If life events forced you to simplify school....

[Another Lynn]

Could you share what you did? I know this can be pretty personal depending on which kind of event (illness? new baby? divorce? elder-care? or something else....deployment in our case) but I think reading some of your btdt might help - even more so if you were also dealing with deployment.

 

I'm mostly interested in how you simplified academics and still satisfied yourself that it was a successful year, but also interested in other changes that helped.

 

Thanks :)

[ma23peas]

Been there done that, simple (for me, anyhow)

 

1. READ READ READ...spend at least an hour a day reading aloud (choose 4-5 great books to vary it up...a good fiction, historical biography, inspirational, science (can be a biography of a great scientist etc.), just a varied set) and assign a long and varied book list for all those able to read....

 

2. Math..fun drills, life math, give the little ones lots of little things to count/stack etc. and have the older ones drill each other (fun timed competitions) on the math facts. Fit in as many structured lessons as you can.

 

That's it. Load your car with many books on tape...make it fun, make it stimulating....enjoy this time...

 

Tara

[ElizabethB]

:grouphug:

 

Deployments are tough. Here is an old deployment thread for you, the tips should still be good.

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126792&highlight=Deployment+apiphobic

[prairiegirl]

We read lots and lots and lots all over the spectrum...Shakespeare, mythology, history, natural history, etc.

 

On the good days we also added in the basics: math, reading and writing.

 

The thing that kept me from becoming too depressed about the state of our year was the mantra: There is always next year. There is always next year.

[Aubrey]

When ds #4 was born, dd #3 was 14mos old (& dh was in school).

 

For about a month, I know we didn't do any math, grammar, or writing. No spelling. Have I killed all the R's yet?

 

No, there's reading. And that's what we did. Any time dd3 was w/ mil, sleeping, or otherwise occupied, I sat on the sofa and held/fed the baby while I read to the 2 bigs.

 

We focused on history, but I moved from a strictly WTM approach to a vague blend between that & unit studies. We read The Wheel on the School, & that led to reading about Holland, tulips, storks. We read Hans Brinker & the Silver Skates, and we learned about the...oooh, are they called canals?...in Holland.

 

The whole thing meshed together so well, I remember that period--before both babies were crying & climbing--like a gentle dream.

 

Then mil went home, baby started teething, dd went on screaming (like she'd done most of her life), & I cried a lot. :lol:

 

One thing that has helped me, both w/ regard to the 2 littles, but would have helped anyway--is discovering the *type* of curric I really gel best w/. If there's not a curric, I don't do it. I cannot piecemeal stuff AND teach. I like uber-right-brained creative stuff, but no lapbooks, glue, or fingerpaint. I love unit studies & bunny trails that lead to interesting discoveries. I like living literature & Usborne books, but not exclusive-Usborne. I love MCT--it's a grammar book that gives you a reason to get up in the mornings. :lol:

 

And coffee. And a crockpot. And teaching the kids to cook & wash dishes. "This too shall pass" tattooed somewhere. And remembering that you really, deep down, don't want it to pass too quickly. Embracing the disruption when you can, & embracing it again when all else has failed. Crying together instead of at ea other.

 

Does that help at all, or should I pass the virtual chocolate now? :001_huh:

[Mom_Abear]

Year before last was really tough for our family. We traveled to China to adopt our daughter, she had surgery not long after we returned home, my husband traveled internationally right after her surgery and got sick while in France ... and he was sick for the whole next year - ugh! (So sorry for throwing my own pity party!)

 

Anywho ... We didn't do any "extras" that year. No science experiments or history projects. We just read and focused on the basics. Thankfully, God opened the door for us to attend an amazing Co-op that filled in some gaps and I was able to help out in the nursery and not have to prepare or teach. It was a wonderful, beautiful thing for that year. Is there anything available to you that would help carry the load for this season?

[chris's girl]

We are doing that this year. Having some that are a little older, I feel like they need to keep on with the basics, but I need to make it as light on me as possible (new baby this fall when I will have a 17 month old and a very busy 4 yo). So I am picking mostly fill in the blank independent stuff (ACE, AOP, anything that is at least minimally educating for the kids who just will not do school without prodding) and making sure they read everyday.

