2009-2010 School Day Schedule

H wakes me up, otherwise I'd sleep 'til 10. S wakes up on his own and he wakes his sister. H finishes getting ready. I make the bed, get the morning medicines out, and start the coffee.

We all kiss him goodbye and wave through the window as he drives away.

I drink coffee, eat breakfast, read news, check email, Twitter, & Bloglines / Kids eat breakfast, read news (D), and play on their computers.

The kids take morning showers now.

I explained our Morning Time back in July.

First, Language Arts is Intermediate Language Lessons for both kids. Then, math for D is Saxon 8/7 and math for S is Scott Foresman Grade 5 Mathematics. Some days the children complete a worksheet or math puzzle instead.  

We read aloud our together books: Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History,Streams of Civilization by Mary Stanton and Albert Hyma, The New Nation by Joy Hakim, The Ultimate Atlas of the World by Philip Steele, Plutarch's Lives, Shakespeare, and Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock. I keep our Read Alouds (and Morning Time books) in a large metal tub next to the couch so that they are at hand when get comfy.

I have a folder for each subject and keep all the folders in a basket. When I come across articles or worksheets, I place them in the pertinent folder. I let the children choose their work from the folders during this hour.

We have many puzzles in envelopes in another basket. I explained about our puzzles last September.

We tried and tried to keep our lunch break to 30 minutes, but we find we need more time, especially if we need to cook lunch from scratch instead of heating up leftovers. We often watch a previously recorded TV program along with our lunch.

Now is the time for children to complete their math and English if they have not already. Generally, this is when the children work on projects of their own choosing. Some days they spend their Independent Time on Independent Reading (independent reading which must be completed by the end of the Term) or on Free Reading (extra books not required for school but still very educational). Some times I hijack this time period for a Read Aloud and they listen to me while they work on quiet projects, such as sewing. Independent work must have educational value. If good choices are not made, I will make choices for them.

Chores divided betwixt the three of us.

H comes home.

I like computers to be off during this time. This rule encourages the children to work on projects or play with toys they would ignore if a computer game was available.

We almost always eat at 6:30. I plan quick meals that take between 30 and 60 minutes to fix.

Many nights it is spent on television or computers. Our television is almost always educational or old movies, although we also watch a lot of Stargate and America's Funniest Home Videos. Often basketball or football is played in the summertime.

I go to bed sometime between Dinner and 12:00 - often at 11:00. If I don't feel well or am tired, I may end up in bed before the children. The children and I like to read in bed. They can stay awake as long as they are quiet. Many nights, D will stay awake reading or sewing in her bed. S likes to sleep.