Ugh, Scheduling Woes

[itlw8]

What about weekends. It would be quieter and no distractions to do those other than basic things

[Meyou]

I was going to suggest a couple of weekend sessions as well. You can get alot accomplished in a short amount of time with no distractions.

[Meyou]

You could also consider an inside morning a couple of times per week to focus on her schoolwork and extra outside time on other days to make up for it. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

We don't go outside on Tues morning for example because we have music class, a craft, a dance party and a group snack with our music friends so fitting outside in too was killing me. The kids haven't missed it since I changed it up and the parents didn't care at all.

[cheerfuldom]

this is what I was running into when I considered homeschooling my kinder girl this year. plus I have three to four daycare kids, and three other bio kids with one being special needs. needless to say, i just could not make it work. really the only thing I can think of is to do more work on the evenings and weekends. or i would start revamping the daycare for preschool aged kids only 2-5 years old and get everyone on the same schedule. that one baby can really change your daily schedule.

[Angelsj]

No, she's only in first grade, and only 5 (six at the end of the month). she still needs a fair amount of guidance (mostly reading instructions and explaining lessons...this stuff is handwriting, language arts, and math). It's the more hands on stuff of literature, history, and science that's getting missed because I intended on having one-on-one time with her.

I just feel bad about cutting that outside time....but between the homeschooling, our new dog, and a dcb getting picked up for preschool, I just feel like outside is getting more difficult to manage.

Take this for what you can get out of it...but I have been doing this for about 26 years, both daycare and homeschooling, so it is possible.
You are teaching a very young child. Reading and some form of math...important.
Everything else, less important, and honestly, really not overly necessary.

Science can be done with everyone around, and outside if needed. At 5 or 6, I would do experiments, kids books or simple ideas. Plant some seeds, watch them grow, take them apart and talk about the parts. Where are the leaves, stems and roots? Also once or twice a week is more than fine.

History. Movies, dvds, reading books before bed, or even the stories you read to the daycare kids. Check out these books to fit whatever you want to study. That series literally has hundreds of books relating to science and history. I am sure your local library has them, though I have purchased dozens over the years. Again, get a time you want to study and do it casually. Read to her outside, or at bedtime (later, she can read to you) and again, two to three times a week...plenty at this age.

With that going on, you have TONS of literature happening, and add a bit of writing (copy work is fine) and you have enough language arts. She really doesn't need to know what a noun is just yet. She needs to hear lots and lots of them being used in context, with lots of verbs and adjectives thrown in. Formal grammar can come later.

My point is that you are wanting to do a LOT for such a little one. It just isn't necessary. Reading and math. Everything else will come. Just don't forget about living books, or that you have the whole day.
We have been know to experiment late at night, or after supper (or during supper .) We read classic literature before bed, and often books that are above a level they can read for themselves. One of my dd's favorite authors at the age of six was Oscar Wilde. If they hear good literature often, they will learn proper English later without a sweat.

Sorry, that is probably more than you wanted to know. Feel free to PM me if you like.

[spinnymarie]

Ok I had a huge thing written up, but it was way too long.
As a former K teacher, I had the kids doing a lot of independent work after a mini-lesson.
With your daughter, I'd try to break it up into small 20-min blocks throughout the day: you sit down with her for 5 minutes, teach something basic, and let her practice it.
I'd also try to do a project together before breakfast in the morning.
So right after breakfast you could do a quick talk about a math game where she rolls a dice, writes the numeral she rolled and then draws/counts that many items (and more complicated for whatever she's working on).
Can you get all the kids to do some calendar-style math together? We do it everyday, my 18m DD is probably the most enthusiastic about it Just something short! We watch some you-tube videos and sing songs about counting, etc.
Then at the end of the day before bed you guys coudl read together and then she could journal about her day -- IMO writing is just as important as reading at this level
HTH!

[jenn]

I am experimenting with schedule too. What is working (right now, may change tomorrow:... I do calendar activities as a whole group. My daughter does the actual pointing, adding days/numbers,...the other are watching. Sure, the little ones don't "get it", but exposure never hurts, and they like the songs. Read aloud/story time happens as a group. Again, the book level is focused at my daughter's level, so it is above most my DCK, but hearing a story never hurts. My daughter goes on to do a more detailed project about the book, and the daycare kids (that are old enough) do a simple project about the book. Example, today we read about a scarecrow. My daughter did a math page and writing page about the book and the DCK's colored a scarecrow.
I will admit my DCK's do less open ended projects and do more color page type activities now. I think of my daycare as more play based now, and less preschool. They do activities as I have time. My daughter/homeschool is the priority schedule wise. If my daughter is focused and the kids are occupied, I will skip morning outside and keep doing schoolwork. We just do a longer afternoon outside time. The kids are well cared for, get plenty of attention, and have all of their needs met. They are happy and love being here. I don't think homeschooling has changed the level of care they receive, it has just changed the way the day looks.