Computer Time in the Schedule

Jamie asked "where is all that computer time?" That's a good question, and not obvious from my schedule. There's quite a bit of down time I can play with throughout our week and that's where "my" computer time fits. So, I guess it's not on the schedule in a specific way because I fit it in when there is time.

My husband usually gets up and goes straight to his office for morning prayers and a little paperwork before showering and getting dressed. I like to be dressed before leaving my room, so that is what I do first. However, if I'm not hungry right then (usually around 6:15a), I'll grab my cup of tea and head downstairs to check emails before the kids are up. I like being able to check correspondence in the morning ... and I don't mean the chit-chat type. I advise a college group and my husband and I teach NFP, so I have to keep up on correspondence. If I'm not able to get on before school starts, there's usually a bit of time in the afternoon when the younger kids are entertained. My husband usually spends a bit of time in his office just after the kids go to bed (like tonight!) and then I have the evening hours to use for computer, too.

As for updating Homeschool Tracker, I do manage to complete some updates during school hours (record scores or adjust assignments). But, for the most part I do that work on a Thursday or Friday night. Since lesson plans are entered for each child, it only takes me about 30-45 min. each week to correct, enter scores, reschedule (if needed) & print out the next week's syllabus. Just to clarify ... I do the bulk of correcting during the week on the day an assignment is given/due. Some of my kids need to be held more accountable, and correcting immediately (especially in Math) helps catch problems faster.

Good Night! May God Bless and Keep You.

How Our School Day Usually Goes ....

& what I'd like to add, eventually.

Some changes will be taking place this Fall, most importantly, we'll be adding a new baby to the family in November. So, we'll likely take a few days off. I've usually gone back quickly because 1) my mom is willing to help/teach when she stays (and I love to have her stay with us - it's just fun), 2) the lesson plans are done well in advance and just need to be slightly rescheduled on Homeschool Tracker if we miss a few days, and 3) the routine is calming for all of us!

Another change is that we will start a few subjects in August. I have not done this before (but then, I've never had a baby due during the Fall semester and I haven't been homeschooling three during the arrival of a new baby). So, as always, I'll be flexible.

Scheduling ideas that work for our family:
1) Work with the youngest homeschooling child first (some choose to spend time with toddlers before starting the school day ... getting breakfast, nursing, and dressing my toddlers is enough and then they're ready to play). During that time, older kids work in subject areas they can complete by themselves. My older kids are pretty independent, so that means Math, Spelling, Geography, Music or Piano. This works doubly in our favor because when Zeke is done, he'll go play with Graham.

2) We start at school at 8a. The kids have all been early risers from birth. While Dash has slept in more often during this summer, it's because he's stayed up late the night before. Zeke is generally up by 6:30a and ready for school before 8a! If I have his schedule and supplies ready, I let him go to work. The morning hours are our best hours, both in attitude and concentration.

New Ideas that I will be implementing:
1) Each year, I start the day with prayer and it goes by the wayside at some point. I recommit myself each year. This year, I want to have our prayer time at 7:45a. However, I plan to schedule a different child (I'll include myself & maybe my husband) on each school day. I want each leader to choose the prayer or devotional reading for that day.

2) Have each child list three weaknesses to work on and help them create a 'plan.' I read this in John Taylor Gatto's latest book, and I thought it was a great idea. I'm sure I can incorporate virtues (which has been a yearly focus according to the age of each child) into our 'plan' quite easily.

3) Have each child list three projects/areas that they want to learn about in the coming year. Also from John Taylor Gatto's latest book (and probably previous books, but it didn't strike me before now). Some of the desires can be covered by 4-H projects; I'm hoping.

Activities I Would Like to Add (ie. the Wish List):
1) Weekly Mass closer to home. We generally attended the Noon Mass when in Fargo on Fridays. We need to find a better alternative that fits our new schedule.

2) Adoration. I miss it. We gave up our hour (the kids and I went on Tuesday afternoons) when we started building the house almost two years ago. Not sure if it is realistic this year, but wanted to put it on my 'wish list' of activities.

