Monday, Monday

Ugh! Mondays!  ;)  Last Thursday, we came to a grinding halt with our schooling.  Or at least I did.  The Principal of our homeschool (Curt) was able to help me identify the problem - not enough structure - as well as a solution - give them structure!  ;)  Good thing he is so smart!  Sometimes when you are in the throes of life, you can't always see the (obvious) answer.  So, I spent all Thursday evening creating a very structured schedule for them. The boys have 45 minutes per subject and Felecia has 60.  Just like what they would have if they went to a brick and mortar school. It was a lofty job, and I'm glad I don't do it for 200 students in a whole school!  Whatever the kids don't get done in their timeslot they have as "homework" and they are given an hour at the end of the day for their homework.  Beyond that if it is not finished, they must work on it the next school day or over the weekend to get caught up.  What it boils down to is that the kids and I were putting in WAY too much time each week with not enough to show for our efforts.  I think it's going to work well and keep me from having to constantly be on them about how long it's taking them.  I know I'm a bit of a slavedriver.  I'm driven to finish whatever I've started, so if it takes them 2 hours to do math, then that's what it takes.  It makes me sound mean, but I do give them breaks.  And we don't realize how long it's taking, except for the fact that the whole school day takes us too long.  This has been the most challenging year of homeschooling for us yet.  With Felecia in 6th grade, Noah in 3rd and Eli in 2nd, I am very busy helping them and staying on top of what they are learning.  This will also help because the kids' chores weren't getting done and the house has been terribly messy as of late.  I don't tend bail them out and do their chores for them mostly because I just don't have the time.  But also because I believe that kids doing chores will develop character and responsibility.  Chores are second only to school being completed.  After that, they are allowed play time or free time.  Their schedules generally have them going from 7am till any time between 3 and 4:30.  They each have daily chore lists (thus eliminating them asking me "What do I do?" and eliminating me from grousing at them about what they should be doing) and however long it takes them to do their chores, is how long it takes them.  So there's a peek into the underbelly of Baker Homeschooling.  And don't worry -- it's not all regimented.  I'll share some fun stuff very soon, but the boys are finishing their math so I must sign off for now.  :)

Chalice

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My Mood: Hopeful
Listening to: I wasn't listening to anything because the boys were working on their math, but 'Monday, Monday' and I've also got a lot of James Taylor on my mind today.  :)