I am trying to figure out our first years schedule. I am really confused about the additional readings. For instance, in 106 days of Creation, if we do that 3 times a week, are we reading living science books the other 2? How do you know how many books to read each year/week for the different subjects?
It seems I have also seen a list of how many times per week each subject should be done, but I can’t seem to find that again. Does anyone know where I might have seen that? Thanks for the help!
If you are using the SCM guides, they will tell you when to read them. If you are not using a guide, then those books would need to be set into a schedule you choose. If you are doing science three times a week, then you schedule how many chapters you want to read those three days.
Honestly, I use the SCM guides or something like Apologia and let the kids choose which of those living books they want to read as a science free-read. It is working well for us, and occasionally I will choose one to read as a family read aloud.
Daily things we do here: Hymn practice, scripture reading and memorizing, Literature read aloud and poetry, math, reading, copywork, music and foriegn language practice, character studies
Weekly things include: hymn study, composer study, picture study, creative art experiences (drawing, painting, etc), nature study (with our notebooks and guides)
Several times a week things: Nature walks, science, history, geography, grammar, music lessons, foriegn language lessons
Once a year/term things: Shakespeare plays, big field trips (special places that we make into mini-vacations that involve something we have studied), other things you want to do, but not for a whole year
My girls are assigned reading every other day in history and science living books, in addition to their literature and free reading books. I am sure that there are things that I am not remembering off the top of my head, but I am not sure where that post is that you are requesting. =)
Your schedule should be made with your child, his age and needs in mind. Kindergarten kids need less time on formal lessons, 1-3 grade needs about 15-20 minute lessons, and the time increases as the child progresses, ending up somewhere like 60 minutes per lesson subject, (math, science, etc) in highschool. We can share our experiences, but none of us are you, so you will have to pick and choose the things that are important and doable for you.
Also, if you don’t have it, I might suggest that you invest in the SCM Planning Your CM Education. It will help you hone your ideas into reality in 5 easy steps, while keeping you on track in your Big Picture.
What are the ages of your children? That will matter. Plus I think every family will vary a little. For us, I know when I have reached our limit. We just can’t handle anymore after a certain point. I have a great book I have been trying to fit into our day for weeks and it just hasn’t happened. So I will have to wait until we are done with one book and then do it, or set one aside to squeeze this one in. I even thought of working it in at bedtime, but I don’t want to miss out on those great picture books either.