I have had a lot of people ask me my honest opinion about using The Family School as part {almost all} of my homeschool last year. I wrote a few post you can read here about what The Family School is and why I loved it. I can honestly say it was the best thing for our homeschool, hands down. I will not go back! Here are some answers to questions I have been asked…
What was my schedule for each subject?
I did the schedule that they have outlined on their web page here. I did 3 days of History, Science or Geography, Thursday I would do Literature, and Friday I would do Art or Music! I did history one week, science the next and geography and then just rotated like that.
Did my kids retain the knowledge they learned after 2 weeks of learning something else?
I know a few people have been worried that waiting 2 full weeks to get back to the subject would make it so their child forgot the lessons. I did not have this problem at all. We would do Science and then 2 weeks after that we did science again and they would open their binders and remember exactly what we learned.
The Binder-
Last year they didn’t have tabbed dividers, so I just made my own. One for each subject. I printed a page out for each sub heading, but didn’t have a tab for it. This year I am for sure going to buy the tabbed dividers or make my own. I start with a 2″ binder, but this last year I had to move Art and Music about half way through to a new binder.
The Timeline-
This has been a bit confusing for people, and quiet honestly I didn’t use it at all last year except for maybe the first day. The lessons changed with the updated version and I can’t wait to show you the timeline I made with my sisters…..TOMORROW! I will have a whole post dedicated to it.
What did I think of all the reading?
I loved reading the literature books with my kids. Especially Bambi. What a great story! As far as a book per subject, I didn’t do it how they recommend. I picked the book for history and we would read it until it was done and then pick a book for the next subject and read it until it was done. It really doesn’t matter what you do as long as you are reading with your kids. I actually got one of the books on CD, two of the books my husband read to them at bed time and I read one to them along with all the books for literature.
What other curriculum do I use besides the Family School?
For Math I use Right Start Math – We Love it, very hands on and fun! Not a lot of worksheets until they are in 4th grade then they have at least one good one a day, plus a review one.
Language Arts – Utah Online Program, Writing Road to Reading & First Language Lessons
French – Powerspeak through Utah Online
Typing – BBC Dance Mat typing or Typing Web Both free!
I really enjoyed reading about what you are doing with your home school. I have sent your link to my daughter who homeschools.
Blessings!
Thank you for sharing how you’ve liked the family school. I’ve enjoyed your recent homeschool posts. We’re trying out the history portion this year.
Hello, this is an old post, but we are doing year one starting this month too, so I am searching online for families experiences. You said you love Right Start Math, and I’ve been drawn to it. My only hesitation is the one on one time it requires. So, as a fellow mother with five littles, how does it work for you? How much time do you spend doing it with different levels, etc? Thanks in advance for your response.
Hi Colette, I felt the same way. Once they get to level D the lessons get shorter and the worksheets get longer. It’s hard, but I love how it gives them a good strong base in math. They do math twice a week and do 2 lessons and the worksheets and then they read Life of Fred daily. So four RSM lessons and LOF 4 days a week. I spend about 30 minutes with each child. My oldest (12) is almost done, and I only spend about15 minutes with her. I think I am going to do Teaching Textbooks with her when she is done with RSM
Thank you. That sounds feasible enough–I needed a time frame from a real mom with several children!