Can I please have your opinion on our after Spring Break schedule for my son? He told a friend he only did 2 subjects...it was pretty embarrassing when the child's mom asked me about it! He's a 4th grader (public school age) who finished his 5th grade cirriculum for this year right before Spring Break. I just ordered next years curriculum, which will be here in about 3 weeks. When he finished what I got for this year, I picked up a few workbooks that seem about his level, a bit above. His schedule has looked like this for about 2-3 weeks: 8:55-9:30 (35min) "Core Skills gr6" English workbook includes grammar, spelling, writing 9:45-10:30 (45min) "Spectrum gr5" Science workbook - non fiction/science theme reading passage, comprehension questions 10:30- (30min) enjoyment reading (now, Big Nate book, changes every few days, library), (20 min) chores, snack 11:30-12:00 (30min) IXL grade 6 Math (we go over new concepts and work out problems together) 12:05-12:30 (25min) enjoyment reading lunch before bed he reads a teen study bible (aprox30 min) so question is, do you think its OK? Would you have your child doing more while waiting for next curriculum (specifically, hands on science and history/social studies daily or weekly???)
Honestly, I wouldn't be embarrassed, and I'd tell people to butt out. Seriously, though, if kids are learning and having fun, they won't see so many divisions in subject matter. Science and reading can absolutely be combined! Why not? English and math may be the only things that popped to mind at the time, but I can tell there's a lot more learning going on, or else you wouldn't be buying above-level work. ... and I'm not much of a scheduling type. As long as the work gets done, I don't care when or how it's done.
I wouldn't worry about it, either. It's nobody's business what schedule you use. You do what is best for YOUR family. If you're satisfied, that's all that matters!
I would have told this friend that he finished all the schoolwork for the year, but that you have him continuing to work! THAT is what he should have told his friend. Also, I'm with the "butt out" comment. Sounds like what you have him doing is MORE than acceptable.
thanks ladies...I did tell tell her we already finished for the year. But, I felt like I was over explaining, and I know I seemed a bit flushed about it. She was smiling and laughing a bit while mentioning it (saying she didn't believe it) so I couldn't really tell her to mind her own business - this is a family we spend a lot of time with, and really like. It did have me kind of second guessing myself though.
In my opinion, you should be proud of your son completing so early, not embarrassed. After you explained that he completed his curriculum, she probably left envying you for being finished with this years work.
I see no reason to be embarrassed. School kids go 3 whole months without doing any schoolwork at all! LOL I tend to find myself between curriculum at times while I wait to be able to purchase the new stuff either at a book fair or during a month I know I'll get free shipping. If I know it'll be an extended time, I'll typically use some education videos from Netflix to fill in the gap. For example, I had a month gap before I could order our new history curriculum just this last March [Veritas Press has free shipping on any order in April, so I always order our history stuff then]. Since we're doing American History, I got the American President DVDs from Netflix to use for history during that time. I'll also have the kids do stuff on their educational sites Always Ice Cream and Clever Dragons. But, I don't do it because I'd be embarrassed otherwise; I do it more because my kids are the kind who'll be horrible if I have to get them back into routine after being off for a signficant chunk of time. So, it's definitely more for my sanity than anything else.
