Flexibility Planning For Homeschooling

BEING FLEXIBLE

This is the one thing about homeschooling I really love. As I start to plan for the next year, I realize that yet again - our schedule will change.

SLIDING SCHEDULE

As a working parent, I've had to be able to take a 'mental health' day, slide our schedule, shorten a day, do work on the evening and weekend. Also, taking work on the road trips or switching to a less demanding curriculum is a way to augmenting schedules when needed.

BLOCK SCHEDULE

This is a lifesaver. We put our more vigourous schedule of courses in the Fall when we are really motivated with the new year and it last 6 to 8 weeks, then we add a new set of classes. It's set up similar to a College Schedule of 5 weeks/ 8 weeks of specified course instruction. We make the schedule very light in the Spring Time and now plan to take the summers off.

EVENING, NIGHTS and WEEKEND SCHEDULE

With our working schedules, we sometimes have to move school days to the weekends. It gives us the flexibility to let the kids be involved in many extra-curricular activities that they loved when in traditional school. As well as it allows us to work our jobs and still be available for our kids to get work done.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK

Worboxes is a must for us. Keeps us organized and makes the kids more independent. Lesson Plans and weekly schedules help to keep us all on track. Curriculums that are well laid out and pre-planned has made organizing school easier. Location! Location! Location! is the key to getting kid motivated to do work. Find what works for your kid to 'spark them'.

PLAN but WILLINGNESS TO REDIRECT

Don't get attached, tied too, or grounded in a curriculum that isn't working for you or your family. Using a 'BLOCK' schedule or 'QUARTER' schedule allows you to figure out what's not working faster and to 'give yourself permission' to change things up often. Almost like a college schedule.


KEEP GOING TIL GOALS MET

If you don't meet your goals for your kids learning for the year, just keep on working through the summer. We do this around my kids activities.

OUR GOALS

My kids and I have set down after I finished up their report cards for this school year, and their 'Review Forms' that I submitted to our Umbrella group, to decide on the 'Way Forward'.

Tiger Lilly's Goal:
*Desires to be a Game Designer and Developer*

Focus on getting AA degree with High School Diploma (like her sister Rose did)
Build her Game Design Programming and Animation Portfolio
Find more STEM events that focus on Girls


Speed Racer's Goal:
*Still undecided about 'career' but likes to build Video Games and thinks being a Surgeon would be cool*

Build up Math Core skills (finish off Middle School Math)
Learn Game and Website programming languages
Do more fun hands on projects

Mom & Dad's Goal:

Gain better flexibility in Work Schedules
Support the kids with curriculums that are easy for us both to administer
Stick with DVD based, Computer based curriculums
Hire a weekly tutor for Speed Racer and Tiger Lilly as needed

Our last day of school will be May 15th, then we'll have Math daily when the kids aren't in camp or traveling.

WEEKLY WRAP UP

Sliding into the last week!

Speed Racer, 6th grader

This week we are winding down. Only doing, Math with Teaching Textbooks Math 6. Language Practice and Fraction practice with (IXL). Writing, Spelling, Reading, are all our Spectrum workbooks this week.

Seems we will only be doing 'Math' daily for the summer. At least for the weeks he isn't at sleep away camp.

Breakdancing competitions last week were SO FUN to watch! His Lacrosse team has had a losing streak. But Speed Racer doesn't care because his brother Razor Ray has been practicing with him one on one on Thursdays and allowing to hang out at the college with him.

Tiger Lilly, blended 9th grader

Tiger Lilly's finishing up some of her final projects in her Community College courses in Interpersonal Communication and Art Appreciation. May 10th is when everything has to be turned in.

Her final projects in Web Design with Currclick.com and Python (with Landry Academy) are being completed this coming weekend. This weekend is her last Digipen-Animation with 3D Maya class. She didn't work on her YouthDigital.com using Blender Animation at all this week. The Psychology class with Currclick on Monday is also closing next week with 3 quizzes she is finishing over the weekend. Can you tell she got a little behind?

Her scores in US History to 1877 using Instantcert are improving, now over 51% and shows she is ready for the test. So we may attempt to let her take the CLEP next week. Pre-Calc is still going well with the integrated IXL for extra practice.

WORKING PARENT's LOG

Meals. I nailed it this week! I think this is one of 7 weeks I had dinner on the table everyday without having to purchase a fast food meal for the week. Hubby helped me out this week which probably explains how I got this done. 

Cleaning. We did wash and fold clothes, kept the main floor clean and realized the basement and the floors need a really good do over.

Work & Life Balance. I am preparing to start a new job! This means that I will be working a total of 7 days before we leave for Hawaii. I was so greatful my new job allowed me to still go on vacation.

Lesson Planning. Starting to build list for what we are going to be purchasing for curriculum for next school year. Also, had to turn in final year in Review forms to my Umbrella (this was brutal! Took all week). I did the weekly lesson plans pretty fast though.

