How many hours a day should you teach?

 I bet you anguish over the number of hours a day you teach your child.  How many hours do you need?  Many, many kiddos can complete their core subjects in three hours.  Teens may need more time, especially to complete essays and labs.  Everyone should assign time to read.  Have friends with their kiddos in public school asked you why your child doesn’t need seven or eight hours doing school work?  You should ask your friend if she has spent a day in the classroom.  I taught in both public and private schools.  There is more time lost in public schools than I private schools, at least in my experience.  

How is time lost?  Behavioral issues rob instruction from classes.  Before any break, many, many teachers run movies in their classes.  Additionally, teachers feel entitled to take most of their sick days or personal days.  Substitutes generally do not deliver quality instruction; too often, the sub plan is another movie.  At least in the local school district, PE consists of running, walking, or planning with balls.  PE also includes Health or Driver’s Ed.  Many, many teachers allow students to work on homework in class, especially if the school is organized into block periods of eighty or ninety minutes.  In the local district, there are courses required, such as career exploration.  These courses are vague and lack structure.  It’s up to the teacher to design a good class.  Too often the teacher doesn’t.  

Then there are the disruptions and distractions: spirit days, fire drills, lock-down drills, weather drills, year book distribution, book sales, field days, home-room, assemblies, speakers, and announcements. If a team makes it to States, the entire school might go outside to cheer them on to the buses.  Really.  The number of minor disruptions is myriad.  Teachers are observed by administrators.  Classes may be combined because there are a lack of subs.  Anytime school is delayed for inclement weather, the class schedule is either half-day or brief encounters with students.

 One of the biggest disruption is standardized tests.  In Virginia, the SOLs are in May.  Teachers end instruction in April to begin review for the SOLs.  Not every student in their classes has to take an SOL; those kiddos do some alternative project instead.  Once the SOLs are over, so is class.  School may still be in session; few teachers offer any instruction.  In fact, Virginia is changing the testing schedule for SOLs to increase instruction.  These aren’t the only standardized tests administered.  For example, Juniors may take PSAT.  AP students take exams over two weeks in May, too.  AP instruction ends early, too, in order to review.

You spend your time teaching your children and minimizing disruptions.  If a child goes off-task, parents insist they complete their work.  Home-school families can complete the work in three hours because they have more control over their environment, especially if they focus on core subjects.

British Literature

 Every few years I teach British Literature for the local Co-op. We use Stobaugh, which I supplement with a syllabus from a Brit Lit course I used when I home-schooled Lacie.  Here is the table of contents.  We spend loads of time in class reading from the textbook.  We all take turns.  We discuss themes, words, and ideas.  We write often—but seldom lengthy essays.  

I just sent home summer reading: Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, Robinson Crusoe, and Romeo and Juliet.  Ignatius Press has the classics and offers study guides—ideal for Honors or college-bound classes.  What if your class has reading issues?  Mine does.  The answer is Great Illustrated Classics, Longman Classics, and Shakespeare Can Be Fun!  I advised them to watch the films first—another cardinal sin. (The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice  isn’t bad.). I know these teens.  My job is to provide a good, general education.  They will be able to say that they are familiar with British Literature.  Yes, they are using mainly the Great Illustrated Classics.  We tried a short story this year by Mark Twin.  The class couldn’t get past the slang in the text.  They had no idea what was going on.  We switched to the Great Illustrated Classic version.  Problem solved.  Now we understand the book because we can read it in standard English. 

During class, we read directly from Stobaugh most of the time. The exception is when the language itself is a barrier.  Shakespeare is an excellent example.  Orson Scott Card ‘freshened’ three Shakespeare plays.  I selected the most famous, Romeo and Juliet.  We’ll watch the 1968 film, too. (West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet, too.)  One of my favorite activities is to combine  a Shakespeare play with Hogarth Shakespeare and a film based on Shakespeare.  Here is the spreadsheet I made. (Many of the links are from No Sweat Shakespeare.  I use No Fear Beowulf, too.)  For example, a combination might be Hamlet, The Dead Father’s Club, and The Lion King.  I’m trying to engage teens, get them to think and write.  I ask interesting questions.  Does the Lion King capture Hamlet?  Teens who struggle make teaching even more challenging.  Let’s do everything we can to help kiddos love literature!  For me, that means using easier editions, simple English, and films.  Yes, it’s a joy to teach a strong class.  I grow more as an instructor when I work with kiddos who struggle.

