Homeschooling Schedule

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ndo6532

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Hi. I am preparing to homeschooling my 5 (almost 6) year old for Kindergarten and was wondering if anyone here can tell me about the schedule you use throughout the day? I am trying to find a few examples so i can build one that works for my family, but am not sure how much time I should spend on one subject before switching gears. I.E. should I spend 20 minutes per lesson and intersperse play time/some chores in there so the day is broken up? I am going to use Our Lady of Victory and plan on adding in some of my own art lessons art few times a week. I would ideally like to “do” home school from 8-1 or so each day. I would really appreciate any (name removed by moderator)ut!!!
 
I can’t offer you a schedule, but being in education, I can offer some helpful tips.

Children learn best when they actively participate in the lesson. I would integrate visuals, on the internet, like youtube lessons, manipulatives such as block etc., and always check for understanding after each lesson.

Use a visual timer for breaks, and decide ahead of time what their break choices would be. For kids that are very young, I suggest four hours for their learning day. Long break of 30 minutes after two hours, so your day would be 4.5 hours. [check other sources for the length of the entire day suggestions.]

If you have children with ADD, breaks will have to be more frequent. I would start the day with a learning / exercise video to get the blood circulating.

It is of the utmost importance to give powerful praise very very often. Do not ever let yourself get frustrated. Should this happen, you need a break! Forgive yourself and go on.

When the make errors, tell them that it was a good try, but the answer is____.
And hey,… how about some prayer in the classroom!

Hope this helps!👍
 
I’m probably going to hack off professional educators, but here goes.

We don’t use a set schedule. Our kids have work boxes with stuff they need to cover for the week. My wife will put them together on Friday or Saturday evening and I’ll help with reviews when I get home. If they want to work on handwriting for 30 minutes on Monday and Friday and then do 45 minutes of math on Wednesday, thats fine. For the most part the goal in K-2 is to have the “academic” work done in about 2 -2.5 hours in the morning before lunch. Even with our teens the school days were rarely more than 3.5 to 4 hours and both of them have learning disabilities. Now they do get other “educational” opportunities throughout the day, but it is more part of family life (playing with Legos and doing math as part of building; reading scripture and hand writing copy work; et cetera)

Much of your scheduling choices will come down to your kid and your education philosophy. One of the advantages of homeschooling is you can customize the education to your child’s needs rather than trying to figure out how to educate 15-20 kids who all have different levels of abilities. Some families do well with a ridged fixed schedule, but it doesn’t work well for everyone.

For us, the key to homeschooling is flexibility. Some of our kids needed 2 hours a week on reading skills, others needed 3 or more. We adjust their education and don’t focus on busy work for a subject to fill out x minutes a week, but can move off subjects that come easy and focus on areas where they struggle.
 
Usige said:
I’m probably going to hack off professional educators, but here goes.

We don’t use a set schedule. Our kids have work boxes with stuff they need to cover for the week. My wife will put them together on Friday or Saturday evening and I’ll help with reviews when I get home. If they want to work on handwriting for 30 minutes on Monday and Friday and then do 45 minutes of math on Wednesday, thats fine. For the most part the goal in K-2 is to have the “academic” work done in about 2 -2.5 hours in the morning before lunch. Even with our teens the school days were rarely more than 3.5 to 4 hours and both of them have learning disabilities. Now they do get other “educational” opportunities throughout the day, but it is more part of family life (playing with Legos and doing math as part of building; reading scripture and hand writing copy work; et cetera)

Much of your scheduling choices will come down to your kid and your education philosophy. One of the advantages of homeschooling is you can customize the education to your child’s needs rather than trying to figure out how to educate 15-20 kids who all have different levels of abilities. Some families do well with a ridged fixed schedule, but it doesn’t work well for everyone.

