Daily schedules?

[Lisa1970]

I did not do a daily schedule with my older children (they are in high school now) and never needed one. But it is quite clear that my youngers need one. I want to keep things light, but still accomplish something.

I was thinking of rotating out 20 minute sessions, for 2 or so hrs, for a total of 6 sessions. My other idea was 30 minute sessions, but was worried that would be too long. But I was worried 20 minutes would be too much bouncing around. They are 8 and 6. Both need a schedule or they start melting down big time.

Does anyone have schedules at all? Please don't tell me why they don't need schedules, I could have made the post about why a child does not need a schedule. But for these two, and their constant arguing and meltdowns, they need a schedule for now. (the older has anxiety problems and I think the younger is just one who needs schedules). The 8 yr old turns 9 in Sept.

Actually, since the 8 yr old needs schedule but hates to change topics, I think I will give him 40 minute time blocks and the younger one who hates to sit still, 20 minute blocks. I don't have a lot I am requiring so this will only last for 2 hours.

[elizawill]

hi,

i'm not sure if you mean a daily routine, or a school type schedule? my kids wake up, watch netflix or play while i clean. we usually start school about 10ish. we're often done by 12ish when we eat lunch, but if not, we just break for lunch and finish up whatever is left afterward.

as for a school type schedule, for *us* it is best to just know what subjects i want to cover on which days. we don't have time slots or anything though. this is the schedule i have in place for the new year. we start back tomorrow actually, so once i figure out what works, i can tweak it if needed.

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view...d=2139850&da=y

the first page is for my 6 year old & we'll do 5 things daily. the second page is for my 8 year old & she'll do 6 things daily. the bottom slots are blank, as it changes each week (with the exception of our co-op).

i have this same schedule blank also & i just fill it in as we go through the day for my daily record keeping.

i hope this makes sense & hope it helps.

[quester]

We strive for something similar to this: http://www.enkieducation.org/html/ma...b-sample-c.pdf

[craft_media_hero]

Well this is what we're aiming for:
breakfast, get dressed, wash dishes, etc.
around 9 start school w/ 15 minutes of Classical Languages using music and dramatic play
she does her rotating chore (I'm giving her one big task for a few weeks then switching)
come back around for Math--maybe 30 minutes to an hour if she's really engaged
around 11 outside and snack time
11:30ish-some Language Arts (we're going to try alternating AAS and Cursive First), about 30 minutes
lunch

Before lunch will be the more "mom-led" stuff or work that she needs help with; after lunch more self-led or "stations"

1:00-3ish self-led time in Art, Science, Music, or Social Studies stations (I have yet to set these up; the Art/Music stuff will be easy, and I can envision the Social Studies, but Science I am struggling with, as usual). Hopefully she will be pretty engaged in these activities for a couple of hours, and this will be a good time of day for me to do my WAHM phone calls.

3o'clock til 5ish free time or maybe a class/activity if she wants, or just hang out as a fam

dinner

bath time
story abt 30mins- I count this as part of Language Arts
bed--my girl is pretty sleep dependent, so we aim for 8o'clock bedtime

I know this sounds like a lot of structured time or pretty academic, but she is also one of those who loses it without routine or acts up out of boredom. I also notice that if she has a full day, then she really makes use of her free time to play and find something to do instead of giving us the "I'm bored" routine. Plus, I figure if she were in school, she would be there til 3 and wouldn't have all the rabbit trails and self led time anyways.

Oh, and she is 7 and enrolled in 2nd grade. We usually do a four day "school" week that is more structured and then keep Friday, Sat, Sun for going out, visiting art galleries or museums, catching a local play or concert, hiking, lots of outdoor time, big cooking projects, etc---all of which are educational and we count for recording purposes.

We're officially starting up Sept. 1, so right now is just planning stuff and enjoying the remains of the summer with our new family member