LEGO

 There are so many excellent LEGO materials!  I tried to find a variety.  Print the mats or challenge cards to pull out on a rainy, summer day.

1. Legoland Home School Self-Guided Education Packet.  Use with World Landmarks cards, Landmark Building, or Hometown Landmark.  Build an entire City.

2. 4-H Enchanted Builds combines fairy tales with LEGOs.   So clever!

3. LEGO Morse Code or Morse Code Activity is another take on teaching Morse code.  This is a good rainy day activity for you coffee bin of craft stick ideas to pull when the kids are bored.

4. Free LEGO STEM Challenge Cards are simple activities, such as build a LEGO tower.  

5.  LEGO Mats in English and Spanish.  

6. LEGO Mosaics, Unikitty and Puppycorn, and Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.  

7. Here are a few more ideas: Six Bricks, Learning with LEGO, and Brick Math.

Create a List of Fun!

 No, not a bucket list—just a coffee can with craft sticks.  Write each idea on a craft stick. The kiddos are gambling whenever they draw a popsicle!  Here are ideas! We have used the summer to make Christmas presents!

1. Clean your room.  (Be sure to return this craft stick to the coffee can!)

2.  Hula Hoop.

3, Read one chapter from a classic or a book for the library Summer Reading Program-useful all summer.  (Make extra reading craft sticks for the coffee can.)

4.  Make or use your own sidewalk chalk (or these) to make a chalk mural outside.  Alternatively, chalk bodies and pretend it’s a crime scene.

5. Unload the dishwasher or start a load of laundry—free choice!

6.  Jump rope.

7. Sweep the porch, drive, deck, or sidewalk or wash the car.

8. Play Cat’s Cradle

9. Assemble a puzzle or make your own puzzle.

10.  Take funny (or beautiful) photos and print them.  Now start making Decoupaged, Craft-Stick, Nature Art, or 15 frames—ideal presents!

11. Clean the bathroom.  (Another craft stick which should return to the coffee can.)

12.  Make popsicle stick bracelets and decorate them with embroidery floss, markers or washi tape.

13.  Make a LEGO Frame or a DIY LEGO frame—an excellent present!

14. Make homemade vanilla extract.  Put it away as a Christmas present.  

15. Learn to Knit or Crochet.  Woobles have free Amigurumi patterns.  Crochet slippers as a present.

16.  Play chalk games.

17. Build LEGO flowers.  Walmart and Target have sales.  Buy inexpensive glass vases at the thrift store.

18. Make a Craft Stick Chain Reaction.

19. Ride your bike.

20.  DIY muslin bags with sharpies.  Grandma may get a library bag for Christmas.

21. Make soup mix in a jar in big batches!  Look for  gift jar ideas. So many presents!

Programs for Kiddos!

Have you considered programs for your kiddos?  Programs and groups vary enormously.  Our Co-op is located near Quantico, affording us access to Stafford County, Prince William, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania resources.  Our teens are involved in their church youth groups.  They are teens, with varied interests.  Families look for more opportunities.  Co-op members tend to share resources and tips for groups, organizations, and opportunities.    Let me share a few for you to consider.  See if other members of your Co-op are interested.  You can always start your own group.

1. NCFCA is a competitive speech program for teens. I’ve judged for the local group. The rules are strict!  The topics are meaningful.  This is an excellent means to develop logic  and public speaking skills.

2. FNE and AHG are great alternatives to the Boy or Girl Scouts.  (I was a leader, service unit manager, and trainer for Girl Scouts.  I saw first -hand how the organization lost its way.). Kiddos want a traditional scouting experience.  They want to camp, build a fire, cook outside, learn knots and first-aid.  Kiddos love to do service projects.  Find a scouting group which shares your values.

3. 4-H groups are wholesome and a good way to get ready to compete at the local fair.  

