Independent learning space/scheduling

[SunshineMom]

At what age do you begin to help your student plan for study time, project research/work, and hand them a planner? I am referring to outside my homeschool activities (online class, science team, personal research projects). I am also rethinking the layout of desk space which could be used for independent learning projects, maybe get stacking subject files (for work in progress items). I need a more organized work station/system for my dd9. What have you done? ideas?

BTW-desk is in a family area (den).

[2smartones]

4th grade level (regardless of age) - I do independent work right from the start, but handing a child a planner and telling them to figure out their own assignment is more like 4th than 1st.

[AK_Mom4]

dd11 started with a planner in 2nd grade. I was homeschooling her brother who took most of my time and didn't want to forget anything.

 

Our current set up for workspace is great. I work from home on my computer. DD11's desk is right next to mine, close enough for questions, but far enough apart that we both have work space. We keep her books and binders in a set of standing shelves at the end of my desk. Having her own desk to keep her materials together really helps.

[Woodland Mist Academy]

My 6th grade dd has her own desk, computer, and bookshelves. She is responsible for keeping her books and supplies in reasonable order. When we first set up everything a few years ago, I organized it. Recently she reorganized everything so that it works better for her.

 

She is responsible for being prepared for extracurriculars--clothes washed for sports, books read for lit club, speeches and projects for 4-h, etc.

 

I will occasionally ask how things are coming along, but I try to limit my involvement unless she asks for it--such as listening to speeches.

 

(This is for activities outside of our studies.)

[Embassy]

My kids are different so the ages where they will be able to do that will be quite different. My oldest is only in 5th. Right now he has his own desk in his room which is quite far from the school area. He is responsible to come to his one-on-one times on time and complete his independent work within the time frame given. As far as study time, planners, or independent projects that doesn't fit with how we are currently set-up. We use a block schedule and projects take up time until they are done. I don't have set deadlines and we don't have tests that require study yet. I expect we will transition to that more in 6th or 7th grade. Even the online class we do is not at a set time - it is always there to fit in when we have time.

 

My son has a desk with a drawer and stacking files that hold his books. My 3rd grader needs an empty desk with no distractions and I expect it will take him longer to become organized and mostly independent with his work.

[Woodland Mist Academy]

I am referring to outside my homeschool activities (online class, science team, personal research projects).

 

I think she means activities not directly related to homeschooling.

I would have answered differently otherwise.

 

ETA: Now I'm second guessing myself. Maybe I misunderstood.

Edited September 19, 2012 by Hilltop Academy

[SunshineMom]

Yes, I am referring to independent work outside what I assign in our homeschool (besides the little homework I assign), more specifically, her own research/projects, science team assignments/research, online class notes/articles, etc. I am just wanting to "up" the responsibility level of such self-assigned projects and add in some structure, in time management and desk organization. She is juggling a lot of interests and I am the one who is carrying the ball of keeping it all together (papers, due dates, finding misplaced articles) and I would like to hand some of it off to her. Ideas? What worked or didn't work for your child(ren) and why? BTW-This is for my 4th grader.

[Joshin]

With DS12, he has a calendar hanging near his desk. When he comes home from a meeting or what-have-you it's his responsibility to write upcoming due dates/events on his calendar and on the family calendar. When he was younger, I reminded him after each meeting. Now he does it automatically. He knows if he doesn't write it down, he doesn't get a free mommy reminder or a guaranteed ride when he needs it. He tried a planner, but he preferred the wall calendar.

 

He also has a small two drawer file cabinet. One drawer is dedicated to extracurriculars the other to school work. We helped him in the initial setup a few years back, but now it's his responsibility to keep it neat and organized. After the first few times of losing things and not getting bailed out by DH or I he's become adept at it.

 

We began handing over the responsibility when he was about 9, but he wasn't able to manage it all on his own until about 10. That was fine with me, because it does take time to learn these skills. He also manages his own schoolwork in this manner. He makes up weekly lesson plans for himself (started this year, at his request), then I go over them and add in anything I would like him to focus on that week, or advise him on scaling back a few things if he gets over exuberant. He was not naturally organized when we started this, but now he's pretty Type-A about it and keeps up fairly well.

[SunshineMom]

Thank you Joshin for all your examples. Wall chart vs planner, I will try these out and see what works best. Thanks!

[Beth in SW WA]

Both dds refer to a spreadsheet on our bulletin board in the hallway. (I create the spreadsheet on Sundays for the following week). They cross off work as they go. Dd9 needs to keep track of her assignments for online classes. Dd8 is obsessed with managing her own work for her classes at the ALE. It's a side of her I haven't seen before. I like it. Less work for me. :)