Scheduling Tips: Share how your school day is set up ....

[netpea]

OK, I'm trying to get to bed earlier....

Blessedmomof4 and Tansy, thanks for the replies. nice to know I'm not the only one who can't get done as early as I'd like.

We also have trouble keeping up with the teacher manual when we have too much going on. We always manage to do reading, writing, and arithmetic. Other stuff sometimes goes on the back burner.

Lee Ann

[blessedmomof4]

This has been a good thread for me. I went to bed a little earlier last night, and will try to make it a little earlier tonight.
I even worked out a more realistic schedule, which we followed today and got a lot more done in less time. I guess I've just been getting sloppy lately.
Here's what we did:
8:30 breakfast
9:00 grade 8 math; grade 3 & 4 grammar, spelling, handwriting
10:00 grade 8 grammar; grade 3 & 4 math reading
11:00 grade 8 literature; grade 3 & 4 history, science
12:00 play outside
12:30 lunch
1:00 grade 8 science, grade 3 & 4 finish any undone work
My oldest was done by 1:30 and the younger 2 by 1:00-although I saved storytime and Bible for bedtime.
The girls really appreciated the break in the day, instead of me starting late and then trying to cram everything into the hours after lunch! There was even time for chores.
Let's see if I can keep this up

[my3sons]

I've found it really pays to put some time and thought into our schedule. It also helps me to pay attention to what is working and what is not.

I've shared a very general schedule of ours before, but for this post, I thought it might be helpful to share things about grouping and blocks of time. I generally do the left side, then the right side of the plans too.

For Bigger..., I grouped the History reading and the coordinating activity (left side of plans, lower left box) together for a 30 min. block.

Next, Bible Study and Poetry are grouped together for a 15 min. block.

Then, Storytime and its narration portion are in a 20 min. block.

Corresponding Music - 5 min.

Independent Rotation (each one day a week): Composer Study, Abeka Art, Thinker Doodle, Nature Journal for a 20 min. block

Then, Evan Moore Daily Math Review, Cheerful Cursive, Copywork of the Poem for a 30 min. block

Dictation and Preparing to Build Grammar for a 20 min. block

Drawn into the Heart of Reading and its paper or activity, 30 min. block

Science for 20 min.

Math for 20 min.

I have found that grouping things in blocks of time helps with setting the timer consistently and staying on schedule. For example, if 2 things are in a 30 min. block of time, sometimes one of them will take 10 min. and the other 20 min., or vice versa on a different day - either way, the 30 min. block works. I find it helpful to consider "where" in the house we are going to be too. I try to group things at the kitchen table together, things snuggled up on the couch together, etc., and then rotate them so we are different places in the house throughout the day. Some movement is necessary, but tons of it without a plan just wastes time.

For Little Hearts, we're just doing 1/2 of the plans each day. We basically read EITHER the History (left side) OR Storytime (right side) selection. Do either the History activity (left side), OR Math activity (right side). We do this all in a 20 min. block.

Then, we listen to the Corresponding Music, do the Bible Study, and then the Rhymes (all left side), in a 15 min. block, OR Phonics and Fine Motor Skills (right side) for a 20 min. block.

He also joins in with his older brother on the Storytime Read aloud for Bigger... (we have snacks and juice box cuddled up on couch together). He has even started "narrating" a bit, in his own way. Usually throwing out a few sentences about what was read.

He also joins in with the Corresponding Music Hymns in Bigger...

He has his own independent rotation too, with I.Q. Boosters, Abeka Art, the rest of the Rod and Staff books, and coloring/art time (each done for 1 day a week, 20 min.).

He has a rotation of phonics or character videos he watches for 15-30 min. each day too.

Other things in our day I fluctuate the time based on the needs of the day, like computer time, playtime with baby brother, educational activity with middle brother, Kinderbach piano lessons, etc. As I've mentioned before, we start the day with 45 min. of playtime, have a 45 min. playtime/recess in the middle, and end with lots pf playtime. That helps my active boys attend well during school.

