This is Driving me CRAZY
By maildumpster
@maildumpster (3815)
United States
June 18, 2007 11:53pm CST
I am starting to plan for the 2007-2008 school year. I went and found the school calendar for the town we live in and the town we moved from. This way I try to schedule our time off when theirs is to allow my kids more time with their friends without having to interfere with our lessons.
Most of the days off are the same with just a few exceptions. I also want to make sure they have at least one or two days off a month regardless of what public school is doing. I just feel we all do better when we know there is some time off coming up (not to mention it helps to recharge us).
I am going CRAZY trying to figure this out. Seems last year was easier. The dates lined up better and stuff.
We are using a new curriculum this year so I really need to be organized. The last 4 years have not been the best in terms of keeping the girls on track. My oldest is going to be a junior in high school this coming year and I have to make sure she is ready to graduate in two years. Lots to do!!
Is anyone else as crazy as I am? Do any of you, especially homeschoolers, plan this far in advance? Do any of you use the school calendar to help plan vacations?
Well I really need to go back to my calendar. I just really needed to step away from it before I tore it to shreds!
1 person likes this
1 response
@malcido (422)
• United States
19 Jun 07
We are also homeschoolers and yes, I stress over not doing enough, scheduling properly, and so many more things! I have let go of the scheduling stress a bit though.
For the sake of my sanity we are now (for the past 2 years) schooling year 'round. Our schedule is 5 weeks on, 1 week off. This cycle allows 40 weeks of 'school' time, 8 weeks of 'vacation' time and 4 extra weeks that are unaccounted for. I use these four weeks for an extra week of off time at Christmas, Easter, and the beginning of summer.
The schedule still leaves space for taking off the occasional day here and there because the 8 sessions of 5 weeks each works out to 200 days of 'school'. Most states only require 180 for their public school students. This cushion makes it unnecessary for me to stress about them not working when their friends are off or sick days.
You know how nosey we homeschooling moms are when it come to curriculum! Would you share which you are using?
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Well I had been trying to build them a curriculum based on the public school curriculum they sent me when I pulled my kids and asked them to. They're papers were like Greek to me LOL.
We started out doing 'school at home'. That didn't last long as my hubby got laid off and my one daughter does almost nothing when he is home. We tried a few different 'things' and end up with unschooling.
Well I found that didn't work for us as my girls (the younger one especially) didn't do well unless they were spoon fed the information.
For all that public school taught them; they didn't teach them how to learn. My younger daughter was begging to go back to PS. I told her the only way that could happen was if she was caught up. It didn't motivate her.
I found Robinson Curriculum but it was too expensive. Plus it has 22 cd-roms. Then I found Accelerated Achievement (or as we call it A2). It was cheaper and was set up better. I was even able to get a scholarship from the creator; so I got the program for free.
I started using it (we back tracked to start reviewing and rebuilding skills) in late April. It wasn't a rousing success off the line but it is a wonderful program and NOW I know how to better schedule things for next year. I am really excited!!
Gosh all you asked me is what program we were using. I could have just said that and shut up - sorry!!
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
19 Jun 07
A2 is a self teaching curriculum based primarily on literature. I guess if you are familiar with Charlotte Mason; you get a rough idea of what A2 is like.
