Homeschooling Schedule

[Usige]

Here are some interesting stats on 30-year-olds in 1975 versus 2015.

thepracticalconservative.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/30-year-olds-in-1975-vs-2015/

There is reason to be concerned.

And… I am still waiting for you to provide anything remotely practical or constructive with regard to building a kindergarten schedule for home schooling.

To the OP, best of luck in your journey to educate your child. I hope the practical suggestions on the thread are helpful to you.

 

[MomaMary8]

…and back to the homeschool schedule…

I had a kindergartner last year, and we usually could wrap up her school work in 2-3 hours. Max. And that was with her using a first grade math book.

We started with religion (20 min)
Next was math (20-25 minutes)
Reading and phonics sheets (25 minutes)
Science 1-2x’s a week (15 min)
Spelling words (10-15 min)
Penmanship (15 min)
The rest was non-book time where we did activities related to the book lessons, such as worksheets, drawing, experiemnts, etc. Then throw in a snack and some play while she waited for me as I was usually busy with a sibling, and her day was lengthened quite a bit. Even with her many lessons to wait patiently, she was always done before lunch. As she could do more reading independently, her work load increased. But at first, the kindergarten schedule is very light on work, heavy on play and games. (But those can be counted in school hours since they are usually educational.)

When counting your school hours for your state’s accounting/big brother office, be sure to include daily mass as part of your class day It counts for our state in the Catholic schools’ schedule, so it may count for you as well. Play dates become gym classes, etc. My SIL in MO, who homeschooled her daughter, found the last two months of her daughter’s senior year were filled with “field trips” because they simply finished all the course work. She did on-line schooling, so it made it that much more difficult to add to the curriculum to lengthen it. So she did a lot of reading to fill in the time gaps. I believe she’s headed to Mizzou in the fall, so she got what she needed

 

[bitterhope]

It is pretty much on topic.

Another thing–we all want Christian doctors. But, where are they supposed to come from without a lot of formal education? If no Christian does med school, there will be no Christian doctors.

Ditto psychologists, ultrasound techs, teachers, social workers, judges, etc.

Do we really want to live in a world in which people who share our views will never rise to having one of those jobs, and we will continually find ourselves at the mercy of secular professionals?

What makes you think homeschoolers aren’t going to college? Many colleges now prefer homeschooled students and find them much more prepared for university than public and even elite private school students. My son is heading to a US service academy in the fall and the next in line has been offered scholarships at several good colleges already even though he has a year left in high school. Homeschooling hasn’t held them back at all. They will go off to university, receive degrees, become professionals, AND were homeschooled. And I agree. None of this is even remotely related to the topic of the thread.

 

[pianistclare]

Actually this has zero to do with home school schedules… you know the topic of this thread. This is especially true when talking about the schedule for a 6 year old.

If you would like to debate the merits of people who constantly flash their academic credentials and imply that someone without a college degree is unintelligent I would be more than happy to engage in further discussion on a new thread, but that is not the purpose of the original topic.

Except I would note that of the MANY home schooling families that I know, oodles here (in the South) have had real difficulty getting their children into the better schools.
Of the 5 most successful home school families in our parish, who have exceptional children, really exceptional, none could get accepted into the better schools They are going to really less than average hometown Universities and feeling very dejected and not real optimistic that their plight will get better anytime soon. And of course, they also have many kids.
The whole Home School philosophy/credibility has to be accepted in this country, and it’s apparently not at the upper levels. We all watch the National Spelling Bee and hear the tales of amazingly gifted home schooled children which makes this more and more desirable to parents.
But at the end of it all, the top schools are not exactly swayed. I know one family who used Seton (which is a pretty rigorous and fine curriculum) and only 2 Universities at all would accept their sons, and they expected a lot of repeat coursework first.

Just throwing that out there.

One family even resorted to Crowd Funding for their son, and posted a long diatribe about how the “System had failed their son”.
Which prompted possible donors to say "how so? You never gave “the system” a chance? " They filed to raise enough$$$ for his next semester even. They’re good people. The kid is SMART. It’s sad.

It’s wonderful to hear the success stories and I’m sure people have stats for that. But I’m also sure people hear the sad stories of truly gifted and promising kids that don’t get to attend the top level schools.

Having said all that…
I thought Esieffe’s first response was perfect.

