End of the Summer Routine, New Curriculum for Samuel

Since returning from vacation the end of last month I would say that our life has not been as structured as it has in the past. Even though we ended up coming up with somewhat of a daily routine (my favorite part of which has been a 30-45 , minute rest each afternoon!), there are spells within the day that Samuel has a little more "free time" than he is used to. On most days I have a helper for Samuel in the morning, and then for a few hours late in the afternoon. It's that in between time without the helper that I find it challenging to keep Samuel off the computer or away from Playstation. I try to get some time with Samuel at the table. We still look at the calendar each day and fill in his journal, along with filling in his "All About Me" book, cutting activities, and some handwriting practise.

I took a bit of time to research new curriculums for Samuel. I wish more than anything that I could follow a Charlotte Mason curriculum with him, but I just cannot juggle all the preparation that curriculum entails, having four children to keep up with. I have enrolled my two other sons in Seton Home Study curriculum this year, and, at the advice of the education consultant, will be using the Lifepac curriculum for Samuel, along with some other materials. He'll be working at the first grade level again. I am looking forward to trying this because I think it will be appealing to Samuel. Also, I will not have all the outside preparation that I had with Samuel's work last year. Anything to simplify my life right now is a good thing!

Here's a sample of what our daily schedule has looked like this past month: Wake up, breakfast, "your choice" (which is usually watching videos/dvds), play (this would be with a helper; or go out, which we have done a lot in the morning this past month), lunch, play (this is free time for Samuel), rest, play (more free time), "work time" (at the table), then a helper arrives and they do playing activities for a few hours, dinner, play (free time, then I may have him join me in playing together outside), put pajamas on, "treat" (an evening snack), "your choice" (usually playing on the computer), bedtime. This schedule will be changing next week, when the "new" school year begins at our house.