Scheduling history, science, and geography (2nd grade)

[lotsofpumpkins]

In a little over a month we will be officially starting our next school-year. I'll have a 2nd grader, 1st grader, and pre-K-er. I'm going to keep them together for history, science, and geography. I'm trying to figure out how many days per week to do each subject. We school year-round and don't need to rush to finish things or try to spread things out unnecessarily either. When something is done, we start the next thing. So, all that matters is that we cover the material at just the right pace- not so much that it's overwhelming, but not so slowly that we feel like we aren't doing enough. How would you schedule the following subjects into your week?

 

American History- Using A Beka's 2nd grade reader as a spine, then adding LOTS of living books, recipes, activities, etc

 

50 States- Just looking for gaining familiarity at this age, so reading from a book called "Wish you were here" that has a 2-page write-up on each state from a child's point-of-view. Will color flag/bird/flower pages. (1 state a week is what I'm leaning towards at this point).

 

A Child's Geography (this looks like it could be done once a week)

 

Apologia Zoology I (this looks like it really needs to be done several times a week, especially when working on experiments)

 

Opinions?

Thanks! :D

[brehon]

I'm not too sure how helpful this will be as I use none of the resources you listed. I view history and science (and geography) as content areas, not skills areas, and I don't feel obligated to do any of them daily. I schedule them for a minimum of 2 days a week with an option of extending to 3 for interesting experiments or projects. So, for instance, our schedule last week went like this: Monday - History (read chapter/map work/begin read aloud)

Tuesday -Science (introduce topic and read a couple of books about said topic)

Wednesday - History (continue historical read aloud)

Thursday - Science (review topic/read books/perform an experiment & write it up)

Friday - Both: History - a project/con't read aloud, Science - perform & write up another experiment

Saturday - finish up history project (at the kids' request)

 

So, in your case I might do history one day, geography one day, and science one day. Then use the last 2 days to finish up whatever is needed. Also, I wouldn't worry about making sure your 5yo keeps up with your 7yo. Just let him/her tag along and glean what s/he may. Of course your pre-K'er more than likely won't be able to "keep up" with your 2nd grader. You could just let him/her color something while listening in to the lesson. But, as I say, I don't use/know about any of the resources you're using; therefore, all these comments are general.

Edited April 3, 2009 by brehon

[lotsofpumpkins]

Thank you, that was helpful.

 

I'm not too sure how helpful this will be as I use none of the resources you listed. I view history and science (and geography) as content areas, not skills areas, and I don't feel obligated to do any of them daily. I schedule them for a minimum of 2 days a week with an option of extending to 3 for interesting experiments or projects. So, for instance, our schedule last week went like this: Monday - History (read chapter/map work/begin read aloud)

Tuesday -Science (introduce topic and read a couple of books about said topic)

Wednesday - History (continue historical read aloud)

Thursday - Science (review topic/read books/perform an experiment & write it up)

Friday - Both: History - a project/con't read aloud, Science - perform & write up another experiment

Saturday - finish up history project (at the kids' request)

 

So, in your case I might do history one day, geography one day, and science one day. Then use the last 2 days to finish up whatever is needed. Also, I wouldn't worry about making sure your 5yo keeps up with your 7yo. Just let him/her tag along and glean what s/he may. Of course your pre-K'er more than likely won't be able to "keep up" with your 2nd grader. You could just let him/her color something while listening in to the lesson. But, as I say, I don't use/know about any of the resources you're using; therefore, all these comments are general.

[motherdear]

Can I come to your school?(did I miss something, or did you forget math?)

[FO4UR]

Can I come to your school?(did I miss something, or did you forget math?)

 

 

I believe she has math in another thread somewhere LOL!;)

 

 

I would schedule in the 50 states and geography for 20min once per week. Maybe 50 states on T and ACG on TH - whatever days work for you.

 

For the history -I haven't seen Abeka before.....but I think I would choose a day for the spine reading and a day for an activity and let the rest be casual/sponateous.

 

Zoology - I have the book, and haven't used it yet. I think I am going to read one small section per day, and have the dc narrate. We'll designate an hour on an afternoon each week to do the activities (during nap time;)).