Classical Conversations: Our Schedule at Home

During the planning stages this summer, I spent a great deal of time organizing my daily schedule.  Now that I am teaching multiple children, I really want my day to go smoothly and efficiently.  Each child deserves their one-on-one attention, and I needed to take into account areas we want to do together as a family and those areas where one child needs a quiet space with no interruptions.  So planning the order and arrangement of our subjects became very important.  I actually made about 10-15 different schedules (not exaggerating) before I settled on one.  So far, our first weeks of school are going great.  We have made a few tweaks, and I think we have something now that will work great for us!

I find that scheduling is also a big concern for other homeschooling moms.  We like to know what others are doing to help finalize our own thoughts.  So hopefully this will be of help to others. :)

Our Daily Routine

9:00-9:30

We begin the morning together with our Bible reading and prayer (this is often done during breakfast).  We also update our calendar, review scripture, and discuss our Godly character trait.  We pull out our notebook and practice writing our personal information---name, address, phone number.  Also in our notebook, we fill out our "Page of Prayers" and "I'm thankful for..." page.  These notebook activities are not all done on the same day.  I spread them out through the week.  

Then we begin our workboxes!

Workbox 1:  Math for both

Old Crow begins with independent math work (XtraMath on the iPad, drill sheets, flash cards, etc) while I work one-on-one with Crazy Horse.  Once we are finished with his lesson, Crazy Horse plays a math game or math manipulative and I begin Old Crow's lesson.  

*This is an area where Old Crow needs total concentration, so I send little brother to a nearby room to play on the rug while Old Crow and I work together.

Workbox 2:  Centers for Crazy Horse & English for Old Crow

For lack of a better term, Centers is just a rotating list of independent activities for Crazy Horse.  Listening center, book basket, iPad game, file folder game, puzzles, etc are all things that could be included in his workbox.  Old Crow and I work on English together.

Workbox 3:  Copywork/Writing for both

The English curriculum we are using often gives copywork so we extend that into our writing box.  Scripture is also something we use for copywork.  While Old Crow completes his copywork (usually at a desk in his bedroom for a quiet space), I work with Crazy Horse on his handwriting and letter formation.

Workbox 4:  Classical Conversations for both

I am so thankful for Leigh Bortins, the creator of CC, for giving this idea in the Foundations Guide.  This is something she does with her boys and it is working great for us!  The boys pull out blocks, Legos, etc and play together quietly while listening to the Classical Conversations memory work CD.  Once the songs and week's memory work are over, we clean up and are ready for a snack break.

Workbox 5:  Snack Break

During snack time, I sometimes read aloud or once CC begins I may use that time to drill the memory work.  It is also a great time to unload the dishwasher and put on a load of clothes. :)

After snack, we discuss our CC geography and trace/blob maps.

Workbox 6:  Reading for Crazy Horse and Piano for Old Crow

I send Old Crow off to the playroom where he practices his piano.  After that he has free time and can play until I call him for the next box.  While Old Crow is in another room, Crazy Horse and I concentrate on his reading program.

Workbox 7:  Piano for Crazy Horse and Reading for Old Crow

They basically switch places for this time period.  I work with Old Crow on his reading while Crazy Horse spends time on the piano and then free time in the playroom.

Workbox 8:  Playtime for Crazy Horse and Spelling for Old Crow

Crazy Horse remains in the playroom for free time or he can come and listen in on Old Crow's spelling lesson.

By this point, it is usually around 11:30.  We take a break and get Memphis Belle from preschool.  We eat lunch and play outside.

Afternoon Block with CC

During the afternoon, we have a rotation cycle for our Classical Conversation studies.

Monday:  Prepare for Tuesday's presentations

Tuesday:  Science book basket

Wednesday:  Science readings and science-related activities

Thursday:  History readings and history-related activities

Friday:  Fine arts focus and activity

Daily:  Storytime and A Child's History of the World readings are also done in the afternoon or at bedtime.

Having a routine provides structure and allows the kids the know what to expect each day.  However, the fact that no two days are the same is the beauty of homeschooling.  We are flexible, and I often let the boys lead in their interests.  If they want to talk about bugs and butterflies for a few minutes...let's do that.  Today they wanted to play Pilgrims and Indians after breakfast...sure!  We just adjusted and moved on.  :)
Jenny