For us, the key to homeschooling is flexibility. Some of our kids needed 2 hours a week on reading skills, others needed 3 or more. We adjust their education and don’t focus on busy work for a subject to fill out x minutes a week, but can move off subjects that come easy and focus on areas where they struggle.
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This is quite a bit like we do it too. We do much more hands on and community based learning than book work. I’m a big fan of textbooks because the kids need to use them in college but my kids learn much more by doing projects, watching documentaries, helping other people, visiting parks and museums, and that kind of stuff than they do from books or work sheets. No real schedule but year round schooling so they actually do more book work than when they were still in school, just less time wise each day. I have their weekly assignments together for them and as long as they get them done it’s fine whenever they get to do them. A lot of book work is done in the car traveling to appointments and field trips, or in the evening after dinner, or even sitting outside under a tree. The younger kids need more hands on help from me, but the older kids actually consume more of my time.
 
I was wondering if 5 hours for kindergarten is necessary and was shooting for that because that is roughly how many hours per day we would need to meet the 1000 hour per year requirement in Missouri, if going by the traditional school year schedule. I just want to make sure that she is learning all that she should be and such 🙂 Also, what do you find the average attention span to be for a 6 year old? Am trying to figure out the best way to structure my day so that I don’t spend too long on any one subject, yet am being thorough. Thanks!
 
ndo6532 said:
I was wondering if 5 hours for kindergarten is necessary and was shooting for that because that is roughly how many hours per day we would need to meet the 1000 hour per year requirement in Missouri, if going by the traditional school year schedule. I just want to make sure that she is learning all that she should be and such 🙂 Also, what do you find the average attention span to be for a 6 year old? Am trying to figure out the best way to structure my day so that I don’t spend too long on any one subject, yet am being thorough. Thanks!
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I highly doubt that 1000 hour requirement is for kindergarten. Many public schools in Missouri are still half day for kindergarten. I think five hours of book work is quite excessive for an average child of five, unless you are including daily Mass, outdoor playtime, and freeplay in that schedule. I think if it were me, I would probably do less of a schedule and more of a daily/weekly goal. I would try to incorporate daily reading time and instrument practice, and try to attend daily Mass at least a couple times a week. I would also include outings to the library, local museums, concerts, and the baby gym. I would look at the reading, writing, math, and science objectives and try to figure out ways to work them into the child’s regular play. I think it would be really fun to homeschool for kindergarten.
 
ndo6532 said:
I was wondering if 5 hours for kindergarten is necessary and was shooting for that because that is roughly how many hours per day we would need to meet the 1000 hour per year requirement in Missouri, if going by the traditional school year schedule. I just want to make sure that she is learning all that she should be and such 🙂 Also, what do you find the average attention span to be for a 6 year old? Am trying to figure out the best way to structure my day so that I don’t spend too long on any one subject, yet am being thorough. Thanks!
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You might like to look for HS groups in Missouri for (name removed by moderator)ut on this, too. According to the MO state website, compulsory attendance doesn’t begin until age 7, so you’re not obligated to do anything right now. dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/home-schooling I’m not saying you shouldn’t, just that you don’t need to worry about the 1000 hours thing until age 7.

At that point, the 1000 hours kicks in, but only 600 hours is in the “basics” (reading, language arts, science, social studies, and mathematics), and only 400 hours needs to be actually conducted in your home. So when you do hit grade 1, there’s still a lot of wiggle room.

I’ll let others answer your specific question, as my family has embraced a mostly Waldorf philosophy for the early years, and comparing Waldorf kindy to an academic kindy is really apples to oranges. Good luck - enjoy the journey. They’re only little once!
 
I agree that 5 hours a day is a lot… But remember that reading books and watching educational movies should count for your state requirements.

I have more of a weekly list of what I want to accomplish. I tried strict schedules and they don’t work. I found myself stopping a good conversation because the schedule said it was time for another subject. I had to remind myself of my goal- to get my kids excited to learn, not to check off a box. I’d find that we’d get our weekly science done in one day because my son was super interested. And I found other subjects took longer than I expected because my son needed an outside break in the middle.

So my advice is to have a weekly goal, perhaps a rough daily schedule (do hardest subject first, chores and quiet time interspersed) but learn to be flexible. Take cues from your daughter with how long she can go without a break. If she’s lost interest or is fidgety, take a break. Don’t feel pressured to keep going to check off box for the state if your daughter isn’t actually getting the info.

