This is my first year homeschooling. I have a daughter in second grade. I planed the curriculum and it seemed like a ton of stuff to cover. Math, reading, bible and writing everyday then science, social studys, and art rotate. I love it but it seems like she gets done so early around 2 hours. Then the rest of the day is chores, free play, games or puzzles, educational show, quite time(she reads little sister naps), and anything else we need to do that day. Does this sound right? How long should her academics take? Thanks I just need some one to bounce this off of. Joyfully, Heather
Sounds good to me! My second grader would take about that long too, but we have a couple little distractions, called little sisters . For us it takes 3 or so hours. So much time is wasted in public school because there are 20-30 kids in the class. It's one advantage of homeschooling
I wouldn't expect it to take much more than about 2 hours. In PS they do waste a lot of time waiting... to sharpen a pencil, for everyone to find the right page, to find their homework from yesterday and turn it in, to be told what to do, for explanations to the slower kids in the class .... that you don't have at home. If you eliminate all the wait time, public school would be done in about two hours too!
Thanks ladies this was good to hear. Jackie thanks we do grammer and I read to them everyday I guess I am not counting that as time. I have been on the fence about starting a language. This being my first year it might be overwhelming right now but might add it in the winter.
2 Hours is about what we spent at that age. If your student is mastering stuff quickly and seems unchallenged, you can always cut the problem sets down a bit and move faster. No need for busy work if you know they have the objectives mastered. Hit the library for books and videos. You could add some educational videos if you have a Netflix or Amazon.com prime account. Also, I have a ROKU box and have found the Smithsonian Channel to have some very nice programs that are free and commercial free. There are some really nice fly over type travel documentaries that have a touch of history sprinkled in. There are also a lot of free resouces on the Network websites online that stream to a computer. I have found that watching such things have made my kids better readers and that it generates a thirst for more knowledge as well as giving us things to talk about together. this sort of thing builds well rounded interests and broadens vocabulary.
Doesn't it amaze you that it takes a school 8 hours to do what your daughter can do in 2 hours? Even my high schooler (who has a VERY FULL schedule) only takes about 4 hours to complete her work (although, I do see her around doing extras, etc). 2 hours sounds just about right. play games, read more books, have art stuff around. My high schooler spends most of the rest of her day doing art for a clay charm business she has. So she's even still learning!
I've discovered our day finishes up early as well...and i've got a 4th, 5th, and 8th grader....we start at 9 and if I don't' make them stick to breaks...they're done by 11..1 at the latest cuz we have lunch from 11-12! I try not to allow them to sit there everyday working straight through...I want them to get out of the house more..and play...they're a very serious bunch..lol..some days I allow them to work at their own pace..and other days I enforce breaks where they have to go out and play..hula hoop..swing blow bubbles...just ANYTHING they wouldn't normally do in public school setting ...I feel like it helps them enjoy life a little more! I should mention that even with the breaks we're done for the day no later than 3...usually 2:30 which is still earlier than school lets out here
