Scaffolding for Independence

[medawyn]

As I'm thinking about goals for the 2020/2021 school year, it struck me that next year (2021/2022) I'm going to have a K, 1st, and 3rd grade student.  Currently my oldest (going into 2nd) has me sitting beside him 100% of the time.  I don't think this is inappropriate, and I anticipate the same for my upcoming students at the K/1st level.  But looking forward, I realize that in my mental map, 3rd grade is both the stage at which I expect academic work to increase, and I'll obviously be juggling more students than my lone easy kid that I had this year.  With that in mind, I'm struggling to let go in my own head and figure out what's appropriate for a second grader to build independence.  I like sitting next to him for everything, but obviously that's not possible (nor desirable) for ever.

This is my fairly compliant kid, bright, I think, but not gifted.  He's reading fluently well beyond a second grade level, but he has had some fine motor struggles, so until recently has needed me observing every single stroke of penmanship to make sure he's not going wildly off the rails.  My initial goals for this year were to work towards more sustained periods of handwriting, to build stamina in reading challenging-to-him text, and to increase complexity of narration.  Since he's accustomed to having me by his side for everything, what would be some realistic end of year expectations for independence?  What are typical third graders doing independently that we should work toward?

[Little Green Leaves]

My son is just wrapping up 3rd grade now. He can do a lot independently but I am always at least loosely involved, if that makes sense.

So for example, he reads a chapter in a book and then narrates it back to me and we talk about it. Or he works on some math problems but I'm on hand to talk about any questions he has or listen to what he thinks is interesting about it all. Or he practices piano but I'm listening.

I have a first grader too, and she takes a lot more of my focus during her school time. So he does have to wait sometimes. But not too too long :)

I feel like it's always evolving.  He definitely benefits from working independently, but he gets a lot of enrichment from working together too. I still read some of his books out loud, either because I want him to listen to the sound of the language or because I just like reading aloud. And there is also lots of stuff that we all three do together!

 

 

[medawyn]

19 minutes ago, Little Green Leaves said:

My son is just wrapping up 3rd grade now. He can do a lot independently but I am always at least loosely involved, if that makes sense.

So for example, he reads a chapter in a book and then narrates it back to me and we talk about it. Or he works on some math problems but I'm on hand to talk about any questions he has or listen to what he thinks is interesting about it all. Or he practices piano but I'm listening.

I have a first grader too, and she takes a lot more of my focus during her school time. So he does have to wait sometimes. But not too too long 🙂

I feel like it's always evolving.  He definitely benefits from working independently, but he gets a lot of enrichment from working together too. I still read some of his books out loud, either because I want him to listen to the sound of the language or because I just like reading aloud. And there is also lots of stuff that we all three do together!

 

 

I definitely don't envision him working completely independently.  I would miss him 🙂 And while he has matured in the past year, so I anticipate him maturing more in the next, I definitely don't seem him being ready to work on a ton by himself.  This is the kid who comes to ask me where the trash can is.... when it hasn't moved his entire life.

 

[Little Green Leaves]

10 minutes ago, medawyn said:

I definitely don't envision him working completely independently.  I would miss him 🙂 And while he has matured in the past year, so I anticipate him maturing more in the next, I definitely don't seem him being ready to work on a ton by himself.  This is the kid who comes to ask me where the trash can is.... when it hasn't moved his entire life.

 

That trashcan thing made me laugh -- I can relate. And that's about how I feel too! I'd probably miss him if he were TOO independent.

It's been interesting to see how lately, he flourishes when I give him a little more responsibility -- and that, in turn, leads to fun conversations.

[8filltheheart]

I think it is easier to clarify these conversations by using accurate definitions.  There is independent schooling and then there is completing assignments on their own similar to "homework."  They are very different scenarios.  My kids, all the way through high school graduation, rarely do the first and starting in 3rd or 4th do a lot of the 2nd.  They read silently.  They complete math problems after instruction.  They do research, take notes, write papers, etc independently.  But, I am there teaching them, grading, supervising, critiquing, etc.  

[Momto6inIN]

Last year in 2nd grade, I had my DD read to herself and then talk to me about it. I would explain a math concept, then let her do several practice problems on her own. She also practiced math facts online by herself. Just about everything else was done 100% with me. This year she will be doing some handwriting practice and some logic puzzles on her own in addition to the stuff she did last year. We are also starting some simple composition lessons (paragraphs), and I expect to talk her through the process several times and then gradually let her take the lead and do some of the steps on her own.

[Lori D.]

Agreeing with 8FillTheHeart about defining terms, and that in the elementary grades esp., what could be done "solo" is finishing work once you've taught the lesson and ascertained that the child understands the concept and is doing well with it, and is not a highly distractible student. And that usually happens anywhere between 2nd-5th grade age, depending on the student, and the work, and how long/how much work they are able to maintain doing solo -- not for long, and not a lot to start with.

