I'm starting DS on 6th grade work for every subject except math. He is behind on math because of 2 bad years in public school, so his math book is at 5th grade level. I've got all the curriculum I'm going to use for this year, and I've planned out a basic map of what we're going to cover. But it really seems like a lot of school work! I've tried to streamline as much as possible, but his schedule still seems so full. He has Math, science, history, geography, reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, handwriting and creative writing. He also has some enrichment classes, including Spanish, guitar, art, co-ops and a youth club. Plus, he has to do independent reading a few times a week. Is this too much? Am I setting ourselves up for failure, or is this a normal workload for a middle schooler? Last year, we did very well, but I don't feel we did enough for science or social studies, and his curriculum for Language Arts was way too easy for him. I'm nervous, but very excited to get started. We've been doing a Summer Bridge workbook and some math work this summer, so it shouldn't be too hard to get back in the groove of things.
I imagine it is fine. Just feel it out and take as much time as you need to finish it. My children have a heavy school schedule but we don't have a timetable. We just take as much time as we need to finish everything. Some subjects they are ahead on and at times been behind in some but can catch up in time. I am down to just one in school now as we have graduated all the rest. My one still in school is 13 (going on 14).
I don't have a super rigid schedule. I just have a basic map of what subjects we should cover on which days. I have everything planned to do one lesson a week for each subject (except math), and I split the lessons up between two days of the week. If I have to cut anything out, it will probably be some of the enrichment classes, maybe lessen them to only once a week each. I do all the enrichments at home except for the co-ops and the youth club. I'm also teaching a co-op this year, and I have a baby who is turning 1 next month. I think I'm just psyching myself out. I really should know better by now, lol, but I'm still over-thinking all of this. I was much worse last year, with assigned times PR which classes we would do, and what pages we should cover between 9am and 10am. I quickly let that go and was more relaxed about it. I'm hoping the same thing happens this year too.
It will help you mentally if you put reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, handwriting and creative writing into a "Language Arts" folder in your mind. Like clicking the expand/collapse button. (Same with history/geography) Don't view them as all different subjects or it does seem like quite a bit more than it really is. For instance, Spelling is not going to take a 40 minute "class" each day. I say, stride confidently forward. Our kids are usually capable of much more than they are given credit for. If he struggles to fit it all in then cross that bridge when you come to it. But I think you'll both be fine. BTW, speaking of L.A., I must mention that I used Jensen's Format Writing for my 7th grader last year and think it's a WONDERFUL book. I'd recommend it be a part of every student's curriculum at some point in Jr High or early H.S. It covers things not usually addressed in other writing courses. Specifically, for example, how to write a paragraph that flows. Connecting one sentence to the next, and one paragraph to the next. As an aspiring author myself, I was very impressed at the content I was able to practice with my daughter. We skipped some sections that weren't pertinent to her like resume writing. So it's easy to just hit what you want to hit depending on the age you're student is. =)
Michelle is right about Language Arts, and also about history/geography. The secret is to COMBINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!! If you want to do literature, use books that are historical fiction for your history. If he's taking part in a sport, count that as his gym. Phillip is 6th grade. He's doing Ancient History (we did a whole year of Geography last year, and will be doing mapping in connection to history), Math 6, Language, Literature (using a literature guide, so it will be a bit more than just reading a book. Two books...Prince Caspian and The Bronze Bow), General Science, AWANA for Bible. In addition, he wants to take a martial arts class (as a result of him being jumped and having his bike stolen!). He does soccer, piano, and LEGO robotics.
I know what you're saying, Jackie. But that teaching style doesn't work to well for us. We both seem to do best with a more structured approach, with textbooks and workbooks. I may end up eliminating the additional LA from Switched on Schoolhouse. I have a really good literature and language arts course that has reading, grammar, and writing. I wanted to use the SOS LA as a supplement, because it starts out with a lot of straight grammar. I guess we'll see how that goes. The History I'm going to use this year is also SOS World History, but the Geography is mostly states and capitals, which he didn't learn enough of last year. I don't see how I could combine those two. I'd rather not eliminate either one. I feel he should have learned state capitals by now, so that's sort of a catch-up class.
What do you want him to know about the states? Just where they are and the capitals? If so, don't do it formally. Instead, go here: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ and have him play the games on a regular basis. He'll pick them up easily! My oldest taught herself most of the countries of the world using this. Then, you might go with the lit/LA course you have, drop SOS, and then maybe pick up Easy Grammar. It's a good, basic grammer curriculum, and really takes very little time to do. It's easy to do it with something else.
It's not just the states and capitals, although that's the main goal of the class. It's also to learn about the culture, history and natural resources of each true six regions of the US. I have a textbook from last year that covers all of that, but we barely made a dent in it, so I wanted to use it this year as simply a reader. I plan to have him read two lessons (they're pretty short) and then study flash cards for the states in the region he just read about.
Ah. We did east of the Mississippi one year, with every intention of going west the next. But it never did happen! Oh, well! My kids know their states, though I doubt any of them would get 100% on their capitals! You still might like the link I posted!
The same thing happened in this household. Both in traveling and studying we just couldn't seem to get to Western US after the Grammar stage. Thanks for posting the link Jackie (I just spent 30 minutes on it!) Because we've more or less used a classical model throughout the years, we always seem to need work on our knowledge of US geography!
Glad my little idea helped. =) Jackie, thanks for the link! Can't wait to check it out. We, too, seem to need some structure, even if it is flexible. In fact, I was trying to find a post I saw on here recently, maybe someone knows this link it had mentioned. I'm using Apologia Physical Science and someone mentioned a woman's website with daily lesson plans for Apologia and I believe for several other curriculums. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
Michelle...I can't remember her name, but if you go to Christian Book and search for "Apologia Daily lesson plans" it will bring it up...they are about $5...They are very simple, just reading guidelines for each day...Helps me know that we will get the book finished on time! (I am using them for biology)
Okay, I found Donna Young's site. They are free there, but a lot more cluttered than what I'd purchased from MFW last year. But hey, they're free! =)
I figure out what I was doing wrong! I had too many writing assignments for each class, instdad of viewing spelling/reading/writing as one subject. I all was going to have DS write down vocabulary words from SOS science and history before playing the arcade games, but j realized that was just going to make it not fun for him. I feel so much better now that I simplified a lot of things.
Good! =) About Donna Young for Apologia... last year I purchased the lessons from MFW and they had them layed out into 4-day weeks, 2-week modules. Looks like Donna's are spread out more. Does anyone know if there are cheaper versions that lay them out like MFW? I like keeping one day a week free and I like finishing early. Gives us wiggle room and lets us take time off now and then (like around the holidays and such).
