BellaOnline Forums Education Homeschooling Daily Schedules

Hello, my name is Niamh ("nee-av"). I have yet to be a mother (we've been trying for about a year and a half), but when I do become one I would really like to homeschool (at least for elementary school). I dont know if this was already a topic on here (I searched but couldnt find if it was), but I was wondering, what are your daily homeschooling schedules like (if you have any)? Personally, I like organization (mixed with a little spontinaity [spelling?]) and I see myself having some kind of daily schedule. For example, when we (mom and kids) wake up the first thing I'd like to do is eat breakfast and then have "P.E." (yoga, or something like that). I havent really thought of what else or how else to fit or organize, but I have plenty of time for that (I probably will figure it out by trial and error). But I also plan on fitting in extra/co curricular activities as well (recreational sports, scouts, etc etc.)
What is it like for all of you and your kids? Do you have a basic daily schedule? What is your typical schedule? How did you come up with it? If you dont have a schedule, why not?
I'm hoping your answers will give me a few good ideas on how I could do daily scheduling. I'm giving thanks for replies in advance! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Niamh,
First off, nice choice of names, very cool.

Our schedule has evolved over the past 4 yrs of homeschooling, especially with the increase from 2 children to 4 (the last two added in less than two years, ikes!)

With two babies in the house (20 months and 6 wks) the key word for us right now is flexibility. I figure we can take it easier right now and catch up eventually, though I don't really see us as behind.

We have set subjects to do each day. This is us:

Monday- spelling, read alound and music. One monday a month we have a creative writing class that we continue at home.

Tuesday - Science (class outside of home 2 weeks a month, at home other two weeks) and handwriting

Wednesday - reading lesson, read aloud, math (Sports day/PE/Park once a month with group)

Thursday - history (1 wk is a class the other weeks are review and studying for upcoming class), 4H once a month, reading lesson and math

Friday - spelling, read aloud, math

We leave Saturday and Sunday for make-up if we go to a field trip or take a day off or if one of the babies is particularly needy, etc.

It works for us.

As for household schedule, I suppose we have one that changes with time as well. It's nothing I set, we kind of fell into it.

Morning - wake up when we want. Normally I'm up at 7 with the infant and the older girls are up by 8 or 8:30. I get the 1 yr old up at 8:30.

We eat breakfast and start on lessons if babies allow.

Snack time at 10am and I might get a start on dinner

11am - nap for 1 yr old

Lunch at 12noon

quiet time from 1-2:30 (mommy's sanity time, we don't make kids nap anymore but they have to be quiet in their room)

snack at 3pm

then afer 3 it's pretty much a free-for-all. They might finish school work that we didn't do earlier, they might play wiht friends, they might play in backyard, sometimes they watch tv or play on the computer, sometimes we sit and make paper dolls - it's different everyday.

We normally start dinner around 4:30-5pm and eat around 6pm.

bedtime is usually 9pm unless we're watching something fantastic on tv or a special movie is on, etc.

HTH,
Meg

Hey Meg, I'm a homeschooling parent as well and my life and/or school has no set schedule AT ALL .

The school work does get done, just not on any sort of a schedule.
I actually crave to be a schedule/organized individual, so I'm copying your daily schedule to motivate me to make one for my household.
Here's hoping!

Thanks Meg, you are an inspiration. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

An inspiration? LIttle old me, nah...

Im just a tired mom with one too many kids trying to figure things out.

Meg

A Day in my Life:

6 am -wake up, coffee, dress, read messages, excercise and meditate

8:30 am - Wake the kids so they can dress, eat and handle chores

10 am- Lessons begin

12:00- Prepare lunch and eat

If the children have completed all lessons and chores, they have a free afternoon, if there are things left undone these those must be finished.

3:00 Pm- I get ready for work, straighten the office and then begin greeting my husband's martial arts students

8:30 PM- Our work day is over and if we haven't all eaten seperately, we have a late dinner together

After dinner, the kids play games, read or whatever while my husband I get online or we all watch tv together depending on the night.

10 PM- The kids head to bed

11 PM- We go to bed

I am a homeschooling mom of a 17 year old. What I can say and offer is that it was the best decision I have ever made. Many people have said "what about her social life" well when I look around at all the social lives most teens are having these days....it really appears to be too social. My daughter and I are flexible about most things. Somedays we spend the day cooking or cleaning, somedays are spent visiting the elderly or maybe just working in the yard. She will graduate this summer and is looking at becoming a medical secretary. Her school has been set around that career field. To ensure that is what she will do she has decided to take a few certification courses after graduation, before she spends time and money on college--as you know most college students do not work in their degree field. We are a average family income so money does not grow on trees. She wants to make sure she does not waste money on a field that she may decide is not for her. It is more important to homeschool in the teen years than it is elementary. I have a sister with 4 children 6,3,2, and a newborn. She homeschools and is a personal trainer, she rolls with the flow. One thing to remember is that homeschool was the norm just over 100 years ago...and then we herded all the kids into classrooms taught them all the same way (even though we know each child learns differently) and then we are told that is the way to do it. It is always good to have a plan, but remember if you see a butterfly in the yard and the kids are interested in that stop what you are doing and teach them about butterflys. More can be learned in that time then you can ever guess!!
Good luck to you all.

OH you said it all, Laurina!
Enjoying the small things is so important!

meg

Today our daily scheduled changed quite a bit. Our daughter learned today about car maintenance. As luck would have it our brakes went out and our son came over to change the brake pads. Because he has a bad back our daughter went out jacked up the car, took the tires off and with the assistance of her brother changed the brake pads on the car. This has taught her a lot about taking on new challenges and you don't have to be a guy to work on your car. Who knows what tomorrow will bring....Remember flexability.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Our lifestyle doesn't leave much room for flexibility except when an emergency demands we step away from the typical day. We operate our own business and have the doors open by 3 pm.

All said, it's a hectic life and I have been known to call a school day off to sit in the sun and read.

We must remember even public schools get a spring break <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />