So we downloaded a number of curriculum information specifications for year 8 and started assigning work based on the Victorian curriculum. The first week or two were quite challenging trying to keep Seraphin motivated. She refused to do the work and when looking deeper... She was bored. So we decided to allow Seraphin to try Year 9 maths and science.
Homeschooling made the change easy and Seraphin quickly got into work. The challenge was to keep her focused during the day as she loves her computer games. As we did last year we decided to use computer time as a reward for completing objectives.
Microsoft's Family Safety settings in Windows 8 and 10 allow you to do this quite simply. She has 1 hour per day unlimited access. When she finishes her work she sends of the completed work to me and then puts a request in for more time. I can then click a link in an email from anywhere that I am and give her access.
Here is what we learnt from the experience:
- Set clear goals for each day
- Make sure subjects work is clear defined. Such as Questions 1-5 on pg 53
- Set clear rewards for when that work is complete.
- e.g. An extra 2 hours when work is complete
- Plan a weeks worth of work at a time
- Don't overwhelm them