Also remember that your job is to get your child to heaven, not Harvard.

The first year of homeschooling was the hardest. There’s lots of trial and error. I wanted to quit. I’m so glad I didn’t.
 
Allegra said:
I highly doubt that 1000 hour requirement is for kindergarten. Many public schools in Missouri are still half day for kindergarten. I think five hours of book work is quite excessive for an average child of five, unless you are including daily Mass, outdoor playtime, and freeplay in that schedule. I think if it were me, I would probably do less of a schedule and more of a daily/weekly goal. I would try to incorporate daily reading time and instrument practice, and try to attend daily Mass at least a couple times a week. I would also include outings to the library, local museums, concerts, and the baby gym. I would look at the reading, writing, math, and science objectives and try to figure out ways to work them into the child’s regular play. I think it would be really fun to homeschool for kindergarten.
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I don’t know about Missouri, but in many states kindergarten is not compulsory at all. They also very in how their laws are written. Some states will say that X number of hours have to be in core curriculum (reading, math, history, science) with aditional extra contact hours. Other states simply state that there must be X hours (or average X hours per Y days) covering certain areas, but with no requirement on how much of the contact hours must be in each area.

Like you say, we often cover contact hours with things like hikes (nature studies, local/state history, or even PE). We will also split contact hours for history and RE if we are doing say a diorama of the Via Dolorosa (read scripture, draw a map, build buildings and walls on the map). Even reading to your kids and the talking about the story can be contact hours in early grades (ask them what happened first, then middle, and end; how characters were related; et cetera). In otherwords instruction hours do not have to be sitting at a desk with paperwork.

Much of it depends on the state. Some states have draconian home school laws that really limit parents choices. It is one of the reasons I recommend that people consider joining the Home School Legal Defense Association. They can help parents navigate state or district requirements.
 
Regina7 said:
Also remember that your job is to get your child to heaven, not Harvard.
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:clapping:

We always say we would rather our children be good people and mediocre students rather than good students and mediocre people.
 
Usige said:
:clapping:

We always say we would rather our children be good people and mediocre students rather than good students and mediocre people.
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There’s at least some overlap between a good person and a good student.

A good student

…is diligent
…is conscientious
…is organized
…plans ahead
…works well with others
…does their share of work on joint projects
…respects authority
…loves knowledge for its own sake

That all has something to do with virtue, and a lot of it is helpful in later life.
 
Xantippe said:
There’s at least some overlap between a good person and a good student.

A good student

…is diligent
…is conscientious
…is organized
…plans ahead
…works well with others
…does their share of work on joint projects
…respects authority
…loves knowledge for its own sake

That all has something to do with virtue, and a lot of it is helpful in later life.
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Absolutely. But I’ve seen many people, myself included, who get into the habit of academics first, then religion. I’ve found that if I don’t do religion first (daily reading, Saint of day, catechism, etc), that may fall off the burner, especially since religion is not on my state’s requirements. Who cares if my kid can do an algebraic equation if she doesn’t know her faith? 🤷 Z That’s where the heaven over Harvard quite helps me.
 
Xantippe said:
There’s at least some overlap between a good person and a good student.

A good student

…is diligent
…is conscientious
…is organized
…plans ahead
…works well with others
…does their share of work on joint projects
…respects authority
…loves knowledge for its own sake

That all has something to do with virtue, and a lot of it is helpful in later life.
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Yes, it is true that being a good student and a good person are not mutually exclusive, but being a good student does no good if any virtue is directed towards self rather than God. I’ve seen people turn their kids into academic monsters who are academically snobbish and utterly cut throat in their pursuit of being the best of the best of the best. I’ve seen people on this very board who turn their nose up at others because they have graduate degrees and think it is irresponsible for people to not put academics first and foremost. As Thomas à Kempis says in Imitation of Christ, pursuit of knowledge without humility buys us nothing. We cannot study our way to sainthood.
 
