I’ve had a lot of questions about how we plan to tackle all of our subjects and activities, so I thought I’d do a quick post previewing our preliminary schedule. In other words, I’ll write a more definite “A Day in Our Lives” post closer to the start of our fall schedule (first week in September).
I organize our day with our workbox pocket system. I have 12 pockets to work with, but will plan to use only 10 on most days.
1. Art/Music
2.-3. Seatwork
(“Seatwork” will include handwriting and phonics worksheet,
and will probably take up two pockets)
4. Phonics Review (time with me)
5.-6. Geography/Science
(I will probably use two pockets here;
however, science is not scheduled every day.)
7. Critical Thinking Skills
8. Math Review (time with me)
9. Math Worksheet
10. “Fun” pocket
(“Fun” will be motivational and vary every day:
a “happy” note, an origami animal, a Highlights magazine, etc.)
I typically spend about 15 minutes per activity, and I set a timer for each pocket to keep us on target. It doesn’t sound like much time, but I’ve really found it to be more than adequate. And using the workbox system cuts way down on our transition time. There is no scrambling around to find stuff; every thing they need for an activity is already in the pocket waiting for them.
Bible is a subject I’m going to do largely outside of regular school time. In other words, I’ll have them listening to the Bible audio CD either in the morning before school or during “quiet time” in the afternoons (plan on experimenting to see which we like best). So, we’ll spend our Bible review time within the first 15 min. of pledge, prayer, and calendar work at the beginning of our school schedule. It won’t really have its own pocket on most days, unless I want to add a Bible coloring page.
The last pocket is also an exception to the schedule, as it really won’t be a timed activity. It’s merely meant to be a reward for their hard work.
That leaves 9 timed pockets, or roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes of activities (2 1/2 hours if you include our pledge, prayer, and other beginning activities), which has our school schedule running from 9 to 11:30.
So that’s how I’m fitting it all in, a steady pace with lots of variety!
Feel free to link up your curriculum choices and schedules in the comments section. I love to read what others are doing.
Very interesting method…I never considered it, but this seems like it should work.
This is how we ran our schedule last year, and the kids did very well with it. As a matter of fact, my son asked for the timer this summer while I was trying to be more flexible. My kids crave the structure. I think it provides a sense of security and stability for them while they are too young to anticipate what’s next. However, with that said, all of my posts are descriptive rather than prescriptive. What works for us doesn’t work for everyone. And that’s awesome! That’s the beauty of homeschooling, customizing to fit your family’s needs.