We were in a great routine where school seemed to get done in less than 2 hours every day. However due to several different factors now it seems to take us more than 3 hours to get it all done! It's amazing how creep in just a couple of areas can make things take so much longer. Here are some of the factors that I think have made everything take so long!
1) illness. We are still fighting a bit of a cold/bug that we have had for about 4 weeks now. In the mornings the kids are tired and they want to sleep in, and we always seem to have a very slow start to school. I tend to be a bit lax on this because its obvious to me they aren't feeling well. So at least our first two activities are slower than usual.
2) AWANA - my 1st grader is reaching a part of her AWANA book where she doesn't already know the verses, but I want her to be able to do a couple of sections each week, which she is quite capable of doing. But the drilling and discussion of those verses takes about 20 minutes, during which time no one else is getting anything done.
3) Handwriting - last week I decided to add in some handwriting time for my 4YO while my 6YO was doing copywork. This seemed like a good idea because my 6YO has been doing the copywork smoothly on her own. But it has really stretched out this time because my 6YO gets very distracted by the handwriting lesson, she's looking over her sister's shoulder and trying to give her advice. My one thought on this is somehow to separate them. I will have to think through how to use our space, because sometimes my 6YO is copying from the white board which is in one specific location.
4) Overall I feel like I should be multitasking more - should have it lined up so that my 6YO and 4YO can both be doing their own work at the same time. Right now I feel like I'm failing at this, it seems like at least my 6YO needs me on her to keep going doing the tasks she's supposed to be doing. So when I try to do something with the 4YO and leave her to do her own work she dawdles, daydreams, and basically isn't very focussed. She's still pretty young to be expected to do a lot of independent work on her own, isn't she? Maybe my expectations of being able to multitask in this way are unrealistic.
Here is our current school routine, how it should be anyway (Doing Beyond, 4YO participates in what she can, along with Handwriting and Phonics lessons for the 4YO)
-music/worship time 15 minutes (all together)
-prayer 2 minutes (all)
-Bible study box/AWANA verses review 15 minutes (all in same room, others play quietly while one does AWANA)
-Poetry (all) 3 minutes
-LA box (6YO, I guide spelling & grammar, she can do copywork on her own) 20 minutes
-Emerging Readers (6YO reads to 4YO, 2YO, and me) 10 minutes
-short break, get a snack, 2YO goes to her room 5 minutes
-History, Storytime, read devotional if its scheduled for that day 20 minutes
-4YO phonics 15 minutes
-Rotating Box 5-20 minutes
-Math 5-20 minutes
In reality again the first two things take longer, Bible study/AWANA has been 30 minutes, LA/Handwriting time has been... argh maybe 30 minutes, sometimes my 4YO's phonics lessons take longer too. Again it seems like everything is adding up on me, and I don't mind a longer day every once in a while, once a week or something, it just seems like every day this week, and every day last week, things are taking so much longer than they are supposed to. By the end of it I'm weary, the kids are weary, and we have no time left for our chores and other things that we usually need to get done. I feel like one tired mom!
Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
I think you have hit the nail on the head as to why your day is stretching out. 
Now, it is a just a matter of seeing what can be done about it.
First off, I would take everything not related to HOD out of your morning schedule. The reason for this is because by adding extras into your school day, your kiddos (and you) are now thinking that "school" is taking forever, when in reality the tasks aren't all "school-related". One of the beautiful parts of HOD is that you can finish early enough with school to pursue your own family interests, but if you start placing your own family interests within the school schedule, it just stretches school out too long (much longer than we intended).
With this in mind, I would move your music and worship time to the evening and move the AWANA Bible verse practice for daddy to do with your little honey after the evening meal or before bed as part of the winding down. I would instead place HOD's music box, memory verse practice, and Bible study box first and use those as your morning music and worship time. This will still allow you to begin with Bible and praise and worship, but will jump start your school schedule. AWANA and family devotions are not truly school related, but rather are more family related making them best scheduled during family time. Poetry can go here too, and everyone can participate. I would probably follow-up this time with math for your oldest and then spelling/grammar. Your younger two will need to have tasks where they do not interrupt your 6 year old during this time. Perhaps they could play together or you could check the threads on the board where we list things for each age level that you could consider for them to do during this time.
