This is not aimed at any one person or curriculum, or even pedagogy, but how do people home school their kids in a couple of hours a day? I am not complaining in any way, I just don't see how they do it. One mom told me that kids end up in the same place regardless of the curriculum that you use....but I really have to wonder how that could possibly be true. Does anyone else find themselves NOT in the group of homeschools that are done by noon?
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We are DEFINITELY not done by noon, but that’s because we start our real group/bible studies at 10, take lunch and break at 11:30, do group reading around 1, boys tidy the dining room while I put toddler down for nap, and we start “real” school around 2:15. At 4:00/ 4:30 I start dinner while kids play outside and then we focus on reading, maybe flash cards before/during dessert. My 3rd grader reads aloud to me in the kitchen in evening while I do dishes.
This is on purpose because outside and gardening is a high priority for our family. The weather will soon change, and that’s when our school days get longer.
just what we do here...for now!-Victoria
at home:
boy - 3rd grade
boy - 2nd grade
boy - k/1st
girl - toddler
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There are SO many variables to this. The number of children, the studies you prioritize, how you teach those studies, your expectations for your student, your expectations for your day, what else you want to make time for....the list goes on and on.
I will say that (barring a slow worker), a second grader shouldn’t need more than 2-3 hours a day, even with MP. Be sure you’re not trying to dot every i and cross every t — not even HLS does that. Teaching is an art, not a science, so don’t fret about knowing the perfect way to do each thing. Know the overall vision, do your best (not the same as perfect) and let God guide you. He will.Jennifer
Blog: [url]www.seekingdelectare.com[/url]
2022
DS18: Graduated and living his dream in the automotive trades
DS17: MP, MPOA, headed to his favorite liberal arts college this fall
DS15: MP, MPOA
DS13: Mix of SC 5/6 & SC 7/8
DD11: Mix of 5M and SC7/8
DD10: SC3
DD7: MPK
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Originally posted by Jessica Louise View PostThis is not aimed at any one person or curriculum, or even pedagogy, but how do people home school their kids in a couple of hours a day? I am not complaining in any way, I just don't see how they do it. One mom told me that kids end up in the same place regardless of the curriculum that you use....but I really have to wonder how that could possibly be true. Does anyone else find themselves NOT in the group of homeschools that are done by noon?
Second, the point you included that I emphasized above is something that you are absolutely right to question. I have used the example in the past that if I want to get to Philadelphia, but I boarded a train for San Francisco, there is no way I would ever make it to Philadelphia. Not only will it simply not be possible, but it is actually the exact opposite direction from what I need to take. But we live in a world in which people want to think that all choices are equal, that their choices therefore do not have consequences, or that they should at least not be held responsible for those consequences (or some version of this modernist view). But it's all FALSE. You cannot make different choices and then expect the same outcome.
The part that IS true is that there are many different choices in how people homeschool, and that people have the freedom to make the choices they want all along the way. But with different choices WILL come different outcomes, plain and simple. Children will grow and develop differently, they will be ready for different levels of opportunity, and they will be capable of different levels of challenge in life. But even more importantly, their capacity for making their own choices in life will be largely based upon what they have experienced during their educational years. That is the point at which the writing will be on the wall that says, "Yes, dear, there WAS a difference."
AMDG,
Sarah2020-2021
16th Year HSing; 10th Year with MP
DD, 19, Homeschool grad; college sophomore
DS, 17
DD, 15
DD, 13
DD, 11
DD, 9
DD, 7
+DS+
DS, 2
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I think there is actually a good bit of wisdom in your friend's observation that they all end up in the same place, because we are so much more than quiz grades and transcripts. Sometimes we fool ourselves that we can control the outcome by controlling the curriculum. It's like the saying, "Want to know how to make God laugh? Tell him your plans."
How my family seeks education now is just what works for us, and what ties in with our interests. During the "here comes another baby" stage, there were long stretches of Latin and the three R's, with written work taking only a couple of hours.
Blessings,
Jude
DD24
DS21
DS18
DS16
DD14
DS11
DD9
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Two things can be true at the same time. You don't have to take the same amount of hours that away schools do. You also aren't doing needless work if it takes your own child (or you, due to life's interruptions) all day to meet all of the goals you set. Each child has her own intrinsic pacing that is difficult to speed up or slow down. As you become more confident in your teaching, you will get better at limiting needless interruptions, returning your child's focus to the material, and focusing on the meat of the assignment. Sometimes parents (especially creative ones), feel like they have to entertain every thought or rabbit trail question their children ask. This will dwindle down in time. Also, especially if you're only in the first few weeks, your child will get more efficient at her work. I remember in week 6 of our first year in MP, it took such an inordinate amount of time for my child to finish. The ink wasn't even dry on my complaint before she experienced a radical increase in speed, delight and performance. Second through third grade is a magical time of growth and transformation. It's harder when that child is your eldest and you've never gone through it before. Keep your chin up. Seeing the fruit is one of the truest delights.Mama of 2, teacher of 3
Summer: First Start French I
SY 22/23
6A, teaching TFL & CC Chreia/Maxim in group, and Koine Greek
MP2 w/ R&S Arithmetic 3
Completed MPK, MP1, MP2, 3A, 4A, 5A
SC B, SC C, SC1 (Phonics/Math), SC2's Writing Book 1
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enbateau ,
Just a small distinction that I think is important...two coordinating, or complementary, things can be true at the same time; but not two conflicting things. Right?