((Hugs)). As a military wife I know how hard separations are. I agree with the PP that said "there is always next year". Don't be too hard on yourself or the goals for your kids. You guys might just need gentleness at times.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

 

And coffee. And a crockpot. And teaching the kids to cook & wash dishes. "This too shall pass" tattooed somewhere. And remembering that you really, deep down, don't want it to pass too quickly. Embracing the disruption when you can, & embracing it again when all else has failed. Crying together instead of at ea other.

 

 

 

:iagree::iagree:

[FO4UR]

My dh unexpectedly became unemployed a couple weeks ago. He is a pastor, so we know we will be moving *again* to another city and/or state sometime in the near future but meanwhile living *extremely* frugally while going through the church search process. Needless to say, my school plans have been tweaked.:glare:

 

Thankfully, I have all our currics bought. I spent the better part of last week finishing up the filing system in that HUGE thread so we have most things in one file box. Then I put our read alouds and manipulatives and games that I find most important in one plastic bin. Everything else is being packed asap.

 

It's stressful having to move again, but it's almost freeing to whittle our school down to necessity and in 2 tidy boxes for a while.

[JoyfulMama]

Do math and read, read, and read some more.

 

You can start your day again at lunch time.

 

Make sure you get outside - sunshine really can brighten the mood/day.

[MariannNOVA]

One thing that has helped me, both w/ regard to the 2 littles, but would have helped anyway--is discovering the *type* of curric I really gel best w/. If there's not a curric, I don't do it. I cannot piecemeal stuff AND teach. I like uber-right-brained creative stuff, but no lapbooks, glue, or fingerpaint. I love unit studies & bunny trails that lead to interesting discoveries. I like living literature & Usborne books, but not exclusive-Usborne. I love MCT--it's a grammar book that gives you a reason to get up in the mornings.

 

And coffee. And a crockpot. And teaching the kids to cook & wash dishes. "This too shall pass" tattooed somewhere. And remembering that you really, deep down, don't want it to pass too quickly. Embracing the disruption when you can, & embracing it again when all else has failed. Crying together instead of at ea other.

 

Does that help at all, or should I pass the virtual chocolate now?

 

:iagree::iagree: No glue, no crafts - unless they do it totally on their own with construction paper and scotch tape.

 

We lived in a 350 sq foot hotel 'suite' for 4+ months last year while our kitchen, bathrooms and some other rooms were remediated and repaired for mold and water damage that occured while we were on vacation.

 

Everything that Aubrey says works for us - especially MIL going home - :lol::lol: -- no, that's a joke - I know that Aubrey has a super mil :grouphug: - my mil never showed up here.:glare:

 

Anyway, we did Language Arts (MCT), ALOT Of READING - aloud and all of us just sitting and reading our own books - , Math, Classic Greek and Middle Ages read alouds, Spelling (it was Phonetic Zoo and it is independently done).......and THAT was probably it.

 

I went down alot of rabbit trails - we read good quality kids' magazines and would find material to supplement it - we did spend alot of time at the library -

 

my kids are 'crafty' - I am not, well, I am, but I like huge elaborate projects - - but they are happy to make stuff with construction paper, scotch tape, markers - and when we were finished with 'school,' they would be happy 'making stuff.' In fact, they will spend HOURS doing that. I bought them pipe cleaners and stuff, and they had a great time.

 

We did alot of crock pot meals......I am probably the only person who brought her crock pot to a hotel. We also did alot of take-out. We made an effort (and I reminded the kids of this) that THIS was a once in a lifetime (I hoped :glare:) experience, and we didn't want to miss any of it, and we wanted to make memories of it that were nice. :tongue_smilie:

[Emmy]

I didn't notice the ages of your kids - I think it would depend a lot on that. But for our family.....

 

A year ago I found out I was pregnant with twins (total surprise) and I knew there was a good chance I'd go on bedrest. Also my dh's job situation was up in the air because his company was in the process of being sold, so putting them in school didn't feel like a good option - as we might be moving. So we simplified school a lot. I had an advanced 3rd grader, a 2nd grader, and a kindergarten guy. We did:

 

independent seatwork - same thing every day we "did school"

 

- Growing with grammar (switched from FLL to this since it's self teaching)

- handwriting (reason for handwriting workbooks, nice because there is a coloring page each week)

- Explode the code (for my younger 2 students)

- Math

 

Reading - everybody had to read every day. Some from books they chose, some from books I chose. When they were done reading I had them tell me about what they read (as if I had a choice - ha! My kids are talkers...)

