A Day in the Homeschool Life

A friend recently asked me what our typical homeschool day looks like. What followed was a response that was probably more than she expected, because the writer in me just kept on going as I told her through a facebook message what our homeschool day looks like.

I thought I'd share my thoughts here too in case someone else can glean something from it. Every family works differently in their home school, and different things work for different people, so I don't expect anyone to copy exactly what we do, nor do I try to do things exactly the way someone else does. We can learn from each other, and apply what works.

Here's what we do:

When the school bus goes by, we are still in jammies, and often eating breakfast while watching a morning cartoon. I try to spend this time upstairs reading my Bible, which is a key factor in how our day goes.

I have a visual list on the fridge that helps the kids remember what things they need to get done in the morning. They need to get dressed, make their bed, brush their teeth and hair, and do one chore for the day. Sometimes all of it gets done, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on how much I hold them to it. Some days are better than others.

Our school day usually starts around 9:00; it's flexible. Each kid has a day when they decide what order we do our subjects, so every day looks different. We started doing this a few years ago because  I discovered that my oldest functions best when he has a little control over his school day.

At the beginning of the week, I fill out their binders with their assignments for the week, and this is where they go multiple times a day to choose their next subject/assignment to work on.

On Mondays, we have co-op where we have science, art, spanish and piano, so in my opinion, that's enough for one day for my first grader. My third grader does at least math after co-op. More on our co-op in another post. They are such a blessing, and sustain my homeschooling sanity!

We take Thursdays off, because my husband's days off from work are in the middle of the week. Saturday is our catch-up day in case we missed anything during the week.

We used to school in the basement, where we have a cute school corner, and a great closet where all sorts of homeschooling supplies are stored, but as the year went on, we'd end up at the kitchen table. So this year we started at the kitchen table, which works so much better for me because I can multitask throughout the day. While the kids are working independently, I can be making meals, doing laundry, or any other task I have to do and still be available to answer questions.

This is right by the kitchen table so all their books are easily accessible.
Eventually, I want a book shelf here, but for now, we are making do with an end table from the basement. 

After the subject is chosen, each child gets the book for that subject (if they all have assignments in that for the day) and sits around the table.....or sometimes not at the table.

This one likes to sit on the heat vent when the furnace is running.

Rule-follower child usually chooses the table.

And this child likes to make her own "desk" if I let her.

I like to say that we are "flexibly structured" in our day. We usually do a couple of subjects, then take a break. Do another subject, have a snack around 10:30, play, and do another subject until lunch. Eat, play, and then back at it. Our breaks are sometimes short, sometimes long. There are times when the kids get playing something, and they are so engaged in their imaginary play that I don't want to stop that. I am a firm believer that pretend play is important for learning and brain development.

Forts, forts and more forts! 

Some "phys ed" going on!

Some of the kids' curricula are things they can do on their own with a little help from me along the way. Some of it is reading chapters in a textbook, which at this stage in schooling is read outloud by me. While I read, the kids often sit at the table and color a sheet that pertains to the lesson I'm reading. For instance, when we were learning astronomy at the beginning of the year, I printed free coloring sheets of the planet they were learning about (the internet is a homeschooling mom's best friend, but it can also be our worst time-sucking, overwhelming enemy because there's just so much out there!). I find that this helps keep them more engaged in what I'm reading. I can stop and ask questions along the way and find out that they've been listening. Even the four year old chimes in every once in a while and I know that even though I don't require him to sit, he's still listening!

Sometimes, there are sweet moments like this where an older sibling helps a younger one. This is part of homeschooling that I love.

If I'm really on top of my game for the week, I'll plan something special. By "plan," I mean that I'll take the plan out of the curriculum, and actually do the activity it suggests. Like the time we made a Thanksgiving feast with recipes that the pilgrims might have used to make the first Thanksgiving dinner. The meal was decent, but we won't be using any of those recipes on a regular basis (or ever again)!

Stealing Spanish doubloons off the opponent's ship!

As I type this, we've got 2 more subjects to go for the day, lunch is over, 2 kids are playing Legos, 1 is playing on the iPad and one is playing in her fort. I'll let them keep going until a fights break out, or I'm done with what I want to accomplish - whichever comes first. ;) We are usually done by 3:00, just in time for afternoon snack!

In case you are wondering, mingled in the midst of all of these smiling homeschooling faces is a bit of frustration, crying, firm reminders to get back to work, and fights over who stole whose pencil. It's not all fun and games.

I've learned that homeschooling is a huge commitment, but I am so glad we've chosen this for our family!