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  • ID = 8
  • Category = General (1)
  • Created = Jan 27, 2010
  • Author = Kara
  • Question = Q: How many days per year should we do school?
  • Answer = A:    The short answer: 365 days each year, 24 hours each day,
    60 minutes each hour, with (perhaps) some time off to sleep and
    to plan. Part of a Christian worldview is the knowledge that
    since people are made in the image of God, we are always
    learning, always creating, always about the business of taking
    dominion. Parents disciple their children at all times, as well-
    when we rise up, when we sit in the house, etc. Even on days when
    we don’t crack open a book or pick up a pencil, we are teaching
    and learning about God, His creation, and His work. No one takes
    (or gets) a day off from that!

    Assuming you are asking specifically about scheduled academic
    learning, there are many deciding factors, the first of which is
    your family goals. Most structure curriculum assume a 180-day
    year. While there is no reason that one math book must be
    completed within each 365 day calendar, most families pace
    lessons so that can be accomplished.

    Does your state have "attendance" requirements? You might take
    that into consideration, as well, remembering that "field trips"
    to the post office and other community locations are common even
    in institutional schools. Doctor’s visits can be opportunities
    for learning. Trips to a movie theatre, although definitely a
    cultural study, probably are not.

    Of course, my husband would argue: When you homeschool, when is
    "school" not in session? If you live in a state with strict
    requirements, you may need to learn to play the game of framing
    your day in educational-ese, something I learned during student
    teaching. One popular homeschool writer explains how writing
    skills are developed when organizing closets. As one who does a
    lot of writing, I agree!

    Since this reader lives in state where there are no attendance
    requirements, the heart of this question is: How much is enough?
    The answer is simple, but not easy. "Enough" is the number of
    days it takes you to meet the goals that you have set for your
    children (or that they have set for themselves). This will vary
    based on your family’s goals and desires, each individual child’s
    needs and goals, and the stage of life you are in. Just remember
    that many years ago schools accomplished much more in less time.
    As little as four months a year of structured schooling produced
    men who were ready for college level work at the age of fourteen
    or fifteen.    

  • Answered By = Kara
  • Answered On = Jan 27, 2010
  • Approved By = Kara
  • Approved On = Jan 27, 2010
  • Return Link = Return
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