Thanks for that great question! How nice that some of your kids are close enough in age to do group lessons for general studies! We do the same thing at our house!
As far as lesson planning, I suppose there are two basic styles for this: Some mothers like to have their OWN planners, which they are referring to each day in order to carry out lessons and prepare assignments. As with all-things-homeschooling, if that works for you, then that's FINE! When I tried it that way, I found that it took up too much time because it left my kids WAITING on me to tell them what to do each step of the way. So I give a planner to each student on the first day of school...I even write a personal letter to each one on the inside cover...talking about our goals for their particular year, welcoming them back to school and offering prayers and blessings to them in their studies...they really enjoy these little notes! I usually fill out each day's lessons under each subject per week...Sunday evenings is the time I usually fill out the following week's planners...for the kids that learn in group lessons...I will place a big STAR in those blocks to remind them that they have those classes with their brother or sister. My kids then work on any Independent studies they can while I'm with another student/s...and then we rotate, so I am always helping someone while others work on their own. As they complete lesson plan block, they X it out...we don't worry about being "behind"...we simply try to accomplish as much as we are able in a day and go from there. Fridays are kept for crafts, catch-up, extra research, etc...
I'm sure some other visitors will have more ideas for you, but this is our little way of doing things that has worked well for eight years!
Best wishes in your family's learning Cathie! And thanks so much for visiting our FORUMS!
In Christ,
Judy
(site owner)