From your signature, this is your 7yo, doing 2nd/3rd grade work?

At that age/grade level, in our homeschool, all of the academics were done with me alongside. What DSs could do "solo":
- a few "fun pages" (mazes, hidden picture puzzles, simple crosswords or word search puzzles, simple critical thinking and logic puzzles, etc.)
- 30-minute turn with an educational computer game as a supplement, while I worked 1-on-1 with the other DS
- watch an educational video or documentary as supplement to our studies
- occasional coloring page to go along with our history studies
- occasional science kit as supplement and fun exploration


PS -- To improve the fine motor skills and handwriting, you might check out doing Callirobics for 5 min/day -- age 4-7 level is the level for prep/beginning printing; the age 7-14 level is a bit more advanced with connected patterns in prep for cursive writing.

DS#2 struggled greatly with handwriting (along with several other mild LD areas), and even though we didn't find Callirobics until high school, just 5 minutes a day really helped to improve his penmanship and fluidity with handwriting. I had all 3 of us do it, and it also improved legibility and neatness of handwriting for DS#1 and myself as well! 😄 

Edited July 9, 2020 by Lori D.

[EKS]

I would start by having him complete short assignments with you across the room.  Note that these may have to be at a lower level than you are used to him working.  Be sure to check in with him every few minutes by asking from across the room "How's it going over there?" with follow up questions like "What page/number are you on now?" 

The sorts of assignments that might be good for this:

• Reading a book he likes
• Spelling workbook exercise
• Handwriting workbook exercise
• Drawing a picture
• Coloring a map
• Writing a sentence or paragraph
• Playing an educational computer game

 

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

Agreeing to be careful on defining terms here.  

My riser 3rd grader can:

- read a chapter of Life of Fred, then answer the questions as I read out loud.  

- Complete her math worksheet from singapore math while I am sitting at the table, but not fully concentrated on her (possibly doing math with little brother, possibly also coaching older siblings in math)

- read a chapter of a book slightly below her current reading level

- listen to an audiobook

 

I am actively involved in her math lesson, all language arts, reading lessons, and content subjects.  

 

[knitgrl]

SWB has a talk about how to teach students to work independently, which I found helpful.

[medawyn]

On 7/7/2020 at 10:21 PM, 8FillTheHeart said:

I think it is easier to clarify these conversations by using accurate definitions.  There is independent schooling and then there is completing assignments on their own similar to "homework."  They are very different scenarios.  My kids, all the way through high school graduation, rarely do the first and starting in 3rd or 4th do a lot of the 2nd.  They read silently.  They complete math problems after instruction.  They do research, take notes, write papers, etc independently.  But, I am there teaching them, grading, supervising, critiquing, etc.  

I'm definitely thinking more along the lines of completing assignments independently.  I enjoy teaching and consider it an essential part of education, all the way through.

19 hours ago, Momto6inIN said:

Last year in 2nd grade, I had my DD read to herself and then talk to me about it. I would explain a math concept, then let her do several practice problems on her own. She also practiced math facts online by herself. Just about everything else was done 100% with me. This year she will be doing some handwriting practice and some logic puzzles on her own in addition to the stuff she did last year. We are also starting some simple composition lessons (paragraphs), and I expect to talk her through the process several times and then gradually let her take the lead and do some of the steps on her own.

This is very helpful.  He's my oldest, so I find it hard to strike a balance.  I know there are times when I expect more of him that perhaps is reasonable, and then there are times I realize I'm still cutting his food into little bites, because I'm doing it for others and haven't gotten out of the habit.

18 hours ago, Lori D. said:

Agreeing with 8FillTheHeart about defining terms, and that in the elementary grades esp., what could be done "solo" is finishing work once you've taught the lesson and ascertained that the child understands the concept and is doing well with it, and is not a highly distractible student. And that usually happens anywhere between 2nd-5th grade age, depending on the student, and the work, and how long/how much work they are able to maintain doing solo -- not for long, and not a lot to start with.

From your signature, this is your 7yo, doing 2nd/3rd grade work?

At that age/grade level, in our homeschool, all of the academics were done with me alongside. What DSs could do "solo":
- a few "fun pages" (mazes, hidden picture puzzles, simple crosswords or word search puzzles, simple critical thinking and logic puzzles, etc.)
- 30-minute turn with an educational computer game as a supplement, while I worked 1-on-1 with the other DS
- watch an educational video or documentary as supplement to our studies
- occasional coloring page to go along with our history studies
- occasional science kit as supplement and fun exploration


PS -- To improve the fine motor skills and handwriting, you might check out doing Callirobics for 5 min/day -- age 4-7 level is the level for prep/beginning printing; the age 7-14 level is a bit more advanced with connected patterns in prep for cursive writing.

