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I am sooo over our time issues , which leads me to the next militant idea.

Do you make your kids do certain studies in certain areas; like math at the kitchen table, reading on the couch, writing back at the table, etc?

We do different subjects in different places just to break things up a bit - not real strict about it but we do have a certain routine we follow. We do math and language arts at a desk which has a whiteboard on the wall to write on. Storytime, DITHOR and independent reading (science, history) are in the living room - a more relaxed setting. Then the messy stuff (experiments and painting) are in the kitchen. I didn't think these locations mattered much to him - but we are having a new desk delivered this week so I moved the old one out and my son wasn't sure he could do his work without that desk - kinda funny

HTH,
Andrea

I make my ds do math at the dining room table which is our school table. He wanted to do it in the family room, but he didn't do as good of a job and it took him longer. The rest of subjects he does in the same places each day, but just because it is our routine. We do all read alouds and bible time out on the couch and grammar,writing, map work etc are back at the table and then he does his reading in the living room on the couch.

andreacress wrote:We do different subjects in different places just to break things up a bit - not real strict about it but we do have a certain routine we follow. We do math and language arts at a desk which has a whiteboard on the wall to write on. Storytime, DITHOR and independent reading (science, history) are in the living room - a more relaxed setting. Then the messy stuff (experiments and painting) are in the kitchen.

HTH,
Andrea

This is the same thing that we do here.

LynnH wrote:I make my ds do math at the dining room table which is our school table. He wanted to do it in the family room, but he didn't do as good of a job and it took him longer.

This is what I'm thinking. You can't do quality work when you're lounging on the couch. I'm constantly telling dd to sit up.

quiet time any where you want...
all else at kitchen table or (school table in your room if you are distracting your sister.)
I do allow Dithor reading in the reading nook.

Mainly because I have a dawdler who works well with supervision.

You hit on something that is key to the success of our family's homeschooling, annaz! If I don't designate where things are to be done, suddenly seatwork becomes floorwork (and it's pretty messy looking), or science experiments spill over onto the dining room floor (when they should be done by the kitchen sink), or children disappear upstairs into the abyss never to be seen again reading reading reading (more pages than they are supposed to). So, I have found it necessary to say where each person should be and when. It also helps keep distractions to a minimum. Here is a copy of my schedule for this year, and you can see where I noted in bold where everyone should be working...


We do like to make the most of using all of our house to school, but proximity and accountability to me has been pretty important up to this point. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

my3sons wrote:You hit on something that is key to the success of our family's homeschooling, annaz! If I don't designate where things are to be done, suddenly seatwork becomes floorwork (and it's pretty messy looking), or science experiments spill over onto the dining room floor (when they should be done by the kitchen sink), or children disappear upstairs into the abyss never to be seen again reading reading reading (more pages than they are supposed to). So, I have found it necessary to say where each person should be and when. It also helps keep distractions to a minimum. Here is a copy of my schedule for this year, and you can see where I noted in bold where everyone should be working...


We do like to make the most of using all of our house to school, but proximity and accountability to me has been pretty important up to this point. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

In my effort to be more relaxed and not have a school atmosphere dd has gotten sloppy. Sloppy posture breeds sloppy work and and attitude of unimportance. Thanks Julie. I'm going to print your schedule!

annaz wrote:...In my effort to be more relaxed and not have a school atmosphere dd has gotten sloppy. Sloppy posture breeds sloppy work and and attitude of unimportance...

Oh annaz, I don't think it's fair to take all that on yourself and shoulder all that alone! Kids will be kids, and when it comes to responsibility in any line of work (chores, school, etc.), they unfortunately seem inclined to see how they can push the limit, or do the least work in the least amount of time. I guess maybe it could be called "resourcefulness" if painted in a good light?

I actually think you have a very, very worthy goal not to have a school atmosphere in that you more than likely want your homeschool to feel more laid back, and well... homey. I think that is a very good goal to have! The balance between school/home atmosphere in homeschooling is a tricky one. I don't have that all figured out yet by any means. It sounds like you have goals of helping dd work more carefully with a more diligent attitude. These are good goals, and common goals for any of us moms who have dc around the age of your dd! I do think assigning places in the house for specific work, and moving dd around should help. I know it has around here! My very responsible, trustworthy ds cannot be responsible nor trusted to work upstairs in his room independently for more than the time it takes to listen to a Diana Waring CD's lesson yet. So, good kids do not so good things, sometimes on purpose, sometimes without thinking. Distractions come in all different ways. For me, the phone, email, board, and mail gets me off track. For my ds, it's his room full of everything he loves to do, or his brothers playing computer, or the tv being on. Anyway, you are not alone in this struggle, but things will improve I think with a little reigning it in for dd.

annaz wrote:...Thanks Julie. I'm going to print your schedule!

I just wrote a thread about this you may find interesting (or not, feel free to ignore!)...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12673

In Christ,
Julie

the locations have changed for us. I have arthritis in both knees now so I try not to go up and down too many flights of stairs in one day. The kitchen and laundry are on the first floor and our schoolroom is on the second floor. We don't use the schoolroom as much now. We do reading type activities either in the kitchen while the kids are eating or in the living room on the couch. We do math and written work at the table and science in the kitchen. We mostly use the schoolroom if DH is working from home. If we are already downstairs, i can easily throw a load in the washer/dryer or do dishes. If we are upstairs, I have to add another flight of stairs on...

my3sons wrote:

annaz wrote:...In my effort to be more relaxed and not have a school atmosphere dd has gotten sloppy. Sloppy posture breeds sloppy work and and attitude of unimportance...

Oh annaz, I don't think it's fair to take all that on yourself and shoulder all that alone! Kids will be kids, and when it comes to responsibility in any line of work (chores, school, etc.), they unfortunately seem inclined to see how they can push the limit, or do the least work in the least amount of time. I guess maybe it could be called "resourcefulness" if painted in a good light?

I actually think you have a very, very worthy goal not to have a school atmosphere in that you more than likely want your homeschool to feel more laid back, and well... homey. I think that is a very good goal to have! The balance between school/home atmosphere in homeschooling is a tricky one. I don't have that all figured out yet by any means. It sounds like you have goals of helping dd work more carefully with a more diligent attitude. These are good goals, and common goals for any of us moms who have dc around the age of your dd! I do think assigning places in the house for specific work, and moving dd around should help. I know it has around here! My very responsible, trustworthy ds cannot be responsible nor trusted to work upstairs in his room independently for more than the time it takes to listen to a Diana Waring CD's lesson yet. So, good kids do not so good things, sometimes on purpose, sometimes without thinking. Distractions come in all different ways. For me, the phone, email, board, and mail gets me off track. For my ds, it's his room full of everything he loves to do, or his brothers playing computer, or the tv being on. Anyway, you are not alone in this struggle, but things will improve I think with a little reigning it in for dd.

annaz wrote:...Thanks Julie. I'm going to print your schedule!

I just wrote a thread about this you may find interesting (or not, feel free to ignore!)...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12673

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks for the inspiring words, Julie. Balance is rough with an only. I know many will say I have it made, and in some areas I do, but we have other issues. Onlies require more of some things and less of other things. This year we are having a rough time and her attitude (and posture) shows it. We've already done a "restart". You're right...doing the least in the least amount of time and this is surely the year for that button to be pushed. Plus it's hormone year. I know, I know. This too shall pass.