I'm not sure if all states and/or school districts require a certain number of days as ours does, but I've got a question for those who do. We use SOS and there are many days that my kids do more than one day's worth of lessons. If they finish the year's curriculum before the designated # of days is accomplished as determined by the state/school district, can I still count that they did that # of days since, as far as the curriculum goes, they did? Did that make any sense at all? LOL!
funny we were posting SOS stuff at the same time. I would count it as lessons done, days depends on what your state says, you could easily watch videos for the rest of the days if you are in a state that you have to be strict with, but I would count it as my work done.
That WAS funny! I finished my post, commented on another then there your's was! Great minds must really think alike! That is what I had thought...that I could count it as work done. There's a school in town that uses SOS and I know that some of the kids there get out a week or two earlier than the others because they have completed their work for the entire year. I would think that I could do the same thing.
In my state we are supposed to do school for a certain number of days and hours but no one knocks on our school door to check. Nonetheless, I try to abide by the law. I did not want my child to feel penalized as in getting more school work because she was diligent and efficient in finishing her school work early. The delema, what to do to fulfill the law. I would allow my child to do something that she enjoyed and that could count as school. For her it was taking a cake decorating class, doing an at-home horticulture class which I designed, and learning to play the guitar. This way she felt rewarded for being diligent. Hope this all makes sense.
I would say that you could do just about anything and call it a "school" day. Remember, not every minute or day in public school is centered around academics. There are class parties, field trips, half days, and all kinds of things. I think if you cook a meal together- that is educational--"home ec". I think if you talk about something happening in the world- that is educational--"geography, history, current events, etc." I also remember in school we had classes interrupted by things the school system finds necessary to interfere with, you know "sex-ed, drug prevention, etc." So, if you spend a day (or a part of it) discussing these things, then that is a "school" day. I am fortunate enought to live in a state with no minimum number of days or hours. But, if I did, I wouldn't hold myself to higher standard than the schools in that regard.
I also count weekends as school days. On Saturdays, we spend a great deal of time at church, which I mark down as part as Bible. On Sundays, we have soccer which I mark down as gym. Also, planting on the weekend counts as Nature Studies. Plus, we do so much in the evenings (soccer, AWANAS, art classes, etc.) that I really don't worry about it. And the traveling we do in the summer counts as geography/history/nature studies (ie: camping).
wow, Jackie, I never thought of counting some of that stuff as school! Duh! I agree with the other ladies. as usual, they gave great advice. just about anything you do can be school one way or another.
Leissa, I'm one of those that feel my children are ALWAYS in school, because they are ALWAYS learning! (OK, we won't discuss WHAT it is they are learning sometimes...:roll
All good answers have been offered. I would fill their days with fun activities like cooking, field trips, videos or movies, craft projects, gardening, etc. So many opportunities are available this time of year.