DS#2 struggled greatly with handwriting (along with several other mild LD areas), and even though we didn't find Callirobics until high school, just 5 minutes a day really helped to improve his penmanship and fluidity with handwriting. I had all 3 of us do it, and it also improved legibility and neatness of handwriting for DS#1 and myself as well! 😄 

Thank you for the Callirobics suggestion.  I'm looking into it further, because developing fine motor skills is obviously going to be important going forward.  And yes, this is my 7 yo. I really, really don't plan to leave him with a stack of work and say "get it done", but I am looking forward a year or so when I'll have more little students and need him to complete a math sheet semi-independently after I've taught the lesson.  We've both been spoiled by two years of him being the "only" student, so we've been able to work with me at his side 100% when younger siblings are otherwise occupied.  I figure it's better to help him work towards 10-15 minutes of solo work this year rather than having us both be caught by surprise next year.

17 hours ago, EKS said:

I would start by having him complete short assignments with you across the room.  Note that these may have to be at a lower level than you are used to him working.  Be sure to check in with him every few minutes by asking from across the room "How's it going over there?" with follow up questions like "What page/number are you on now?" 

The sorts of assignments that might be good for this:

• Reading a book he likes
• Spelling workbook exercise
• Handwriting workbook exercise
• Drawing a picture
• Coloring a map
• Writing a sentence or paragraph
• Playing an educational computer game

 

Concrete examples are exactly what I need.  As I mentioned above, he's my oldest, so I have a hard time finding a balance between "do it yourself because other kids can't" and "I'm doing it for everyone else, so I just do it for you because it's easier".

5 hours ago, Monica_in_Switzerland said:

Agreeing to be careful on defining terms here.  

My riser 3rd grader can:

- read a chapter of Life of Fred, then answer the questions as I read out loud.  

- Complete her math worksheet from singapore math while I am sitting at the table, but not fully concentrated on her (possibly doing math with little brother, possibly also coaching older siblings in math)

- read a chapter of a book slightly below her current reading level

- listen to an audiobook

 

I am actively involved in her math lesson, all language arts, reading lessons, and content subjects.  

 

Thank you, this is helpful.  And yes, I just need him to work ahead for 5-15 minutes after instruction instead of me sitting next to him coaching him towards the next problem/word/etc.  The bulk of his schoolwork will definitely be done with me.

3 hours ago, knitgrl said:

SWB has a talk about how to teach students to work independently, which I found helpful.

Awesome.  Thank you.

 

Thank you everyone.  I promise I'm not going to stick him with a stack of books or in front of a computer screen to "get school done". I love the teaching part of homeschooling.  But I'm realizing that I need to scaffold him toward some independent work, just like I've scaffold him to do his morning routine without me standing there for every.single.step.  I have 12 whole months to work toward this, but I can see that next year with a kindy and 1st grader taking my attention, it will be more productive for all of us if he can, say, copy his history narration into his book and draw me a picture while I sit with his brother and sound out "c-a-t" seventeen times.  It's really hard for me to let go of being there for every single second, so it's very helpful to have some concrete expectations I can work toward.

[wendyroo]

One independence skill I work on with my young elementary students is working from a check list.  My rising second grader has a list of ~6-7 tasks each day.  One is always to do a chore (he can pick which one from his weekly chore chart).  Two others are always math and literature/writing.  Then he has a couple others such as piano, Spanish, typing, cursive, spelling, etc.  The real skills I am working on with him are using his time wisely and planning his tasks around constraints (when I am available to help, when the piano is free, what subject he can fit in if he only has a couple minutes before snack time, etc.)

For math, I work with him for a few minutes and then he completes the lesson on his own.  Inevitably he tells me he needs help several times while he is working, but I remind him that he is old enough now to try again once on his own, which includes rereading the problem out loud, drawing a picture if appropriate, and redoing the arithmetic, before I help.  The majority of the time he can sort out the issue on his own, and I think I would be robbing him of valuable struggle if I stepped in too soon.

For literature he reads a chapter or two of an assigned novel and draws a picture of something he read in his literature notebook.  He is working on writing paragraphs, so he come to me and tells me a topic sentence about his reading/drawing.  If necessary I talk him through improving the topic sentence, and then he goes off and writes it in his notebook.  He comes back to me and narrates his detail sentences and conclusion which I help him reword if necessary and then scribe for him.

Some of his other subjects are online and he does those entirely independently (with me supervising, but not actually involved).  Others, like cursive, I just get him started and then review his work afterwords.  And others, like spelling, are teacher intensive and involve me throughout.

Like previous posters have mentioned, often I am working at the table with my rising K'er while my rising 2nd grader is working "independently" at the same table.  I am there to supervise and keep him on task, but I purposely give him little of my attention if he is being unfocused or unnecessarily needy when he should be working independently.  

[Lori D.]