 

We also participated in a coop that focuses on enrichment type classes so I pretty much let all crafts, projects, and science happen there. This was a saving grace for me because my kindergarten guy and my preschooler were able to fill their need of coloring, pasting, and all things project-y there.

 

Despite the fact that we did almost no history and it wasn't a rigorous year for my oldest I counted the year as a success because at the end of the year everyone was reading more advanced books than when we started, and everyone knew more math. :) Oh - and we survived. :D

[Another Lynn]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and advice. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

 

Emmy - I like your evaluation of what makes a successful year! That's helpful.

 

Mariann - I agree about no glue and no crafts (shhhh - don't tell anyone I already didn't do any.... I didn't even click on the "inner fun mom" thread!)

 

JoyfulMama - I'm seeing a pattern - math and read! Getting outside is good advice too!

 

3blessingmom - I'm sorry about your dh's unemployment. Hope your disruption is very short!

 

Sebastian - Aubrey has a way of saying things, doesn't she?

 

Chris's girl - thanks for reminding me of the need for gentleness.

 

Mom abear - You don't sound like a pity party - you sound like a tough Mom and wife. And it's encouraging to hear how God blessed and provided for you.

 

Aubrey - embrace the disruption - I needed to hear that! I keep wondering if this is my big chance for unschooling - I would hate to miss it :D. And I'm always up for chocolate :)

 

prairie girl - there's a part of me that wants to put the reading and sharing first and the skills second. Thanks for posting.

 

ElizabethB - thanks for the link to the older deployment thread - somehow I missed it when I searched previously. It was very helpful.

 

Tara - Thanks for sharing what you did. That makes it sound easy :).

[starwarsmomma]

what did ya'll do for math?

[PeterPan]

Lynn, since you found another deployment thread, that's terrific. My dad was in the Navy and almost always gone. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine if my mom had just put our lives on hold because of that. I don't know if this is something you have gone through repeatedly or your first time, but all I can say is to differentiate between *your* needs and *theirs* and make sure you make time to meet both. I personally think it's important to carry on and work toward NORMALCY with the kids. And for yourself, it's important to carve times to take care of yourself and meet your needs, whatever it takes to recharge and stay sane, feeling like you've talked to adults enough, etc. Does your branch have ombudsmen to help you connect or find resources?

 

Make it SPECIAL, but I wouldn't make it different.

[Another Lynn]

Lynn, since you found another deployment thread, that's terrific. My dad was in the Navy and almost always gone. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine if my mom had just put our lives on hold because of that. I don't know if this is something you have gone through repeatedly or your first time, but all I can say is to differentiate between *your* needs and *theirs* and make sure you make time to meet both. I personally think it's important to carry on and work toward NORMALCY with the kids. And for yourself, it's important to carve times to take care of yourself and meet your needs, whatever it takes to recharge and stay sane, feeling like you've talked to adults enough, etc. Does your branch have ombudsmen to help you connect or find resources?

 

Make it SPECIAL, but I wouldn't make it different.

 

Thank you for sharing your perspective, OhE. This is the 2nd time, but my oldest was four then, so things are different this time. I agree with you about normalcy. We've had a good, busy summer doing swim team even though extra curriculars are usually dh's job. I have almost been feeling like it's more important to keep our "activities" going even if we miss a few school lessons along the way - so I appreciate what you are saying.

 

Dh's unit is in another city and they went over with an active unit from yet another state. I get a call once a month from the readiness coordinator there asking if I need anything.... I always laugh and ask if he wants to babysit, LOL. Seriously I have fantastic support here - friends and family - above and beyond what many have.....but I still think school can be simpler and still successful.

[Catwoman]

I haven't read the other replies, but I know that the BJU DVD program was a lifesaver for me when I was reeling from my father's sudden illness and death, and when I was caring for my mom before she passed away.

 

I never would have gotten through it all without those DVDs, as I was in no shape to design and implement my own curriculum. BJU made everything a no-brainer for me, and it was so helpful.

 

Cat

[SailorMom]

MY DH has deployed 7 times, we'll be on number 8 in less than a month. For us- everything else gets ignored - school does not. For the younger kids, say - below 3rd grade - basic reading and math are really all you HAVE to do... but IMHO, anything past 3rd grade, there really shouldn't be a lot left out. Especially math - really hard (if not impossible) to make that up.

There are great ways to simplify, though. Less projects, less field trips, less experiments (although - this is all the fun stuff!).

Give your family a week to adjust to the absence and then power through it!