3) Family Rosary in the form of reciting a Decade together. Haven't figured out the time, yet. Need to pray and think a little more.

Changes From Past Years:
1) I am taking a break from my Friday Mom's groups. I will be registering for a once-a-month Women of Grace study and will help arrange childcare, but I'm not in charge of leading the group, training, or fundraising this coming year.

2) Angelina will also be studying dance/tap closer to home (haven't figured out where, yet, but it won't be Fargo). So, no more set trips to Fargo on Friday for the coming year.

3) Our Wednesday evenings will be free (no more trips to Fargo for Family Formation). I will miss seeing friends, but this is a necessary step. We will be joining a church closer to home this Fall and religious education occurs on Sunday morning after Mass. I'm glad it's not another trip late at night, but am a little concerned because we are out of town a lot over the weekends! Don't worry, I know my kids get the bulk of their faith education at home, it's just hard to miss when we will be new in the parish.

The Lahlum Family School Day Schedule for 2009-2010:
5:30-6:30a Parent rising time ... usually, but always up before 7a
7:00-7:45a Morning Chores (dressing, bed-making, breakfast, feeding pets)
7:45-8:00a Morning Prayer
8:00a-12:00p Our official school hours
12:00-12:30p Dinner (or Lunch!)
12:30p-1:30p Afternoon Chores (silly stuff: clear the table, straighten lockers, etc.)
1:30p-2:30p Finish up school work
6:00-6:30p Supper
6:30-7:30p Evening Chores (straighten kitchen, pet chores, prep for bed, baths/showers)
7:30-8:30p Reading Time & Prayers with Dad (usually start earlier, but I'm allowing flexibility)
8:30p Bedtime (the oldest can read quietly in their rooms for up to another hour)
10:30p Parent Bedtime

The New School Year

Our official school year will still begin in September ... September 8, 2009. That day also commemorates the Birth of Mary. Our very first year of homeschooling started on the feast day of Pope St. Gregory the Great - that's a special name day for my oldest. I like to start after the Labor Day holiday because it just seems to fit our family. However, this year, we are going to start a few subjects in August. I want to get a jump start on ND History for Angelina, continue Sound Beginnings for Zeke and start Math for all the kids.

My lesson plans are completed for the coming year; I just need to import the lesson plans into each child's current year. I'd like to be done with that portion of preparation by August. These are the subjects each child will be studying in the coming year:


Graham (3yo):
Focus on color and number recognition. We'll also read A LOT! Children this age absorb so much just by being in the same room with siblings.

Zeke (1st Grade):
Religion: St. Joseph’s First Communion Catechism, Saints for Young Readers for Everyday – Vols. 1 & 2

Math: Math-U-See: Beta

Reading/Handwriting: Sound Beginnings, Writing Can Help Book ??

Poetry: The Harp & Laurel Wreath

Science: Science 1 For Young Catholics

Art: Child Size Masterpieces/Mommy It’s a Renoir, Aesop’s Fable Book, Art 1 For Young Catholics, Our Lady of Guadalupe Marian Grotto Kit, Advent Candles Kit, O Antiphon Christmas Card Kit, Stations of the Cross Kit

Music: 36 Traditional Roman Catholic Hymns for VOICE and PIANO, Peter and the Wolf Book & CD, Carnival of the Animals Book & CD, Bach’s Goldberg Variations Book & CD, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue Book & CD, The Farewell Symphony Book & CD

Reading Time: Whatever suits the time of year or the interests of Zeke

Angelina (4th Grade):
Religion: St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, Bible History (Schuster)

Math: Math-U-See: Delta

Grammar/Composition: Intermediate Language Lessons, SICC – A (IEW)

Spelling: Phonetic Zoo: Intermediate (Level B)

Handwriting: Writing Can Help: Book 5 or require writing in other subjects

Poetry: The Harp & Laurel Wreath

ND History: The Story of North Dakota (Llora J. Knight)

