I have tried many different ways of homeschooling--tutors, a highly structured computer based curriculum, and a more eclectic approach with curriculum drawn from many different sources. This next year, I am going with the more eclectic approach. The basis of our curriculum will be www.amblesideonline.org. This is a list of recommended studies based on the Charlotte Mason method of learning. Charlotte Mason, one of my personal heroines, was a 19th century educator who believed that children should be exposed to grand ideals and what she termed, "Living Books". Living Books are "whole books" as opposed to textbooks that take snippets of information here and there. She also believed in plenty of free time out in nature. There should be exposure to great artists and musicians, great literature, a thorough study of history, and continuing religious education. Based on this model, this is our tentative schedule.
Opening
(Prayer/Scripture/Pledge/Creed/Song/Weather/Business/Etc.)
Copy Work/Penmanship (MTWF)
Morning Walk (MTWF)
Language Arts/Literature (MTWF)
Math (MTWF)
History (MTW)
Science (MW)
Spanish (MTWF)
Latin (MTWF)
Artist/Composer Study (M)
Poetry Journals (M)
Art (T)
Piano Lessons (M) Piano Practice (TWRF)
Nature Study (T)
Music Appreciation--(Hymns and Folksongs) (W)
Handicrafts (R)
Free Reading (MTWRF)
Scouting (W)
Religion (F)
Culinary Class (T)
Physical Education
(Dance/Fencing/Kung Fu/Gymnastics/Horseback Riding/Soccer)
What pleases me about this plan is it's breadth as well as it's depth. We will run with this schedule and tweak it where necessary. Yea, Fuller School!!!!
What does MTW mean? First I assumed it was Monday Tuesday Wednesday, but then I thought, they sure have a lot of classes on Monday and why is Thursday R?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is the days of the week. Most classes, however, are only half an hour long. This was another element of Charlotte Mason's philosophy--shorter class periods. However, children are expected to put forth their best efforts in their studies. So less class time, but more focus while you're there. Thursday is (R). Tentatively, this will be our Tuscaloosa day where we will spend the day doing extracurricular activities. (Dance, Kung Fu, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Fencing, and Lunch at the park. It will definitely be a long day, and we will have to see how it goes having so much physical activity on one day. But, we can tweak what we need to!)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a lot of activities for one day. On my activity high as a child, I would walk with my mom 2 miles after school in the snow, take swimming for an hour, then rush into my tutu and do ballet for an hour and then walk home.
ReplyDeleteI was never allowed horseback riding as a child, that is my biggest regret. Still to this day I dream of doing horseback riding regularly. I petted some horses this weekend. It was good for my childish soul. It is good that your children get to experience so many various fun stuff!!