Nakia Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 We are starting a brand new curriculum for history (SL) and science this year. We are also adding quite a bit for both of the older girls in terms of the 3Rs. So I was thinking about just starting a few subjects next week and then adding in the rest the next week or two weeks later. Does anyone do this? I assumed I would go ahead and start with the basics the first week like math, grammar, spelling, etc and then add in the history and science later. But then I started thinking it might be nice to just start with history and science (kinda the fun stuff) the first week. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Mom Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 We tried this for the first time last year and we had such a great start. We started with history, Bible and science. The second week added grammar and literature and the third week math and the rest. I found two benefits - first everyone was happy because we were doing some of their favorite subjects and secondly we finished early so it made the getting back to getting up early and getting into school routine a little easier. The kids thought it was so amazing to have 2 weeks of school with no math!:001_smile: Since I planned it this way there we still got everything done in plenty of time for beach season. It worked so well we will do it again when we start in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I like the idea of starting with History and Science. Hmmm - maybe I'll try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallorie Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Thanks for this. I am a new hs'er, and had thought to start with one or two subjects, but was going to start with the math and grammar and then add some. Really great idea to start with the fun stuff, and totally makes sense. huh. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I've done that before - started with history and science - mainly when my kids were younger. It really does work great! Another idea - we have started having "Orientation Day" the day before we actually "Start" school. Here's what we do: Aside from the usual "First Day of School" traditions (filling out a 'questionnaire', taking pictures, etc), we do a walk through. These are your books, here's where your papers will go, this is when we'll do these subjects, here's where you'll find the TOG books for the week we're on, this is what you do with your rough draft work, etc etc et. Then we go out for ice cream :D Definitely takes the stress off of starting school, figuring things out, AND trying to accomplish lessons all in the same day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Nakia, I think you are on to something.:D I've done it the first way you mentioned, starting with the basics. However, I have never reversed the process. Hmmm. Usually, it's history and science and sometimes writing that take me a while to get the flow going. This definitely has possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinsfamily Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I've started this way the last two years with success. I start my SL core first (since it's the most fun), then math, LA, and science one at a time over the next few weeks. We add other extras (art, geography, etc.) as I feel like it once we get into the groove. It keeps me from getting overwhelmed and gently eases my ds back into the school mindset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I start 2 subjects the first week of August, then 1 every week after until we start our full schedule August 30. That gives the kids time to get used to school work again. The first 2 weeks I let them do the work in the after noon, week 3 they get up by their alarm clock and get back into that part of the schedule as well. By time school starts its a very easy adjustment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted August 4, 2010 Author Share Posted August 4, 2010 Well, I talked to the hubby and the kids, and it's official! We are starting next week with our SL core and science. Then we'll see how things are going and go from there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 we phase in every year. Honestly, we start with the basics and add in the fun later.....otherwise I think I would have grumbling about the stuff that isn't fun, lol. We get LA and Latin rolling and then add in history and science a week or two later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 In two weeks, we will start with history and math. We'll do that for a week and then add in some language arts. I'll add in even more once we hit September and all the school kids are back in school (ie. no friends to play with during the day - no pool to go to, ect). Science is going to take us 28 weeks, so I'm starting that even later since I have a kiddo still recovering from a major surgery. Then, when May hits, we reverse things- finish off the history and math first and then the rest of the subjects. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firestar Academy Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Well, we are doing apologia swimming creatures this year, so we opted for an aquarium membership. We decided the first day the school bus goes by our house, we will take a trip to the aquarium and hope to have the place to ourselves.... We are counting that as a science field trip??? Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 Well, we are doing apologia swimming creatures this year, so we opted for an aquarium membership. We decided the first day the school bus goes by our house, we will take a trip to the aquarium and hope to have the place to ourselves.... We are counting that as a science field trip??? Robin Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 We start with the easy stuff to teach and check off first...math and LA. Plus they're our 1st subjects of the day. Then we will add in the other stuff. It helps me get acclimated to what I've missed and what I need to have organized. Science may be fun but it's a lot harder to plan and with a 5 year old doing kindy, actually more complicated this year. Doing short days gets them in the swing of things without the whining. brownie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisperry Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Totally diggin the "orientation day" idea that was posted. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Yup, we phase in. Also, like HeatherH we start the first day with just a run through of new materials. I have the kids make room for everything on their shelves. This year the kids are going to start using planners, so the first day will have a short lesson on how to use them. Afterwards I think we'll go swimming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandtinagilbert Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 This year was the first time ever, that we didn't ease in. Everyone, save one child was fine. He's in 8th grade. He told me, "Mom, you've started slowly my entire life. Why do we have to jump in now. I need a week to adjust." Poor kid. He's had a terrible and sleepy week. He actually will have homework this weekend as a result. Bummer for him. Anyways, I popped in to say, I'm all for slow entry! It always worked well for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaBea Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I was planning on having an "orientation day" also. :) After that, I was planning on jumping in with all subjects, but making the lessons lighter/shorter for the first week while we get our "school legs" back. My ds has a difficult time with transitions so this is all contingent on how well he deals with the change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I've done that before - started with history and science - mainly when my kids were younger. It really does work great! Another idea - we have started having "Orientation Day" the day before we actually "Start" school. Here's what we do: Aside from the usual "First Day of School" traditions (filling out a 'questionnaire', taking pictures, etc), we do a walk through. These are your books, here's where your papers will go, this is when we'll do these subjects, here's where you'll find the TOG books for the week we're on, this is what you do with your rough draft work, etc etc et. Then we go out for ice cream :D Definitely takes the stress off of starting school, figuring things out, AND trying to accomplish lessons all in the same day. Excellent idea, HeatherH! I believe I will do this with my kids this year. They will love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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