I will be trying block scheduling this term, giving my children the rest of the hour after the subject lesson for free play time, which in the summer is usually outside.
Morning Time
Block 1 (probably about 9:00-10:00)
Literacy: I plan to continue The Good and the Beautiful literacy curriculum, while being selective about the activities and lessons. My first grader will start with review of Unit 1 and do the informal assessment. We will plan from there. The basic rhythm will be
Math: We will continue using Primary Math, starting with a song about skip counting or other math concepts, and then the lessons will be on subtraction, number position, and comparing numbers. We will follow the practice session with a game.
Block 3 (11:00-12:00)
Geography/History: We will be using the blob maps technique combined with the Beautiful Feet Books recommendations for "Around the World with Picture Books." I'm debating about which history schedule to go with for first grade... so we will stick with geography this term.
Lunch, read aloud, and rest time
Block 4 (1:30-3) Nature/Neighborhood walk and nature journals as well as research/books/activities on whatever scientific topics they find interesting. (It's looking like bees/wasps, spiders, and ants are most fascinating now.) This may get moved up to block one depending on how hot it is outside.
Snack with poetry: A A Milne and Shel Silverstein, then clean up and prep supper. I'm debating on getting A Year of Playing Skillfully as I would be able to use it for several years and have heard such great things about it. It would be lovely to have a list of valuable activities to do, especially with my 4 year old, without gathering and synthesizing them myself. So perhaps sometimes those activities here.
Those are my grand aspirations for this term!
Morning Time
Block 1 (probably about 9:00-10:00)
Literacy: I plan to continue The Good and the Beautiful literacy curriculum, while being selective about the activities and lessons. My first grader will start with review of Unit 1 and do the informal assessment. We will plan from there. The basic rhythm will be
- Sight words/review short story from reader (5 minutes)
- Lesson from curriculum (10 minutes)
- Copywork from current literature/dictation/ authentic writing (5-10 minutes)
- Read aloud book of choice on couch (10 minutes with goal of increasing stamina)
and later,
- During lunch (often outside), I'll read aloud from Beatrix Potter or James Herriot's Stories for Children.
Math: We will continue using Primary Math, starting with a song about skip counting or other math concepts, and then the lessons will be on subtraction, number position, and comparing numbers. We will follow the practice session with a game.
Block 3 (11:00-12:00)
Geography/History: We will be using the blob maps technique combined with the Beautiful Feet Books recommendations for "Around the World with Picture Books." I'm debating about which history schedule to go with for first grade... so we will stick with geography this term.
Lunch, read aloud, and rest time
Block 4 (1:30-3) Nature/Neighborhood walk and nature journals as well as research/books/activities on whatever scientific topics they find interesting. (It's looking like bees/wasps, spiders, and ants are most fascinating now.) This may get moved up to block one depending on how hot it is outside.
Snack with poetry: A A Milne and Shel Silverstein, then clean up and prep supper. I'm debating on getting A Year of Playing Skillfully as I would be able to use it for several years and have heard such great things about it. It would be lovely to have a list of valuable activities to do, especially with my 4 year old, without gathering and synthesizing them myself. So perhaps sometimes those activities here.
Those are my grand aspirations for this term!
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