 

[KnitNut]

Except I would note that of the MANY home schooling families that I know, oodles here (in the South) have had real difficulty getting their children into the better schools.
Of the 5 most successful home school families in our parish, who have exceptional children, really exceptional, none could get accepted into the better schools They are going to really less than average hometown Universities and feeling very dejected and not real optimistic that their plight will get better anytime soon. And of course, they also have many kids.
The whole Home School philosophy/credibility has to be accepted in this country, and it’s apparently not at the upper levels. We all watch the National Spelling Bee and hear the tales of amazingly gifted home schooled children which makes this more and more desirable to parents.
But at the end of it all, the top schools are not exactly swayed. I know one family who used Seton (which is a pretty rigorous and fine curriculum) and only 2 Universities at all would accept their sons, and they expected a lot of repeat coursework first.

Just throwing that out there.

One family even resorted to Crowd Funding for their son, and posted a long diatribe about how the “System had failed their son”.
Which prompted possible donors to say "how so? You never gave “the system” a chance? " They filed to raise enough$$$ for his next semester even. They’re good people. The kid is SMART. It’s sad.

It’s wonderful to hear the success stories and I’m sure people have stats for that. But I’m also sure people hear the sad stories of truly gifted and promising kids that don’t get to attend the top level schools.

Homeschooling is the New Path to Harvard - Tech Insider 2015
Stanford accepting HSers

In the Boston area, the many HS families that we know have kids going to great colleges. And from personal experience, my oldest is on scholarship himself at a renowned Boston engineering college, with no “remedial” work required. So, I think there’s more to the story. (And there are also gifted kids from the public school system who don’t get to go to Harvard…let’s face it, they only accept like 5% of their applicants. So 95% of their applicants are getting rejection letters, from all walks of life!)

If students in your area aren’t being accepted to colleges as community-wide problem, it behooves them to ask why…if parents aren’t presenting a rigorous preparation, of course the students aren’t going to be accepted at a competitive college. MIT doesn’t accept kids needing remedial math, for example.

To the OP, I encourage you to do some reading about early academics, actually. Kindy is such a great time for fun, and play. You might want to hold off on rigorous academia for another year yet.

Psychology Today: Early Academic Training Produces Long Term Harm

 

[bitterhope]

techinsider.io/homeschooling-is-the-new-path-to-harvard-2015-9
Stanford accepting HSers

In the Boston area, the many HS families that we know have kids going to great colleges. And from personal experience, my oldest is on scholarship himself at a renowned Boston engineering college, with no “remedial” work required. So, I think there’s more to the story. (And there are also gifted kids from the public school system who don’t get to go to Harvard…let’s face it, they only accept like 5% of their applicants. So 95% of their applicants are getting rejection letters, from all walks of life!)

If students in your area aren’t being accepted to colleges as community-wide problem, it behooves them to ask why…if parents aren’t presenting a rigorous preparation, of course the students aren’t going to be accepted at a competitive college. MIT doesn’t accept kids needing remedial math, for example.

To the OP, I encourage you to do some reading about early academics, actually. Kindy is such a great time for fun, and play. You might want to hold off on rigorous academia for another year yet.

Psychology Today: Early Academic Training Produces Long Term Harm

You are exactly right. On all points. Especially about kindergarten. Kids learn best through play and being little. Teaching the younger kids is so much fun!

 

[pianistclare]

Homeschooling is the New Path to Harvard - Tech Insider 2015
Stanford accepting HSers

In the Boston area, the many HS families that we know have kids going to great colleges. And from personal experience, my oldest is on scholarship himself at a renowned Boston engineering college, with no “remedial” work required. So, I think there’s more to the story. (And there are also gifted kids from the public school system who don’t get to go to Harvard…let’s face it, they only accept like 5% of their applicants. So 95% of their applicants are getting rejection letters, from all walks of life!)

If students in your area aren’t being accepted to colleges as community-wide problem, it behooves them to ask why…if parents aren’t presenting a rigorous preparation, of course the students aren’t going to be accepted at a competitive college. MIT doesn’t accept kids needing remedial math, for example.

To the OP, I encourage you to do some reading about early academics, actually. Kindy is such a great time for fun, and play. You might want to hold off on rigorous academia for another year yet.

Psychology Today: Early Academic Training Produces Long Term Harm

I think it says clearly I my post that the boy in question, as well as all the other were exceptional…even winning National writing awards.

 

[KnitNut]

I think it says clearly I my post that the boy in question, as well as all the other were exceptional…even winning National writing awards.

