independent study

[momof2]

My dd just is in 4th grade now and I want her to become more independent in her study. The previous years I made her a daily schedule. She completed the activities and checked whatever was finished. But, I'm not sure how to give her more freedom. Shall i give her a weekly schedule, or give her monthly goals?
I would love it if you could share how you're doing it!
Thanks a bunch!
Karine

[tkbbmomof4]

I give my kids a weekly schedule that lists what I expect them to accomplish each day - they know that for most things they have the week for if it's independent work but by listing it daily it gives them an idea of how much the minimum is for a day. I also give them monthly goals - like how many books or minutes of free reading is needed to earn a pizza coupon or something like that and then they track it and turn it in to me when finished.

[LadyBugKim]

We have some independent study that is "homework". They work on it on their own and turn it in the next day.

For their country study, they know the country on Monday and have their outline copies. They work on it during the week, sometimes while I'm reading or while they watch the featured video - and they share their final work on Friday. We put their completed pages in their travel diary along with the coloring sheets and anything else they came up with. We've progressed from fill in the blank - to make a list - to actually writing a paragraph.

So, with my 4th & 5th grader we have a combination of both. They are not far enough from their public school mindset to do a lot without me telling them and watching them complete it. It is getting better and I am doing more to encourage them to think "outside the box".

Hope that helps some....

[my3boys]

I began giving a weekly schedule to my third grader this year and he has to take it to his room and complete his work where he can concentrate. This has worked out really well. I gave him a binder with the 'on-my-own' pages on one side and I hole punched my homemade schedules so they would lay on the opposite side - this way he has a weekly 5 day schedule at a glance.

[Migsy]

They are not far enough from their public school mindset to do a lot without me telling them and watching them complete it.



This is so interesting. I was just thinking today that I need to ask about fostering more independence.

My oldest requires a fair amount of me telling him and keeping an eye on him to be sure it is completed. He has always been homeschooled, and I was thinking he might be better at that if he had been to public school! :)

I guess I was looking at greener grass. :rolleyes:

[momof2]

Thanks everybody for all the input!

Karine

[Northern Mom]

Ladybug Kim...what kind of 'homework' do you give your children?

I love seeing the pictures of your journeys through Children Around the World on your website. We are still waiting for books so we haven't officially started yet.

Nancy

[LadyBugKim]

Nancy - I created a weekly planning page that has everything we need to get done listed. There is only an 18 month difference in my kids but a huge gap in their interest. I've found I can let 1 work independently while I work with the other, OR they can work on them throughout the day. This gives them an idea of what is expected for the week - and the responsibility to help get it complete - and is actually LESS structure. They can do all of their LA in one day - or break it up. Friday mornings are spent tying up loose ends.

Here is the assignment sheet: Weekly Plan - Week 7 (http://www.ladybugkim.com/Homeschool/assignmentpic.jpg)
The left yellow highlighted area are the lessons they can choose from to work.
They highlight what they're finished with and I review it daily. Mom/Teacher Lesson 1003: Trust and verify. ;)

I finished planning sheets up until we start the Christmas lessons - they are totally different. I'll start new ones for the first of the year. (in Excel)