Putting It All Together

So, we've discussed curriculum and resource choices, and basic planning for each subject, but how does one put it all together? This is what my next step looks like:

(ETA: Click on each subject below to read details about curriculum, resources, and planning.)

Grammar: 15 minutes/ 3x per week
Latin: 15 minutes/ 4x per week
Handwriting: 15 minutes/ 4x per week
Geography: 15 minutes/ 4x per week
Music: 15 minutes/ 2x per week
Art: 15 minutes/ 2x per week
Math: 45 minutes/ 4x per week
History/Literature: 1+ hour/ 2x per week
Science: 1+ hour/ 2x per week
Bible Reading: 15 minutes/ 4x per week
Piano Practice: 15-30 minutes/ 4-6x per week
Poetry and Bible Memorization: 10 minutes/ 4-6x per week
Singing Hymns: 5 minutes/ 4x per week
Family Chapter Book: 15-20 minutes/ 4+x per week
Free Reading: 45+ minutes/ 4-7x per week
Reading Aloud (Luke): 15 minutes/ 4-6x per week
(Spelling and Spanish to be worked in at a later time.)

I know that looks like a lot, but stay with me. I promise I am going to share with you a 'getting it all done' daily schedule soon (not that I can follow it...), but we'll start with this very simple lesson schedule:

*Educational video for boys while I finish getting ready in the morning. (Science, geography, Spanish, etc.)

*Review memory work during breakfast time. (Levi read aloud.)

* 1 1/2 hour morning lessons with all 3 boys (have books and small bin of toys for Leif to play with or send him to playroom when he gets crazy):

Monday: Handwriting and drawing at kitchen table. Give Leif paper and crayons. Work with Luke while Levi completes copywork. Do drawing project together. 45 minutes. Move to living room. Sing hymn, listen to geography song and look at flip chart atlas, Latin lesson (roughly 15 minutes each). 45 minutes.

Tuesday: Handwriting at kitchen table (same M.O. {grin}). 15 minutes. Move to living room. Sing hymn, listen to geography song while coloring map (using clipboard), read book for music, Latin review, grammar lesson (15 minutes each). 1 hour 15 minutes.

Wednesday: Handwriting at kitchen table. Living room: hymn, geography picture book, art picture book, Latin review, grammar lesson. (15 minutes each.) 1 1/2 hours.

Thursday: Handwriting at kitchen table. Living room: hymn, geography song and mapwork, Latin review, grammar lesson, watch music clip on You Tube (on computer in school room) or listen to CD. (15 minutes each.) 1 1/2 hours.

Friday: Free for errands, appointments, library trips, field trips, or catch-up work.

(We'll work spelling into our morning lessons later this year.)

*45 minutes for Bible reading and piano practice. Levi and Luke alternate. Leif wrecks havoc.

(LUNCH)

*2 hours of afternoon lessons with Levi and Luke. (Leif at grandma's house or in quiet time (ha!)at least during math.)

Monday: Math at kitchen table with Levi (and Luke) 30 minutes then 15 minutes with Luke while Levi completes worksheet or other activity. Spend remaining time on history (read history chapter while coloring, narration, mapwork; read related picture book or literature if time).

Tuesday: Math (same M.O.). Remaining time on science (read lesson, any writing activity, color page or diagram, additional picture book, etc.).

Wednesday: Math. Remaining time on extra history reading and/or project.

Thursday: Math. Remaining time on extra science reading and/or project.

Friday: Free for activities, etc.

*Keep copies of CDs (geography songs, Bible songs, poetry memorization, Classical Kids, Spanish) in car for listening convenience. Play CDs at home during playtime and on weekends.

*2-3 evenings per week: Swim lessons or Tae Kwon Do. (P.E.!)

*Bedtime reading: Luke read aloud (to me or Daddy) 15 minutes. Read from family chapter book 15-30 minutes. Levi read independently (free reading) 30-60 minutes.

*Weekend (Friday-Sunday): Bible reading, piano practice, free reading, family chapter book, picture books, field trips, outside play, games, listen to music, family movie night, chores and projects, visit friends, Sunday school...

Whew.