Organize homeschool day

I homeschool my 3 children 8, 6, and 3. I am looking into the Weaver curriculum and I was wonder how you manage your homeschool day.

This may not be the answer you are looking for - but it's trial and error! You just experiment some and find what works for you. So much of what makes your day flow well, your children learn, and you not burnout depends upon the personality of your children, of you, the hours your husband keeps, and other myriad of details. And, it sounds a little cliche - but don't forget to pray about it!

That said, I'll share how I do it - hopefully others will too - and there will be some ideas that will work well for you.

First, let me introduce those who have no clue what we are talking about to the Weaver curriculum a little bit. Weaver was developed by a homeschool mom. It is a unit study curriculum - which means that it takes a topic and all of the subjects are tied into that topic. It is based on the bible, it is hands-on, and it is multi-level - which means that you can teach your 3rd grader and your 1st grader the same material at different levels. The "core" curriculum includes bible, social studies, science, health, some art, field trip ideas and project ideas. It does not include math, reading, phonics, writing or penmanship - though there are separate Weaver programs available for everything but math.

So, let's say you are studying the days of creation. On the first day God created light. You might discuss and learn about rainbows, color, mirrors, shadows, light bulbs, and Thomas Edison. And you will likely do some type of project - for a little guy you might draw his shadow at different times of the day on the driveway with sidewalk chalk. The older guys might do a report on Thomas Edison or build a sundial. (Lots more info on the Weaver curriculum here. The email list is active and wonderful.)

I divide my day into 4 sections - the Weaver "core" which usually lasts for 1 -1 1/2 hours at the 1st grade level, math, penmanship & reading/phonics. We read aloud most days, and I try to spend part of the day outdoors if weather permits. (She also takes piano, gymnastics, we do an art lesson at home once a week, and she attends a homeschool "enrichment" program once a week.)

I let her chose which "section" to do first if she completes her morning chores (make her bed, pick up her room, get dressed and one additional small chore that rotates daily) and is ready to go when I say - usually around 9:00. Occasionally, if I have a long reading assignment for that day, I will ask her to do that first when her mind is a little more fresh, and then let her choose the order of the rest. My daughter is very active and needs "recess" time and frequent breaks.

So, here is how my mornings typically look. I'll include my early morning routine also in case it's helpful.

5:45- 6:30 - exercise
6:30-7:00 - time with God
7:00-7:30 - computer time, organize day, check emails, deal with any work issues
7:30-8:00 shower
8:00-8:30 breakfast
8:30-9:00 housekeeping chores
9:00-11:00 school (usually with a 10 min break)
11:00-11:30 lunch
11:30 - 1:30 finish school
1:30 -3:00 rest time

The state of Colorado requires the equivalent of 4 hours a day so I have structured that much time into the day. However, in reality, I don't watch the clock that closely. I just go until she is "done" and not absorbing anymore anyway. Sometimes we do math after supper because her brain gets "full" in the mornings. I know it averages out as we read together often, she helps me cook, we discuss things in the car, etc...

So, those of you that homeschool - how do you manage your day?




Have a question for WeaverMom? Email me!

Homeschool Open House!

Tiany over at Less of Me, More of Him, is hosting a "Homeschool Open House", so I decided to hop on board with this great idea! Feel free to join in as well for a chance to win some great prizes! Thanks, Tiany!

If you would like to join “Homeschool Open House 2007”, here are the guidelines:

To participate simply write a post (as elaborate or simple as you want, pics or no pics its up to you) about any of the following, …

• A short intro about you, how many blessings? How long have you been Homeschooling etc.. Just in case this is someone’s first visit to your blog.
• Your Homeschool Day, what does it look like?
• What curriculum will you be using? Do you not use a curriculum? Do you homeschool for FREE? Tell us about it!
• Do you schedule your day to the minute or go with the flow with no real structure?
• Do you homeschool in a homeschool room, at the kitchen table, at a desk, in the park on the grass?
• Do you have any “must share” tips?
• Do you have a question or concern? Throw that in there too!

**** If you are a mother who has homeschooled her children and your children are now grown and have left the nest we would love for you to participate and share some words of wisdom.

• Write a post on your blog, copy the post link (not your homepage URL), and add your individual post link to Mr. Linky. It will be the easiest way for us to hop around and visit each other!

If you do not have a blog and would like to participate send me an email tiany@cox.net

• You must spread the word! Please put a link back to the Open House on your post so that others can participate and visit other participants. You can use the Open House Graphic in your post or blog if you like.Simply right click and save the photo to your computer. Then upload the graphic to your blog through your blog provider or through a photo host such as photobucket.com.

My hope is that as we visit one another’s posts we will glean some wisdom and have some fun sharing our Homeschool day! May we encourage one another and share a blessing for another homeschool year!

The icing on the cake, the “Door Prizes “ can be viewed HERE and HERE! Be sure to check them out! Also, please be sure to visit the many wonderful businesses and friends that donated such great door Prizes to make this event not only encouraging but FUN too! Prizes will be pulled and posted on August 16th.

MY HOMESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE!

How many blessings? How long have you been Homeschooling?

I'm a homeschooling mom of three blessings who will be 8, 6, and 4 by September. We've been homeschooling since the beginning and we love it (most days!).

Your Homeschool Day, what does it look like?

Our days have a loose but flexible routine, and I never organize by minutes or hours. This is not how I ran my first-grade class when I was a teacher, but it works best for me as a homeschooling mom. And I learn something new each year, about the kids, about my limits and my strengths, and how to rely and trust God more and more.

