Homeschool Schedules
The Plan
It's time to get this home school schedule under control. As a jumping off point, let's take a look at how we tackle a day around here.
Things to keep in mind
The Plan can change, and that’s ok.
People and relationships and happy hearts take priority over the Plan.
- Do your best every day, and every day will be a WIN!
We are starting at 8:30am, this year. (In the past it has been 7am, 9am, when the baby naps...many years are different) Just plug in your start time, you can’t do it wrong it is YOUR schedule!
An aquaintance of mine started her day with her teens at 11am, that wouldn't work for us but it8:00am Everyone is awake and moving. Personal hygiene.Personal care. Household responsibilities. Ready for action!
Table time. Check in, be ready for learning. Start the first subject. Side trips are ok!
Assign older kids independent assignments
.Work on group lessons
Work on one on one topics, excuse older kids to independent study areas.
Lunch
Group lesson
Independent assignments/ study.
Reading (assigned)
Free time (reading, homework catch up, screen time)
Evening chores /Dinner
Family time
Free time
Lights out
Wash rinse repeat.
Sure, but what’s that look like?
Ok I hear you. “Great Jeanette, that’s a cute schedule what does it mean? “
If the above makes sense to you, skip this, we are going to get super specific here.
7am I wake up and ponder at the stunning gift that is my life. Shower, and recite to my mirror whatever particular pep talk is called for on this particular day.
7:30 I wake up the individual gifts slumbering throughout my home.
7:45 I remind said gifts of their awesome potential for a great day.
I eat, read, play with my pets, drink my coffee and get set for the day.
8:15 I unceremoniously holler up the stairs that “school starts in 15 minutes and you better get your...selves down here”.
To those that are ready, or at least nearby, I say good morning. DON’T MISS THIS. I do not know what is going on in each of these precious brains and hearts that I am charged with nurturing. I must slow down here. How did they sleep? What is on their minds? Are they ready for the day?
8:30 First subject. For us this is Bible time. We work through a book of the bible, each kid reading a section. I tag the next person when it’s time to change readers. I cover the what, where, who etc of the book before we start. We discuss knowledge we have about the book, and ponder questions we will be looking to answer. . Every day I do a quick “where are we, and what is happening” question and answer moment. Beware: side trips happen, more on that here.
In the early stages of homeschooling when I had 6 kids 10 and under around (and under) my table, not every kiddo could read (shocking right?). Managing distractions was the name of the game. We had pets, infants, toddlers, coffee, neighbors, phone calls, a business, ministry responsibilities, house work, did I mention toddlers? There was a lot going on. I learned quickly that distractions needed to be accounted for.
Learn more about handling this in the article “The art of distraction”.
Every other scheduled agenda item above also has a corresponding detailed article on the way, stay tuned!
The takeaway is this, know why you are homeschooling, and let love lead the process.