Gee. What makes the HS experience in the south so very different from that in New England, I wonder? Seriously, the students we know are more than well prepared for college, and they’re all getting into the colleges that they want, with outstanding test scores, portfolios, and resumes. They’re not “exceptional”, they’re about average for our HS community. So while a writing award is very nice, if the students you mention are having to take remedial classes, it sure suggests that there’s something else going on, like a curriculum issue. Or is this another snide dig at HS parents - wouldn’t be the first I’ve seen from some posters here.

 

[slh3016]

Sit down school work should take NO longer than 2 hours a day for a K’er. Charlotte Mason recommended about 20 mins per lesson for this age and really, a K’er just needs the basic three R’s. For reading, we found success with Explode the Code and Reading Eggs (an online program). For math, we used Singapore Math that both my girls loved. For writing, just get a handwriting workbook. Some popular choices in that area are Handwriting Without Tears or A Reason for Writing. We’ve used both.

I would just encourage you to read, read, read to your child. Read living books, not twaddle. Read them quality literature and have lots of snuggle time. Then plant a garden, bake a cake, take a nature walk, visit a museum, go to the park, etc. Do not kill the joy of learning in your child by focusing too much on a strict schedule or adding too much curriculum. Take field trips and enjoy this precious time. My twin girls will be in third grade this year and my son will be in 7th. I’m far from having homeschooling mastered but those early years fly by. Enjoy them while you can

 

[bitterhope]

Gee. What makes the HS experience in the south so very different from that in New England, I wonder? Seriously, the students we know are more than well prepared for college, and they’re all getting into the colleges that they want, with outstanding test scores, portfolios, and resumes. They’re not “exceptional”, they’re about average for our HS community. So while a writing award is very nice, if the students you mention are having to take remedial classes, it sure suggests that there’s something else going on, like a curriculum issue. Or is this another snide dig at HS parents - wouldn’t be the first I’ve seen from some posters here.

I don’t think it is different. We live in the south. Our kids are doing fine.

 

[MomaMary8]

Homeschooling for high school can be challenging, the biggest challenge being checking off all the requirements colleges are looking for in applicants.

Perhaps if many of the families you know are not getting their kids into the universities of their choice, you could put on a seminar for parents on the XYZ of a good college transcript and application; it’s more than an ACT or SAT score. Our HS community has a great network for the brave moms doing high school. They share experiences and tips on how to navigate the homeschool world.

As for these “better” schools, what schools are you referring to? I’ve seen HS kids getting into Notre Dame, Christendom, Stubenville, as well as local state colleges, etc. MIT only takes 5% of their applicants (or is it 10%?) so there are a LOT of kids getting rejected from that school. In today’s world, there is a lot more to getting into a college beyond the students’ grades and academic knowledge.

 

[gardenswithkids]

I was wondering if 5 hours for kindergarten is necessary and was shooting for that because that is roughly how many hours per day we would need to meet the 1000 hour per year requirement in Missouri, if going by the traditional school year schedule. I just want to make sure that she is learning all that she should be and such Also, what do you find the average attention span to be for a 6 year old? Am trying to figure out the best way to structure my day so that I don’t spend too long on any one subject, yet am being thorough. Thanks!

Hello and welcome to homeschooling! I’m a long time homeschooler and I’m excited that people like you continue to join in the homeschool movement!

I suggest you familiarize yourself with the laws of your state and consider joining the Home School Legal Defense Association to help you stay informed about your state’s laws and any changes to them as they relate to homeschooling. Different states have different requirements for compulsory education, but most states don’t require parents to keep track of hours or even report anything formally to them when home educating a five year old. Here’s a link I found for MO dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/freqaskques/Attendance

When my children were kindergarteners, I kept their workload light.They typically finished before lunch. I read stories to them throughout the day and we did other activities that were educational, but their “school bookwork” was done within an hour or two at age 5. We started with family prayer, then we’d read and discuss something together as a family, then I’d work individually with the children. Our schedule varies somewhat each year.

 

[ThePCWife]

I haven’t read the thread, but five hours for a kindergartener is unnecessary. Play is fine at that age. If the kid seems interested in reading and very simple math, go for that. But if not, it can wait a year. Many children can learn to read on their own and do.

I’m pretty play-based before around ages 7-8. There’s a lot of good arguments for waiting on the rigorous academic-style programs, especially since it’s homeschool where you totally can avoid all that extra hassle.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I just finished the K year with my son. I focused on reading and maths, and in the last few months started with writing. Our school work on average took an hour a day.

We also did a bit of art, read aloud and catechism/Bible study.

I honestly think 5 hours a day for K is too much.