Crock pots, Stoufers dinners, and lower standards of house keeping :) That's how I survive!

[G5052]

MY DH has deployed 7 times, we'll be on number 8 in less than a month. For us- everything else gets ignored - school does not. For the younger kids, say - below 3rd grade - basic reading and math are really all you HAVE to do... but IMHO, anything past 3rd grade, there really shouldn't be a lot left out. Especially math - really hard (if not impossible) to make that up.

There are great ways to simplify, though. Less projects, less field trips, less experiments (although - this is all the fun stuff!).

Give your family a week to adjust to the absence and then power through it!

Crock pots, Stoufers dinners, and lower standards of house keeping :) That's how I survive!

 

We've had eight years of medical crises in our immediate family including two surgeries just last week and another scheduled for August. I've also juggled difficult long-distance eldercare issues and have always worked at least part-time.

 

The ONLY way I've stayed sane is to do exactly what SailorMom does. I was very relaxed for K-2nd, but now that we are in the world of building a transcript, I slash-and-burn to get school done. The extras are pretty much gone, and I really focus myself on the critical subjects using solid resources that will give them the academic base without stressing me out. Last year I even went to some paid classes for my older one despite the budgetary strain because he needed the challenge academically and it freed me to deal with other heavy issues.

 

With this type of situation you have to be very honest with yourself about what is reasonable and what is not, or you won't make it.

[PeterPan]

Lynn, a lot of your stuff already looks pretty streamlined (CLE, etc.). You could change out your history and science for a change of pace if they take too much from you. A series of science videos you put on for an hour each day of quiet time would give you peace and knock out their science too. Didn't somebody just say there are Drive Thru History videos for ancients too?

[VBoulden]

If I don't have time, I focus on the three R's: reading, writing, and arithmetic. If any of those have to give, it's handwriting. If I can only do ONE thing, it's reading. :001_smile:

[charmama4]

My dh went to tech schoolfor 4 months when he cross trained. A month after he left, he informs me he is reassigned and we move in 6 months. We just bought a 1927 yo house and we gutted out the basement to build a den, bathroom, and 2 bedrooms. He left for school without finishing the basement.:eek: So, any-who I needed to finish it or we wouldn't be able to sell the house and that was not an option.

 

The 3-R's is what I downsized to. Reading, wRiting and aRithematic. My dc's ages were 13, 11, 9 and 6. Most of their writing was outline work or summaries from their history or science readings. I flooded their book basket with books and kept on tract with their math.

 

I felt guilty for awhile then I realized I can only do what I can do. I was mixing concrete, laying down carpet, putting up drywall and painting all while educating my kids the best I can. You can do this!! Find your priorities and work from that. You will be amazed on what you (and your kids) can accomplish!

[Another Lynn]

My dh went to tech schoolfor 4 months when he cross trained. A month after he left, he informs me he is reassigned and we move in 6 months. We just bought a 1927 yo house and we gutted out the basement to build a den, bathroom, and 2 bedrooms. He left for school without finishing the basement.:eek: So, any-who I needed to finish it or we wouldn't be able to sell the house and that was not an option.

 

The 3-R's is what I downsized to. Reading, wRiting and aRithematic. My dc's ages were 13, 11, 9 and 6. Most of their writing was outline work or summaries from their history or science readings. I flooded their book basket with books and kept on tract with their math.

 

I felt guilty for awhile then I realized I can only do what I can do. I was mixing concrete, laying down carpet, putting up drywall and painting all while educating my kids the best I can. You can do this!! Find your priorities and work from that. You will be amazed on what you (and your kids) can accomplish!

 

Wow - you are amazing! I will remember your post on days when I think I have it bad, LOL.

[Another Lynn]

Thanks all for the encouragement to not neglect school. I think my idea of "simplifying" might not look all that different from my original plans, but it's the way I think about it that might change. For example... if I think in terms of loop scheduling.... maybe I need a high priority loop: household chores, Bible time, Read alouds (includes history and literature), math and also phonics for my younger 2, and a 2nd tier priority loop: LA, piano and chess practice, and a 3rd tier loop: science, latin, logic, and the extras (poetry, music, art). I think I just need to be able to focus on smaller chunks at a time to keep from being overwhelmed.

 

I also think that once our activites resume their normal school year times and everyone starts school around here we will settle in to a routine and it will go more smoothly. We had no problem getting school done back in the spring when dh left.... but, mentally, it seems harder to start back up again and normally we have by now.

