31 Days of WTHIW: Day 12
For the last two years I have purchased this teacher planner. It is, in my opinion, one of the best homeschool planners out there. It is very thorough and perfect for teaching multiple children of different grades. At the beginning of every month in the planner, there is an article of some sort that pertains to homeschooling. Last year I read all of the articles before school even began, but this year I didn’t. I have just been reading them as I get to them in the planner. Well, lo and behold…
…the article at the beginning of October was written by a homeschooling mother that does school on a six weeks on, one week off schedule. A public school year consists of 36 weeks, so going by her schedule you have six six week intervals with one week off in between each. But if you crunch the numbers that only equals 42 weeks and there are 52 weeks in a year. So you still have 10 weeks to play around with. She takes all of December off, a full month off in the summer, and then has two weeks, still, for off season family vacation time.
All I could think while I was reading the article was “Brilliant”! I looked at the calendar and realized that starting the first week in September, like we did, would allow us to take one week off in October, and then finish the next six week period right at the beginning of December, therefore allowing us to take all of December off as well. I am so excited!
I don’t know what it is about October, but ever since I started homeschooling I have experienced a slump once it hits. Another homeschooling mom that blogs wrote about it once and I felt better knowing that I wasn’t alone, but that didn’t make it any easier. I am so looking forward to this small break. It really has allowed me to breath easier knowing that in just another week I can tackle some of the things that need to get done, but don’t ever seem to. Seriously, knowing that I will have time, without the pressure of getting school done, to focus on other things has definitely lifted the burden of those things seeming to always be on my mind.
Next week is our first week off in the new schedule. I haven’t told the kids about it yet, but I know they will be excited too. And I’m definitely going to plan some just for fun things to do as well.
Love,
Bridget
p.s. For my homeschooling friends, what schedule have you found that works best for you?
Meagan
/ October 12, 2011I was hoping this was your off week so Isabella and I could come hang out this morning!
Seriously though, I love the idea of 6 on and 1 off. I will have to remember that when Isabella is of age. By the way, I think you should continue posting everyday even after October. It is exciting waking up to an email that says Bridget posted again! 
bridgetbabione
/ October 13, 2011Sister, I love you so much! thanks for the encouragement to keep writing, but I just don’t think I have enough words for posting everyday. Even if I am a woman.
Next week is our week off so we definitely must hang out!
Jackie
/ October 12, 2011That’s pretty close to what we did last year, and again this year! We took off June and then take a week off roughly every 6 weeks. Sometmes it’s needed sooner or later so we’re not real strict with it. It also gives a lot of freedom during Thanksgiving and Christmas time. I could never go a whole school year without the breaks, I need them! I’ve also been nervous that if we took a whole summer off that they might forget things. It’s a great plan, enjoy your week off!
bridgetbabione
/ October 13, 2011I’ve read about the concerns of kids losing info over the summer break. And I’ve noticed how so many curriculums recap for the first quarter of the school year and that’s probably why.
Maybe we can work it out where one of our breaks lines up with each other. then we could plan some fun things to do together!
amyleebell
/ October 12, 2011We took December off last year and absolutely loved it! We also took May and June off and worked lightly through the rest of the summer. I always schedule our books to be done way early in the year, and then I know I have lots of wiggle room if something else comes up or we just need a break!
bridgetbabione
/ October 13, 2011Something else always seems to come up with us. We are in our fifth year of homeschooling and I’m still just figuring it out. I think it’s awesome that you’re a second generationer
I love the creative writing prompt you just posted a couple days ago. Definitely gonna use that for my two oldest (5th and 7th). Thanks!
amyleebell
/ October 13, 2011I love being a second generationer too! I don’t have to wonder so much whether my kid will turn out okay
Thanks for the compliment! If they like it, you can find more creative writing stuff on my resources page! It’s all geared toward any age because I taught a creative writing class for our homeschool co-op over the summer. Happy writing…
Erindvr
/ October 12, 2011That is brilliant!
I write everything for the week on a dry erase board (we do blocks, like one week is language arts, one week math, etc). If Max gets it all done in four days, we both get Friday off! We haven’t worked a single Friday.
bridgetbabione
/ October 13, 2011I have a dry erase board sitting in the closet that I think I’m gonna have to pull out! I love me some to do lists with things crossed off. Guess I’ll have to pass that love onto my chillins cause we are so gonna have a big dry erase to do list starting now!
Hey, how bout you email me cause I would really love to visit with you more, ya know, bout stuff. Keep up better.
Love you, sister!