 

[Eliza10]

I agree 5 hours sounds excessive. I just let my son play for Kindergarten. That included play dates and hiking and swimming. We learned the sounds of the alphabet letters to prepare us for reading. We did not start reading til 1st grade. He is an excellent college student now!

I homeschool my husband’s granddaughter 2 days a week (her other Grandma does the other three days) and I am grateful for the chance to homeschool again. This was her first year (she turned 6 in Feb.) and I used the same reading and math I used for my son. We used Bob Books to learn to read and she mastered them all. She then did 1st grade readers and now is on 2nd grade - Frog and Toad and Little Bear and more. With reading I make sure to do it early in the morning after a good breakfast and some play outside. Then read, with some play breaks. Total focus on the reading with her and I try to make it very positive (but I have to be firm because she woudl rather play, but I try to be firm in a positive way) and it amazes me that we were sounding out “Mat sat” in September. Slowly without really realizing it progress gets made. We do Miquon Math - a sheet or two a day (both sides) and play suggested math games. And I let her play and build with manipulatives as she desired and take breaks to draw cut paste and play or help me cook or clean (because she loves that). Its very unstructured (which she prefers), the structure being just that spend the reading and math time in the mornings. Mornings are key. Oh, and we are doing Getty-Dubay Itallics writing but we sort of took a break for summer on that. We will spend a little time at it this summer.

I really like how the busy Mom, Sarah McKenzie, in her “Amongst Lovely Things” blog writes about her homeschool experiences and how she structures her day. Here are some links, though I cannot find the one on weekly scheduling she did. But these are related:

%between%

amongstlovelythings.com/how-to-simplify-schedule/

amongstlovelythings.com/looping-task-management-for-recovering/

amongstlovelythings.com/whats-working-now/

 

[CatholicRaven]

You mean it’s possible to have a set homeschooling schedule for kindergarteners??
Just kidding!

Seriously, though, I don’t have a set schedule during the school day (except meals) for our kids at kindergarten age, partly because it’s easier for me to take it day by day (or at least a couple days at a time), often depending on how things went the day or week before. It can also be hard to guess how long a child will need to learn and master a new concept–it may go much faster than I expect, or may take a lot more time than I originally planned. Sometimes I have even had to set a concept aside and come back to it later.

For Kindergarten, we usually have a 2 or 3 hour school day, though some days are even less if you don’t count “free play” time. We generally do 4.5 to 5.5 hours a day from 1st Grade up, and have still always met or exceeded Missouri’s requirements–though it also helps that we generally don’t take as many days off (such as snow days) or as long of a summer vacation as the public schools do.

I’ve also found that “life happens” and can really throw a wrench into my plans if they’re too rigid. I’ve learned to adapt, not to prepare time-sensitive lesson plans too far in advance, and to allow room (mostly in my own mind) for some flexibility.

We do have a sort of general routine (morning chores/breakfast, religion, optional break, subjects 1 & 2, lunch/free time, subjects 3 & 4, life skills/afternoon chores, other projects), but we often stray from it and move things around in the schedule as needed.

Sometimes I even ask the kids what they want to work on first. As long as we complete what needs done in a somewhat timely manner each week, I’m not too picky about what time or in what order it gets done each day. We’ve even occasionally worked on school subjects in the evening or at night (what better way to observe the moon or stars?), or waited until Dad got home from work so he could be involved in a History project.

Now, all this is just what we do, and not to say, “my way is best.” I know other homeschooling families in our area that do stick to a stricter schedule, usually similar to regular school days/hours, and that works for them. I’m just letting you know that there are plenty of workable options; you don’t necessarily have to recreate “school” at home. You can, if you like, take advantage of the flexibility of homeschooling, and still meet the legal requirements.

 

[Eliza10]

Gee. What makes the HS experience in the south so very different from that in New England, I wonder? Seriously, the students we know are more than well prepared for college, and they’re all getting into the colleges that they want, with outstanding test scores, portfolios, and resumes. They’re not “exceptional”, they’re about average for our HS community. So while a writing award is very nice, if the students you mention are having to take remedial classes, it sure suggests that there’s something else going on, like a curriculum issue. Or is this another snide dig at HS parents - wouldn’t be the first I’ve seen from some posters here.

Same here in Connecticut and Massachusetts, also in NYState - these being the places where I have had extensive interaction with homeschool families and been to homeschool conventions - and I have never heard of* anything* like what pianistclare describes. Quite the opposite. So I am confused by that report. I guess I have not had interaction with schools in the “south” - but that’s a *lot *of territory, and if things are so vastly different down there than they are up here, it seems I certainly would have heard about it.