AMDG,
Sarah2020-2021
16th Year HSing; 10th Year with MP
DD, 19, Homeschool grad; college sophomore
DS, 17
DD, 15
DD, 13
DD, 11
DD, 9
DD, 7
+DS+
DS, 2
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With that said, I have not begun to tackle logic, so I had best avoid any arguments with the pros.
Mama of 2, teacher of 3
Summer: First Start French I
SY 22/23
6A, teaching TFL & CC Chreia/Maxim in group, and Koine Greek
MP2 w/ R&S Arithmetic 3
Completed MPK, MP1, MP2, 3A, 4A, 5A
SC B, SC C, SC1 (Phonics/Math), SC2's Writing Book 1
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Not done by lunch. ?♀️ That ship sailed...a long time ago. I don't even remember when.Festina lentē,
Jessica P
'22-'23 • 13th year HSing • 11th year MP
DS Hillsdale College freshman
DD 11th • HLN & Latin online
DD 8th • HLN & Home
DS 5th • HLN & Home
Me • Memoria College, MPOA Fourth Form for Adults
Teaching Third Form Latin and co-directing @
Highlands Latin Nashville Cottage School, est. 2016
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Originally posted by Jessica Louise View PostThis is not aimed at any one person or curriculum, or even pedagogy, but how do people home school their kids in a couple of hours a day? I am not complaining in any way, I just don't see how they do it. One mom told me that kids end up in the same place regardless of the curriculum that you use....but I really have to wonder how that could possibly be true. Does anyone else find themselves NOT in the group of homeschools that are done by noon?
I'm only teaching through 7th grade right now, but I know and have known quite a few kids and families using different school settings and curricula. I must disagree with the idea that they all end up in the same place. Sure, they all grow up, but they don't all learn the same things or have the same abilities or character strengths, and curriculum and school choices DO affect those outcomes...along with lots of other factors, like innate ability and intelligence, influence of family and friends, and that darn free will :-).Amy
Fall 2022:
DS 14 9th
DD 12 7th
DS 10 5th
DD 7 2nd
DS 5 K
DS 2
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Isn't it wonderful to live in a time and place where there are so many curriculum choices and learning styles available? The abilities and strengths of the autodidact and the planned/scheduled student may indeed be different, just as the abilities and strengths of the severely developmentally disabled and the gifted child (we have both in our family) will be different. Thank goodness we aren't all ending up with the same content, because no matter what path you pick, you won't cover everything.
Kid A is on a traditional path, does his hours of daily work and dutifully studies his flashcards. Kid B is on that same traditional path, hates every minute of it, does as little as possible mainly to keep mom off his back, and wishes he could spend more time on what really interests him. Kid C zips through written work in two hours, has an innate ability for language acquisition, and spends hours a day reading on various subjects that interest him. Kid D tests at IQ 70, plateaus at a third grade level. Which one is guaranteed a better outcome?
Blessings,
JudeDD24
DS21
DS18
DS16
DD14
DS11
DD9
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School is taking FOREVER around here. In fact, we are going to do some today (Saturday) just to catch up a bit. I am sometimes envious of the families that are done in three hours and get to spend the entire afternoon at the park or beach or whatever. But, we put in long solid school days and then take weeks and weekends at a time for camping. Knowing more now about my kids' strengths and abilities (in the midst of neuropsych testing) I am firmly in the camp of "persevere, work hard, gain confidence." A firm and solid and rigorous study of math, writing, and literature are very important to us--and those things take a prodigious amount of time, and then when you add in some variety and beauty with history, science, art, and a casual study of German...homeschooling is absolutely my full time job. Since my eldest is only 9, it is hard to see that it is absolutely worth it yet, though, kwim? Hence the forum as a source of inspiration!!!! I've drifted and dithered and flip flopped so long over curriculum (my poor husband lol) but I do see MP as being both what my kids need (even if they don't always enjoy it) and our most direct path to confidence.Emily…a hunter who prefers coffee to chocolate and dreams of the mountains
Beech Tree Boarding School, 2021-2022
DD (age 10): MP 5
DD (age 8): MP 2
DS (age 5): MP K
"Maybe stalking the woods is as vital to the human condition as making music or putting words to paper. Maybe hunting has as much of a claim on our civilized selves as anything else.” Steven Rinella
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Upon further reflection, I think also, you make it work for you and your family, as SaintJude7 often reminds us to do! For instance, we aren't going to do Christian studies tests, but are keeping it more open and using it more for comprehension and discussion and mapwork--we are going to do that entire study guide orally. DD has already immersed herself in Greek Myths and adores them, so I just have her write out the comprehension question if she doesn't immediately know the answer. I don't worry about music for enrichment, as both girls take private music lessons and we put classical music on Pandora each day. And for my younger daughter, we are delaying spelling till second grade. Family and playtime and sports/athletics are still very important to us, and it's always such a balancing act.Emily…a hunter who prefers coffee to chocolate and dreams of the mountains
Beech Tree Boarding School, 2021-2022
DD (age 10): MP 5
DD (age 8): MP 2
DS (age 5): MP K
"Maybe stalking the woods is as vital to the human condition as making music or putting words to paper. Maybe hunting has as much of a claim on our civilized selves as anything else.” Steven Rinella
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