What curriculum will you be using? Do you not use a curriculum? Do you homeschool for FREE? Tell us about it!

Speaking of strengths, homeschooling for free is definitely not one of mine! I wish it was, though!

Do you schedule your day to the minute or go with the flow with no real structure?

As far as organizing, I organize our curriculum and activities into time "chunks"- you can read about them here. It's just a way for me to group certain subjects or activities so we can finish them without having any time restraints. If we're not done or are really enjoying an activity, we don't have to move on until we want to. That is one aspect of homeschooling I really enjoy- the freedom to move at the pace which works best for our children. We use a variety of curriculum, and I do plan it in advance. At my homeschooling blog, you can view my daughter's "scope and sequence" for this fall- as well as the "scope and sequence" for my son. I am somewhat of a curriculum junkie- I can never get enough. There are so many amazing resources out there! Tailoring curriculum is another incredible aspect of homeschooling.

Do you homeschool in a homeschool room, at the kitchen table, at a desk, in the park on the grass?

Our "core mornings" are done at a table in our house- and everything else is flexible. Our reading time (a favorite) is done in "nests"- piles of pillows and blankets!

Do you have any “must share” tips?
Must-share tips from my (very few) years as a homeschooling mom:

Check out Jan Brett's free printables at her website.
Sign up for Dover's free samplers which come via email.
-Make time to visit the library and read. Check out books, audio books, put books on hold, etc. I love the library and it's the best resource for homeschooling!
-Pray for your children, yourself, your days, your homeschool.
-Even when days are difficult (and we all have those days) keep the big picture in mind.
-Notice and enjoy the little blessings that happen each day.

School in the Pool

Is cool! That's what my children think anyway.

After reading Chickadee's post Loose Change, the title reminded me of a game I made up a couple of years ago when my children were learning to count money. We ended up calling it Money Pool.

It all began on a hot summer day...just kidding, but it was HOT! Anyway, one day the children were swimming in our little 5ft. round pool. Soon after they were getting bored, so I found some loose change in my pocket and threw in a few coins for them to fish for. Unfortunately, that didn't last long, remember the pool was only 5ft wide.

Then I had another thought, I took the rest of the change out of my pocket and threw in the whole handful. I gave them about 15-20 seconds to collect as many coins as possible. Now, here's the twist, the object of the game wasn't who collected the most coins, that's too easy. They had to count the money and whose ever added up to be the most won! It was a HIT! Even today they still love to play Money Pool!

If you have any games you've made up for your child(ren), we'd love to hear about them.





There's still a little time left to enter our Body Shop Contest.

Back to School Time

Well everyone ... Its THAT time of year. The time of year when most moms are counting down the days until they can drop off their kids at the door of their local public (or private) school and not have to deal with the "hassle" of having children in their homes all day long. For us, we are blessed enough to keep our kids at home everyday. We are blessed to be their teachers, to watch them grow, to share those special moments with them. We are also blessed to witness their tantrums, whining, complaints, and well... you know how some of our days go.


Since we school year round here, there really is no beginning or end to our school days. Rather, for us, learning is a part of living and is done daily. Its not something we do because we have to but because we enjoy it and its necessary to live a fulfilling life. So ... if that's the case why am I bringing up this topic?


SALES!!! Yep ... Back to school shopping is a big event in my house. Why? When else can you get 10 glue sticks for $0.50! Schools here start back in early August, so now is the time to pick up a Sunday Newspaper full of circulars. Check out who has the best prices and go stock up on supplies for the school year! Notebooks, loseleaf paper, Notepads, Pencils, Crayons, Markers, Construction Paper, Printer Paper, Glue Sticks, Rulers, Protractors, Scissors, Erasers, Folders, and more are all on sale.


A few extra tips:

• Buy extra crayons, markers, printer paper, and construction paper. Keep these in your gift closet. When you get an invitation to attend a party for another kid at church or scouts ... you have a great gift idea for under $1.00! What kid doesn't like new crayons (or markers) and paper???



• For a few more dollars, you could pick up a writing tablet, coloring book, or other item to add to your crayons or markers for a gift. Also, look out for color pencils, watercolors and other art supplies on sale.



• I often check out Michael's dollar bins and find kits and other art supplies that could be added to your gift closet. The dollar bins is a year round option and the items there are just clearance items and not your run of the mill dollar store items that will break in an hour or less.



• Buy nice quality backpacks now. Save these as gifts for Christmas or Birthdays. These can be used as Hiking Daypacks for your little ones. Add in a $0.99 first aid kits, a water bottle, a disposable camera, and few other goodies ... and now you are set for nature walks on the go!



• Check out sales on shoes. A lot of places have buy 1 get 1 half off or better sales now. If your kids are going to need shoes soon ... now is the time to go. I usually buy half a size bigger than what they are currently wearing that way they will be perfect come late October.



• For us in Arizona, now is NOT the time to buy clothes. Wait until the rush is done. At the beginning of September, you will find lots of 75% of sales from all the left over back to school clothes no one wanted. Thats when you buy clothes for the kiddos! Only buy summer clothes in at least 1 size bigger. Last thing you want is for a growth spurt to hit during winter and all the new clothes go to waste.



• Look for large lunchboxes. Sometimes you can find family size ones on sale at this time. If not -- wait until the end of summer clearance sales. Purchase one for your family to take with you when going on long outings or picnics.

So .... What are your back to school traditions? Do you go shopping at the sales? What are your tips for this time of year? Write about it on your blog and leave us a comment with your link. I can't wait to read all of your thoughts on this!!