Homeschooling – Andrew Wood style

So – I thought I’d update the homeschooling situation.  Here’s the schedule I came up with:

• 8:30-9:30  Morning housework
• 9:30-10:00  Scripture study/memorization
• 10:00-10:30  Math
• 10:30-10:45  Break/snack
• 10:45-11:00  Handwriting
• 11:00-12:00  Reading/Spelling/Grammar/Writing
• 12:00-1:00  Lunch Break
• 1:00-1:30  Independent reading
• 1:30-2:30  Science/Social Studies
• 2:30-2:45  Piano practice/lesson
• 2:45-3:00  Spanish
• 3:00-3:30  Enrichment subjects (art/computers) or finishing up work

Tom thinks it is too long – and much of what I’ve read about homeschooling supports this opinion.  Most homeschooled kids can finish up before noon.  But I think I was right – Andrew needs structure.  He does really well all day long.  It’s just when school is finished that he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

I got some of my ideas for the schedule from looking at other schedules out there on the web.  I really liked the idea of including housework and scripture study.  Doing physical work first off gives Andrew a chance to get geared up for school work.  The scripture reading is another opportunity for him to read aloud – which is a challenge for him.  Plus, we can get in a little “Faith in God” work each day (right now we’re working on memorizing Articles of Faith).  Andrew likes Math and a half hour doesn’t seem quite enough – some days we’ve gone longer.  An hour doesn’t seem long enough for language arts either – mostly because it involves writing and Andrew dislikes with a passion any kind of writing.

This schedule is really just a suggested outline, because I still have “Mom” jobs (like grocery shopping, etc) and “Work” jobs (like going to work) to do.  But I’ve been able to fit stuff around the work, and sometimes Andrew surprises me by working quickly.  Plus that hour built into the schedule for lunch can be used anytime in the day!

Luckily, Andrew’s school sent home his workbooks for Math, Spelling, and Grammar.  While the math curriculum isn’t really available on line, the Spelling & Grammar is more available – the website has enrichment activities for each unit, which includes a reading selection (which I was able to get at the library for this unit!).  So that’s been helpful.  I’m having to make it up as I go, in terms of Science and Social Studies.  4th graders study Colorado history, so I’ve been scouring the internet for ideas.  I think we might do a couple of field trips, too, since there are some great places to see around Colorado history.  Anyway – so far, so good — but it HAS only been 5 days!