Some weeks are busy and some weeks are ultra-busy....this week has been the later. This is when having a homeschool and housekeeping routine set in place is priceless. We can all accomplish what we need to accomplish, add in some extra projects, and still have dinner ready at a reasonable hour, the house generally tidied up, and some time for family fun.
I have had some email asking me how many hours of school we do in an average day and I thought my reply could be incorporated into this weekly wrap-up post.
Mr. A-Senior Year Courses Second Term
(completed math course first term)
Morning in brown/Afternoon in blue
- American Government and Economics: Mon-Fri-1 hour per day
- Modern History: Mon-Thurs- 1 hour per day
- Chemistry: Mon-Thurs- 1 hour per day
- English (which includes Literature and Composition): Mon-Fri- 1 hour per day
- Art and Music: Trumpet Mon-Fri 45 min per day, Art/Music Appreciation and Studio Art- Mon/Fri 1 hour per day.
- Personal Bible Study: Tues-Fri- 45 min per day
- Welding and Fabrication (outside course)- 2+ hours every afternoon
Tues/Wed/Thurs-Govt, History, Chemistry, English/Trumpet, Bible, and Welding
Fri-Meeting with Mom, Govt, English, Bible/Trumpet, Art, and Welding
Of course, the times are loosely kept on a daily basis and some days he will organize his day to include a longer research or writing project but generally the times listed are pretty accurate. He plans his own day and week as far as how he will accomplish his assignments but he is expected to have everything ready for our meeting on Friday morning. The only course he does with Mr. B is chemistry so we decide on Monday which day we will do lab work together and when we will get the three of us together for a weekly review.
Highlights From Our Week
 |
| From the Greek Set on NotebookingPages.com |
I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the study of the great Greek thinkers has gone with Mr. B. He has tackled Socrates, Plato, and now Aristotle as part of his reading. We listened to Plato-Trial and Death of Socrates and Aristotle-Politics on Naxos.com....nice way to dig a little deeper and read these works without being too overwhelmed. These are not studies for every teen but for Mr. B who is a prolific reader and deep thinker....he is able to digest the readings and relate them to his other studies. His latest discussion with me was about how Socratic thinking entered the early Christian church, even I don't make those connections. I am glad that I did not shy away from assigning the books on the Tapestry of Grace plans because Mr. B is not intimidated by the information like I am. Our discussions are lively and I love that he is taking on the role of sharing ideas, thoughts, and connections with me for a change.
Writing/Astronomy/Ancient History: Mr. B wrote an essay this week about Eratosthenes, perfect melding of his ancient history study and astronomy. I love it when that happens and it gives Mr. B a chance to write about something he is interested in and has lots to talk about in his writing. (Sidenote: Mr. B recognized the painting on the cover of the Aristotle book and was able to even name the painting and painter. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Using the CM methods of picture study have really made an impression in our family.....love it!)
Current events: Homeschooling allows real life and current events to naturally become a part of our education. The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan have of course been on our minds and hearts this week as we watch the drama unfold. We have been able to take time to discuss and research the events as they have weighed the boys down. We have had discussions about wave dynamics, ocean currents, nuclear power and radiation, world economics, geography of the Ring of Fire, plate tectonics, disaster preparedness, and how we can personally become involved in helping in disaster relief. I eased their assignments a bit this week, knowing that they would be spending some time following-up discussions that started over the weekend.
Other Interesting Stuff:
Working on those flying skills using Microsoft Flight Simulator is an activity that Mr. A really enjoys. (He is in an online Microsoft Flight Simulator group that meets for an hour a couple evenings a week to fly "missions" together.) This is not a video game but rather a tool to learning more about flying, using instruments, and different aircraft. Flight Simulator is such a sophisticated program that it even allows you to take off and land at your own local airport.
Mr. A and I squeezed in a noontime hike on a beautiful day this week. The rain had just stopped, the clouds blew away, and the creeks were running very high. This waterfall was crashing down the canyon and we had to throw rocks into the middle to cross over the trail.
We had a full week... Hope you all had a great week too!
11 comments:
Katie would love that flight simulator program. That is a lot of hours he puts in. Love all the ancients they have been studying.
Your kids are older than mine are, and I really am encouraged reading what homeschool teens are doing. Many homeschoolers I know with older kids end up sending the kids to high school, while I plan to keep homeschooling. It's nice to read that others families homeschooling "to the end" successfully. And, oh, that hike by the creek looks wonderful.
Barb, I get your blog entries via email, and I have to tell you, they are one of the highlights of my day whenever they arrive in my inbox! What you share in each entry is, in turn, inspiring or thought-provoking, and sometimes both at the same time. Thank you.
I know I keep repeating myself but I so appreciate this peek into your Tapestry of Grace assignments and how nicely they weave with Charlotte Mason. You are convincing me of the importance of the set of notebook pages. Just for ease and a neat spot for my older students. We'll be studying TOG Y1 next year. (I get to help hostess a booth for TOG at our homeschool convention in a few weeks - so excited to be able to get my hands on all of it at once). Plus the fact that I will have a high schooler year after next and another right on her heels. 2011-12 is practice year for me! I'll be digging through your blog more in the coming days. Thank you. And love the waterfall hike photo!
Phyllis,
Flight Simulator has been a great investment here and it is very well done.
Christina,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words...I sometimes think I am giving too much info but I know when I was looking for other high school families I would have liked to see into their day with specifics. Glad you are encouraged. :)
Tricia,
Year 1 is tough, this is our second time through. My best advice is to try to read as much of the teacher's notes each week as you can and not try to do it all. I think the notebook pages help tie things together. Thanks for the really nice comment.
No you do not give too much information. Like Christina when I link up to the Weekly Wrap Up and browse the list of other blogs I look for yours first. :) I'll be doing high school next year and there is so much I learn from you.
Thank you for sharing your schedule, I think it is very helpful to see what other high school homeschool families are doing.
I can relate to Christina's comment. Your blog shows up on mine, on the side and I always click on it to read the new posts! Keep sharing :)
I am completely in awe of Mr. B's study of Greek philosophers and his connections to other fields of study. And I agree that the flight simulator looks amazing. I once toyed with the idea of getting my private license after flying with a friend is a small two-seater craft a fwe times and also witnessing another friend's first solo flight. But I set that dream aside for other dreams. Maybe some day...
The flight simulator looks great but I would definetly be sick! lol
I appreciate all the info that you put into your weekly wrap ups. I love how you show how to meld TOG with Charlotte Mason. Thanks!
Barb, I wonder if you would mind talking a bit more about how your son organizes his own day/week? Do you give him a list of assignments and then he just has to get them finished by Friday? I remember another post for your high school students where the times were all set down in a schedule. Which way do you prefer or recommend? Thanks so much,
Jenn
Hi Jennifer,
He has progressed from the VERY regimented list and schedule to one that is more loose and organic. This is the first year he has been able to work with this sort of arrangement without getting off track and ending up with lots of work left at the end of the week.
I will write a post and let you know a little more detail. Look for it soon.
Post a Comment