Homeschool learning happens all day long! Scheduling specific teaching times will hone skills and foster opportunities to learn new ones. Your daily teaching schedule will depend on the ages of your children and your education plan.
Homeschoolers actually keep several schedules. One is the yearly schedule. This establishes the goals for the year. You will determine before the start of each school year when your terms begin and end, how long your year lasts, what subjects will be taught, and when vacations and holidays will be taken. Next you will plan each term or quarter, establishing how much material will be covered in each subject. During your daily schedule, you must cover enough material to keep you on schedule to complete the coursework by the end of the year. Keep track of your calendar using a teacher planning book or computer software such as Homeschool Tracker.
Preparation for the school day begins the night before. Children learn best when they are rested and refreshed. Getting to bed early the night before and having a good breakfast helps children to be energized for their day. Avoid morning hassles by selecting clothes and laying them out the night before. Some families enjoy a time of prayer and Bible study to begin their day.
Moms must also be focused and ready to teach. If Mom is prepared for her day, she will be a better teacher. Flexibility is necessary to deal with interruptions and distractions. Good organization skills will aid in ensuring the day flows smoothly. Each child must be taught individually for their specific subjects and collectively on group projects. Plan a time on your daily schedule to grade each child's schoolwork. Timely feedback is important to identify comprehension problems.
Young children in the early grades, whose attention spans are short, will function better with short teaching times. Plan to spend no more than twenty minutes on each subject. In the early years, teaching will consist of learning to write, learning to read, and learning basic math skills. Include scheduled times for play and outdoor recreational activities during the morning and afternoon. Foster artistic skills by playing music, displaying art, and doing crafts. Read a story after lunch during a short rest time.
Older elementary children will probably spend forty-five minutes on each subject. It makes sense to tackle difficult subjects such as math and English at the beginning of the day. Begin by having them read assigned material aloud, with explanation and discussion times to follow. Conclude with seat work to practice concepts. Outdoor recreational activities should be scheduled for later in the morning and later in the afternoon.
Older students will be doing more independent study. Their schedule will be impacted by outside jobs, chores, and the pursuit of hobbies and sports activities. Some may utilize online learning classes or participate in classes held via satellite. In this case, your schedule will be dependent upon the availability of classes.
Part of the homeschool daily schedule includes chores. Post a chart so each child can see what is required of them each day. A colorful sticker can be used to mark completion. Allowing the children to participate in the care of the home teaches responsibility.
Some days will include specialty lessons in music, sports, or lessons in your child's specific area of interest. Many homeschool families participate in church activities, volunteer work, home businesses, and club activities such as 4-H or Scouting. All activities must be scheduled into your day.
Your day can be as rigid or as flexible as you need it to be. Be sure to plan some unstructured time where kids and Mom can play, visit friends, or pursue their own interests.