Posted in My Homeschool FAQs

hmsklr emailed me a while back and asked me if I could post what the school schedule is like at our house. So here it goes…

On Friday I write out my 11 yo’s assignments for the next week and give them to him.  This is  what his assignment sheet looks like for a typical day Monday - Thursday:

Awana - 5:6
Instant Messages from God  - Chapter 13 & 14
Story of The World (with Mom) – Chapter 24 & 25
Global Puzzle -15 minutes
Turbo Twist Spelling – 15 minutes
Children’s Book of Faith – pg. 68-71
Japanese – 15 minutes  (I only assign Japanese because he asks me to.  It’s his thing.)
English Workbook – page 104
Internet Linked Microscope Book – pg 40 & 41 and Internet links
Math –u- See – Video Lesson 23 and Worksheets A&B

So here is how our schedule works.  After breakfast my son works independently on his assignments.  During this time I work with my 5 year old.  A typical day we would do a few Math worksheets & a Math game, Sing, Spell Read and Write (SSR&W) handwriting book, SSR&W phonics song and a phonics game. (Phonics Go Fish, Clever Catch, Alphabet Stomp, etc…)  I would also read to her whatever books she is currently interested in.  Right now we are reading about Pandas and Nocturnal Animals.  While I am working with her the 2 year old is hopefully happily playing either near us or in the backyard where I can see him from the dining room table.  

After lunch my daughter works on a craft and usually watches Stanley, Magic School Bus & Zaboomafoom which we TIVO in the morning.  While she is keeping herself busy the 2 yo is suppose to be taking a nap.  He seems to be giving up his nap, so if he doesn’t nap he plays in his room for quiet time.  While they are both occupied I read to my 11 yo Story of The World and check his Math.  If he has any other questions or problems I help him during this time.  

On Friday we are now saving the day to Lapbook.  This is new to our schedule in the last few weeks, so I don’t know how it will work long term.  For now it’s working.  Right now my son is working on a lapbook about Japan and my daughter in working a All About Me lapbook.

Then there are activities:

Tuesday – Ballet 4:00 –4:30 p.m.
Wed. – Awana 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday – Bible Study 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (the 2 youngest kids and I have Bible Study.  My 11 yo takes schoolwork to do.)
Friday – Kickball 10:00 – 11:30  (This is new to our schedule.)

Now, with all this said we also have the additional factor of Dad's schedule.  Dad works odd hours and every week in different.  We usually don't do school when Dad is home.  So, if  Dad doesn't leave for work until 1:00, that's when we start school.  Which means we might not finish until 6 or 7 p.m.  Every other week his day off is during the week.  On those days we don't do school, but we make up the work by either doubling up another day or doing school on Saturday while he's working.  (It is rare we do school on Sat.  The kids would always rather double up.) 

So, I don't know how helpful that actually was!  But, I try and tell myself that we are a family first and a school second.  It helps me to remember where to put my focus.