(If you prefer a computerized/printable lesson planner please see my Lesson Planning System. It is almost complete.)Ever have a child that says, "I don't want to do math right now, can't I do reading first?" Do two or more children need your attention at the same time? How do you juggle all of the subjects that are taught in the same day?
My children seemed to have their own opinions on the order in which they complete their assignments. I was very frustrated trying to make sure that each got the attention that they needed and that they didn't sit idle during our "school" time.
From these frustrations, I developed a SYSTEM that actually works. I am no longer the "school" dictator. My children have contol over the order that assignment are accomplished during our "school" time.
I thought that I would share this system in hopes that others might benefit from it.
First, I looked at what subjects would be covered each day and made a chart. I color coded the areas per child. (This chart is included in the "
Attendance Tracking System")
Then I made cards for each subject per child. I only had to do this once since they are cycled through the pockets.
We had to have somewhere to store the cards. So, I made pockets for the cards to be stored.
Each day, my children ask, "What day is it?" and they go to their pocket for that day and pull all of the cards in it. They look at their cards and decide what subject they will do first. After only a few day, they got the idea which subjects take "Mom" time and which were independant study. The children work as a team! When one is working with me, then the other will pick a subject that he can do independantly.
I am no longer the "dictator" over our studies! The children decide! I sit at our school table and the children bring me what I need to assist them with their work.
I love hearing statements like, "I am going to do my math while you work with mom on your spelling" or "when you are done with mom, I am going to do my reading with her but I can get my logic done while I wait."
I was simply amazed at the transformation! My children stopped whining and started being excited about studies! I only have to say "School Time" and the process begins!
I hope that others can benefit from this system! It has made educating my children a real joy.
The schedule... (see larger view above)
I print out the form in black and white once per week. I write the assignments that were completed under each subject each day. For subjects like piano and typing, I write a check mark when it has been completed.
The cards...
The cards have the subject at the top and the days of the week written across the bottom. In pencil, I draw a circle under the days that the subject it scheduled. The child places the card into the pocket on the wall when that days work is finished. (If typing is scheduled for Mon, Wed, and Fri... When Monday's typing is complete the card will then be placed in Wednesday's pocket.) There is a total of about 30 cards. On some of the cards, I wrote how much time to spend... like 10 minutes on the Piano card. You can decide other notes that might be helpful.
The pockets...
I just stapled paper to the wall to make these pockets. (You could use posterboard if your space is limited.) The top set is for family activities and appointments. The green set is for my oldest and the blue set is for my youngest. Seven pockets each for the seven days in a week.
The schedule chart is included in my "
Attendance Tracking System". I don't really use the program to track attendance as the prime goal. I use it to keep motivated during the year. I also use it to schedule breaks/vacations. It is a very good feeling to know that we are "ahead" of schedule during the year!
I hope that others can benefit from this system. Please, leave comments! I would love to know what you think.
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