net).
We are taking a few steps backward but it’s okay, we will get there when we get there. Maybe you could try some living math books to alternate with the worksheets.
Have you read the articles on the blog? I really got a lot of help and understanding from there. Maybe you can find some help from these
http://simplycharlottemason.com/2013/05/22/keeping-your-balance-switch-things-around/#more-30219
http://simplycharlottemason.com/2013/01/23/the-power-of-a-good-story/#more-18370
http://simplycharlottemason.com/2012/12/06/education-is-too-often-misunderstood/#more-12586
http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/subject-by-subject/
http://simplycharlottemason.com/2012/03/14/lessons-from-frog-and-toad-a-growing-time-part-1/
And there is so many more.
I’m not full CM and I am working on getting close, but this year we are doing Sonlight, so our schedule is busy busy busy. My kids are 7 & 8. I work with one doiing LA & math (one does Teaching textbook & the other is doing horizon) while the other child does xtramath online for math fact drills and they are rewarded for doing them by being allowed to play math games from easy peasy homeschoolallinone.com after they have had their fill of the math games then they are to do their daily chores. By the time that is done, we are ready to switch off. I could probably do this same sched. with a 2 year old, but I would assemble a large box with things that are only available during school time so they stay fresh. I can tell you that if you strip that 2 year old down and give them some finger paints and put them in the tub to finger paint on the walls, you will get at least 20-30 minutes of focused play!! LOL How do you feel about schooliing in the bathroom? kidding……
We actually do Life of Fred on Friday since we do not do other math on friday so this gets them math but in a different format and I just bought a CM math book and am currently figuring out how to it but still cover everything.
Best of luck and remember that everyone has good days & bad days and and we can always tweak the day as kids grow and change.
Also I have found that once kids have gotten their one on one time with mom, the rest of the day doing stuff as a family goes smoother.
I know how difficult schooling with a toddler can be! I just came through a year and a half of trying to keep a toddler busy, teach my four older kids — grades 2-8, and keep my sanity at the same time. She’s 3 1/2 now, and things are getting a little easier. I agree that a set nap time should be a priority.
As for the things your 9yo struggles with…I’ll give my 2 cents and maybe a bit more. 🙂
It sounds like he’s shutting down when faced with a lot of pencil and paper work. I used Math Mammoth a couple of years ago and loved it. Problem was….my kids didn’t! I found myself spending lots of time walking them through the lessons, which wouldn’t have been a problem if that’s the only thing I had to teach them!
We now use Life of Fred math exclusively. (Links at the end of post) That is, we do a lesson each day, and only do more practice with worksheets if needed (which is not very often — I saved my Math Mammoth CD and use it to print out specific lessons for extra practice.) I would highly recommend Life of Fred for your son. The stories are funny and engaging. The kids love reading their math lessons! If you let him read a lesson each day (they’re very short…5-10 minutes max with only a handful of questions/problems after the reading) then spend concentrated time with him daily, nailing down his facts using flash cards (maybe during 2yo’s nap time?), I’ll betcha he’ll learn his facts and enjoy math a whole lot more. I’d do the flash cards systematically, starting at the lowest table he has difficulty with, i.e. if he can rattle off his +2s with no problem then start at +3 and work up, maybe alternating subtraction and addition every other day and progressing on to multiplication when + – are mastered.
Then for spelling… I’d use SCM’s Spelling Wisdom, which is an awesome dictation resource. Just skip the whole spelling lesson thing, and have him start at the first level of Spelling Wisdom, doing an exercise twice a week. The first exercise in the first level is Charlotte Mason’s motto for students: “I am, I can, I ought, I will.” That’s it. Have him look over that sentence until he’s sure he knows how to spell each word, then have him write it down as you say it, two words at a time. I decided to use this method exclusively for spelling with my fourth grader last year, and her spelling improved dramatically!
I wouldn’t worry about doing formal grammar until he’s in the 6th or 7th grade. I use Queen Homeschool’s Language Lessons for my 6th grade and youngers. It’s a very gentle, informal introduction to the parts of speech, punctuation, etc., and includes copywork. The lessons are varied and short, 5-10 minutes.
Other than that, I’d just read to him from great living books on various topics, history, science, nature, literature, poetry; then have him narrate orally after each reading. You could definitely wait to start written narrations until next year. Ambleside online has a good line-up of books for each grade level, and many of the books they recommend are online for free. Their grade levels are pretty advanced, so it wouldn’t hurt at all to start at whatever level you think he’s ready for.
Having him read out loud to practice his reading skills is good too.
I’d be right there with you in trying to find a way to make it feel more peaceful. Bravo for all that you’re doing! Keep up the good work!
And now the links:
http://lifeoffredmath.com/lof2.php
Wow! Waking up to such encouragement and help is so uplifting!
I read quickly through the responses as we have company in town for the week-end but I will come back and re-read again and respond more later tonight. I just had to pop on to thank you all. I appreciate this community so much!
I think you have gotten some good advice so far. In addition, I think the answer to that feeling of being behind is to have long and short term goals so you can see your progress. If I know I have 9 years left with my child and I want him to finish Geometry in math and I have a plan for what must be covered each year between now and then and how to cover it, I am much less likely to feel anxiety over “We are never going to get there!” ESPECIALLY when I can see progress. My older kids have graduated, but I am just starting K with my daughter and next year with my son, and I already have a 13 year plan worked out for each of them so I know where I am going and what I am doing, at least for their education.
If math is a struggle. I would suggest looking at Math U See. http://www.mathusee.com It has video to help you teach it, and some work sheets but you only do what your child needs to get the concepts, not drill them to death. My kids didnt find them overwhelming like some other math programs. My older kids were struggling with math when they were a little older than your oldest and I finally just put them into MUS Alpha (1st grade). Back in the old days MUS didn’t call it Alpha and had 3 levels in each book, but it was the same basic material. We moved very fast but found some important holes in their understanding and both my kids were able to move forward successfully. Funny, understanding place value made such a difference!
For English, if the Rod and Staff is a stress, maybe put it away for now. Spelling, grammar, etc can all be taken care of with short copywork/transcription lessons at this age. A great explanation of CM language arts can be found on the old curriculum guide. http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/old-scmguide/language-arts/
Lastly, I think habit training is probably the thing that brings the most order and consequently joy and fun into our days. If I am constantly having to get on my kids to get things done or “leave your brother alone”… I quickly feel ragged and grumpy. Habit traning can address these and other issues and make it easier to get everything done and have time and energy left for fun and playfulness. The free ebook Smooth and Easy days is a great intro. http://simplycharlottemason.com/store/smooth-easy-days-with-charlotte-mason/
Glad you posted Nagada! I could hear the frustration in your other post and I hope the suggestions from other Moms help.
Seriously though, it does sound like your sanity would benefit from some overall habit training with all the kiddos. Bickering and complaining make any curriculum worse. It takes lots of diligent attention – I don’t have it down yet for sure! But it is easy and delightful when everyone is doing what they are supposed to be with good attitudes – even with a wild toddler.
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