First Grade Schedule Evolution

I'm still going through first grade goodies and posting them for future reference. I was recently asked if I had a "strict" schedule that I follow each day in order to homeschool. The answer is: Yes, I have a schedule. But NOT a strict schedule.

What I mean by that is my family is somewhat flexible. The first mistake I made in homeschooling this year was to set a time for certain activities to happen. This is great for many families, just not mine.

At the beginning of the year, Landon, my then 3 year old was at the YMCA for four hours a day. During this time, Jordan and I completed school in 4 1/2 hours and made sure to get it done BEFORE Landon got home. Landon was a distraction to me and Jordan because he likes to pester his brother. I felt that teaching my older son to read and do some of the "heavier" first grade math lessons (figuring out greatest and least of a number, etc.) needed to be done with less stress. Also, I really needed to get some confidence under my belt--Jordan and I were both learning and adjusting. We also had no break. I was very strict and we had no art or music during school time which I hated. Those subjects are SO important.

Our first schedule went something like this:

7:45 Drop Landon off at the YMCA
8:00 Bible and prayer, Bible coloring sheet
8:45 Calendar, Sight Words, Spanish Words, Address, Phone Number, Emergency Number
8:45 Reading/Phonics/Language lesson
9:15 Math
10:00 Science/Computer
11:00 Handwriting
12:00 Worksheets-phonics and math

I hated this schedule. Jordan hated this schedule. Handwriting was a nightmare because I expected my six year old to sit down and just do the work. I didn't know I had to teach him to stay on task to complete schoolwork. I thought he had learned that in kindergarten in public school. I was wrong. He needed some hand holding and has since learned to stay on task and now handwriting gets down within 15 minutes. And I have hair left in my head!!

When I discovered Jordan couldn't complete handwriting by himself, I devised a system to help him complete his worksheets as well. I would simply explain the worksheet a couple times one section at a time. On my dry erase board, I would then draw lines or numbers, whatever was on the worksheet. I would work the examples out on the board and then let him answer on his own worksheet. Afterward I would write the answer. This did many things for Jordan not the least of which taught him to focus and he learned worksheets are a breeze when you concentrate. He saw just how fast we could get done and he didn't dread worksheet time.

The second change to our schedule came in November. We decided not to send Landon to the Y. It was becoming financially difficult to pay for the YMCA among other things. At first, I was tense. Landon is playful and a pest. A lovable pest. If Jordan is counting to ten Landon is throwing in all kinds of numbers and letters--you know the type?? I thought I could school them together. But it caused too much frustration. Jordan wanted to do the simple, fun things Landon was doing and vice verse. I think at this point in the year we had no schedule. That's terrible but true. Some days I didn't know if I was coming or going with Landon. He was unruly during school time. If I schooled them together it didn't work. If I schooled Landon before Jordan, then Jordan would get mad. If I schooled Jordan first, Landon wanted and needed attention. If I let them play first and then do school. . . . you get the picture. It was a MESS. Thankfully, between Landon's birthday and having new toys, having Thanksgiving and Christmas, we made it through.

In January, I was adamant that we were not going to have ten cows just to get school done. I tried spending time with Landon first and it seemed to help. . . for a week. I tried having different boxes of toys or crafts for him to do. Nothing was working. My husband worked nights at the time and when he would get up he would keep Landon busy with him. Which was great. But I couldn't wait for him to get up every morning. Our school days were LOOONG. 8:00-3:30. Sometimes 8:00-4:00. It was stressful and had strained me till I was mad every waking hour. And I still was not schooling Landon.

Finally, my husband was put on a different work shift. Jordan and I began getting up at 6 a.m. to do school. By the time Landon woke up we were well on our way to being more than halfway done. Somewhere in February, my prayers were answered. Landon settled down. He stopped contradicting me--well, enough for me to do school with him. Also, the weather warmed up enough for Landon and I to do school on the trampoline after I'm done with Jordan. Jordan and I are able to get through with school in 4 1/2 hours. Since February our schedule has calmed down. We don't wake up at 6 a.m. anymore but we are done by 2:00 at the latest. I just had to take a chill pill. I don't freak out if we haven't started by 8:00 or 8:30. I just go with the flow. I just make sure we do things in a certain order regardless of the time of day. So, after pulling my hair out and having thousands of cows and coniptions. Here is our beloved first grade schedule. My it has evolved hasn't it.

Bible/Prayers/Coloring sheet
Art
Handwriting/Spelling
Poetry
Math/Math Worksheet
Break--30 minutes for Mama's sanity- and snack time for Jordan
Reading--A Beka reader
AWANA verses
Karate words
Handbook for Reading
Art Appreciation (Come Look with Me series for Children)
Science/Experiment or History
Health
Spelling Words
Phonics lesson/Phonics worksheets
Free from school!