I often wonder if I push my kids too hard.
Each day, I try to get as much done as I possibly can, but they often feel sluggish about it, and I tend to go off on tangents when I teach them because it's so exciting for me to see them learning.
They're both doing 4th grade this year and 5th grade math.
I picked up text books from my local school district... but our school district doesn't have Social Studies or Science text books for 4th graders (which I thought was outrageous, but that's another discussion!) So, I picked up a bunch of great Social Studies related books and a Science book that is wonderful.
Now, I have the kids learning about Classification in Science (we're on Kingdoms now... and that goes fine... but when we get to Social Studies, they have difficulty finishing all the tasks I give them in one day... Does this seem like too much Social Studies to you?
I give them a Geography page that I copy from a nice 4th grade workbook. They never have a problem finishing these.
We're using Scholastic's "If You Were There When They Signed The Constitution", we do 2 pages per day in that. They read the two pages and answer questions that I pre-write for them.
Then we use Scholastic's "Encyclopedia of the Civil War"... we just started with that, and we did the first two pages yesterday (same as with the Constitution book... except I read to them from this one because it's a little in-depth and I pause to explain some of the text in it) Then they answer a few questions that I wrote for this book.
Next we use Scholastic's "Words That Built A Nation", we did "The Mayflower Compact" so far, but I wanted to do "Poor Richard's Almanac " today, and we didn't have time. It seems that after the Civil War, they start to slow down a lot. Then they don't finish, and today it caused us not to have enough time to do the Health and Safety activities I had planned to do with them. So, we're off schedule, as I'll have to push Gym back to Friday now so that I can make up the Health and Safety tomorrow.
Do you think I'm giving them too much? Maybe I should do the Civil War first and save "Words That Built A Nation" for another marking period altogehter, you know, split them into two different sections?
What are your thoughts? Any comments are welcome and appreciated.
[question posted by ivyoon]
responses and comments:
I would say to take the cue from your children. If they are bogged down you should be able to see it. That all sounds like a lot to me. I think what is more important that cramming is to learn it and remember it over time. It might be better to take things a bit slower and focus on each a bit and see if the light turns on in their heads. If you can make it fun, that will be a great achievement. [OreoCookie3]
Thank you for the advice. I have noticed that they seem to learn more when they're having fun. I guess I'm just trying to teach them too much at once. I should pace things, I mean, we do have the whole schoolyear ahead of us. I think I'll break it down into sections and see how that goes. Thanks again for your response. [ivyoon]
I agree with Oreo there....while it sounds wonderful what you're doing, and you're giving your kids a well rounded curriculum of studies...it does sound a bit much...I think you should slack off just a tad, that way they'll remember more at a slower pace [pyewacket]
I suppose you're right. They've got a better chance of remembering things if I break it down into sections. If I try to cram too much into their heads, they'll likely forget it all by the time I want to test them on it. I'll try to spread it out so that we can learn each thing in one marking period and see how that goes. It may even free up some time to do some of the other things they've been asking to do such as field trips (Ghettysburg and the Philadelphia Zoo for starters.) Thanks for your advice. [ivyoon]
it would depend on them. You can see signs that they are being taught too much. If the kids are gifted, that is not too much but if the kids are not, then watch for the signs that what you are teaching them is not sinking in. [everlasting]
That's a great idea. I thought of doing that at the end of next week so we can go over all the Social Studies I've been throwing at them. They seem to retain a lot of it, but whether they'll remember and understand it, I don't know yet. I'll probably give them an exam next Friday and see how they do. Then I'll go from there. I think I may need to break the information down into sections : The Constitution, The Civil War, and Words That Built A Nation... then in the last marking period I can tie all those things together with the other things I plan on teaching them and roll them into next years lessons to reinforce them. Thanks so much for your suggestion. [ivyoon]
Yes, I would say that your kids are silently wishing that you would stop putting so much on them. I home school my children and I have found that they learn more if I don't push things on them. some days we may only do a couple of hours of work and others we will do 6 hours as they are studying something that we can talk about longer and in more detail as they seem so interested. [carolscash]
Really good advice. I am planning on taking a trip or two the first chance I get this year. It will be very exciting for me since I never had that kind of opportunity when I was a kid. They're going to be very excited about it too. Since the last time I posted, I've cut down on the Social Studies a bit, and they seem to really enjoy it and retain the info now. Thanks to you and everyone for all of your advice! [ivyoon]
