I wasn't sure where to post this, but since my students will all be junior high and high school next year this seemed like a good place. I'm considering changing the way we schedule our week next year. Currently we basically schedule every subject, every day. At least for those things that have 4-5 lessons per week. The girls don't have to do the lessons that way, but that's how I schedule them. They get an assignment sheet for the week so they can work ahead or do subjects in a different order, just so it's done by the end of the week. But two of mine are perfectionists and tend to feel a need to do things "the right way". If it's assigned on Monday, they need to do it on Monday to feel like they're on-track.

Next year I'm thinking about doing a sort of block scheduling. I think we'd still do Bible and Math every day. But then we'd do History/Geography and Computer Applications Monday & Wednesday, English and Science Tuesday & Friday, and Thursday is co-op day. My oldest takes classes at our homeschool co-op in the morning, and the other two would do science experiments or work on projects at home. Then in the afternoon we do classes together with another familiy (Jody B from this forum, and her daughter). Basically we'd be able to focus on Bible, Math and two other subjects each day instead of trying to do six or more subjects each day. But obviously that means they'd have to do two or three lessons per subject each day (except Bible & Math). Has anyone ever done this? Do you think it will work? My girls do, but I'd like to hear from someone who has tried it. The girls will be in 7th, 8th and 10th grades next year. Two of them work very independently most of the time (except in math) but I need to work alongside my middle daughter a lot to keep her focused. Any thoughts?
Lori

Hi Lori,
Nice to hear from you! I'll chime in here with my thoughts. It depends on the age and dependability of the child. We've done this type of scheduling - with both success and failure. In fact, if you think about it, it makes sense to have a bigger period of time for discussion, etc. for some subjects.
We've done this where we've done "classwork" twice a week for biology, history and literature. One child did splendidly - she's a list-maker, box-checker by nature. The other child (who,incidentally is older) didn't do well because she's just the type to need daily (sometimes HOURLY) accountability.
Then we've also done this with the younger kids for history and science, doing both only twice a week. But those were real hands-on, mom-intensive time periods.
How about everyone else? How have you done with this?
Christine

Both my boys tended to work that way, even though it was not scheduled by me that way. I think that if you do schedule it that way, then it would be much easier to keep up with than just letting them wander.

But will your more perfectionists girls enjoy that??? Have you asked them how they would like it? They may do great if you have a set schedule for each subject during the week.

I do think Math everyday is the best way to go, so that they are taking it in bites. Trying to learn too much new info can be overwhelming.

Hi Following,
Welcome to the board! Would you take a minute to introduce yourself and tell us about your family?
Kids are all so different, aren't they? What works for one will not work for another. Thank God we have the freedom we have! Totally agree with you on the math stuff. That wakes up their brains, or something ...
Blessings,
Christine

I was just reading thru some old posts and came across this one. How funny! A few months ago I was wondering how to set up our schedule. Now we don't even have a schedule! If we get any school done at all on a given day I think it's a miracle! Well, maybe it's not quite that bad, but it seems like it sometimes. This semester everyone is majoring in "Moving 101". Funny how what seemed so important six months ago isn't even an issue anymore.