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Post by donna31 on Feb 1, 2008 0:45:45 GMT -5
I was wondering if anyone does or knows someone who schools on a year round type schedule.
My thought was to start school the 1st of June and school 3 hrs a day instead of waiting till august or sept and having to cram 5 to 7 hours in a day. Of course we would take days off occasionally and take time off around the holidays and such but I had thought of doing this instead of taking a long summer break and having to do everything in a shorter length of time.
I have a second grader and kindergartener and I know that our state only requires 4 hours of school a day. However, 3 days a week, it takes my 2nd grader at least 6. I am not really concerned as much with doing "so many hours a week" as long as he gets his lessons for his grade done during the year (in other words if he has 36 lessons of Bible, I want him to get 36 lessons done for his 2nd grade unless he is really having problems with something and needs to slow down). I figured if we did 3 hours of school every day ( with occasionally having to cut it down for something going on) we should be able to get in the "year's curriculum" before June 1st of the following year.
I was just wondering if anyone had tried this before and how it worked for them.
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Feb 1, 2008 9:32:02 GMT -5
Because of my husband's work schedule, we home school year round, 4 hr. per day, 4 days per week (math, reading/phonics, English, spelling, penmanship) and it has worked out great for us. We do unit studies on Wednesday and some Saturday mornings for social studies, science, art & music. We take 1-2 weeks off every 2-3 months, specifics depend on my husband's work schedule. Switching to this schedule has afforded our family a tremendous amount of flexibility.
I no longer find myself "stressing out" at Christmas break or in May if we are not where we should be for finishing a certain subject by a deadline. Whenever my children finished their curriculum for 2nd grade, I just went ahead and started them on 3rd grade no mater what month of the year it may have been. I've also found my children do not "stress out" over their studies. They know that the sooner they finish one grade the sooner they can move on to the next.
As long as your proposed plan meets your state's home school requirements, I'd suggest giving it a try for 2-3 months. If it works out well for your family - GREAT! If it doesn't, then back to the drawing board to find another plan that may work for your family.
Best wishes! ... tb
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Post by donna31 on Feb 2, 2008 1:03:57 GMT -5
Thanks, I really think this type of schedule would work better for my family as well - other people around here that I have talked to about it do not seem to think it would do very well. They think my children "need a break" and I agree - we all do sometimes but it seems to me that it would be better to keep on a regular schedule year round and it would be a lot less stressful too instead of taking such a long break one time of year just because that's what we all grew up doing and the schools do it that way.
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Post by donna31 on Feb 2, 2008 1:10:01 GMT -5
tb, can you tell me how you go about reporting grades or reporting days attended. I go through an unbrella school instead of the state.
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Feb 2, 2008 12:46:46 GMT -5
Hi donna31,
Since we live in Texas, we are fortunate that we don't have any reporting requirements for grades or attendance. Record keeping is completely up to each individual home school administrator or the umbrella school. Our family does not participate in a umbrella program. Hopefully, some of the other home schooling ladies on this forum will be able to advise you with regard to umbrella programs.
Regarding your previous post about others thinking your children will need a break from year round schooling. It seems most don't realize that your children will get breaks - they just won't be in a huge lump sum. As I mentioned, in our home we take 1 or 2 week break every 2-3 months. Our children are getting the same amount of time off from school, it is just spaced out instead of concentrated. Our system has also afforded us the luxury of minimized review time when we promote up to another grade because our children haven't had two consecutive months off, thus, "forgetting" some of the material they last studied.
Of course, year round schooling does not work for every family, nor does a traditional school year work for every family. But one of the beauties of home school is that each family can tailor their children's educations to what works best for each individual child and the family's situation. We are not forced into the government's educational box.
I urge you to keep asking questions, and praying for solutions that meet your individual family needs. Don't follow the crowd just because "everyone else" says you have to, especially if the system the crowd is following is not working for your family. Our Lord is awesome! He's blessed us a life in the U.S. where we are free to make choices for our own families. He has given you the blessing of home schooling, He will also give you the answers you are seeking.
tb
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Post by keflavik on Feb 3, 2008 15:44:40 GMT -5
donna31 I'm with tb in the fact that I too live in TX where requirements are pretty lax. I will say, however, that everyday is a learning experience! If you can come up with a schedule that you have to turn in to officials for their requirements great! Do it! And then remember, it is only a guide from which to deviate. I don't mean be sneaky or misleading but I know that even the public school is "required" to present a schedule which may or may not actually pan out. We homeschool year round and it keeps us on a regular schedule with vacation breaks when we want. Getting into a routine again is always the hardest so keeping a regular schedule helps. And attendance? Why, they are here everyday! I do keep their tests, quizzes and extra special projects in a 3 ring binder. It shows progression which is what public schools must show. I am also able to look at my curriculums "Scope and Sequence" to see what each grage will cover and could, if needed, pen out such for anyone who needed it if we are ever questioned. Fortunately, at the elementary grades its pretty easy. Once they get into high school, I will take better attention to such details. That's when the credits really count. If I were you, I wouldn't stress out over how perfect ever detail lines up with what you are actually doing. Just meet their requirements, explaining if you have to why you choose to go year round. They just want to make sure you are continuing a show of progression.
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Post by donna31 on Feb 7, 2008 0:03:47 GMT -5
Thankyou for posting. I talked with a counselor from my umbrella school and asked them about attendence and such. Turns out she also schools year round. She said that they arent really that strict about it. "After all if you homeschool 365 days a year your sure to get in 180" She also said that the hours werent really a big deal. If they are learning what they should they will get in the hours.
I am feeling much better about this idea and am looking forward to trying it!
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