Wednesday, July 30, 2008

2nd Grade Year at a Glance

Here is our 2nd Grade Year-at-a-Glance! I really enjoyed using this as a tool last year to keep us focused and on-track. Plus, I am a big picture person. It truly helps me to know where I am going before I even set out on the journey. Sure there may be some detours along the way (that's part of what makes travel so fun!) but this is our basic "road map".

Here are a few notes about this year:
  • We will phase in slowly over six weeks. This week is actually Week 1 and you can see we just started math. Next week we add logic, the following week handwriting and SOTW... I decided to start with math because I want to finish by the end of May and since we only school four days a week we needed to get a head start here. We added logic next because Thatch has been begging for his Mind Benders all summer! ;) I am so excited about starting this way; I think it will be a really great thing for all of us.
  • The last column on the first page has all the books we hope to read this year (not history or science related). On the second page is some basic Fine Arts info to keep me on track.
  • I do not have our Bible Lessons included here. I will add those plans soon.
  • I tried to do better this year about adding catch-up/review weeks in several subjects. Last year when life happened and we slipped behind, we were constantly having to double up on lessons in one area or another. This year I tried to remedy that where I had a little freedom and add in weeks just to catch up if we were behind, review or move ahead if we were right on track. :)





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13 comments:

McNeill Family said...

Hi,
I hope you don't mind me reading your blog and at this point I can't even remember how I found you. Anyways, I love this schedule!!! I had never thought of easing into school. I am really struggling with how to get going this year. This will be my 1st year home schooling my 4 kids and my greatest challenge is firguring out how to actually teach all 4. If you have any more ideas I would love to hear them! Thanks for this great idea today!!!

ByHISgoodGrace said...

Love the schedule, I've been trying to figure out a way to ease into starting...! This is an answer to prayer. Thanks for sharing.

Jennefer said...

McNeill Family,

Sorry I don't know your first name! :) One other thing that may help is to have your "dream schedule" in mind as you start to plan something like this. I know at the end of this 6 week phase in period what I want our days to look like. Consider things like your wake up time, kids wake up time, when you will serve meals, breaks, playtime.....As we phase in our subjects we are also phasing into our dream schedule.

This week I started waking myself up earlier and getting Thatch out of bed 30 minutes earlier than normal(he has become a night owl and loves to sleep in!). Each week I will add a little more structure to our days to help with that transition as well.

Hope this helps you! Let me know if you need anything else, too.

Blessings

McNeill Family said...

I am such a slave to my routine and structure and sometimes that is what makes the planning past of home schooling so hard for me. I am attempting to do everything and when I was part-time schooling and when my children were in a University Model school I had some support or not all of my children were school age. This first year with all 4 school age is just freaking me out!!!! Thank you for your tips and advice and willingness to help someone you don't even know!!!! :) Denise

Renee said...

Good for you! Way to plan out a vision for the year. It sounds great and I'm sure the kids will reap the blessings of your hard work!

Corrie said...

I am inspired to make an overall plan like this. I think it will help me gauge how long we will be using the resources I have now.I also agree with scheduling "catch-up" days. Thanks for another great help to a newbie!

my5wolfcubs said...

Great plan! Some of your wonderful books might take longer than a week to read though, Farmer Boy and Swallows & Amazons (2 of my favorites!) are long books. :)
Take care through this storm -- I'll be praying for your family!
Lee

judahmo said...

Hi Jennefer-
I really like the idea of phasing into school slowly. I've caused us to burn out several times already because I start too much at once, but if I just wait until "it feels right" it never happens! :0)

So, thank you for sharing how you are going to begin your year and inspiring me to find a balance!
Shannon

Kaecey said...

WOW! I linked to your blog from the WTM boards (I'm having planning issues this year and have been looking for advice/inspiration/etc). Just had to say, GREAT JOB!! =)

Anonymous said...

I emailed you back but wanted to thank you again, Jennefer for your great work and sweet spirit. BTW, I'm a pastor's wife too! Blessings, Grace

Anonymous said...

Your year at a glance looks great...so does your blog. :)

Shannon @ Some Fine Taters said...

How do you make your pretty colored charts?

Jennefer said...

Shannon,

I use Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Word. I can email you a template if you would like! :) I shared it with tons of other moms on a msg board I frequent, too.

My email is under my photo on my profile page.

Jennefer