[Dorla]

As I read your schedule it reminded me of an article I read last night in the latest issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. A family with 14 children and the mom writes about how she is able to homeschool. Hats off to all of you who have figured out what works in your family!

[water2wine]

I have my kids split into two groups of older and younger kids using LHFG and another program. I have tried many time to use a schedule by time but I am naturally resistant I guess, so I work in blocks, perfect for LHFG!

We start our day with the older kids and have the first a very in depth Bible study with my older kids while the younger sleep. After that comes all read alouds tied to my older kids History and Science. My younger kids do listen in when they want here and there but it's voluntary and not consistent. Then when I plug the other kids into math and LA and start LHFG with my younger kids. Our pattern for that usually is Bible first, then story time, talk about how both connect, then Rhymes in motion to get the energy out, History and Science, then they usually make me do Rhymes in motion again. After that we break and come back for math and LA. During the break I do some phonics with the older of my two youngest one on one then when she does her workbook I do one on one with my littlest. We do math together but I bounce between the two because they are on different levels. Their day is done and I work again with my older kids usually reading with my child that has special needs.

This program works perfect to add with another program for older learners.

[6timeboymom]

wow, you mean I'm supposed to be scheduled?
We usually get up, eat breakfast, and then "do school" which means something different every day. I am a WOHM, so we have to be done by 1:30. Then when I go to work ds #1 babysits until dad gets home. That's when they get to have their gameboys to play! when dad gets home they play with dad (that's generally outside play) and finish up their chores. then it's supper, church or scouts or whatever else activity the evening callsfor, then bed!
That's a pretty rought outline, but that's what most of our days look like.

[momof4]

We are doing Little Hands and added a K math a little over a month ago. My son says, "I get 2 schools now!" We do math in the morning after breakfast and "chores" (getting dressed and brush teeth) are done. After lunch and 1yr is down for nap we do Little Hands and other things he can think up. We read stories after dinner with Daddy, if he is home, otherwise I get that too.

We plan to do a similiar schedule next year with Little Hearts. My son has trouble focusing so we'll end up doing little pieces at a time with several breaks. It may take all day to complete, but, hey, we did school last night after dinner because he just couldn't sit still until then.

I don't know if that helps anyone, but reading all your schedules has put me at ease that there is no one right way and given me several ideas for next year. Thanks for you help!!

Laurie

[Carrie]

O.K. Ladies... since we have a lot of new HOD moms, I thought it would be fun to bring up this old scheduling thread from November. Now, I realize you all may have changed your schedules since then, so I thought it would be fun to update and see what you're all doing now. And ... it would be great to have our new moms chime in too!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Sharon]

Oo, this is a fun thread. I have really enjoyed reading it!

We try to start around 8:30 with Bible reading and a Hymn then I pretty much separate the two.
While I start dd1 on math dd2 gets started on spelling, handwriting, ETC, and math. By that time dd1 is ready to start English and dd2 takes a break.

After English DD1 works on poetry, copy-work, history, reading extension pack books which she has to come and narrate one of her readings to me and science. While dd1 works mostly alone now I work with dd2 on the "left" side of the page. We alternate our readings, I do one and she does one, she reads out loud from her Abeka reader and two other books that she has chosen to work on while I do the history, storytime, poetry, and science reader. This is dd2 favorite time of the day because we go curl up on the bed under the covers to read!

Some where in there we break for lunch. I am always through with dd2 by lunch and usually dd1 needs another 30 minute to 1 hour to finish up. I am reading the Eggleston book out loud to dd1 and our story time book out loud and then we discuss it. During this time dd1 usually does some extra science or art or she just goes to her room and plays. I pretty much let her decide about it.

We are doing the above 4 days a week and on the 5th day we do a field trip or focus on a country studying geography, culture, and maybe some ancient history ( depends).

DD 2 is on week 4 and DD1 is on week 3 and I am excited about our shorter days since starting HOD and plan on "trying" to put Spanish back into our schedule soon. I spent a lot of money on Rosetta stone and dh thinks I should be using it! But I am really enjoying our shorter day!

