I made our schedule a little more flexible than last year’s schedule, because I really do like to keep things simple and flexible to adjust to varying loads each day. I will evaluate as we go this year and tweak this schedule later on, if necessary. We do not keep to this schedule at all on our day out for music lessons and errands. Currently, that day is Wednesday, but even that is subject to change depending on our piano teacher’s college class schedule.
Please see Homeschool Curriculum 2007-2008 to see the curricula we chose to teach the subjects listed below.
HOMESCHOOL SCHEDULE 2007-2008
Updated: 8-7-07
6:00 am — 7:30 am
- Mom wakes, prepares Dad’s lunch & breakfast for all, begin laundry, day’s food prep, personal grooming
7:30 am — 8:30 am
- All Children — breakfast & morning chores
8:30 am — 9:00 am
- Bible* — Naomi & Mikah (with Mom, then independent); Haniya (independent, then with Mom)
9:00 am — 10:00 am
- History/Geography/Read Alouds* — all together with Mom, then Haniya independent
10:00 am – 10:15 am
- Latin/Greek Roots
10:15 am — 10:30 am
- Snack
10:30 am – 11:30 am
- Language Arts*
11:30 am — 12:00 pm
- Math*
12:00 pm — 1:00 pm
- Lunch, Lunch Chores & Leftover Reading Aloud
1:00 pm — 1:30 pm
- Science*
1:30 pm — 2:00 pm
- Naomi — Piano; Haniya — Finish up any undone work
2:00 pm — 2:30 pm
- Haniya — Piano
2:30 pm — 5:00 pm
- Snack, then Free Time & Afternoon Chores
*What is included in the subjects listed:
Bible = reading from Bible; memory work; additional study through workbook pages
History/Geography/Read Alouds = reading from assigned passages, independent study (Haniya); mapwork; comprehension questions; discussion
Language Arts = reading; spelling; phonics; dictation/copywork; grammar; writing; handwriting
Math = lesson; exercises in workbook; 10-15 minutes Flashmaster; supplemental computer games, as needed
Science = lesson; discussion; note-taking; experiments/activities
...
I’d be curious to know what kind of morning chores or afternoon chores the kids do.
Morning: make beds, get dressed, brush teeth, wash face, comb hair; unload dishwasher; breakfast — clear table, load dishwasher, wipe down counters & table; laundry — sort laundry, switch from washer to dryer, fold, put away.
Afternoon: lunch — set table, serve lunch, help with prep, clear table, wipe table & counters, load dishwasher; laundry — switch from washer to dryer, fold, put away; pick up bedrooms, living room, family room, dining room, bathroom as needed; outside — sweep off porches, pick up toys outside.
Dinner/Before Bed: dinner — set table, help with prep, serve, clear table, wipe table & counters, load dishwasher; laundry — hopefully just folding and putting away by now; pick up house, any messes; wipe down bathroom sink, hang up towels; kitchen — sweep kitchen floor.
I’m sure I’m missing some, but we got through these most every day. ~Wardeh
Wow, that is very impressive! I would love to get tips from you! What age did you start with chores or clean up. My son is now 21/2. Maybe I should have a pickup time with toys every evening.
Good luck with the homeschool prep!
That pick-up time sounds very good. The kids have been doing chores for a long time, but I do help, you know.
I guess they started early on with certain ones. With laundry, when young, I only have them fold towels or napkins. Then they progress. Just see what your son can do — I’m pretty sure he’ll love helping! Love, Wardeh
My husband and I were not blessed with children but I have a degree in elementary education. This is one of the best schedules I have seen and I have looked at a lot of homeschool schedules on blogs. Best wishes to you.
Thank you so much, Gina. I hope you’ll visit me here again. Love, Wardeh
Hi, I’m just starting to homeschool with multiple children ages 12, 10, 8 and 4. I’m having a little difficulty with scheduling assignments because I’m needed by all at the beginning (and sometimes during) most assignments. How do you handle subjects like math and language arts that have to be taught individually? I feel like I need to hire a teacher’s assistant because I’m only one person!! LOL!!
Tonia — Hello! Yes, that’s just how it feels here sometimes, too. We’re all sitting at the table and all three of them, or at least the youngest two, need me at the same time.
What works for us is that the kids have to understand that there’s only one of me, so they must be patient and wait for their turn with me to have their questions answered. I usually sit between the two youngest so it is just matter of turning my head to see what they’re doing.
I expect them to work independently while they’re waiting for me. This could be, reading the directions themselves or exploring the page, studying it, trying to figure it out, or it could be working on something else, like coloring a map or doing some drawing practice or reading silently.
In addition, if my oldest is at a stopping point, I will ask her to help one or the other to help for a moment. She usually volunteers to do this, for which I’m grateful.
