tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post5641345082962653879..comments2024-03-29T00:11:40.415-07:00Comments on The Unlikely Homeschool: Cultivating a Self-Driven Day for a Middle Schooler Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-38967864227172325802015-01-27T13:03:39.275-08:002015-01-27T13:03:39.275-08:00After years of trying every different scheduling i...After years of trying every different scheduling idea, tip, and trick I finally realized it wasn't WHAT we were doing. It was WHEN we were doing it! I've been using a magnetic wet erase schedule that you can actually wipe clean easily and re-write a new activity. The best part is that it gives enough room for every member of the family to have their own schedule for the day. This is where I bought it: www.lovemyschedule.com<br /><br />All of my kids have school from 9:00 to 12:00 (Language Arts, Khan Academy Math, flash cards, and crafts). Then we eat lunch and do one more hour of school from 1:00 to 2:00 (quiet reading, Rosetta Stone Spanish, Typing, Journal Writing). Basically, every kid checks their schedule and knows what to do without even asking me. When they come to me to turn in all the work for the day I ask if they did everything on their schedule. Sometimes they have to go check to make sure because they have been using it for long enough that sometimes they need it and sometimes they don't.<br /><br />Our schedule makes ALL the difference.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07202519191555751919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-58921830352668462982014-11-05T06:58:37.911-08:002014-11-05T06:58:37.911-08:00I love that. That will really prepare them for col...I love that. That will really prepare them for college should that be the route they choose. Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-30992822190849181362014-11-04T17:24:15.636-08:002014-11-04T17:24:15.636-08:00For the past several years, I've given my boys...For the past several years, I've given my boys a daily checklist of everything I expect them to accomplish for the day. This year, however, we've moved to me giving them a weekly checklist and they decide how much school they do each day. It is working out GREAT! They love the freedom. I love not having to nag them. As long as they are finished with everything by the time my husband gets home on Friday night, they're golden. Michelle Caskeyhttp://www.homeschool-your-boys.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-9333140170326748262014-11-01T23:35:56.833-07:002014-11-01T23:35:56.833-07:00Checklists are a great way to bring about self-mot...Checklists are a great way to bring about self-motivation. I used to use those in my classroom all the time. Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-65886775812600795032014-10-31T21:53:17.446-07:002014-10-31T21:53:17.446-07:00Your daughter is a several years ahead of us and I...Your daughter is a several years ahead of us and I love reading about her schooling and some of the background info that got her there. I've been looking for methods to steer my two boys to more independent learning. I started using a daily checklist for my (almost) nine year old and it's been really helpful in keeping him on task, we're getting a lot more accomplished and he's able to be somewhat in control of his schedule. Gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09113352915684115727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-632586381042433142014-10-27T16:05:36.000-07:002014-10-27T16:05:36.000-07:00Yes. That is a bonus, for sure!Yes. That is a bonus, for sure!Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-51523167361549105252014-10-27T16:05:20.835-07:002014-10-27T16:05:20.835-07:00Some of that is personality as well. I think some ...Some of that is personality as well. I think some kids are just more naturally self-directed. Others have to grow into it with maturity and as the result of natural consequences that come in the real world from not being self-directed.Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-3165837347446961212014-10-27T12:52:59.054-07:002014-10-27T12:52:59.054-07:00My middle school daughter uses the same kind of sy...My middle school daughter uses the same kind of system. We work together on a few things early in the morning before my son gets up. Her independent study time gives me time to work one on one with my 9 year old son.Marci Goodwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15296179840426446417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-19526502490961749172014-10-25T16:07:30.826-07:002014-10-25T16:07:30.826-07:00That is great that your daughter is responsible en...That is great that your daughter is responsible enough to get her work done. I am working with my 11yo son on this. We also use a blank calendar, I write in his assignments for the week and check them off daily. His routine is schoolwork first, then chores, then free time. Sometimes it is still a battle to get him going, but he knows he can get everything done in a few hours, so the battles are becoming less. Now if the self-directed responsibility would kick in...<br /><br />Robyn Dolan, author The Working Parent's Guide To Homeschoolingmrsdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09486707398472867121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-26995963209703221402014-10-24T06:36:27.183-07:002014-10-24T06:36:27.183-07:00Yes, there are still a few things that she does wi...Yes, there are still a few things that she does with me...spelling and language. I control when these things are done...usually right after the group subject that comes right after lunch. She's already with me, so it makes it easy for her to just stick around and do those two things. <br /><br />If she needs help in any subject, just like any of my other children who may be working independently at certain times of the day, she just tells me and either moves on to something she CAN do, sits patiently for a few minutes until I can help her, or takes a short break until I can help her. <br /><br />We usually have our planning time on "non-school" hours, so the other children are just doing what children usually do...playing. As I mentioned, this planning time only takes a few minutes.Jamie Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210544168493409813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628767515693863152.post-64531231188829296432014-10-24T06:29:25.471-07:002014-10-24T06:29:25.471-07:00What do your other children do while you have this...What do your other children do while you have this planning time with your daughter?<br /><br />Also, I assume some of her non-group subjects are still taught by you to some extent? Like spelling? Or I can imagine she would still need some help or may have questions with some of her subjects. Do you drop what you are doing to teach her whenever she wants to do that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com