51 minutes ago, medawyn said:

... I can see that next year with a kindy and 1st grader taking my attention, it will be more productive for all of us if he can, say, copy his history narration into his book and draw me a picture while I sit with his brother and sound out "c-a-t" seventeen times.  It's really hard for me to let go of being there for every single second...

That's where I found the educational supplements to be invaluable -- one DS could be taking a turn for 30 minutes doing an educational computer game, while I worked 1-on-1 with the other DS. Since they each only got an hour on Fri-Sat-Sun to play computer games, that made the educational computer activities a high value draw. Also the "fun pages" which could be done totally solo and worked with strengthening pencil grip (mazes) and critical thinking and logic skills.

51 minutes ago, medawyn said:

... I just need him to work ahead for 5-15 minutes after instruction instead of me sitting next to him coaching him towards the next problem/word/etc...

A lot of folks with multiple children school around the dining room table; everyone does math at once, and mom just goes round and round the table, first giving instruction, then helping whoever needs help as children do their work pages. Everyone is working, and everyone is right there, so it's easy to keep everyone on task. That might be an option through the elementary grades. Even younger children can be in high chairs or booster seats doing toddler or pre-school activities.

Another option to look at to encourage independent working and ordering their own time is work boxes. Here are some links if interested in that method:
- Confessions of a Homeschooler blog -- 3 articles about workboxes
- "5 Ways to Use the Workbox System in Your Home" -- Homeschool On blog article
- "How We Use Workboxes" -- The Chaos and the Clutter blog article
- "Homeschool Workbox System for Small Spaces or a Large Family" -- Raising Arrows blog article
- "What's in my 1st grader's workboxes" -- 13-min YouTube video

The nice thing is that the K-3rd grade years really don't require much time for completing core academics, so it's not too hard to carve out 20 minutes here and there throughout the day to get the 1-on-1 time when younger children get folded into the mix and need that for learning to read... 😉 

BEST of luck! That's quite a few little ones to juggle at the moment. Once the youngest hits kinder and the oldest is 6th grade, it smooths out a lot, so hang in there! BEST wishes for a great new school year! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited July 9, 2020 by Lori D.

[Arcadia]

I still have to “tomato stalk” my DS14. At 3rd grade, DS15 could get his cursive handwriting workbook, analogy workbook and grammar/reading comprehension worksheets done without me nearby. I looked through after he is done and we discuss. Those were supplied by the online public school. He needed me beside him for Art. 

[medawyn]

1 minute ago, Arcadia said:

I still have to “tomato stalk” my DS14. At 3rd grade, DS15 could get his cursive handwriting workbook, analogy workbook and grammar/reading comprehension worksheets done without me nearby. I looked through after he is done and we discuss. Those were supplied by the online public school. He needed me beside him for Art. 

I'm laughing, because DD5 could probably manage an entire list of independent work and then go make lunch, but DS7 is going to need much practice with independence and following lists and staying somewhat on track.  It's amazing how different each child is.  Doesn't help me figure this parenting thing out!

[medawyn]

1 hour ago, wendyroo said:

One independence skill I work on with my young elementary students is working from a check list.  My rising second grader has a list of ~6-7 tasks each day.  One is always to do a chore (he can pick which one from his weekly chore chart).  Two others are always math and literature/writing.  Then he has a couple others such as piano, Spanish, typing, cursive, spelling, etc.  The real skills I am working on with him are using his time wisely and planning his tasks around constraints (when I am available to help, when the piano is free, what subject he can fit in if he only has a couple minutes before snack time, etc.)

For math, I work with him for a few minutes and then he completes the lesson on his own.  Inevitably he tells me he needs help several times while he is working, but I remind him that he is old enough now to try again once on his own, which includes rereading the problem out loud, drawing a picture if appropriate, and redoing the arithmetic, before I help.  The majority of the time he can sort out the issue on his own, and I think I would be robbing him of valuable struggle if I stepped in too soon.

For literature he reads a chapter or two of an assigned novel and draws a picture of something he read in his literature notebook.  He is working on writing paragraphs, so he come to me and tells me a topic sentence about his reading/drawing.  If necessary I talk him through improving the topic sentence, and then he goes off and writes it in his notebook.  He comes back to me and narrates his detail sentences and conclusion which I help him reword if necessary and then scribe for him.

Some of his other subjects are online and he does those entirely independently (with me supervising, but not actually involved).  Others, like cursive, I just get him started and then review his work afterwords.  And others, like spelling, are teacher intensive and involve me throughout.

Like previous posters have mentioned, often I am working at the table with my rising K'er while my rising 2nd grader is working "independently" at the same table.  I am there to supervise and keep him on task, but I purposely give him little of my attention if he is being unfocused or unnecessarily needy when he should be working independently.  

I so admire how intentional and consistent you are with your kids.  I need you to give a parenting seminar.