Loop schedule issues...need suggestions

[Katiebug_1976]

We started school last week and are using a loop schedule instead of planning everything out. So I have a set amount of time in the morning, then another set amount of time in the afternoon for school. The idea is to work hard during the set time, then when time is up, we stop where we are. Then during the next session we just pick up where we left off. Now I know that it will probably take several weeks or more to get everyone used to this, and am prepared to deal with some "bumps." However, I have a "bump" that I'm not quite sure how to handle so I need some advice. Ds does not like to write! Well, handwriting was the last subject on his list before beginning a now cycle and it was not pretty. Instead of doing his lesson, he resorted to tears and "I cant do this," "I hate school," etc. Now I am a little bit flexible with being able to shuffle things a bit (if you don't want to do spelling, then do math first then come back to spelling etc), but you have to finish one complete cycle before beginning a new one. So, he ended up wasting about 30 minutes before apologizing for his behavior and doing his handwriting. He really is a hard worker and very self motivated for the most part, but also very emotional and stubborn at times. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to handle a situation like this if/when it arises again? I'm trying to teach my children to streamline their work. If we can stop getting distracted and work from one subject to another then there will be more free time in the afternoons to explore what they want. Any suggenstions would be greatly appreciated.:confused:

[dm379]

I'm trying this out too and my ds is doing the same thing. So far I'm taking away his weekend. Not sure if it's going to work yet or not. He's going to be doing school every single day during the predesignated hours until it's completed. Last week just the thought of his sister going to the water park without him was enough to motivate him.

[rafiki]

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[Joyofsixreboot]

We loop. It does take some time to find your groove. For my ds who is a bit emotional and self defeating I've found two things to be helpful.

1. I schedule his least favorite things first

2. Whining stops the clock-I have 3 hours of school scheduled but if you're whining you're not doing school so if you waste 15 minutes it gets tacked on the end of the day.

Hang in there, you'll work out the kinks.

[In2why]

This is the exact reason that I decided not to use a loop schedule. I know my son would do his best to just burn up the clock with some subjects. We take lots of breaks but once we begin a subject we have to finish it. I can tell by his response and whether he 'gets' it whether we can speed up or save something for tomorrow and he doesn't feel like he failed at something if I stretch something out for more review.

 

I wish I had a child that never tested the limits, and cheerfully enjoyed all of his subjects, but that is not my experience.

[Katiebug_1976]

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought about tacking on "wasted time" to the end of the day. That sounds like it would probably be the best thing to try right now. I struggle trying to find a way for one dc to "suffer the consequences" of bad behavior w/o making everyone suffer along too. This might work, though. If everyone else gets to stop, but he has to keep working until he's spent his time, he might just figure it out and behave.

[rafiki]

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