We go year round in the truest sense. We go from the first week of August until the second week of July, with a week off for Christmas, one for Easter, and a day off for holidays and birthdays that are important to us. Tim just cannot handle not having his routine, so I’m not even sure if I’m going to stop completely for those two weeks between the end of kindergarten and the beginning of 1st grade.
We finished our 3rd quarter yesterday, which is why I forgot to post on here, it was busy making sure I had paperwork in order. I printed his report card (he just gets S, S-, S+ grades) and printed out his attendance, and looked over what we are doing for the 4th quarter. We only have two more weeks of new material, and the rest is all review from the whole year, which means a really relaxed, easy last quarter. I’ll use T4L and a few other sites for the reviewing, and the rest will be worksheets and verbal review. He loves webcams, so we’ll use those again to review animals.
Our state requires 180 days for school. Right now he’s completed 151, so he only needs 29 more to go, but I have 71 scheduled. I like going over, so we can take a day off here and there as we want to and not have to worry about it. This was my test run to make sure I had everything figured out so next year, when he’s officially a homeschooled student (he’ll be six, compulsory age, in July) I’ll know exactly what I’m doing for record keeping, making sure we are covering the required attendance,etc. It’s been great, my system works, so I’m sticking to it! I’ll spend those two weeks between grades writing my curriculum for 1st grade, leaving off where we are now since he’s ahead anyway. This way I can double check curriculum standards and make sure he doesn’t have any gaps, and then just keep going.
Angie
April 9, 2008 | 4:35 pm1
Jennifer, we’re the same here. Tim HAS to have structure and thrives on it! And, yes, the fighting goes with the LD’s, unfortunately. Anything that puts them out of their comfort zone is grounds for a fight.
I envy parents who can school in a more relaxed structure, but at the same time I don’t think I need it, too, to stay on task. I can’t win! Ha! Happy birthday to your oldest!!!!
Jennifer
April 9, 2008 | 2:09 pm2
I am in Texas, where homeschools are considered private schools and are not regulated in any way. There is a law that says you have to homeschool in a bona fide manner teaching certain core subjects, but no one checks up on you.
In years past, I have schooled year round taking breaks as needed. Schooling during the summer is what allowed me to keep up and be able to take holiday or vacation breaks.
As the kids get older(the oldest turns 13 tomorrow), they like to follow the public school schedule.Mainly because they want to be “off”, not that they demand to be schooled Mon-Fri!
I have always been more of a relaxed homeschooler and now as my oldest approaches high school and my second son has been diagnosed w/ learning disabilities(LD), I have sought out more structure.My ds w/ LD really benefits from structure. He is having a hard time right now being away from home and going from “survival mode” of me letting the kids do whatever while I take care of my husband to creating a new routine that includes school work.He hates school work, I guess that goes w/ LD.
I haven’t been able to give it too much consideration w/ our present situation, but my plan was to finish this year on May 15 and take a summer break of a month or two and then start again.
Lisa
April 6, 2008 | 7:06 pm3
Angie,
We are also required to log 180 school days each year. We usually start in late August and just count days until we hit 180. We take breaks when we need to and sometimes when we want to.
) We have about 45 days left for this school year.
I am hoping to do more of a year round schedule next school year. I’m planning on a 6 week on, 1 week off to help fight burnout (mine) and boredom from long breaks (the kids). However, we always have to plan around those darn doctor appointments and the upcoming early intervention schedule for the 2 year old.
Congratulations on finding a system that works so early in the game. That’s a huge plus!