After that I would take a 25-30 min. break where all the kiddos have recess together. When they come back in from recess, I would seek to have a 30 min. chunk of time to do just the left side of LHFHG alone with your 6 year old. I would plan for your 4 and 2 year old to be doing something else individually during that time period. Make sure it is something that they can do on their own and can do without interrupting you continually. We have used playpen time and crib time or saucer time for a 2 year old. For a 4 year old, we have used a brief educational video, a bit of computer, books on audio, or gated playtime in his/her room with a mommy tape. During this time, you and your 6 year old will very quickly move through the remaining boxes on the left side of the plans. If you've already done poetry, music, and Bible study in the morning; then you are only left with the Reading About History box and the rotating box. During this time I would also do Thornton Burgess (Storytime) too. You could start with storytime, then do reading about history, and finish with the rotating box. This will go much more quickly if you do it with the 6 year old alone, so strive for that!
After the 30 min. chunk with your 6 year old, I would devote myself to the 4 year old and 2 year old next. Have your 6 year old do the Fine Motor Skills box while you work with the 4 year old on phonics. After finishing fine motor skills, have your 6 year old practice reading her Emerging Reader's pages for the day on her own in a room nearby. This will buy you the time to work with your 4 year old on phonics. When your 6 year old is ready to read her pages to you after the practice, let her play with the 2 year old if needed for a few minutes. Then, wrap up your 4 year old's phonics and let everyone listen to the 6 year old read. While your 6 year old reads, your 4 year old could quietly do handwriting. Let the 2 year old during this whole time have his/her snack at the table or high chair and have a few quiet table toys to play with during this time (either in the high chair or at the table). He/she can cuddle on your lap too, as long as he/she is pretty quiet. If not, then perhaps a blanket on the floor with toys or time in the playpen may work too.
Then, you're done. Your day doesn't have to go like this, but try to think of the day in 30 minute chunks. Try to think also of how you can set up your day so you are not all together all day. Kiddos need to move from thing to thing. Also alternate all together things with things where kiddos are separated. This keeps little ones from feeling like they need you all the time.
I'm sure more moms will be along with advice too, but this will get you thinking of possibilities!
Blessings,
Carrie
Now, it is a just a matter of seeing what can be done about it. First off, I would take everything not related to HOD out of your morning schedule. The reason for this is because by adding extras into your school day, your kiddos (and you) are now thinking that "school" is taking forever, when in reality the tasks aren't all "school-related". One of the beautiful parts of HOD is that you can finish early enough with school to pursue your own family interests, but if you start placing your own family interests within the school schedule, it just stretches school out too long (much longer than we intended).
With this in mind, I would move your music and worship time to the evening and move the AWANA Bible verse practice for daddy to do with your little honey after the evening meal or before bed as part of the winding down. I would instead place HOD's music box, memory verse practice, and Bible study box first and use those as your morning music and worship time.
This will still allow you to begin with Bible and praise and worship, but will jump start your school schedule. AWANA and family devotions are not truly school related, but rather are more family related making them best scheduled during family time. Poetry can go here too, and everyone can participate. I would probably follow-up this time with math for your oldest and then spelling/grammar. Your younger two will need to have tasks where they do not interrupt your 6 year old during this time. Perhaps they could play together or you could check the threads on the board where we list things for each age level that you could consider for them to do during this time. After that I would take a 25-30 min. break where all the kiddos have recess together. When they come back in from recess, I would seek to have a 30 min. chunk of time to do just the left side of LHFHG alone with your 6 year old. I would plan for your 4 and 2 year old to be doing something else individually during that time period. Make sure it is something that they can do on their own and can do without interrupting you continually. We have used playpen time and crib time or saucer time for a 2 year old. For a 4 year old, we have used a brief educational video, a bit of computer, books on audio, or gated playtime in his/her room with a mommy tape. During this time, you and your 6 year old will very quickly move through the remaining boxes on the left side of the plans. If you've already done poetry, music, and Bible study in the morning; then you are only left with the Reading About History box and the rotating box. During this time I would also do Thornton Burgess (Storytime) too. You could start with storytime, then do reading about history, and finish with the rotating box.
