JessieC Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Hi afterschoolers, I'm wondering if I could get some insight on a chance I have to send my rising second grader to a half day of school. The principal of our local elementary approved my request for her to go from 8:30-12pm. She would have reading, math, lunch, recess, and writing there, and I would then pick her up. Unfortunately, extras like PE, art, and music would be later in the afternoon. So my question is, would this be the best or worst of both worlds? I think the advantages are that she would get some benefits of public school, including a teacher other than me and friends to see every day and I would have some time for younger children in the morning. In the afternoons we would see other homeschoolers or do science/social studies (of which there is almost none at the public school). The disadvantages, as I see them, are having to get up early, pack lunch/snack, etc., then pick her up after only a few hours, and she may balk at coming home to do more work with me. We would miss out on homeschooling activities that took place early in the day. Maybe we would feel like we had one foot in each world, but belonging to neither? Or be all the stress of public school without the convenience? Anyone btdt or have any insight for me? I would like to make this decision soon to prepare my daughter. She doesn't particularly want to go to school, but isn't completely against it either. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I'm constantly amazed on these boards how many choices some people have over there. I work in the mornings and sometimes wish I could do something similar. The problem I see is that the art projects etc in the afternoon seem to be part of their writing etc in the morning. That may be less of a problem as they get older though. Would you be expected to keep up with what they do in the afternoon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwikate Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Something to consider for me would be how much she would miss the art, PE and other extra curricula things that happen in the afternoons? I know that a LOT of the time they are the things that keep my girls engaged at school and are often also the most sociable times. They would happily miss the basics and do those at home, but go to school for the other stuff :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grover Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I would love to arrange something similar, but in reverse - I'll do the maths, reading, writing, etc at home, and DS attends for art, PE, music, etc. Alas it is not possible here. Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I did this with my daughter. I actually was able to send her for whatever part I wanted to... so when it was the history part I liked... I sent her for that. And I liked some other parts at other times, so I could send her for those. She was also able to attend all the field trips. For us... then... it was a good compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 I'm constantly amazed on these boards how many choices some people have over there. I work in the mornings and sometimes wish I could do something similar. The problem I see is that the art projects etc in the afternoon seem to be part of their writing etc in the morning. That may be less of a problem as they get older though. Would you be expected to keep up with what they do in the afternoon? I don't think there is a connection between art/music, etc. and the rest of the curriculum. They just have "extra" reading and math after the one specials class, and the school wouldn't expect me to do what they are doing. The schedule is really for struggling students (it's a very disadvantaged school), and dd does not need this extra time in reading and math. It is too bad that she wouldn't get to do the specials in the afternoon, though that is only 35 minutes of the whole afternoon. I definitely feel lucky to have this option. Not all states/districts allow this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Something to consider for me would be how much she would miss the art, PE and other extra curricula things that happen in the afternoons? I know that a LOT of the time they are the things that keep my girls engaged at school and are often also the most sociable times. They would happily miss the basics and do those at home, but go to school for the other stuff :001_smile: I agree. If she really liked school, I could let her stay for that one block of art/PE (the special class switches every day, I think), and pick her up after that, but it is only 35 minutes. The school is definitely not rich in the arts or extras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 I would love to arrange something similar, but in reverse - I'll do the maths, reading, writing, etc at home, and DS attends for art, PE, music, etc. Alas it is not possible here. Good luck with it. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 I did this with my daughter. I actually was able to send her for whatever part I wanted to... so when it was the history part I liked... I sent her for that. And I liked some other parts at other times, so I could send her for those. She was also able to attend all the field trips. For us... then... it was a good compromise. It's great to hear that this once worked for you. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApronMama Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 You are so fortunate. I wish we had that option. You can always try it for a year and see how it goes. Add some art into your plans for that time, other interesting projects she won't get at school so she doesn't feel like she is missing out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I think it is great that you have the option and I can understand why you are strongly considering it. I however would keep her at school all day. The social learning that will happen at lunch, art, PE and music (especially for girls) is something that would be extremely difficult to recreate at home. Plus, your daughter might come to view it as you making her miss "the fun stuff" to do extra work. That's exactly what happened in Amy Chua's Tiger Mom book. It caused a lot of harm to the mother/daughter relationship. But you of course know your own situation best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 I think it is great that you have the option and I can understand why you are strongly considering it. I however would keep her at school all day. The social learning that will happen at lunch, art, PE and music (especially for girls) is something that would be extremely difficult to recreate at home. Plus, your daughter might come to view it as you making her miss "the fun stuff" to do extra work. That's exactly what happened in Amy Chua's Tiger Mom book. It caused a lot of harm to the mother/daughter relationship. But you of course know your own situation best. I get what you are saying, but I don't think this will be the case in my situation. She will be there for lunch and recess. The subjects she would be missing are reading and math intervention (apparently everyone in the school does intervention in the afternoon) and just 35 minutes of the special (music, art, or whatever it is that day). If she really missed not going to art or music, I could lengthen the day. I really don't like the thought of her being in math and reading intervention in the afternoon after an hour block of math and reading in the morning. Seems crazy. Also she really doesn't want to go to school, so I doubt a shorter day would upset her. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I get what you are saying, but I don't think this will be the case in my situation. She will be there for lunch and recess. The subjects she would be missing are reading and math intervention (apparently everyone in the school does intervention in the afternoon) and just 35 minutes of the special (music, art, or whatever it is that day). If she really missed not going to art or music, I could lengthen the day. I really don't like the thought of her being in math and reading intervention in the afternoon after an hour block of math and reading in the morning. Seems crazy. Also she really doesn't want to go to school, so I doubt a shorter day would upset her. Thanks! Makes sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 If you both like the idea go ahead and try it. You can always go back next year but this opportunity may not come again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caedmyn Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 My DD's school is just a half day school for all grades. It's a private school though, not a public one. For me personally, the disadvantages of having to rush around to get her ready early in the morning and then pick her up in the afternoon right at lunchtime and naptime for my youngers (almost an hour roundtrip) are huge. She's in school for a few reasons, but it would be much easier to homeschool her at this stage. Not quite the same situation, but that's my two cents FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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