Blessings,
Sharon

[inHistiming]

Well, I have to say, our schedule has gotten pretty relaxed since Christmas. I am still trying to get back into the 'groove' of school. We've had so many interruptions with 2 DC birthdays, and my own flight back home without the kids; and now, tomorrow, my parents are flying in to visit for 2 weeks. We plan to do Math and LA while they are here, but probably not much else. Now, having said all that, we usually *try* to get started by 9:00 a.m. Math is always first, because both of my older kids do not do well with that later in the day. After that, it varies. I usually write all of their independent work on the white board and let them choose in what order to do the work. They know that Math must be done first. By the time that is done, it's usually near lunch. They get an hour for lunch, and may choose to watch a television program during that time if they like. After lunch, independent work is finished up, then we do any read alouds and Bible reading/questions that need done. When our school day is done, they either play outside, in the Adventure Center at the "Y" while mommy works out, or play with legos, etc. I do not have it scheduled by time either. I get stressed out if we are not done "on time" and I figure none of us needs the pressure. I do have a time requirement for my son's Math lesson, because he will dawdle for 3 hours without the incentive! He's spent many a night after dinner finishing his other work because he took so long to finish one subject's assignment. When this happens, I do make sure he is not going so slowly because it's something he is struggling with. We would not discipline for the pace if it was because he didn't understand. So, that's been our schedule. When LHFHG gets here, I will have to re-schedule some things to add in DS #2. I'm not sure how that will end up. And when the older ones start BHFHG, I hope to schedule it out so we can be done with everything by lunch, but we'll have to see. I'm enjoying this thread, and hope to learn a few things from the rest of you ladies!

[inHistiming]

We plan to add Rosetta Stone Spanish when we start the new year. We were supposed to do that this year, but our days have been too long as it is! Hubby got it for me for my birthday 2 years ago, and I have not used it like I wanted. My *plan* is to schedule time for me to "do school", too.

[my3sons]

I was just looking back over my schedule, and we've changed some things since then. We are now doing all of LHFHG, rather than just half of the plans each day. We also do one of two things... I either set the timer, don't answer the phone, and plow through school while dbaby is napping, finishing very early and having lots of time for bunny trails. OR, we don't set the timer, I answer the phone, we have lots of bunny trails, a big recess in the middle, and end up finishing much later in the day. Both are actually working out quite nicely. My oldest ds has also begun to take the Bigger... guide and do much more of it independently. He does well reading the boxed plans himself, but I still like to be part of most of what he's doing (I know, cut the apron strings, already!). Also, we have not done Kinderbach piano as I'd hoped we would... maybe next year!

[Candice]

I just had to laugh when I read my original post on this topic. The bin idea probably wasn't a bad one (my organizational method) but, looking back, what the heck was I doing with a bin full of books to complete with my then 3 year old? Well, we live and we learn!
At that time I was doing Little Hands..., phonics instruction, math, activity workbooks, a little bit of another curriculum, and probably more I can't even remember now!
We were completely missing out on Little Hands...because I was always in a rush to cover and complete the next subject. I was skipping around so much with the manual that it seemed to lose it's intended meaning. I even went as far as putting Little Hands...away in a drawer thinking, this is just beyond her. I was set on beginning Little Hearts... about then. It's no wonder my daughter did not look forward to her learning time. I had no direction!

Fast forward a few months later, and things are quite different. After realizing that I really wanted Litttle Hands...to be a part of my daughter's learning, and really seeing the big picture, we re-started Little Hands. I now realize the importance of savoring this time with her and the importance of character training as opposed to academics at this young age. I am so thankful to God that I realized this early on so I will not miss this wonderfully precious time with my daughter.
I really love the pace we have now, and so does my daughter. We really spend time with each activity in Little hands...,and have only added in the Singapore Earlybird Math when she has a desire to use a workbook.

So, even though I have had the Little hands...manual for many months, I am proud to say we are just beginning it (unit 3), and really diving into it, completely and happily committed this time! My main focus is about glorifying God by teaching my daughter about Him and showing her how to please Him. And that has made all of the difference in the world!

Oh yeah, to answer the topic specifically, we try to have our Little Hands...time when baby sister is napping! This helps cut down on baby sister grabbing papers and crayons away! Pretty simple for us now!

