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Do you do the right side of the TM first, or the left side?

I am wondering what families have found to work better as far as order goes.

Thank you!

We usually do the left-side first and that works well for us. I know some people feel they need to get the basics out of the way first so they do the right side first. Others will mix it up and do a box on the left then right and back and forth. We usually like doing our History and Bible first and actually with each guide, we've done things just a little bit differently.

We actually go back and forth between the 2 sides. He likes to alternate the tougher things like math and grammar with the funner thinks like history and storytime. I actually let him number the boxes each day according to the order he would like to do them. It works out pretty well.

We also switch back and forth between the sides. My boys seem to focus better that way. I'm actually in the process of typing up our New Year's schedule now. I'll probably have it up on my blog before too long, if that would be helpful.

LynnH wrote:We actually go back and forth between the 2 sides. He likes to alternate the tougher things like math and grammar with the funner thinks like history and storytime. I actually let him number the boxes each day according to the order he would like to do them. It works out pretty well.

Same here!!
I just read some information about that, and Charlotte Mason recommended it this way, too!!

For us it depends on our time constraints that day. If we have activities, we will get the right side things done first, then come back for the readings and project-type things later. Or, if I am busy and cannot read or help then, I will have my son start his handwriting, copy work, math, etc., doing the others as I am free.

Thank you ladies for the help. It is very helpful to read about your experiences with the TM.

My oldest does mostly right side first because I have her do her ind. work while I"m doing school with the other two. After the other two are done with school we do left side and then back to the right side for whatever we haven't done. My DD2 rotates and actually will stack the books the order of the day to do them. My DD3 I'm doing half speed on a modified schedule, but we do whatever reading is first, followed by Bible, Rhymes in Motion and then whatever written work she has.... so it ends up being left side first, but it's just part of it

I always find it funny though that people say that they do the right side to get it out of the way before the "more fun" left side. All of my kids and myself prefer the right side

Ours is a little bit back-and-forth as I like to start with Bible, and then what my DD finds hardest (LA box), then her reading, then me reading (back to the L side), then a break as I work with my preschooler, and then math and rotating box (which are L and R sides).

I like the fact that it changes it up, though I do like sitting down and doing all the reading I will do to them all at once.

For me, it's all about getting the tough stuff out of the way first, and leaving the easy/fun stuff to the end. Then we tend to get it all done, because we want to do that last stuff, and when we finish it's on a really good note.

MelInKansas wrote:Ours is a little bit back-and-forth as I like to start with Bible, and then what my DD finds hardest (LA box), then her reading, then me reading (back to the L side), then a break as I work with my preschooler, and then math and rotating box (which are L and R sides).

I like the fact that it changes it up, though I do like sitting down and doing all the reading I will do to them all at once.

For me, it's all about getting the tough stuff out of the way first, and leaving the easy/fun stuff to the end. Then we tend to get it all done, because we want to do that last stuff, and when we finish it's on a really good note.

Good idea! We've been finishing with spelling, and I've had to DRAG Shana over the finish line! I'm trying some of these to see what works best!!!

This is a great question with so many possible answers! I always love to see the diversity as to how different families choose to organize and schedule their day.

Each week on our facebook page I share a teaching tip, and since this week's tip goes well with this question I thought I'd paste it below in the hopes it may be helpful.:

When scheduling your child's day, Charlotte Mason advocated alternating inspirational subjects with disciplinary subjects. This makes a lot of sense to me and is something I try to consider when scheduling my kiddos. Disciplinary subjects are those that are skill-based, while inspirational subjects are those that are content-based. Subjects often are not exclusively in one category or the other and may fit in both categories depending on how the subject is taught. However, typically a subject will lean more in one direction than the other. Disciplinary subjects will often be subjects like mathematics, phonics, reading instruction, geography, handwriting, dictation, English/grammar, composition, copywork, research, timeline, drawing, and foreign language. Inspirational subjects often include history, poetry, Bible, read alouds, literature, science, picture study, composer study, and art appreciation. Try alternating the disciplinary and inspirational subjects found within your HOD guide in your child's day, and see if you notice a difference in your child's focus and concentration
Link: http://www.facebook.com/heartofdakota

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie wrote:This is a great question with so many possible answers! I always love to see the diversity as to how different families choose to organize and schedule their day.

Each week on our facebook page I share a teaching tip, and since this week's tip goes well with this question I thought I'd paste it below in the hopes it may be helpful.:

When scheduling your child's day, Charlotte Mason advocated alternating inspirational subjects with disciplinary subjects. This makes a lot of sense to me and is something I try to consider when scheduling my kiddos. Disciplinary subjects are those that are skill-based, while inspirational subjects are those that are content-based. Subjects often are not exclusively in one category or the other and may fit in both categories depending on how the subject is taught. However, typically a subject will lean more in one direction than the other. Disciplinary subjects will often be subjects like mathematics, phonics, reading instruction, geography, handwriting, dictation, English/grammar, composition, copywork, research, timeline, drawing, and foreign language. Inspirational subjects often include history, poetry, Bible, read alouds, literature, science, picture study, composer study, and art appreciation. Try alternating the disciplinary and inspirational subjects found within your HOD guide in your child's day, and see if you notice a difference in your child's focus and concentration
Link: http://www.facebook.com/heartofdakota

Blessings,
Carrie

LOL Carrie--THAT's where I saw that! I knew I had just read that recently.

We do all the left side in one sitting then do all the right side. I have tried to mix it up but that just doesn't work for me. :-/