December 19, 2008 - Rotation Scheduling for our Homeschool
We are doing something very innovative in our homeschool lately. Instead of studying each subject each day, we're doing one main subject each week and doing a week's worth of assignments in one day.
So it breaks down like this:
Rotation week 1 -- language arts plus artist study & drawing
Rotation week 2 -- science & nature study plus composer study
Rotation week 3 -- history
Each day we still do spelling, Bible, math, and reading.
I've found this way of study is much more conducive to Sprite's attention span. She prefers to work on something for a long time rather than in short spurts. She is one of those creative types who can get lost in an activity and totally lose track of time. Having short lessons each day that drag out a single book to a four week study was actually boring her. She would want to go on and read more than the daily two assigned pages, but we had to stop because there were so many other assignments waiting to be completed. She was complaining about being tired of XYZ topic when I know that the topic is actually quite engaging. But the fact was that she was tired of nibbling on it.
Charlotte Mason suggested short lessons. And I've been doing that for over four years now. We would nibble on some math, and put it away. We would nibble on some science, and put it away.
But now that Sprite is nine years old and in fourth grade, I'm realizing that it's time for the "short lessons" to be a tad longer. She's not a first grader anymore. She's ready for more. And by making the lessons too short, I am actually working against her natural interest in the topic.
To use my food analogy -- she is nibbling on a nugget of cheese and decides it tastes great and would love the whole chunk. But I take it away and tell her she has to wait until tomorrow to eat another nibble. How frustrating and disappointing! I've decided to give her the whole chunk!
We've done five weeks of this schedule, almost two complete rotations. And I think it's working well. Each Monday, Sprite seems more excited, "What do we study this week?" And that momentum can carry us through to Friday.
This week is a good example. We studied the magnetism book in our Noeo Physics 1 curriculum. This 30 page book (and a few experiments) was scheduled to be stretched out over four weeks. But we did it in four days instead. Now we're done, and we can move on to a fresh topic.
Comments
December 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
I prefer to learn that way as well. I guess that is why we often dabble in short unit studies. Your idea sounds great to me. I love how as our children's teachers we can decide and do what is best for our children.
Blessings,
Dawn
December 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jimmie
Absolutely, Dawn. And we have the freedom to modify things mid-stream. We may decide in a few months to switch back. And that's the beauty of homeschooling!
December 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
When my kids were younger we did this and really loved the results. It was great to focus intently on a topic and really cover it well. We still tend to do this with Science and History.
December 20, 2008 - interesting
Posted by JamieLee
Hmmm, I may have to ponder this more. For some things, I could see this working well. Not sure how it would play out for us all the time, but I may have to give it a go. I've been wanting to mix things up a little when we start back in January.
Thanks for the ideas!
December 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SummerSusanna
We've been considering doing our homeschool this way as well. May I please ask you though, how many hours on an average day do you spend homeschooling? I am wondering how we would be able to fit in our math and languages in on a daily basis.
thanks!
December 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by reneegrace
i really like this idea. We did change a little of this... doing History two days and Science two days... but I can easily see how (espeically with the NOEO) that it would work better just to FINISH the book / section, instead of drawing it out... and same with the history stuff!! I might be able to fit in artist type stuff that way too!
December 20, 2008 - to SummerSusanna
Posted by Jimmie
It takes us about four to five hours a day for the bulk of our homeschool. Of course, there's that thing about learning all day long, but I think you mean how long do we sit at the table with the books in front of us. [Smile]
December 20, 2008 - Love the rotation~
Posted by Anonymous
It sounds like a great idea! We do that with our unit studies and the kids like to be immersed in the topic instead of doing little bits.
Tristan from HSS
www.ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com
December 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I'm so glad you posted this! I'm thinking this would be a great way to approach school for ME as well. I was getting very frustrated with not being able to go into depth and then hopping to the next subject. I'm excited to get back into school now. Thanks for the info.
Jamie R.
December 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dana @ School For Us
I'm glad you posted this, too! I've been trying to figure out something "new" to do this spring, and this might be my solution!
December 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by proverbsmama
This would fit in great with my Monday meme Homeschool Spotlight! It is devoted to posting anything in reference to homeschooling. You don't have to follow the topic I post each week. I hope you can join us some time.
December 25, 2008 - creative
Posted by momofsix
It sounds like that will be really good for your daughter to learn that way. I love how we can tailor our homeschooling to meet their needs like that. Creative and interesting.
December 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by westward
Perfect topic for this time of year. Thanks for submitting it to the carnival!
Cindy
http://ourjourneywestward.com
January 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
What a cool idea! I'll have to consider this as we move forward. I love the flexibility this allows.
Makita
4twinklingstars.blogspot.com
January 6, 2009 - Great idea
Posted by Anonymous
I do a little of this with my high school son.
Kysha
www.lovesschool.com
January 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Oh my goodness, I LOVE that idea! This is why I love being able to glean from the experience of others'. It's not something I would've thought of myself! Isn't that bad? I think I am still stuck in the "traditional school mindset" that things need to be done in their order, not the order fitting for us. I am still a rather new homeschooler. My eldest is 6, even though this is our third year. She gobbles it all up! She worked through her pre-k curriclum in 3 months. THREE MONTHS. She was 4 years old when she began her kindergarten curriculum and began reading on her own. She now reads at a 4th grade level and I just can't stop her. You get the idea! But I think, like you mentioned, her lessons are too restricting. She, too, likes to dig into something in depth in a single sitting, rather then in bits and pieces. I have to remember to allow myself that kind of freedom! That it's ok! That's the beauty of homeschooling. :) Thank you!
www.christinnjon.wordpress.com
CM Carnival Post:
http://christinnjon.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/as-we-resume-school/
January 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Jimmie, I love this idea! And actually, I think it is a way that I, myself, would have preferred learning if I had been given the chance! Way to go, Jimmie, in finding what works for your individual child and going for it. Good job! :) And thanks for sharing!
Candace
www.candacemercyisnew.blogspot.com
January 9, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Keri
I had been thinking of changing things for a bit...
I may try something like this.
I would like to spend some extra time on subjects, but would have to shorten our schedule list.
The New Year is a good time for change!
