Comments on: Homeschooling: Putting it All Together – 4 Moms

By: Kathi

Kathi — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:27:26 +0000

I’ve been told by a very dear friend at church with 15 and 17 yr old daughters, that Apologia’s Physical Science is very hard work. She suggested I borrow hers and look through it before buying it for Kylie (13 yrs). Just thought I’d share that with you. It seems like a few others feel this way too.

Your day sounds a lot like ours. I combine more and more as we get further into our Homeschool Journey. It’s so much easier, and makes or Family so much closer.

We took an entire month off when Judah arrived. Two weeks didn’t seem like enough, and six seemed like too many. Once we got back going, we just did things as we always had…with him in my lap.

By: Kylee

Kylee — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:22:02 +0000

I’m not a mom, but I just wanted to let you know that I have done Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology with Apologia and I absolutely have loved it. So I can’t help you with the little sciences, but I know that their highschool sciences are great! I’m doing Physics next year for my senior year!

~Kylee (kylee-inmylife.blogspot.com)

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:29:23 +0000

Wow, you are amazing!This routine and topics of study is wonderful~ I wish our 4 children could go to “your school”

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:27:19 +0000

No awe allowed!!

Thank you, I’m happy that I can finally say the baby will be here next month!!!

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:26:22 +0000

I also hope to take some time off of our more formal ‘school’ work when the baby comes. We’ve already gotten a nice start on our year, so we’ll be very flexible.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:24:41 +0000

Thank you April. I’m hoping that many things can continue as above when our newest member arrives. A lot will depend upon her personality.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:23:27 +0000

The children that are joining in generally have enough free time in the afternoon. Those who have a heavier work load either don’t join in or get up extra early to get their work done.

Our kids tend to be very responsible about what they have to do and if they know that they won’t be done by the time it’s free time, they will just keep working on their own things. Often I’ll find them curled up with the book that they missed, reading it themselves.

We nearly always finish the reading/discussion time by lunch, although we have been known to delay lunch in order to finish.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:12:36 +0000

Thank you Bonni. It seemed that I’d been told that it was a bit advanced for younger students, now I know.

By: 4 Moms 35 Kids:Putting it all together | Life In a Shoe

4 Moms 35 Kids:Putting it all together | Life In a Shoe — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:58:21 +0000

[...] Raising Olives gives a play-by-play example of how she teaches a wide range of ages during the course of the day. [...]

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:53:46 +0000

Amazing! I am in awe . Something that struck me as amusing, however, is that I have my kids separated into “older” and “littler” groups as well… the difference is that ALL of mine fit into your “younger ones” category . Fun.
Hope all continues going well as you finish up your pregnancy!

By: Tristan from the Crew

Tristan from the Crew — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:51:17 +0000

When a baby arrives the ‘plan’ is always to take a month off and only spend time reading aloud. I think I need to emphasise the plan to the children a bit more in advance this time around though. Last baby we were back to lapbooking and homeschool before the baby was 2 weeks old because the kids just insisted. Sigh. I would really like a longer break for baby #6′s birth.

Okay, so maybe this time I should just print out things for the kids so they can do it independently when the mood strikes? Of course, this baby is due on Thanksgiving Day, which leads into the wonderful Christmas season so maybe they will be more up for relaxing. Last time is was the end of February and there is nothing going on then. This time thay can work on Christmas projects, bake for others, practice their Nativity play (a family fun thing we do on Christmas Eve with the video camera), etc.

We’ll see! Thanks for posting this, it is great to see how things can still be doable as the number of children increases. Praying your last few weeks pregnant go smoothly!

By: April

April — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:40:26 +0000

I only have five (10 and under) with one due in September, but I have tried both ways of homeschooling–it is not often I can say “only”. THere is the “Please sit at the table and do not talk.” and there is “learning, reading, working, and playing together.” Together works so much better. Now if I can just remember that and not compare! My plan (and I have used it in the past) is to homeschool from my little corner of the couch when the newest little person arrives! The children can come to me to get reading instructions, math help or a kiss! It will simply take longer with the new distraction!

Thank you for this series–it is a wonderful encourage.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:40:21 +0000

Hi Kimberly,

My olders often want to join in with what my youngers are doing as well… what do you do in your house about the fact that when they join, they are not getting as much of their independent work finished at that time? Do they still have enough free time later in the day or do they end up having left over school work?

Also, about how long are you spending with the youngers before you start the Bible group time? Or, put another way, are you able to finish this before lunch usually?

Thank you, as always.

Jenn

By: Bonni

Bonni — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:19:51 +0000

I found that the math included in Apologias Physical science was difficult for my 8th grader. I used the book to teach Physical Science at our homeschool coop to 9-11th graders, and it went well, with the exception of 1 chapter because of the algebra problems included.