Candice

[water2wine]

I am one who adds stuff in and I am still trying to perfect it. We added BHFG since I posted last. I have it working but want more emphasis on the things I add to BHFG Character study materials and still want to keep my Chronological Bible. It's a little bit of a dance So we have added into Bigger a Chronological Bible study (something we were already doing), Parables Narrow Way (also covers character traits and Proverbs), and a few extra books we had on our shelf from the same history era. I just wrote those books directly into the manual and we read them along with our other read alouds. And we do Trail guides to the US which is actually a very easy addition twice a week. We are also doing Spanish mostly using Visual Link.

So this is where we are at now. I start with BHFG before the others are awake.

God's Hand In Life's Little Moments
I do while kids eat and do their morning chores

BHFG Day 1,2,and 4
The Narrow Way From Pearables works great with BHFG Bible study theme wise.

BHFG Day 3 and 5
Deeper dig into our Bible Study with supporting looks at maps, Victory Journey Through the Bible type things and a Chronological fill in the blank study. I sometimes add read alouds to our History Read aloud time that are Bible related.

BHFG all days
- First thing Hymn (after do day 3 and 5 extras)
-Next BHFG Bible and Narrow Way (on day 1, 2, 4)
-Next History Read alouds and anything I have added.
-Box Below History Reading what ever it is that day. If it is mostly independent I introduce it and let them know they will be doing it on their own after LA and Math.
-We do the Poetry and I am choosing to have our copy work be of the proverbs in their handwriting using Startwrite. I have them do it a few times.We do also do the Italic book. (handwriting comes later in the day)

- Now I set up the older kids to be independent. I do all the introductions to what they will be doing. So I cover two math levels, Two English levels, and set up my daughter who is delayed with her material. I alternate between groups explaining things so they have something to work on while I explain to the next group. Also I give them Trail Guides lesson which they do as a group together without me (I have these ready to go, we have done most of world and are on US next will be Bible). They come and show me the first five problems math and LA after completing if new material. But they are now independent of me and I work with my younger children doing LHFG.(If little ones up and want something to do I start them on Math or something Fine Motor Skills. while I explain lessons in Math etc to older kids)

While BHFG kids are independent I work with my little kids doing LHFG. We do 1/2 page but do phonics every day, sometimes Math every day, and they are also learning Spanish with the other kids. I am adding reading from the Appendix to LHFG to stretch it out. I have also added some extra Bible Reading like Ergermeier's and Leading Little Ones to God. I have my own little system using the 5 days and side A and B that I rotate the extra reading including some of the awesome sources in the appendix.
So it goes like this.

Side A day LHFG
-Bible Box First
-History
-rhymes in motion to give them silly time (I use this as a tool to break it up and I do it sometimes at different times depending on their focus)
-calm down science, thinking game, dramatic play (if Art I move to later in the day at the end)
-My extra reading Changes day to day.
-Music
-LA one on one with one while other does CD on computer then switch
-Art if doing that sometimes add my own
-Sometimes do Math also but optional on this day. Usually older child does, younger child skips.

Side B day LHFG
-Still starts with something Bible related (Leading Little Ones to God or other)
-Story Time
- Extra extension reading (either Bible or History)
- Sometimes do Rhymes in Motion again
- One on one LA while one on computer and switch
- Handwriting or Thinking skills/Do it Carefully
- Math

ALL kids BHFG and LHFG
-Before Lunch All come together for Spanish then have lunch.

BHFG kids and LHFG kids if they want to listen
-Evening Read through Bible Chronologically

Disclaimer this is an ideal schedule I am not perfect.

[blessedmomof4]

Okay-this is what is working for us-I have 2 shelves in a tall bookshelf devoted to Bigger and DITHOR, as well as my oldest daughter's curriculum. The other shelves are for reference books and other good books we own.
Mostly, we are working in the mornings from 9 am to noon. This gives me time to do some household chores and walk the dog between 7 and 9.
Most days, we save storytime for bedtime
Oldest daughter works all on her own.