4.  What about Civil Air Patrol?  Many of the Cadet Activties promote leadership.  Naturally, teens want to learn how to fly a plane.  The program requires self-discipline; but, it had loads of activities, skills, and paths to pursue.

5.  CTY is a local, Christian, Theatre group.  Many of the families seek out Christian groups to safeguard our teens.  

6.  Before we moved to Stafford, near Quantico, we lived in Winchester, home to Shenandoah University, which has a robust music program.  Shenandoah has many resources for home-schoolers: Private Music Lessons, Summer Conservatory, and Making Music.  What type of music education is offered locally?

7.  Would your teen like to volunteer at a local museum?  In Winchester, The Discovery Museum has a teen council. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley also accepts teen volunteers.  (Winchester has several historical sites.  Here is a brochure.  We loved living in Winchester!)  Did you know teens 16 can volunteer at Mt.Vernon?

Participate in the County Fair this summer!

 You do not have to belong to 4-H to participate in the local fair.  There are a huge variety of entries. I entered goods in one fair.  I had no idea how strict the requirements were and bombed badly!   Do your homework!  Start soon!  Locally, Stafford County has a fair—without a permanent home.  It does have a home-making category and the fair isn’t until October.  This type of fair is ideal for your first foray.  No pressure!  

When we lived in Winchester, VA, there were several local fairs: Warren County, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, Clarke County, and the Shenandoah County Fairs.  I toured all of these, except Berkeley County’s fairgrounds.  (We used to volunteer at a Pro-Life Booth at Jefferson County.)  We were spoiled.  I like old-fashioned, county fairs.  What is the process?

1.  First, look at the  fairground’s website, such as Frederick County Fairground.  Read the rules! Some, such as Prince William County’s General rules are lengthy and have a fixed cost.  Are exhibitors given a free pass?  

2.  Review the entries, such as Agriculture/Crafts.  Read the Judging Criteria.  Youth Baked Goods’ criteria are equally specific.  Some fairs offer Education Exhibits, which are open-ended, but often agricultural.  There are loads of other categories: Hobbies and Collections, Fine Arts, Canning, Horticulture, Sewing, and Photography.  Yes, growing food or flowers, understanding photography, baking bread, or creating an educational exhibit all have scientific merit.  

3.  Look over any special events, such as the Youth Pet Show or a  Farm Animal Costume Contest.  I think a chicken in a costume is hilarious!

4.  Livestock at any fair is a special category and takes planning.  However, Rabbits and Chickens might work.  Take a look at the Poultry Requirements.

5. Read the Livestock Regulations thoroughly. Note this fair requires YOCA Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Training.  Check with the local Extension office for information.  Typically, youth who exhibit livestock are members of FFA or 4-H.  

Now is the time to get organized if you want to take part in your local fair.  You need ample time to complete forms, grow produce, practice recipes, or contact a vet.  Kiddos like to work with a purpose or goal.  Work as a family to decide which entries you want to submit. Make plans!  This summer is going to be so much fun!  

Summer Camps

All of us need a break.  I’m no stranger to summer camps.  I’ve hosted any number of science camps, both at my church and at schools where I taught.  Not all the campers were from the private school.  I’ved enrolled kiddos in camps.  First VBS is a week of camp.  Some churches offer summer camps.  Just look at St. James list of summer camps.  (This church is in WV.). The same is true of Sacred Heart’s summer camps in Winchester, VA.  BTW Summer Camps can be hard to join. In our area, outside Quantico, camp slots fill quickly in February.  Our favorite county camp is Multi-Sport, a different sport every day.  What if the county camps are full?  Check local private schools to see if they are hosting camps, such as this Art and Drama Camp. Sylvan Camps for openings.  We tried a Sylvan, STEM camp at the local fitness center one time.  The instructor used LEGO STEM kits.  Sadly, she just read the instructions to the kids.  Not the most fun. I’m sure some instructors are better at making STEM fun.   Some of the Catholic High Schools offer Sports Camps.  What about library, summer programs? Yes, mainly these are reading programs; check for special events.  Try Museums or Colleges, too.  Hey!  If these options are too expensive or unavailable, plan a cousin camp!