We started Saturday School this morning. Wow. Even with some semi-planned blocks of time and not starting right at 7am (we go from 7-10am), there is a LOT of time to fill. It will be better when I get some textbooks to use, so I can have J do math problems.
But we have to start somewhere, and starting today is a good way to begin. J is enthusiastic, especially when I talked to her about field trips!
The premise of Saturday School is enrichment and review of her 4th grade curriculum. Imagination will be encouraged. She will also learn study skills and strategies, and will have to continue memorization of basic math facts.
We'll use chapter books, games, flash cards, puzzles, and whatever else I find that I think would help her remember stuff.
We talked about keeping an observation journal in cursive (I think half her problems could be solved if she'd just get better at cursive writing, due to speed), and gardening as a science experiment (we already have some seeds growing).
In addition to the 3 hours on Saturdays, J will continue to spend 1 hour each day reading or doing math facts. She will also be expected to read or write in free time, if she doesn't want to play or complains of boredom. I also told her about a summer-long creative research project, where she has to choose a topic and then present a report to her dad (he's on board with me on the extra learning).
We'll be going to the library and taking nature walks also.
Lots to do. I hope it keeps her occupied!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Idea of Saturday School
I am not a professional teacher. I have a B.A. degree, so I am college-educated. I used to tutor students in college, so I do have some background as a tutor. I expect there will be challenges along the way, especially as both J and I can be stubborn. :)
The idea of saturday school came to me as I was looking at J's report card. She needs some fun, yet intensive, time to study and learn. She already spends an hour each evening after school reading (which was a school requirement to reach a reading goal). An hour each day is more like review time than anything else.
Saturdays are often wasted around here; we end up shopping or sleeping in. It's the best day of the week for us to find time for activities. I have to make an effort if she's going to make an effort!
So I started by cleaning off the dining room table. I had J help me choose notebooks from my extensive supply. We talked about what she would be required to do, and that she would still have time to have fun and play outside all summer. She was excited about the idea.
Probably, she's more excited about the time she will get to spend with me, with my undivided attention.
The idea of saturday school came to me as I was looking at J's report card. She needs some fun, yet intensive, time to study and learn. She already spends an hour each evening after school reading (which was a school requirement to reach a reading goal). An hour each day is more like review time than anything else.
Saturdays are often wasted around here; we end up shopping or sleeping in. It's the best day of the week for us to find time for activities. I have to make an effort if she's going to make an effort!
So I started by cleaning off the dining room table. I had J help me choose notebooks from my extensive supply. We talked about what she would be required to do, and that she would still have time to have fun and play outside all summer. She was excited about the idea.
Probably, she's more excited about the time she will get to spend with me, with my undivided attention.
Introduction
After yet another mediocre/poor report card, I decided it was time to put more of an effort into my 10-year-old daughter's schooling. She attends a highly-rated school, in a very small school district. The school always performs well on standardized tests. I have nothing to complain about there. The teachers she's had so far have seemed to be good enough. I have always encouraged her to complete her homework and be organized about school. School is her job.
Her 4th grade class size is about 19 kids, most of them boys. Their rowdiness seems to be a distraction for my daughter, J. She is an only child, so maybe she is not used to filtering out the distractions that would come from siblings. J is struggling in math and language arts. Even though she is in Title I class for math, the classroom teacher's decision to not use a math textbook does not seem to be working for J.
This summer is going to be structured. TV will be turned off. My plan is to spend 3 hours on Saturday mornings reviewing what she seems to not have learned very well in the past 4 years of school, such as basic math facts and vocabulary.
I don't want her grades to be just mediocre, but I don't expect perfection, either. I think she is just a reluctant learner, choosing to give up instead of challenging herself to the next level. We'll work on basics, but we'll also work on developing her imagination and thinking skills. Even though she is an only child, she doesn't seem to be able to create her own entertainment.
I plan to model the behavior by reading and writing also while she's reading and writing. Even though I already read and write a lot, maybe she just doesn't see it enough.
So that's the who's and why's of this blog. Hope you find some useful information here.
Her 4th grade class size is about 19 kids, most of them boys. Their rowdiness seems to be a distraction for my daughter, J. She is an only child, so maybe she is not used to filtering out the distractions that would come from siblings. J is struggling in math and language arts. Even though she is in Title I class for math, the classroom teacher's decision to not use a math textbook does not seem to be working for J.
This summer is going to be structured. TV will be turned off. My plan is to spend 3 hours on Saturday mornings reviewing what she seems to not have learned very well in the past 4 years of school, such as basic math facts and vocabulary.
I don't want her grades to be just mediocre, but I don't expect perfection, either. I think she is just a reluctant learner, choosing to give up instead of challenging herself to the next level. We'll work on basics, but we'll also work on developing her imagination and thinking skills. Even though she is an only child, she doesn't seem to be able to create her own entertainment.
I plan to model the behavior by reading and writing also while she's reading and writing. Even though I already read and write a lot, maybe she just doesn't see it enough.
So that's the who's and why's of this blog. Hope you find some useful information here.
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