History: Evangelization of the New World, The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas, Our Pioneers and Patriots, and many other suggested books from the MODG 4th Grade syllabus

Geography: States & Capitals Flashcards

Science: Science 4 for Young Catholics

Latin: Latina Christiana I (finish second half)

Art: Drawing Textbook, Child Size Masterpieces/Mommy It’s a Renoir (Steps 6, 7, & 8)

Music/Piano: Let’s Learn Music #3 (Hayes), Top 100 Masterpieces, Music Masters CD’s,
Allan Jemison Piano Course: Beginning at the Piano, Book 2 (approximately 6 months) and possibly start Reading at the Piano, Book 1 (approximately 6 months)

Dash (7th Grade):
Religion: Ignatius Bible, The Story of the Church, The Bronze Bow, Friendly Defender Cards

Math: Math-U-See: Pre-Algebra

Composition: SICC-A (IEW)

Grammar: Tales from Shakespeare, Voyages in English 7

Editing: Fix-It! (IEW)

Spelling: Phonetic Zoo: Intermediate (Level B)

Poetry: The Harp & Laurel Wreath

History/Geography: Old World and America, Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World, and a variety of books recommended in the MODG 7th Grade syllabus.

Science: Concepts & Challenges in Science 2

Latin: Latina Christiana II (finish the book)

Art/Music/Piano: Draw Real People, Art Memo I and II Games, Ready-to-Use Music Activities Kit, CD's recommended in the MODG 7th Grade syllabus, Allan Jemison Piano Course: Beginning at the Piano, Book 2 (finish this course) and start Reading at the Piano, Book 1.

Our Daily Schedule

I REALLY like lists. Order makes me feel calm and I am a better mom when there is organization around me. I do not thrive in chaos and my family can attest to the misery that has been inflicted when there is too much mess.

So when it comes to our school day, it's on a schedule. However, flexibility is a part of our days, too, because that's one of the reasons we homeschool. Including flexibility means we can take a family vacation in October or the kids can visit grandparents for a whole week during the winter or early spring - schoolwork can (and usually does) come along. My mom and MIL have no problem with schoolwork coming along for the visit, although I do try to streamline the lessons.

7:00-8:00a Everyone is up and does the following: eats breakfast, makes their own bed (except for Graham, who gets help from me or Zeke), gets dressed and takes care of personal hygiene. Eric & I usually get up earlier; but with the weather as it is, I've been sleeping in a little more!

8:00a-12:00p These are our set school hours. Afternoon hours are scheduled for some subjects, but the kids work hard and are generally done by dinner time. If there are days when that isn't reality, they go back to the schoolroom and work in the afternoon.

12:00-12:30p This is usually when we eat dinner. Clean-up by me or one of the older kids follows.

12:30-1:00p I try to remember to ask the kids to do an afternoon chore. It usually consists of sweeping or vacuuming floors, washing mirrors or doors, unloading or loading the dishwasher, or helping with laundry. Snow shoveling in the winter and lawn/garden work in the summer are added, too.

1:00-5:00p The afternoon hours are free - free for laundry, errands, reading, baking, games, meal preparation, computer time, projects, outdoor play, & travel preparation (we travel to Fargo every Friday for meetings, quilting, lessons and homeschool group activities). Since moving to the farm, we don't have many 'during the day' obligations! It's really strange. I'd like to start going to adoration again; and attending a daily mass at least once per week would be nice.

6:00-6:30p Our usual supper time falls around this time. One of the kids usually helps clean up the kitchen.

6:45-8:00p The kids might have time to play a quick game after supper, but usually they get ready for bed. Most nights, Eric will read aloud to the kids for a full hour. On quite a few nights, they convince him to read longer! Then, it's prayers and bed. The older two like to stay up and read until about 9p.

For Eric and I, the evening hours are ours to spend as needed. Sometimes it's a TV show or movie, but mostly it's catching up on work, correspondence and correction of schoolwork.