Yikes! You sound a little more like a college professor to me than a mom homeschooling your kids but then again perhaps my methods would be way too relaxed for you. I homeschooled my ds for about 4 years before he decided he wanted to go to highschool. He had been a VERY struggling reader in the fourth grade reading at something in the area of second grade level. There were more problems mostly with tracking and getting his work at school and homework done. Anyhow my ds returned public school for the ninth grade and entered right into all the honors courses offered for his grade and has been doing very well ever since. So imho he make remarkable progress homeschooling. However, he never would have put up (yes I realize VERY different kid) with doing all the work you have lined up for each day. Part of his homeschooling career, he completed computer lessons on each subject required that took him a very short time each day and then for the rest of the day he read books of his choice or watched educational DVDs I would buy for him. We did all the field trips we could and also participate in some homeschool group activities. I am now homeschooling my 8 year old dd. We just started 2 weeks ago. No way she would sit through the program you laid out either. She is only in the third grade though. I buy all the educational software, books, (just today bought a science kit on electricity for $7.99 at Ollie's) and dvds that I can afford. You would be amazed at what the child is learning while she is having fun. She does do traditional type schoolwork also but she seems to learn the most when she thinks it is fun not just more work. Just curious as to how often you do the health and safety lessons. I don't think this is one area you have to stress over if you have to postpone activities for. Health and safety is in my opinion easy to incorporate in daily conversation, field trips, hand outs and etc. I know that you have to feel comfortable with what you are doing. If how things are is how you like it, perhaps you could add just a bit of variation now and again and see how your children respond. Go with what works for you and your kids. Every families situation is different. If you can be a bit flexible, I think you may find that your kids will be refreshed and learn more than ever. There are many ways to get the same material into those brilliant minds. Guess how my formerly reluctant learner spent his Saturday today? He got up at 5 am and was on the school bus at 6 am to go to an academic meet that lasted from 8 am to 4 pm. These meets consists of multiple tests, esssay writing, speech giving, and an interview. Not my idea of fun and but apparently a great time for him now. There is a big difference between learning because you find it fun and interesting and learning because someone is making you. Best wishes. You sound VERY dedicated to your children and I am sure you can find a happy solution for your family. Your children are fortunate to have a caring and involved parent like yourself. [shirgie]
Thanks so much for sharing your homeschool experiences with me. It helps to know that others have gone through what I am going through. Since I posted this discussion, I have relaxed a lot with the kids, and they are both really enjoying learning now. I'm glad I posted this discussion and got so many responses. I've decided to break down all of the social studies activities into marking periods and use books that we've got that are fun to learn with, so now the kids love social studies. I also was lucky enough to find a Leap Frog Explorer Interactive Globe at a yard sale for $5! (They retail at the Discovery Store for about $135!) So, the kids are learning all the countries and their capitals, the oceans... they're learning about places I never knew about! It's great fun for all of us! I'm glad to hear that your experiences in homeschooling have been good... so far, mine have too. I'm glad I made the choice to do so for my children. Thank you again for your response, and I wish you luck with your homeschooling this year! :) [ivyoon]
I agree with the person who stated to take the cues from the children. Honestly, no child needs hours upon hours of work each day. A couple of hours is good. It's the quality of work not quantity that matters. Is the child progressing? That's the goal. [primalmom]
You've already received the cues from your kids, now all you have to do is act on them (or should I say, stop acting on them:) I've been schooling my kids from home for 8 years. 7 of them, we took a very eclectic approach. Picking and choosing our curriculum from several sources. And I followed my kids cues, slacked off when I needed to, and picked up when they responded like sponges. Over the last year we have transitioned to unschooling. Its a totally different approach to learning. We learn through life and experiences, and when the inspiration tickles us, we dive into books. I say we, because this approach takes a lot more interaction on my part. I have to spend more time watching and listening to them. I have to really "know" my kids to be able to respond to them in the right direction. I have a couple suggestions that might make life a bit easier on your heart. For one, relax. They don't have to learn everything in one sitting. It sounds to me, that your intentions are in the right place, your heart is on the right page, but you are too worried about "making" them learn the things that are important to you. Don't take that the wrong way. It is good that you want your kids to learn it all. But they really don't have to. The more you offer them, in different way, the more they will be interested in them. Second, bring the lessons to life for them. Show them how their math relates to life, have them keep a tally at the grocery store, figure the best prices, change up recipes in the kitchen(double it, triple it, cut it in half). Take them to museums to help them understand the stories aren't just stories, but real people who fought and died for them. Get out in the garden so they can witness the plants absorbing the nutrients from the soil, cover a couple of them and watch them turn brown to bring the process of photosynthesis to life...pun intended:) This doesn't have to be the whole of your studies, but once they see their lessons come to life, the book work makes more sense, and it has more relevance. Best wishes to you, and God Bless! [edgyk8inmomma]