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I do Preparing with my dd11 (5th grade). She is free on Monday mornings while I school my younger 2, although we do Math. Now that we're into a routine, and the holidays are past, I'm thinking perhaps I should assign some subject to her for Mondays, like perhaps Art History, or something like that (not a part of Preparing, just something completely different to add on). Do any of you do that? If so, what do you recommend?

I should add that: 1) dd has some work-ethic issues (was reading with interest another thread about laziness), so in some ways that's why I think she needs some extra work - I kind of feel she doesn't need to have it too "easy" and 2) we are in a co-op Monday afternoons, so I appreciate having a little lighter teaching burden with just my other 2 in the mornings. So would need it to be something that's pretty independent.

Am looking forward to your ideas.

HI there,

my dd8 does Preparing and on the fifth day we have been catching up on things she may need to complete eg. timeline or vocab or some DITHOR. Sometimes she likes to listen in to her brother's readings! But some other ideas could be some music instruction or language lessons. I will be starting French this year with my dd and we will probably use the 5th day to get stuck into that. Does she like drawing? Some nature journalling in your backyard?

Blessings,

Corrie

My older son is in CTC which is also a 4 day program. On the 5th day, he does a writing lesson (from a workbook I have), a Phonics/Vocabulary lesson for his grade level (6the grade - and again, a basic workbook I have), and he does Singapore Math. We are ahead of the guide on math because ds is in Singapore 4B as a 6th grader. We can definitely afford to move ahead more quickly.

We also do co-op classes on that day.

We are doing Preparing, and on the 5th day my dd always does math, language and her own quiet time with her bible. We have found that sometimes we don't get to a project or complete something from the other fours day, so she will finish up that day. We have always done a light fifth day, even before coming to HOD, and it has worked for us. We don't do well either with an "empty" fifth day, KWIM? If my dd wasn't a natural born speller that would also be something we might work on that fifth day.

Edie

BTW- we haven't really started using DITHOR. I expect that will be something we will do on our fifth day.

If dc have put a good 4 day's worth of work in with PHFHG, I think it's neat to approach their extra day as if they've earned the right to be in the driver's seat for some of that free time. So, maybe you could go with her interests? If she likes reading, maybe have her do some extra reading of her choice. If she likes nature and journaling, maybe have her start keeping a nature journal. It's still good to start the day with a Bible quiet time, so maybe have her pick something to do for that. It can be as simple as reading a book of the Bible a chapter a day with some praise music she chooses to listen to and sing, with a prayer time. Or maybe starting a prayer journal? If that would appeal to her. Or if she enjoys showing love to others by writing cards or something, it could be an outreach time for her to write a note of encouragement to someone needing it. If she likes to draw, maybe the 2 of you could choose a drawing book she could do? If she likes to take pictures, maybe she could scrapbook. Does she like puzzles? Or cooking? Or latch-hooking? Or gardening? Or maybe a fitness goal of doing an exercise video or calisthenics? These would all be things she could do, and they would have a double purpose of encouraging her to learn to use her free time in ways she can use it for the rest of her life. She could do different things over the year too - variety is the spice of life, right?

We used to just play with the cousins for the fifth day, and other than church, that was our only outing all week, so it was a big deal. Now, I have my oldest ds do school the fifth day, as with my dh's work schedule, and my travel to book fairs, ending school earlier in the year helps out so much. (We still play with the cousins in the afternoon though.) One of our goals is for our dc to be able to think of what they would like to do for their free time and to help them develop hobbies, interests, and skills that they can enjoy lifelong. This has cut down on the proverbial feeling that we as parents have to be the entertainment or provide the entertainment all of the time, and some neat interests have already been developing. I know this is not everyone's goal, but I thought I'd share as we have really been enjoying seeing interests (and some things they've tried that are not interests) develop. HTH as you decide what's best for your dd!

In Christ,
Julie

Here are a few threads that may be of help. One word of caution I will pass along though is not to overload your other days with these things. It's so important to keep your week in balance. So, I post the links with that in mind, hoping you'll only add to your 5th day, and even then in moderation. This is said in all love from a born curriculum shopper!

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1733
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=527
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1921&p=14872

Blessings,
Carrie