Poll: In grades 3+ would you prefer independent projects ...

[Carrie]

for history that are scheduled and mapped out to do a little each day until they are finished by the end of the week, or would you prefer only one project day each week with a lengthier scheduled project time to complete the project all in one sitting? I ask because I am going back and forth with how best to schedule this area in "Preparing Hearts for His Glory". I am mainly referring to history projects that are hands-on/building/ or artsy in their focus. I'd love to hear what you think would most likely get done at your house.

Blessings,
Carrie

[6timeboymom]

the history we've been doing with my boys that age has a lot of "notebooking" type stuff. They love that! I have one that likes the cut and paste, and one who likes the coloring. we've also done some dress up and some play acting stuff. Of course, you know how boys need to "move"!!!

[beandip71]

I think I would prefer a little each day. That way if we had extra time we could do more, or visa versa. I think it would allow me to be more flexible in planning my week. I would rather have the whole week to get it done than feel like it had to be done all in one day. Just my 2 cents!

Gina

[amysconfections]

I would think the whole week to complete would give you more flexibility without feeling obligated to do a long project. It would also help the child to be more creative and not rush to finish and be done with it. Hopefully they would think on it, then come back with fresh ideas.

[netpea]

In our house, we do better with projects on a particular day instead of a little each day. But we could do it that way regardless of how you lay out in the daily plans.

[Melanie]

Oh Carrie....what a tough question! My answer is....it depends (way to ride the fence, huh!)

If it's a fairly straightforward, simple and short activity then I would rather do it all at one time. We "school" at the kitchen table, and really don't have a great place to leave an on-going project out without it being in the way.

BUT...

My ds works better on project type things if given in small increments. He can be artsy-crafty for only a few minutes at a time!

I think you could write the activities into the plans and just leave it open for families to decide what works best for them. Amy made a great point about having them think on it for awhile. On the other hand, there are times (of the month) when I really have to work up the courage to get out the art supplies and my nerves wouldn't handle *every* day!

So, there's your great answer...it depends! Sorry to be of absolutely no help...

[Ronda]

We would prefer the project to be completed in one day. We school in our dining room and also do not have extra room to keep projects waiting to be worked on. We like to get them done and put away.
Blessings,
Ronda

[my3sons]

Ideally, I like the idea of doing a little each day, but sometimes the clutter caused by this drives me crazy. Maybe you could put it on one day, and if people wanted to stretch it out and do a little each day instead, they could still do that.

The time allotment is always something to consider too. It is hard if a huge one-day project comes up and takes another hour than what's usually planned. If you do write the project as a big one-day thing, it would be nice if that was all we did for history that day, rather than adding it on to what we already do each time.

You always do a great job of balancing the time so it all works out to be about the same each day, and I know you will again. I've just used some other curriculums that randomly have HUGE projects planned. That was o.k. when I just had one child, but with 3, it doesn't work out. Thanks for always thinking of that in your plans so I don't have to!

[Carrie]

Ladies,

Thanks for the wonderful ponderings. It helps me so much to hear other perspectives as I'm writing a new guide. I always find it's good to write throughout the year, so I can keep in perspective how long things really take and how much is too much. It's this time of year that is best for writing, when the shine of the new school year is wearing off and the reality is setting in! It keeps me focused on balance and what is really needed in a guide.

Blessings,
Carrie

[water2wine]

I would say a little each day to sort of cement what they learned but that it would be very easy prep for the parent and maybe a larger one every other week or something like that to bring in the big concepts and sort of tie up loose ends. So I guess I am the I want it all type