What our typical school day looks like

At Simple Homeschool.net, we are sharing our typical homeschool day.

 

Over the past 12 homeschooling years, we ease into our schedule and gently find the rhythm of each day.

I like to think a daily routine is like creating a tapestry.

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This is what a typical day in our lives looks like:

I start the day an hour before the children with tea and quiet time.  I put on the coffee, put in the first load of washing and get the fresh bread out the oven.  Then I wake the girls at about 7am.

Usually, we complete morning chores, eat our breakfast at about 8am and hang up the first load of washing.

Generally, we start school at 9am.

My 16-year-old starts her Grade 10 course:

• We work our her schedule for the week and put up a timetable.
• She likes to stick to her schedule and works in her own space on her own the morning after chores.
• After lunch, I tutor her on Maths and Physical Science for an hour each.
• After her one-on-one time with me, she continues other subjects and reading until about 4pm.
• She joins her younger sisters for a swim at the dam, folds laundry and helps prepare dinner.
• Evenings after supper are free.  Lights are usually out by about 9:30pm.

My 11-year-old and my 8-year-old’s schedule:

• We start with our Bible time together for about half an hour.
• Each child works on their own spelling, Language Arts, dictations, copywork and Maths. These lessons are short – about 15 minutes each, with Maths lasting about 20 minutes.
• I listen to my 8-year-old read aloud to me, say 15 minutes.
• We have tea and a snack, and the girls let off some steam outside for about 10 minutes on the trampoline or riding their bikes, skipping or swinging.  They help me hang the 2nd load of washing.
• Now its time for Core.  I read aloud and they write (or dictate and then copy) their narrations.  Often we do narrations in lapbooks or on notebooking pages.
• Perhaps we’ll do narration as a hands-on activity.  They love to build models or make finger puppets and give a quick show.
• We are done by lunchtime.
• We do Sketch Tuesday or crafts or our nature walk one afternoon in the week.
• Then it is time for free play outside till late afternoon.
• They help fold laundry, do early evening chores, help prepare dinner, mix the next day’s bread and tidy their rooms and then bath.
• After supper, once the girls clear the dishes and clean the kitchen, we play a family game, watch a DVD or play or read or chat quietly till bedtime at 8pm – 8:30pm.

Evening times are my low-energy times.  I need the children to be in their rooms by about 9pm.  I read to my younger kids in bed, we whisper and chat and pray together and then lights out.  My 11-year-old always reads afterwards for about half an hour.

Some nights I have a good chat with my 16-year-old.  She may tell me deep and wonderful things or we have a lovely mother-daughter time.  She also loves to read at night.

I tidy the living room and kitchen counters and sink.

Then, finally, I spend time with my farmer hubby who has worked hard outside most the day.  Shower, read … and then sleep.  Ah!

Routines form the simple pattern in a tapestry.

Shared mealtimes, hard work, simple chores and free time together create the bright and beautiful designs.

There are the days where the threads fray.

The fabric unravels.

Simple days weave the fabric.

Fun times shared embellish the design.

May your schooling days create a wonderful tapestry!

Blessings,