Monday, November 12, 2012

More School Scheduling

So, as usual, I started the academic year with a schedule for our homeschool, and as usual, I've had to make some changes. This is not surprising (to me, anyway) - I've learned over the years that it just doesn't work for me to set up a system and expect it to be a "once and done" thing, mainly because I've forgotten something, or because there is tweaking to be done.
This time, it was piano practice. It just wasn't really happening very much when it was listed as a part of the girls' daily chores, and I didn't really like the idea of their practice being considered a chore, anyway. I figured it was really the best thing to incorporate it into their school day, since it is a music credit. I also figured it would be best to have their daily practice occur at the same time that their fortnightly (every two weeks) lessons would be. Of course, when you tug on one thread, the whole net moves, but this is what I came up with:

 
Mom
Abi
Anna
Noah
Ellie
Dan
Caleb
8 – 8:30
Chores/Nurse
Chores
Chores
Chores
Chores
Chores
Nurse
8:30 – 9
Bible & Read with Littles
Literature
Literature
Bible & Read with Mom
Bible & Read with Mom
Bible & Read with Mom
 
9 – 9:45
Bible with Girls
Bible
Bible
Play
Play
Play
 
9:45 – 10
Check work/ diapers
Make Snack
Snack
Snack
Snack
Snack/Diaper
 
10 – 10:30
History with Girls
History
History
Play
Play
Play
Nurse
10:30 – 11
Grammar with Anna & Noah
Piano
Grammar & Spelling
Grammar
Color
Color
 
11 – 11:30
Grammar with Abi & Play with Littles
Grammar & Spelling
Piano
Play with Mom
Play with Mom
Play with Mom
 
11:30 – 12
Math
Math
Math
Math
Math play
Play
 
12 – 12:30
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
 
12:30 – 1
Nurse & Read to Littles
 Read
Clean up & Read
Read
Read
Nap
Nurse
1 – 2
Rest
Quiet Craft
Quiet Craft
Quiet Craft
Nap
Nap
 
2 – 2:45
Help with work/Chores
Finish work
Finish work
Lego
Nap
Nap
 
2:45 - 3
Nurse
Clean up
Clean up
Clean up
Wake up
Wake up
Nurse
3 - 3:15
Snack
Snack
Snack
Snack
Snack
Snack
 
3:15 – 4
Exercise/Craft
Play with Littles
Play with Littles
Play
Play
Play
 
4 – 4:45
Special
Special
Special
Special
Special
Special
 
4:45 – 5
Clean up
Clean up
Clean up
Clean up
Clean up
Clean up
Nurse
5 – 5:30
Dinner prep
Shower/Free
Shower/Free
Shower/Free
Shower/Free
Shower/Free
Bath
5:30 – 6
Dinner prep
Help out
Help out
Help out
Help out
Help out
 

Bible * Literature * History * Math * Grammar * Piano * Lunch * Rest * Naps * Exercise

 Specials:

Monday – game

Tuesday – Outing

Wednesday – Movie

Thursday – Computer

Friday - Craft
 
 
Overall, I'm pretty happy. We don't always start on time, so when that happens, things get a bit squiffy, but it all still works pretty well. During the rest/quiet craft time is the perfect time for the bigger kids to be doing things that they enjoy but can't do with Dan around. Often they're just reading, but I'm in the process of putting together a collection of stuff that they can do with out my supervision. The question is where to keep such things that the big kids can get to and the little ones can't...
I'm liking the time for the bigger kids to be playing with the little ones as well. I kind of see it as babysitter-training time, as it's really an opportunity for the girls (mainly) to be playing in a way that serves the littler ones, not just including the littles into their own game. It's also nice for me to be able to pursue some of my own interests and they can see those things as a priority for me - perhaps they'll pick some of those interests up for themselves one day?
A word on the "Specials" category - it was an inspired idea, even if I do say so myself. It's been such a blessing to have a time where we do something all together that my kids love but would tend to get pushed aside for lack of time. It doesn't always happen, but the times where we've played a game or gone for a walk or done a craft project has really blessed them and allowed me to love on them in a way that is meaningful to them. It's also a great way to get to know them - walking along and chatting with Noah or seeing what a clever artist Anna can be has been so worth the effort. I'll be honest, though - movie day and computer day tend to be my extended craft/chore/nap time. For real.
So there it is. I'd love to know how some of you divide your time and spend your days, mom or not, homeschool or not. It's always fun to glean some good ideas from others, so please share!