Chloe Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I've been trying to figure out a way to give my 4th and 5th grader a mid-morning break, but it doesn't seem to work if we still want to be finished with everything by 2PM. Of course, we don't get started until 9:30AM because we start our day out with a 20-30 minute walk around our neighborhood. I suppose we could get started at 9AM and take our walk mid-morning as our break, but I'm not sure taking a walk is what they want to do for a break. They love climbing the trees in our backyard. I'd love to hear what others do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I don't officially give him a scheduled break. I have found that it is hard to pull him back into the "get to work" mindset when I have done that. He would be so jazzed and hype coming back that he wouldn't be able to settle down. Now I do give five minute (or so) breaks here and there as I try to do schoolwork with DS5. DS5 is not on a schedule and only comes to do schoolwork when he feels ready, so when he finally says he is, then I have to jump on it. That is when DS10 might get a break, or go do some reading. We usually start around 9-930 and try to be done by lunch 12:30ish, although that isn't always happening with this 5th grade load. K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyNellen Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 We begin our school day at 7:30AM and work until 9AM. We then walk or ride around the neighborhood for 1/2 hour followed by 1/2 hour snack/read aloud time. School is resumed at 10:30 and we go until we break at 12:30 for lunch. Then the older 2 (5th and 6th grades) spend 2 more hours in the afternoon and we are done by 3:30. It does make our day longer, but it makes for happier people. It has become more important to me that they get exercise during the day, as it can be so easy to be couch potatoes! As soon as our school day is done they spend another hour outside playing however they wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaKim Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 We get up at 7, have breakfast and some of our "together" work, then walk the dogs at about 9 or 9:30. When we get back, at about 10, we all get a drink and a snack and listen to whatever audio book we are doing at the time. Then get back to work until lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela&4boys Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 With four boys I consider it vital to give them breaks. However, I've found that they don't have to be long. Often times 5-10 minutes is enough. They might swing, climb the tree, or work on a Lego or other project. The 8yo has more breaks than the 11yo, but he really needs it as he is just more active. On average, I'd say that the 8yo takes 3-4 short breaks and the 11yo 1-2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Nope. Of course, ds9's the kid who in Kindergarten question the need for breaks because "if we don't take them we'll get done quicker". We work from 9-12, lunch from 12-12:30, and then quiet time/independent work from 12:30-1:30. My 3rd grader and 1st grader don't really get breaks either. The first grader does somewhat, but they are directed breaks (ie, "go play with ds2 until I call you back in"). I've found that if I let them go do something of their choosing it takes a bit to get their focus back. They don't complain, they like knowing that at 1:30 they'll be done and free to do what they like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBP Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 We start at 8:15, work until around 10 a.m., and then the kids take a 10-15 minute break. They usually have a snack or something to drink and go outside if it's nice out. Then we work until noon, take an hour for lunch, and work again from 1 until around 3 p.m., give or take a few minutes. SBP :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Not really, no. He might run and get a handful of crackers or something, but not a real "break". Like you, we could start our day earlier, but ds seems to prefer some free time in the morning, and then *finishing*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmamainva Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Mine wants to finish! I may give him an unexpected break, often if I'm working with another child and he happens to be at a stopping point...or if he's been working diligently, and I want to reward him for that, I may say take 15-20 minutes and get a snack or drink, etc. But we're usually finshed by lunchtime (which is around 1 o'clock) and he'd rather finish for the day than take breaks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Lea Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 My ds has dyslexia and ADD. Breaks are ESSENTIAL to his learning. Here's his schedule: 8:00-9:30 school work 9:30-10:00 break 10:00-11:30 school work 11:30-12:00 lunch 12:00-12:30 or 1:00 school work (the time depends on what we are doing that day) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 My 6th grader has/needs a break between every subject. Food and the trampoline usually. Trumpet practice can be used as a break, but violin doesn't count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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