When they all need you for most assignments, I know it can be difficult to stagger their needs, but even doing it as much as you can will help.
May God bless your homeschool! Love, Wardeh
Hi Wardeh,
I have just found your blog and LOVE it. I have a 5, 2, and 11 month old and have just begun homeschooling my oldest. I’m having a hard time scheduling my day because while I want to help my 5 year old read/write/do math, my two year old and 11 month old are demanding my attention. My two year old is just starting to sit at the table and do more activities – any suggestions for activities for him while I homeschool the oldest? Thanks for all you’ve presented to help other moms not to get discouraged.
PS – When do you find time to do things for yourself? *smile*
Hello, Christian! I’d suggest you have a special box of toys that only are available during “school” — they could be special blocks, a special doll, cars, wooden puzzle, a fabric/texture book. This would keep school time exciting and special and the younger two could look forward to it each day because they get to play with special toys. Also, I have heard it suggested to spread out a blanket on the floor and over the course of a few days, train the child to stay on the boundary of the blanket (otherwise he/she won’t get to use the toys) during the school time. You wouldn’t want to do this for hours at a time. The first day, try 5 minutes. The next day, 10. The next, 15. Perhaps that would be the max. Then try for 2 15-minute sessions the next day. And what about rewards? Like afterward, for good behavior and staying put, a special cuddle/reading time with the youngers? So they can not only look forward to the special toys, but also the special time with mom afterward.
I know it is hard with younger children. Does your 5-year old take a nap? If not, could you do most of school while the younger two are napping?
God bless your homeschool! Thanks for writing. I will keep your schooling in my prayers.
Love, Wardeh
I’m in the same boat as the last person who commented on your schedule. I’m going to print it off and ponder it =)
Mine are 5,3, and 9 months. I tried for my oldest not to take a nap, but unfortunately, I realized she’s my napper, like my husband even more so than my 3 year old =) So that didn’t work for us. But, I’ve just realized that I have needed to be flexible with their schedule this year. Since my middle one is 3, I try to do as much of the specials together with them. My oldest does writing, reading, handwriting, and math some of the time without her younger sister. It’s really tricky! I loved Christine Field’s suggestions in Help for the Harried Homeschooler on teaching multiple children when they’re young.
I’m so impressed by you, Wardeh, and all that you are doing! You are amazing–but then again you always have been. I’m so glad to have found you again! I have much to learn from you my friend!
Suzanne, please don’t be impressed! I’m finding my way along just like you are. And I don’t have younger children now, which would make things more challenging. I mean, there are challenges with older kids, too, but different ones. Homeschooling with little ones is just about the hardest challenge there is (that I can conceive). You’re doing a fabulous job!
Love, Wardeh
(P.S. I haven’t updated this schedule for awhile. Things look a little different now…)
Hi. I am have been homeschooling my almost 7 year old daughter since birth except for one semester of public school in Kindergarten.(She was bored in ps) She has been doing 2nd grade in all subjects except handwriting,which she is doing 1st grade, since school year began in August. She is our only child.My schedule is practically non-existent. I get up at 6:30-6:45 am to fix my husband breakfast,then I check email,read my Bible or go back to bed,depending on how tired I am. I might wake up around 9:30-10:00 sometimes,and I feel bad for getting up that late. (I am not,nor have I ever been a “morning person”)I really don’t know how to set up a schedule and stick to it,even though I have been homeschooling this long. Do you really think my daughter and I could benefit from sticking to a schedule and how do I go about deciding what to do when,and how much is enough for her to learn all she needs to know? Thank you and I’m sorry this is so long
Heather,
I think everyone can benefit from a schedule. But this doesn’t mean that you have to follow my schedule.
What kind of a schedule would work for you? There is nothing wrong with starting your day at 10 am, if that is how you best operate. Let your schedule be a help to you, not a constraint that you’ll shed very quickly because it isn’t working for you. I suggest you make a list of all the things you’d like to accomplish each day (or each week), then estimate the time required for each. Then create a schedule that allows you to not be a morning person, yet accomplish your schooling goals. Be willing to tweak it as you go along. We sure do! I should update this post… because we’re not exactly following it right now. We now have animal chores to take care of each morning, which means we start school later. And we’ve also changed our curriculum to something less parent/time intensive. God bless you, Heather! Feel free to write again! Love, Wardeh
Hi-
Thanks for the schedule.
I just started homeschooling this year… all 4 of my boys. BUT… I work Wed-Fri as a 1st grade teacher as well. I’m having a hard time figuring out how to juggle it all.
It’s a whole different mind set for me.
Next year I’ll have a 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th grader. (the 7th grader already passed the high school exit exam… WHAT do I do with him???)
So many questions… so little time to answer them all.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Where’s The Time Gone? =-.