[asta]

I was just talking to a neighbor about this the other day. She has never HSd and is facing having to send her always PSd kid to a bad middle school for less than a semester and then move across the world.

 

I thought for a second and then said "you know what? Frankly, I'd buy a box from Calvert and be done with it."

 

I never thought I'd hear those words escape my lips. But ya know? Why not? It's all there, in that one box. No one will question it. No kid will die from it. There is nothing so terrible that it can't be remediated later.

 

No fuss. No planning. Done.

 

 

asta

[charmama4]

Wow - you are amazing! I will remember your post on days when I think I have it bad, LOL.

 

aw shucks, thanks:blush:. I look back on the whole ordeal and think, "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, but I do know I can do it!" I would often play the song "I am woman" in my head to keep me going. Corny I know.:tongue_smilie: My dh is smart enough NOT to bring it up :lol:. He feels real bad about it but, I love him enough to do it again if need be.

 

I'm glad you have a support network for you and the kids. Keep them close and all will fall into place.

[charmama4]

Thanks all for the encouragement to not neglect school. I think my idea of "simplifying" might not look all that different from my original plans, but it's the way I think about it that might change. For example... if I think in terms of loop scheduling.... maybe I need a high priority loop: household chores, Bible time, Read alouds (includes history and literature), math and also phonics for my younger 2, and a 2nd tier priority loop: LA, piano and chess practice, and a 3rd tier loop: science, latin, logic, and the extras (poetry, music, art). I think I just need to be able to focus on smaller chunks at a time to keep from being overwhelmed.

 

I also think that once our activites resume their normal school year times and everyone starts school around here we will settle in to a routine and it will go more smoothly. We had no problem getting school done back in the spring when dh left.... but, mentally, it seems harder to start back up again and normally we have by now.

 

It sounds like you have the plan. Have you written them down or printed them out? I find when I have done that I feel more motivated to "get 'er done!" I also find that when PS resumes, it easier to get my kids in motion.

 

I also wanted to say thank you for your dh's honorable service and your loving sacrifice. :grouphug:

[deeinfl]

The first year we moved to FL, I didn't keep up with my 7th grader's work. She ended up doing nothing but reading books all the while I thought she was in her room completing her curriculum. At the end of the year when I asked her for her work, she had completed nothing, not even her math program. She did have a list of over 100 books she had read from the library, that was her curriculum. The following year I didn't worry about making anything up, I handed her her 8th grade curriculum and she completed it with no problem. Her lack of work in the 7th grade did not really make a huge difference.

 

This taught me that in the midst of any crisis, reading and math will be the only things done. I did end up having a marriage crisis a few years later, and those were the things that got consistently done. The kids were not harmed by not doing the other things at all. And most of all, in a crisis, get short courses that can be done independently of the parent. I've become a whiz at searching out short, concise courses.

 

HTH somebody,

 

Dee :)

[Alison in KY]

(shhh) I use things like ACE Paces and time4learning.com when I need to do school but school is overwhelming for me, or I need a mental break. I know, I know, people bash Paces, but they aren't that bad, and they are a lot better than not doing anything at all. I've been using them for the past few months for science and a bit of social studies. I'm also using some T4L, it's helping my youngest get some extra work on phonics, and I'm using the LA's portion on my bigger kiddo's also. Just maybe 15 to 30 minutes a day and they think it's fun...so it is pain free.

 

Alison

[mom31257]

I didn't have to simply a whole school year, but I did have to last Spring. My mother lost the sight in her eyes and had to have eye surgery. She was already caring for her ill mother. They live 2.5 hours away, so I needed to be available to help.

 

I focused on math, language arts, and reading. The kids did some science and history from that point on, but it wasn't nearly as much as before. Ds was already using CLE for LA and math. It worked well because I could do the first part of the lessons with him, and he could do the review part independently. Dd did CLE's 7th grade reading last year. I think it is very good. It taught literary analysis, Greek and Latin roots, great comprehension, and good morals. I highly recommend CLE's Sunrise editions.

 

If I had to simplify a whole year, here's what I would do:

Bible-read passages together, discuss, pray

CLE: LA, Math, Reading

History: Kingfisher/Usborne for a spine, add some independent historical fiction (basically what I did some of last year)

Science: pick a topic, such as life or earth science, then use library books, try to do an experiment or two a month, try to find a few science related field trips