Making a Change in our Schedule
One GIANT benefit of homeschooling is that you can mix it up when things are not working. We have been using a very relaxed schedule and that has presented a bit of a challenge for us. Some days we do not get to everything I have planned so we just do the bare minimum. That is not what I want our homeschool to be. I want to be a fun place where we get to learn about topic D is interested in. This includes, writing a book, building a garden and more hands-on science experiments.
Well, somedays we just do Math and our Literature through Moving Beyond the Page. I always feel behind and like we are not doing enough. I know deep down that we are doing enough because some days we spend hours in great conversation and learning what D is interested in. But I can not help feeling defeted sometimes.
I want to share this because I know I am NOT the only one! I also want to tell others that it is all right to feel this way and completely normal! I also want you to make a switch to make homeschooling most successful for your family.
For years we have not started our school day till after 11 because Dad leaves for work at 10:45. He does not get home until after 11 pm so we are usually in bed by then. I have proptized Ds time with him because family bonds are the most imporatant thing for us. However in just a few weeks he is changing work schedulas. This is a hard thing for our family because our routine is going to completely change. HOWEVER, it is also the perfect time to make some changes to our homeschool routine as well.
Here is what I am hoping our day will look like. Granted it may take some time for us to actually get into the swing of things…. I do think it will benefit us greatly once we get the schedule down!
8 am - be ready for the day (this may be difficult as I have let D sleep until she wakes up then slowly get ready…. but let mix it up and try to get up early. This will also help her get to sleep on time. And me to have some quite time before bed, which is a must!)
8:30 am - Start school with a brian warm up activity such as cursive practice, multiplcation practice or a spelling game. 15 minutes
8:45 am - Subject 1, I would like to mix up the starting subject based on what the brain warm up activity is (or vice versa I should say). 45 minutes
9:30 am- 30 minutes free reading. This is the time where D has reading time that could be any book she wants! My only requirement is that it is NOT a graphic novel. She can read as many graphic novels for as long as she would like after school is fi;30 nished for the day.
10 am - 15 minute break; play outside, get some energy out, whatever she would like to do (except technology).
10:15 - Subject 2, either Math or Literature. We do Singapore Math Dimentions and Moving Beyond the Page for English. I do want her to do both EVERY DAY. 45 minutes
11:00 - Subject 3- This will be a rotating subject, either Social Studies or Science. We do both subjects through Moving Beyond the Page as well as add in topics D is intersted in. I want to get each in twice a week. (30 minutes to 1 hour based on what we are doing)
11:30- Elective time, this would include a different subject each day that sparks Ds interest. This could be gardening, sewing, writing her book, art or something like that. I would love to do two 30-minute blocks with one more academic and one that is art related. 60 minutes a day.
12:30 - end of the day! clean up the desk, reset for tomorrow.
I am also open to moving times around based on what when we finish the tasks on our to-do list. I know this may seem strict as we have had a very loose schedule, but at this point, we need a change! I am also hoping to do school only 4 days a week so we can have a whole day with Dad each week to something fun.
I will definitly keep you all updated on the process of us using this schedule… That will also help me keep accountable!
Do you use a schedule or school when it fits into your day?
How does it benefit your schooling?