This will go much more quickly if you do it with the 6 year old alone, so strive for that!After the 30 min. chunk with your 6 year old, I would devote myself to the 4 year old and 2 year old next. Have your 6 year old do the Fine Motor Skills box while you work with the 4 year old on phonics. After finishing fine motor skills, have your 6 year old practice reading her Emerging Reader's pages for the day on her own in a room nearby. This will buy you the time to work with your 4 year old on phonics. When your 6 year old is ready to read her pages to you after the practice, let her play with the 2 year old if needed for a few minutes. Then, wrap up your 4 year old's phonics and let everyone listen to the 6 year old read. While your 6 year old reads, your 4 year old could quietly do handwriting. Let the 2 year old during this whole time have his/her snack at the table or high chair and have a few quiet table toys to play with during this time (either in the high chair or at the table). He/she can cuddle on your lap too, as long as he/she is pretty quiet. If not, then perhaps a blanket on the floor with toys or time in the playpen may work too.
Then, you're done.
Your day doesn't have to go like this, but try to think of the day in 30 minute chunks. Try to think also of how you can set up your day so you are not all together all day. Kiddos need to move from thing to thing. Also alternate all together things with things where kiddos are separated. This keeps little ones from feeling like they need you all the time. I'm sure more moms will be along with advice too, but this will get you thinking of possibilities!
Blessings,
Carrie
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
Carrie,
Thanks for your reply. I like your thoughts on this, especially taking a recess which I haven't been doing, and I have thought about moving AWANA to the evening or even afternoon time. I don't think its realistic for that to be done every day if I left it for evening, there are 3 (weekday) evenings a week where we are together as a family. But I could move it to the afternoon and I have thought of this. The problem is actually me. If I leave that to the afternoon, I don't tend to get it done.
At the very beginning of the school year I actually had the rotating box and math left for the afternoon while my 2YO naps (and my 4YO sometimes has quiet time in her room at the same time, we have been transitioning away from this but I can still do it and would like to get back to it). In thinking why I changed it... it was mostly because I got pregnant and desperately needed my afternoon nap during the younger 2's nap/rest time. But now I don't nap in the afternoons much anymore, so I could switch it back and that would also break up the day so we're not just slogging through and making it seem to last forever.
Your thoughts definitely give me some food for thought. Like maybe I shouldn't have all of us together for as much of the school time as I do. I did have planned for the 4YO and 2YO to play together, which they can reliably do for about 20 minutes. And again, my 2YO is used to playing in her room by herself for 20-30 minutes, the shorter I can keep that the better, I am sure if I decided not to include my 4YO in as much as I have been I could also have her do something by herself, she wouldn't mind.
In regards to your idea that my 6YO practice her ER reading before reading to us, maybe I missed something in the guide or instructions, is this normally how it is done? So far she hasn't really had much trouble with the reading (we did the Early Reader's Bible so we are on our 3rd week after finishing that, she is reading Frog and Toad are Friends). So I have never given her practice time before. But she would not dislike that, in fact she is always trying to get ahold of the book so she can read it to herself.
Thanks!
Thanks for your reply. I like your thoughts on this, especially taking a recess which I haven't been doing, and I have thought about moving AWANA to the evening or even afternoon time. I don't think its realistic for that to be done every day if I left it for evening, there are 3 (weekday) evenings a week where we are together as a family. But I could move it to the afternoon and I have thought of this. The problem is actually me. If I leave that to the afternoon, I don't tend to get it done.
At the very beginning of the school year I actually had the rotating box and math left for the afternoon while my 2YO naps (and my 4YO sometimes has quiet time in her room at the same time, we have been transitioning away from this but I can still do it and would like to get back to it). In thinking why I changed it... it was mostly because I got pregnant and desperately needed my afternoon nap during the younger 2's nap/rest time. But now I don't nap in the afternoons much anymore, so I could switch it back and that would also break up the day so we're not just slogging through and making it seem to last forever.
Your thoughts definitely give me some food for thought. Like maybe I shouldn't have all of us together for as much of the school time as I do. I did have planned for the 4YO and 2YO to play together, which they can reliably do for about 20 minutes. And again, my 2YO is used to playing in her room by herself for 20-30 minutes, the shorter I can keep that the better, I am sure if I decided not to include my 4YO in as much as I have been I could also have her do something by herself, she wouldn't mind.
In regards to your idea that my 6YO practice her ER reading before reading to us, maybe I missed something in the guide or instructions, is this normally how it is done? So far she hasn't really had much trouble with the reading (we did the Early Reader's Bible so we are on our 3rd week after finishing that, she is reading Frog and Toad are Friends). So I have never given her practice time before. But she would not dislike that, in fact she is always trying to get ahold of the book so she can read it to herself.