Rest. I actually made it a point to get more this week. I took a nap daily and got about 6 hours sleep through the night. It's easy since the kids really don't have a vigorous schedule.

Marriage Check Up. Hubba and I went to a business pitch get together. We both are into start up businesses (have one we are currently running together) and thought this would be a great way to meet new people and get re-motivated. We had a blast and did see some old friends since it was at the college we both attended.

Our School Curriculum 2014-15

I'm Revealing Our New School Year Plans! Woot~!

SOME BIG CHANGES MADE

First of all, my kids are awesome! They've improved so much this past school year (their first as homeschoolers) that I have no words for what a great adventure this has been.

After testing them, evaluating where they are academically, both of my kids are moving up 2 grades in their curriculum.

I know it seems like a stretch. Most parents wouldn't do it, but my kids are on board for the challenge and so am it.

Speed Racer will go from grade 4 in Abeka Academy Homeschool program to grade 6. The only area we really have to focus on is Writing and Spelling. This area he made improvments in overall, but I don't feel is at 6th grade level. I have a remedy for that.

Tiger Lilly will move from grade 7th to grade 9th (combined). Since she finished 4 credits of her requirements for high school in 7th grade, mid year our Umbrella coordinator suggested reporting her as an 8th grader so she could keep the credits in the high school pool.

SCHEDULE CHANGES

- Five Days A Week (afternoon and evening instruction) excess work to do on weekends
- 2 Online courses
- Longer School year with more monthly breaks
- Block Schedule on non-core subjects

Teachers

- Mom (afternoon courses)
- Dad (morning courses)
- Tutor (enrichment and childcare)

GOALS

Tiger Lilly (9th Grader) - to coach her to CLEP her general requirements for Associates Degree at our local Community College. She will be starting Community College courses  the first semester of her 10th grade year and will only be homeschooled on subjects planned for the coming semester as a prep for each subject.

Speed Racer (6th Grader) - continue to improve his focus, writing, spelling and logic.

THE PLAN

TIGER LILLY

9th GRADER - Blended Schedule
Time in School - 6.5 hrs a day
School Year - July 28th - May 20th

Daily Classes:
Algebra 2 - Abeka DVD & Teaching Textbooks as supplement
Writing & Composition - WriteGuide.com daily course, Education-Portal.com Analyzing Lit
Chemistry - Abeka DVD
US History - Abeka DVD
Spanish - Abeka DVD and weekly tutor
Speed Reading - ACE Software

Blocked Courses (Either 1, 2 or 3 times a week) or start mid year
Python Programming - Landry Academy with CodeAcademy.com as supplement
Java Programming - Homeschool Programming with Ktbyte.com as supplement
Art - Art DVD course
Physics - Abeka DVD Course and Education-Portal.com
Psychology - Education-Portal.com
Sociology - Education-Portal.com
Economics - Abeka DVD

Misc. Enrichment planned
Chemistry Hands on Lab Review at Landry Academy Camp (6 days in June)
Computer Repair Intensive at Landry Academy (2 days in Sept)
Java Programming IDTech camps (6 days in July)

Activities
Cheerleading
Gymnastics
Martial Arts
Piano

THE PLAN

SPEED RACER

6th GRADER
Time in School - 5.5 hrs a day

Daily Classes:
Bible - Abeka DVD
Math 6 - Abeka DVD with Teaching Textbooks Math 7 supplement
Reading - Abeka DVD
Spelling - Sequential Spelling and Abeka DVD
Writing - Sandiego Scribblers online Paragraph Writing Course
Science - Abeka DVD with Uzinggo supplement
Spanish - Abeka DVD with Tiger Lilly
History - Abeka DVD


Blocked Courses (Either 1, 2 or 3 times a week) or start mid year
Typing
Computers - Tynker.com then YouthDigital.com 3D game design
Art Appreciation
Music Appreciation
Art of Argument - Logic

Activities
Break Dancing Competition
Gymnastics
Martial Arts
Piano

FIELD TRIPS

I'm adding weekend and monthly day trips that are for learning and fun

National Zoo
Shakespeare Play
Orchestra Visit
Smithsonian Natural History
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
Girls Stem Day at Naval Academy
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Tour
Monument Tour
Food tour (Ethiopian, Indian, Chinese, Tai)
Mount Vernon
Hirshohorn Museum Sculpture Garden
Coracan Art Museum
B&O Railroad
Star Spangled Banner Flag House
National Musuem of American Indian
Newseum


KID APPROVED?

I did take a moment to walk through the schedule template with each one of my kids. They are on board with it.

Each month we will have 5 days off from school to do what the kids want to do. Therefore our overall school year will run longer than this past year.

A Day or Evening Of School As A Working Mom

Weekly Wrap Up

This week was another wonderful one in a two week stretch. Remember a while back where my 4th grader and I had to get some bad behaviors under control?

