Question about 4 day schedule

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LynnH
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Question about 4 day schedule

Post by LynnH » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:47 am

I just now realized that the schedule for Preparing only covers 4 days. Do you only school 4 days? If not what do you do on the 5th day. I will be in a co-op, but that does take breaks during the year and I am not really comfortable with not schooling 5 days especially since Ohio requires 900 hours of instruction.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/

eazbnsmom
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Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by eazbnsmom » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:07 am

Hi Lynn,

We use our 5th day to cover subject that we might not normally get to during the rest of the week. There are lots of things you can do, a foreign language (reviewing a few minutes each day the rest of the week), nature study, music, art appreciation, as well as reviewing Bible, Poetry, Home Economics, PE etc. My daughter loves the Jeanne Fulbright "Exploring Creation with" books so we are doing one of those on friday as well. At first I panicked too when I saw that it wasn't a 5 day week, but I have actually found it to be very freeing and gave us time for adding some other interests or working on some areas where we may be struggling and it doesn't mess up my books when we have a 3-day weekend. (I like to keep a Unit/week) :wink: If I were still in a co-op it leaves room for that too!

HTH
Kay in PA

Mom to dd12, dd11, ds9, ds7 & ds3 1/2


BHFHG with dss 7&9 and dd11

inHistiming
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Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by inHistiming » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:38 am

My plan for Preparing...next year is to use the 5th day for co-op. When that is on break, or we're not doing it (we only do fall session) then we will use day 5 to work on our state study, which is required in our state by the time dc get through 8th grade. We may also add Spanish or ASL and typing on that day. It would be a good day to schedule field trips, since you wouldn't be missing any 'book' work...we'll probably do that some too. Just my thoughts, hope that helps. :wink:

Benelli
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Location: Northern VA

Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by Benelli » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:20 pm

I'll have 2 in Preparing next year, and I plan to use the 5th day for the following.

Latin (using a co-op)
Art and/or Drama class
Horizons Health
Virginia State Study, using "State History from a Christian Perspective" and the Abeka State Notebook, and
Critical Thinking Skills workbooks (occasionally, I think)

I'm really excited that it's a 4 day schedule next year for them!!
Lisa, Mama to 7 -

PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along

8arrows
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Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by 8arrows » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:28 pm

We are going to move the poem writing activity, science experiment and timeline activity to Fridays. We will still have math and use Drawn on that day as well. I agree that this is a great day to add foreign language, typing, critical thinking skills, etc.
Melissa, wife to Jim for 28 years
3 graduated, 2 using US 2, 8th grade dd using Missions to Marvels
Isaiah 40:11 ...He gently leads those that have young.

Carrie
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Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by Carrie » Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:57 pm

We love having a 5th day to add extras that are personal for each child. For example, on our fifth day this year, my oldest son is doing a computer course, reading and listening to 4 of Shakespeare's actual plays, doing a hands-on history kit that coordinates with his history study, reading a chapter a week of A Child's History of Architecture, and still doing his math on the 5th day. :D

I love planning each kiddo's 5th day... and if you're unsure what to do, you can always spread out some of the Preparing Hearts guide, as there is plenty there! :D

Blessings,
Carrie

Susan
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Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:15 pm

Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by Susan » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:53 pm

Carrie,
What computer class is your oldest son using? I'm looking for something for my older son, also.
Thanks,
Susan

MainelyJen
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Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by MainelyJen » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:37 am

Lynn, I love that Preparing is only 4 days/week at this level. On our day 5 each week, my son will be working on his math (an hour) in addition to some extras such as more work in his Latin program and his Chess study, extra free reading time and educational DVDs.

Thought you might find this article interesting. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090214/ap_ ... v4H61QXs8F It is something they are really discussing here in Maine, as the schools simply can't afford to stay open five days per week anymore. Just keep in mind that you don't have to school 5 days per week to get your hours in. Don't forget the extras you do which our school systems count as educational hours - for instance, if my son helps me run our church library on Sunday mornings, I consider that to be one hour of community service. Also, our schools can count it as a full school day if they remain open from 8am to 11am here in Maine and then dismiss. I say all this not so you can fudge your hours and shortchange your children. . .but just to broaden your perspective a little so that you don't feel a slave to the hourly requirements of your state.

The Maxwell's book Managers of Their Schools has a good section on how to tally school hours. I found it helpful.
~ Jennifer
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JennyMaine

Catherine, 14, Where Brook and River Meet
Samuel, 12, Preparing Hearts

LynnH
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Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:41 pm
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Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by LynnH » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:14 am

Thank you so much for all your answers. You have given me lots of ideas. I also volunteer a few hours a week at our local animal shelter taking all the pictures for petfinder and my son loves to go with me. I didn't even think about the fact that the 4 day schedule will make me less concerned about taking time out for that. Also he loves studying marine life so I had thought about doing the Apologia book that is just about sea creatures, but didn't know if I could handle an entire year of just that. Now I am thinking we could do this on the 5th day.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8125
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by Carrie » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:11 pm

Lynn,

Oooh, now you have the 5th day bug!! :lol: You'll find it's fun to decide how that 5th day will shape-up each year for your kiddos. :wink:

Susan,

We're finishing Logo Adventure by motherboardbooks.com My oldest son only does it on the 5th day of each week (and this is our second year). So, it has taken him longer to finish it than normal, making him beyond the target age range by a year. But, he's still enjoying it and doing it all independently. :wink:

Blessings,
Carrie

netpea

Re: Question about 4 day schedule

Post by netpea » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:12 pm

We already do a 4 day schedule by necessity. So I am looking forward to having the guides written that way once we move to Preparing. For us, Thursday is Community Bible Study and swim lesson day. :D

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