Thanks!
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
Melissa,
This has really got me thinking . . . that our school day is going long too!! We typically take 3 -4 hours from the time we head downstairs to the school room until we are completely done!! So I guess I don't have any good advice for you, just wanted to say you're not alone!!!
We also do AWANA practice first thing in the AM because I felt like otherwise it wouldn't get done!
But I have decided that the actual reading of the stories (my 4 YO is in cubbies & 7 YO in 2nd year Sparks) anyway we are going to read the stories in the evening and just spend a few minutes going over the verses in the AM. Also we spend probly 15 min on "show & tell" every morning. 
This is something DD wanted to do after being in PS kindy and going to a preschool so I have just let them. But sometimes it feels like it takes FOREVER!!! We are also doing LHTH w/ my 4 YO but only 1/2 speed so that only takes 15 mins or so. And the rest of the time he's just playing in the room with us, I really need to set up stations for him like Julie posted (If I was so organized!) We also take a break for a snack & that's when I play both their music.
I think our biggest problem is not getting around fast enough before school, the whole getting ready for the day. I've been slacking on that because we don't HAVE to get moving, not like last year when we had to be out the door by 7:50!!!
So anyway, I'll be watching to see if you come up with anything good!!
This has really got me thinking . . . that our school day is going long too!! We typically take 3 -4 hours from the time we head downstairs to the school room until we are completely done!! So I guess I don't have any good advice for you, just wanted to say you're not alone!!!
We also do AWANA practice first thing in the AM because I felt like otherwise it wouldn't get done!
But I have decided that the actual reading of the stories (my 4 YO is in cubbies & 7 YO in 2nd year Sparks) anyway we are going to read the stories in the evening and just spend a few minutes going over the verses in the AM. Also we spend probly 15 min on "show & tell" every morning. This is something DD wanted to do after being in PS kindy and going to a preschool so I have just let them. But sometimes it feels like it takes FOREVER!!! We are also doing LHTH w/ my 4 YO but only 1/2 speed so that only takes 15 mins or so. And the rest of the time he's just playing in the room with us, I really need to set up stations for him like Julie posted (If I was so organized!) We also take a break for a snack & that's when I play both their music.I think our biggest problem is not getting around fast enough before school, the whole getting ready for the day. I've been slacking on that because we don't HAVE to get moving, not like last year when we had to be out the door by 7:50!!!
So anyway, I'll be watching to see if you come up with anything good!!
Robbi
DD 20 Graduated from HOD
DS 16 All dual credit for his senior year.
DS 11 RevtoRec
DS 9 CTC
We have now used all the guides!
DD 20 Graduated from HOD
DS 16 All dual credit for his senior year.
DS 11 RevtoRec
DS 9 CTC
We have now used all the guides!
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
Robbi,
Like you, our routine of getting around in the morning has gotten slower and slower as we have gone along and I also think this is a big part of our problem. When we all wake up and are sharp and get going quickly, the whole pace of school seems to go along faster too.
I only read the Cubbies story to my 4YO once a week, and I never read any of the Sparks stories because my DD usually listens to her CD in the afternoons so she has heard them many many times! Even with the verse review only it seems to take forever! My DD is also a 2nd year Spark so she is in the WingRunner handbook and the verses they do in there are a lot longer, at least it seems to me like they are. But I was thinking that I could easily do the AWANA review during breakfast or lunch, and this would solve another problem I have that my children tend to get a little wild and carried away with other things at meals, whereas if I have something I am talking to them about and keeping them focussed on something else they will sit quietly and usually eat a lot better (when they aren't the one talking). My 6YO is the fastest eater of the bunch so having her review her verses would probably work in pretty well to a meal time. Dinners (evening) go more smoothly because my DH always asks the girls about their day, they have a good time telling him all of the things we have done, and that's why I have finally figured out that I just need to have something to discuss with them at the other meals... or I could listen to 20 minutes of their made-up knock knock jokes which usually end with "banana pants."
I think this is making it clear to me that tweaking and refining of schedules is often needed. I think it's time for me to rethink what I am doing. Carrie, I just re-read your post and I am wholeheartedly agreeing with you that the children need to move around and switch places, activities, and people to be with pretty frequently. Having us all together is part of what is making it fall apart sometimes. Also the recess thing would make it so my children don't always want to just start playing together first thing in the morning, they would get that time and break after a short school session. In the winter months, do you have recess activities for them or is it just free play? I think we don't have too much longer here of being able to go outside for recess.
