This was the second week of our second semester, and a new school schedule. We have had the same kind of schedule for a couple of years, and during our winter break, we spent quite a bit of time discussing what we wanted to accomplish, and what would be involved in accomplishing it.

We decided to include most of our subjects on a daily basis, instead of language arts and math in the morning, then an afternoon to focus on one subject at a time. The kids wanted to work independently in the morning, and then together in the afternoon.

Many pieces of scrap paper later, we have this-

The first week of this schedule was great- we are excited about the change of pace. But the second week is always a struggle. It’s not as shiny and new. We are looking at the weeks and months stretching out before us, and that looks like a long time when there is snow on the ground and the windchill is a finger-cramping, booger-freezing -11°F.

However, we are armed with hot chocolate, pizza, and fuzzy slippers. We have clearly defined goals, both short and long term, and have charted our course to meet them.

This weekend it will be nice to have some free time to unwind. I plan to write a couple of book reviews for Shelf Discoveries, take some pictures of the kids for AH&S, and finish reading Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford and Larry Niven (names only my fellow geeks will recognize). Ken and I will enjoy some time together Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, for our monthly Dad&Mom’s Day Out. Then on Sunday we will enjoy fellowship and worship in church as a family.

Have you made significant changes lately to your homeschool day?