Well it happened. He's totally and extremely on board now. No tantrums in the last 2 weeks. Consistency in finishing his work within his 3 hour (2-10 min break) time frame in the last 2 weeks. And one 'stomping' up the stairs, was easily redirected with him grumbling an apology, and asking for 5 min break. Actually communicating to me. This confirmed what I'd known in my heart for a long time. My child was not ADD or ADHD or Opposition defiant. I'd known his behavior wasn't consistent. Figured it was caused by a teacher hitting him, and another playing mind games with him, along with bullying by bigger kids (my son is on the shorter side for his age). But for the longest time, he'd act a certain way at school and differently at home. So with that acting out behavior developed after years of being bullied at school, we are back on track! Woot!

OUR TYPICAL DAYS NOW THAT WE ARE ALL TRAINED

Welcome to a peek into our hectic day as a Working Parent who homeschools their 2 kids after a day of work. Or, Dear Hubba (DH) may pitch in with help of our other Substitute Teacher, Dazzling Big Sis.

After working from 5am in the morning. Teacher picks up kid from sitter (if kid isn't already home with DH), rushes home and after a quick snack have the students take their place at here Desk.


Here is: Student, Speed Racer, attending his DVD based class.

Time in Class: (includes homework and 2 - 15 min breaks) - 3 to 4.5 hours
This week he took 4 quizzes and 3 test. Finished all his seatwork, homework, did Teaching Textbooks Math 5 & xtramath.com in addition to his Abeka Math and all subjects. AND he finished 2.5 hrs of instruction time (but we had a bit more breaks in between this week which takes time up to 4.5 hrs)

TOOLS of The TRADE that makes this rather easy.

1) DVD Based Curriculum that has everything laid out for the Teacher. All items are numbered by Lesson - even the DVD

2) Any other Computer Based or Interactive Based curriculum that allows kids to be taught independently BUT requires an engaged FACILITATOR

WEEKLY WORKBOX SCHEDULE that is placed on each child's board and in the Teacher Notebook that's on a bookshelf.

We did horrible with our workboxes these last 2 weeks....WHY? Well I didn't fill them (I know, when mom/teacher slips, everyone slips).

The result was, several missed Test/ Quizzes - we made them up on the weekend (Sunday is homework day).

Each box is (1) NUMBERED and has the (2) SUBJECT that is contained inside labeled.
Inside each box there is 2 major things.

(1) Working Textbooks for labeled subject
(2) Notebook
(3) Folder for the week's test and quizzes

THE SCHEDULE

This schedule is the kid's cheat sheet. It shows the following:

(1) Workbox #
(2) Day/Date
(3) Subject and Quiz,Test,Project to be done or study for

EXTRA ACTIVITIES:
We are now doing the following activities daily. - There is literally NO WEEKDAY FREE. This isn't on purpose just because I'm homeschooling - WE WERE CRAZY enough to have the exact same schedule when the kids were in traditional school O_o they were SO TIRED then, as was I.

Now this is bearable.


WHAT I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS WEEK?

The fact that my daughter and I are having a great time doing 'Teen Devotional' (

True Images Devotional: 90 Daily Devotions for Teen Girls by Moore, Karen) together for our new Bible class. I actually rush home to do this with her. She's so creative and thoughtful.

My Speed Racer's being back on track, becoming the little guy I'd known he was all the time. Also, him finishing all his work on time and well done, even the xtramath.com and teaching textbooks I squeeze into his already full Abeka DVD curriculum.

DH (aka Dear Hubba) has taken over teaching 2 complete days in a row to give me a break. Although I must admit I really didn't want him to because I enjoy it so much. But I used the time to catch up on some sleep.

That I have no complaints. Not about homeschooling my kids. Maybe because I've seen the other side, and appreciate the freedom of this.

HOW DOES YOUR SCHOOL DAY GO? What are the tools that make it go smoothly for you?

Summer School for Homeschoolers

Yes, SUMMER SCHOOL is a dreaded title for learning through the summer. But it works for a Working and Homeschooling parent as a way to keep a manageable weekly schedule and keep the learning going.

DO TAKE BREAKS

We took a small summer break, well not that small, but it ran from May 18th til July 15th. It's the same short break that my older kids who are in Community College took since they too are taking summer classes.

Also, taking a month or two off gives me time to research curriculum, close out paperwork due to my Umbrella group for oversite and purchase curriculum for the coming year. I had the time to organize my coming school calender and do some great summer camps for the kids to tackle that 'Socialization' issue.

START MID SUMMER

Starting in July afforded the kids a time for playing around and just hanging out in late May and all of June. You can sneak in a hands on field trip but call it a day trip for the kids. Since I work, most of our day trips are on the weekend and I let the kids select the location and friends they want to meet and play with.

By starting in mid summer we are able to do 4 day school weeks. However, this year, I snuck in a 5 day school week and then we will slip down to 4 days in October.

The weekends for us is for catching up, or making up a school day I couldn't get in on the weekday. Also for projects like our Science Discovery day looking for bugs or building a project, doing an experiment.

HAVE YOU STARTED THIS SUMMER?