Are weekly schedules for highschoolers necessary?

[mooooom]

I have been seeing so many people say that they give their kid a weekly schedule to be completed at the end of the week. I ahven't been doing that with my 3 9th graders. They get some assignments that are due at the end of the week (or longer w/ some reports). These are basically for subjects that I know they don't need any help with. They have other subjects that I give them daily assignments for the morning (I work mornings so they have a fair amount of work to complete when I am not home).

But we always do math and often science together daily - as they always seem to need help - also because I would never be able to help them if I didn't follow along - and I don't have any time to do that on my own. And when would I go over their work and correct it with them?

Is this bad? Will this not teach them responsibility? I've never had them not complete anything that has been assigned to them. I think they have been given at least as much responsibility as public school highschoolers.

[FloridaLisa]

[QUOTE=mooooom;849106]I've never had them not complete anything that has been assigned to them. [QUOTE]

I think that's your key. You have a system that is obviously working in your family. If your students are working on pace, at level, in a timely fashion . . . well . . what more can you want?! I give my dc a weekly assignment sheet, in part, to keep me on track. I have to know where we are headed for the week. I no longer give my oldest an assignment sheet since most of his classes are outsourced and he knows his responsibilities.

HTH,
Lisa

[Spock]

If they are finishing everything that needs to be finished without being nagged, I don't think it matters much. I have a weekly schedule of everything that needs to be done for all 4 children, but it is for me. Every morning I write out everyone's assignments on the dry erase board (each child has a labeled section). As they finish, they erase the assignment.

My high schoolers do most of their work on their own. I have to listen to oral narrations and discuss, and grade written work. I also do Spanish with them most days. My oldest needs me to teach him math, and to sit with him while he works most days. My second son teaches himself math by reading the MUS lesson from the teacher book. (He dislikes the DVD because he says it takes too long). I also do the end of chapter science reviews orally with my high schoolers. We discuss the things that they have trouble with to help prepare for the test.

I have tried giving them a week's worth of work at a time instead of a day's worth, but it didn't work as well for us.

[Brenda in MA]

I think your method of overseeing your kids' assignments sound great. They get some responsibility completing assignments in the morning when you aren't there, and then they get the benefits of working together with you in the afternoon on some harder subjects. If you're making sure they complete what's assigned, then that's great training, too. They're only 9th graders, and it sounds like you're modeling conscientious work habits, so that's great.

Like Lisa said, as my son got older, he got less specific assignments from me. In 9th grade, they were pretty detailed, now as a senior, he's dual enrolled for most of his subjects, and I expect him to handle it on his own.

JM2Cents,
Brenda

[OnTheBrink]

Some people, adults included, need the structure of lists, assignments, syllabi, etc.

When my son was in high school, I created a syllabus for each subject, with a schedule of assignments and due dates. He needed the structure without it seeming juvenile, and it helped him prepare for college courses.

[mcconnellboys]

No, I think what you're doing sounds fine. You're giving them a combination of things they do on their own and things they do with you. This is the same in any classroom setting.

[newbie]

My eleventh grader works very well w/a wkly and monthly schedule. It helps her plan out her days. I think all this planning will help her w/college.

Now I have to start the upcoming ninth on a schedule, and she likes to fly free. So I think I may have to tweak things for this child.