Like you, our routine of getting around in the morning has gotten slower and slower as we have gone along and I also think this is a big part of our problem. When we all wake up and are sharp and get going quickly, the whole pace of school seems to go along faster too.
I only read the Cubbies story to my 4YO once a week, and I never read any of the Sparks stories because my DD usually listens to her CD in the afternoons so she has heard them many many times! Even with the verse review only it seems to take forever! My DD is also a 2nd year Spark so she is in the WingRunner handbook and the verses they do in there are a lot longer, at least it seems to me like they are. But I was thinking that I could easily do the AWANA review during breakfast or lunch, and this would solve another problem I have that my children tend to get a little wild and carried away with other things at meals, whereas if I have something I am talking to them about and keeping them focussed on something else they will sit quietly and usually eat a lot better (when they aren't the one talking). My 6YO is the fastest eater of the bunch so having her review her verses would probably work in pretty well to a meal time. Dinners (evening) go more smoothly because my DH always asks the girls about their day, they have a good time telling him all of the things we have done, and that's why I have finally figured out that I just need to have something to discuss with them at the other meals... or I could listen to 20 minutes of their made-up knock knock jokes which usually end with "banana pants."
I think this is making it clear to me that tweaking and refining of schedules is often needed. I think it's time for me to rethink what I am doing. Carrie, I just re-read your post and I am wholeheartedly agreeing with you that the children need to move around and switch places, activities, and people to be with pretty frequently. Having us all together is part of what is making it fall apart sometimes. Also the recess thing would make it so my children don't always want to just start playing together first thing in the morning, they would get that time and break after a short school session. In the winter months, do you have recess activities for them or is it just free play? I think we don't have too much longer here of being able to go outside for recess.
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
O/T question: What is AWANA? Thanks! Nicole
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
(link removed by moderator per board rules) I'm sure something on there explains what it is but most useful is the AWANA locator at the top, you can see if any churches in your area have an AWANA club. It's a church based children's program, but the AWANA organization provides materials and a structure, things like vests and awards for the children. Kids play games, sing, have teaching, and memorize their "handbooks" which the majority of what they memorize are Bible verses (in KJV or NKJV).
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
Yes, Awana is a wonderful childrens program. It is what our church does for the kids on Wednesday nights. I am co-director of Cubbies (3-5 yr olds) and my dh does the games & music for Cubbies too so we are all involved and at the church on Wed!! One wonderful thing about Awana is that you get kids there that do not come to church but because Awana is nondenominational and more well known; parents bring their kids, kids bring friends . . .There is more new people walking in our church doors on Wed night than any other day! Praise the Lord!!
Also, I feel like it's important for my DD to be with other kids her age. Our town has a homeschool group but they don't meet on a regular basis. So this gives her some group to belong to & other homeschooling kids are also there!
About our routine - I love the ideas in this thread! Thanks ladies, it's going to help me too even though i'm not the op!!
Also, I feel like it's important for my DD to be with other kids her age. Our town has a homeschool group but they don't meet on a regular basis. So this gives her some group to belong to & other homeschooling kids are also there!
About our routine - I love the ideas in this thread! Thanks ladies, it's going to help me too even though i'm not the op!!
Robbi
DD 20 Graduated from HOD
DS 16 All dual credit for his senior year.
DS 11 RevtoRec
DS 9 CTC
We have now used all the guides!
DD 20 Graduated from HOD
DS 16 All dual credit for his senior year.
DS 11 RevtoRec
DS 9 CTC
We have now used all the guides!
Re: Oh my, our school day seems to take forever!
Mel,
I'm so glad that you're getting some ideas of things that will help with your schedule. As far as your question about having your daughter practice reading the ER first before reading to you, I'll just clarify that this is not in the guide and is not a necessary step. It is just something I have done with some of my children when I needed to buy myself a bit of time to work with another child. It is also a beneficial extra step for many kiddos!
Blessings,
Carrie
I'm so glad that you're getting some ideas of things that will help with your schedule.
As far as your question about having your daughter practice reading the ER first before reading to you, I'll just clarify that this is not in the guide and is not a necessary step. It is just something I have done with some of my children when I needed to buy myself a bit of time to work with another child. It is also a beneficial extra step for many kiddos! Blessings,
Carrie