Parrothead Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I'm trying to set up a schedule for the school year starting fall of this year. But there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day/week to get the hours I think we will need. So realistically, how much time each week do you allot for each of the following? And does your student end up doing homework after school hours? Biology Algebra 1 Geometry Foreign language Great books study Writing if rhetoric/logic is included Writing by itself Rhetoric/logic by itself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 In 9th and 10th grade, I require 5.5-6 hours of academic school work each day. That averages to one hour daily for each of the five core subjects (math, science, English, foreign language, history) - plenty for a solid high school credit! - plus extra time for electives. In practice, my kids are allowed to choose when, and how long they want to work on each subject. It is often more effective to spend larger chunks of time on one subject than making sure everything gets done daily. It averages out, and I remind them of neglected subjects. We do not have the concept of "homework" after school hours - after six hours of concentrated time on task they are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candid Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Biology Algebra 1 Geometry Foreign language Great books study Writing if rhetoric/logic is included Writing by itself Rhetoric/logic by itself In looking at your list of subjects, I'm puzzled as to why you are doing two maths in one year? To catch up? Same general question about logic which I would have covered prior to ninth grade. If the math is to catch up, then it will only be for one year? If so, you may wish to consider not doing something like Foreign Language that first year. You could still get 3 years of foreign language in later. Or you could not play catch up in math and do one math a year. For writing, logic, rhetoric, the first year if you need to save time and want to do logic, then incorporate writing into your other subjects and study Rhetoric and writing the following year. And then there's the great book study. I've got bad news I think you need to study history separate or in addition to your great books study. You can't really study Ancient history, for instance, by only studying ancient writers, you need some modern texts. Modern historians are going to give your student a much more complete view of history than only contemporary texts of the time will do. On the other hand a good great books study is going to get you lit, philosophy, and possibly theology credits (most folks don't study enough theology to really do that, but a true great books study would). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 In looking at your list of subjects, I'm puzzled as to why you are doing two maths in one year? To catch up? Same general question about logic which I would have covered prior to ninth grade. If the math is to catch up, then it will only be for one year? If so, you may wish to consider not doing something like Foreign Language that first year. You could still get 3 years of foreign language in later. Or you could not play catch up in math and do one math a year. For writing, logic, rhetoric, the first year if you need to save time and want to do logic, then incorporate writing into your other subjects and study Rhetoric and writing the following year. And then there's the great book study. I've got bad news I think you need to study history separate or in addition to your great books study. You can't really study Ancient history, for instance, by only studying ancient writers, you need some modern texts. Modern historians are going to give your student a much more complete view of history than only contemporary texts of the time will do. On the other hand a good great books study is going to get you lit, philosophy, and possibly theology credits (most folks don't study enough theology to really do that, but a true great books study would). It is a thing. The math. The story is complicated and floating around the board in several different places since I became slightly panicked and needed lots of handholding. Suffice it to say that dd is doing both simultaneously in an oddly slow two year kind of thing. When it is over she will have credit for 8th grade algebra 1 and 9th grade geometry. I have SWBs ancient history book. And a few others she recommends in TWTM. Cool. I didn't think about the theology credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I assume your Great Books is both your Literature and History? My aside comment: And, esp. because this is a student who is transitioning into high school, I think it is really important to include an elective or course that is of interest to the student -- expecting a young teen to jump up into rigorous coursework all across the board in subjects that may not all be of interest to the student is asking a LOT -- JMO! So, including a "lite" elective of something of interest to the student, or would allow the student to explore interests is very advisable. However, with the list of courses you outlined, you would have to be willing to be flexible and shift something to 10th grade in order to allow your student an elective. Just a thought! re: how to allot time Especially for being new to high school (9th grade) and with all tough "thinking" classes, I don't recommend more than 5.5 to 6 hours. I would assume that time would be pretty solid working, so I wouldn't do homework unless it was review for a test, or a bit of reading for the Literature or History (Great Books). When you are doing a Great Books study for Literature (and History, I assume??) and making your own list, it is *extremely* easy to go overboard, and spend enough time that you really should allot more credit. Remember, NO one is going to learn and know all -- and you certainly can't squeeze it all into 4 years of high school! So, to keep things in bounds, I suggest timing yourselves, and if you consistently go over about 1 hour a day 5x/week, then you either need to: - cut back what is expected for the course - cut down the time and spread the work out over more than one year -- and count for more credit Based on the coursework you list above, I'd suggest something along these lines, with 45 min daily if you're doing the subject 5x/week, and 60 min daily if you're doing the subject 4x/week. 45-60 min. = Math (Alg/Geom) 45-60 min.= Biology 45-60 min.= Foreign Language 45-60 min.= English (reading/discussing Literature/Great Books 30 min. = English (writing instruction/assign. -- alternate between writing program (if any) and assignments that are Great Books based) 45-60 min. = History (read/discuss/write about History via Great Books, other resources, projects, etc.) 30 min. = Logic Other ideas that may help: - Double Dip Count writing for both English (Writing/Composition) AND the subject area the writing covers (i.e., History, Science, etc.). - Concentrated blocks of time Some students accomplish more in a block schedule. For example, do 2 subjects on alternate days for 2 to 2.5 hour chunks of time, and then use the 5th day of the week to finish up any work still needed to be finished. One idea: Science for 2 to 2.5 hours on Mon/Wed, and History for 2 to 2.5 hours on Tues/Thurs. Then on Friday, use the block of time to catch up what still needs to be completed -- science lab; history paper; tests; readings; project; whatever... - Drop one course per day Allows you to work longer at the other subjects, and only drops out the same subject once a week or so -- a lot of high schools do this. Example, from your course list: day 1 = drop Logic and Writing / do = Math, Biology, Foreign Language, Great Books day 2 = drop Math / do Biology, Foreign Language, Great Books, Logic, Writing day 3 = drop Biology / do Foreign Language, Great Books, Logic, Writing, Math day 4 = drop Foreign Language / do Great Books, Logic, Writing, Math, Biology day 5 = drop Great Books / do Logic, Writing, Math, Biology, Foreign Language Be sure to leave some flexible time for extracurriculars, for teen emotional melt-downs, and just time to have down time, to daydream, do a hobby, pursue a personal project, to nap, to figure out who the student is becoming! It's critical with a rigorous course of study to make sure you include BALANCE, and help your student learn how to live a balanced life. BEST of luck as you embark on your homeschool high school adventures! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Thank you. That is what I'm looking for, but couldn't figure out on my own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Biology Algebra 1 Geometry Foreign language Great books study Writing if rhetoric/logic is included OR Writing by itself Rhetoric/logic by itself ************************ So this looks like 6 or 7 full credits? I think it can be done if your student is willing AND has few to no outside activities, such as sports or music study. I agree with adding a fun elective if possible. I agree with the great post above about scheduling. Bigger blocks of time over fewer days seem to accomplish so much more here, too. My one piece of advice would be to combine writing assignments when possible. For example, a research paper on a history or scince subject. Grade it for english, and give it a separate grade for content for science/history. Meaning: if he gets all of his facts straight he gets an "A" in Science, even if his grammar is atrocious. But then he;d get a lower grade in english for grammar/spelling.etc. KWIM? I'm a big fan of writing one paper for two classes and giving credit for each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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