Scheduling

Scheduling your school day needs to be based on the curriculum you choose and the personality of your child. Some people need lots of scheduled time. They need to have a defined starting and ending point. Some children wither under a ridgid schedule, becoming frustrated, resistant or depressed if the schedule is too inflexible. On the other side of this issue is you the homeschool parent. You may need a schedule or hate them. You may have other obligations that may require you to adhere to a schedule or to be flexible so that you are available to meet those demands. As the adult you must try to find a balance or compromise. Be open to changes and opportunities.

Here are a few tips for scheduling your day and saving some time:

• Do not take on too many subjects. You will over whelm yourself. Instead try dividing the school year up. Use the summer time to cover light and easy subjects that your child can get through in a few minutes a day.
• Consider not covering some subjects at all. This is especially true if your child shows very little interest in the subject. You can avoid a lot of hair pulling by eliminating that subject perhaps until another year.
• Weekends and night times may be a good time to do some school subjects. Reading subjects like History especially lend themselves to night time. Instead of t.v. a half hour of family reading time might help.
• Consider combining subjects. Spelling and Phonics, History and art, Foreign Language and Histoy are just a few likely candidates.
• Consider combining grade levels. If you are teachng three children you might be able to combine their lessons. For example scaling down a Bible curriculum so that a 7 year old, 12 year old and 15 year old can all be taught at the same time is an excellent idea.

 

Below is a list of the most frequently taught subjects with some notes on the length of time each subject may require.

Subject	These subject will most likely be done five days of the week. You will need to allot an hour for each even if you don't use all of that time. An hour will give you enough time for discussion and corrections as the work is being done.
Math
Reading
Bible
Phonics
English
Social Studies	These subjects will need two to three days a week. You will need anywhere from a half hour to an hour of study time for each depending on the rigorousness of the curriculeum or unit study you choose. You can alternate the days that these subjects are done.
Science
History
Foreign Language
Geography
Spelling	These subjects can be covered one day a week or more as you like. They typically will take half and hour to three quarters of an hour.
Music
Art

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, please remember that Homeschooling is about freedom: The Freedom for a child to be taught and to learn in a manner that is best for them. You are not on anyones' clock, except your child's.

2004 HSINH