CMers, can I call on you for help again?

[Jennefer@SSA]

I have read Charlotte Mason's Vol. 1 as well as Catherine Levison's 2 books over the Christmas break. I am sold! I think changing our day according to Miss Mason's ideals will be perfect for us and I am very excited to give it a try.

 

On Monday we will start our first attempt at a CM day. Here's our schedule so far; I would love feedback. I know it will take awhile to find exactly what works for us and to ease into to doing everything. This is a hopefully a step in the right direction. I have planned several subjects for 30 min rather than the recommended 15-20 to account for interruptions from my 2yo and 4yo.

Edited January 3, 2009 by Jennefer@SSA

[Stacy in NJ]

Looks good. I will comment that you've got History and Science each scheduled 4 days per week. That may be a bit of overkill for a 7 year old. Also I didn't see grammar or spelling. Are you planning to do that via copywork?

[sagira]

I like your schedule. Looks neat. I like the fact that you have History and Science four days a week, as you can cover a bit each day without feeling pressured to stretch your hours and still keep it to short and sweet lessons. I will be doing the same next year (first; ds will be six) except that Math will be daily. This reminds me, it's time to start writing up our schedule :)

[Chris in VA]

I don't know how breaks work at your house--I notice you work straight thru. I find myself and dd needing a break after our first three subjects, along about 10:30 (we start around 9). It usually consists of a snack and a little walkabout--to the potty, to quickly do a chore, etc. It's just a mental refreshment. Do you think a small break would be beneficial?

[Hazelt"nut"]

Jennefer,

I have been on a quest myself to find the exact school I want us to have and I am seeing more and more CM added to our days. You schedule looks great, I lke the rhythm of classical music with lunch and then poetry and then classical etc. I was wondering about breaks though. I don't see those in there. If you are like me your breaks happen as needed and aren't planned and that may be why you haven't listed any. I am so excited to hear how your new year will go...where it will lead ya'll. Isn't it exciting to have an "awakening" of sorts?

Shery

[Tami]

I am glad that you decided to forge ahead and read CM's writing for yourself over break! The rationale behind the curriculum is important to understand, plus it makes deciding on whether CM is for you or not easier!

 

Congrats on reworking your schedule. I like how you alternated subjects. Honestly, it looks like a long day, and I would probably not do that many subjects per day. In PNEU schools, special needs kids could drop up to 1-2 subjects from PNEU schedule. I see that your son has extra subjects to do, such as social skills, so if it is too much, don't feel bad about dropping 1-2 other subjects from your schedule this term.

 

One idea would be to put a "Free Play" or "Phy-Ed" slot where your science is, and move science to Friday afternoons if you need to. If your special needs son still struggles, CM's advice is to drop 1-2 subjects.

 

We'll look forward to hearing how it goes! Great job!

Edited January 3, 2009 by Tami

[Emmy]

I think it looks great Jennefer - I understand the interruptions part from the younger ones. :) I would be concerned about not having a break - but possibly happens naturally when you are occupied with your younger kids on and off through the morning. Is it possible to alternate history and science and do each only 2x a week? Good luck~

[Jennefer@SSA]

I appreciate the input very much. I didn't schedule a formal "break" in our morning b/c I actually scheduled many lessons for 30 minutes when I intend to actually complete them in 10. Ds needs several "mini-breaks" more than one long one. If I find that we have too many interruptions from little ones and he truly is not getting that last 10 minutes to rest then I will definitely schedule an official break in.

 

As for science and history I also scheduled them for 30 min but intend to only do them for 15-20 min per day. If it gets to be too much then I will definitely switch to doing each 2x per week instead for 4. We have done *very* little history all first semester and no science. I think I am in catch up mode. :blush: Back before I even started researching CM I asked Ds what his favorite things in school were and he replied, "History and science and that's all." Yikes!

 

Thank you all again! I am excited for Monday to arrive!!!

[Jennefer@SSA]

Also I didn't see grammar or spelling

 

Yikes, I did forget spelling. :tongue_smilie: Need to find a place to add that in!

 

As for grammar, from what I understand CM didn't advocate starting grammar until children were a little older. We had been using FLL 3 but honestly ds wasn't get much out of it. I would rather spend the time focusing on some other things that will restore his joy in learning right now. I think Picture study and restarting history and science will do just that. :) Grammar will be there next year...or the year after! ;)