Usige said:
Yes, it is true that being a good student and a good person are not mutually exclusive, but being a good student does no good if any virtue is directed towards self rather than God. I’ve seen people turn their kids into academic monsters who are academically snobbish and utterly cut throat in their pursuit of being the best of the best of the best. I’ve seen people on this very board who turn their nose up at others because they have graduate degrees and think it is irresponsible for people to not put academics first and foremost. As Thomas à Kempis says in Imitation of Christ, pursuit of knowledge without humility buys us nothing. We cannot study our way to sainthood.
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Yes, well stated.
 
Usige said:
Yes, it is true that being a good student and a good person are not mutually exclusive, but being a good student does no good if any virtue is directed towards self rather than God. I’ve seen people turn their kids into academic monsters who are academically snobbish and utterly cut throat in their pursuit of being the best of the best of the best. I’ve seen people on this very board who turn their nose up at others because they have graduate degrees and think it is irresponsible for people to not put academics first and foremost. As Thomas à Kempis says in Imitation of Christ, pursuit of knowledge without humility buys us nothing. We cannot study our way to sainthood.
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Well, there is the parable of the talents.

We ought to multiply what our master has given us. And yes, that might well mean graduate education. Because of where I live and my husband works, I know many fine Christian people with graduate degrees (or who are getting them) who are attractive and persuasive examples of the Christian life.

People (including here on CAF) are always complaining about eeeevil liberal professors on college campuses. Well, than maybe Christians ought to train professors who are bright, have a solid academic foundation, and are good people? That’s what I see happening where I live, and it’s good and it’s important.

Also, there is actually an evangelistic power to bright Christians that I don’t think you are valuing correctly. (C.S. Lewis talks about this.) It is very easy for a secular person to dismiss a stupid Christian, but give him half a dozen smart ones to grapple with, and he may start to waver. Likewise, if the only bright people that a Christian encounters are secular, his faith may also waver…
 
Xantippe said:
Well, there is the parable of the talents.

We ought to multiply what our master has given us. And yes, that might well mean graduate education. Because of where I live and my husband works, I know many fine Christian people with graduate degrees (or who are getting them) who are attractive and persuasive examples of the Christian life.

People (including here on CAF) are always complaining about eeeevil liberal professors on college campuses. Well, than maybe Christians ought to train professors who are bright, have a solid academic foundation, and are good people? That’s what I see happening where I live, and it’s good and it’s important.

Also, there is actually an evangelistic power to bright Christians that I don’t think you are valuing correctly. (C.S. Lewis talks about this.) It is very easy for a secular person to dismiss a stupid Christian, but give him half a dozen smart ones to grapple with, and he may start to waver. Likewise, if the only bright people that a Christian encounters are secular, his faith may also waver…
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Let’s say you and I have different perspectives on the importance of formal versus self directed education, but let’s not drag this further off topic.
 
Usige said:
Let’s say you and I have different perspectives on the importance of formal versus self directed education, but let’s not drag this further off topic.
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It is pretty much on topic.

Another thing–we all want Christian doctors. But, where are they supposed to come from without a lot of formal education? If no Christian does med school, there will be no Christian doctors.

Ditto psychologists, ultrasound techs, teachers, social workers, judges, etc.

Do we really want to live in a world in which people who share our views will never rise to having one of those jobs, and we will continually find ourselves at the mercy of secular professionals?
 
Xantippe said:
It is pretty much on topic.

Another thing–we all want Christian doctors. But, where are they supposed to come from without a lot of formal education? If no Christian does med school, there will be no Christian doctors.

Ditto psychologists, ultrasound techs, teachers, social workers, judges, etc.

Do we really want to live in a world in which people who share our views will never rise to having one of those jobs, and we will continually find ourselves at the mercy of secular professionals?
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Actually this has zero to do with home school schedules… you know the topic of this thread. This is especially true when talking about the schedule for a 6 year old.

If you would like to debate the merits of people who constantly flash their academic credentials and imply that someone without a college degree is unintelligent I would be more than happy to engage in further discussion on a new thread, but that is not the purpose of the original topic.
 
Usige said:
Actually this has zero to do with home school schedules… you know the topic of this thread. This is especially true when talking about the schedule for a 6 year old.

If you would like to debate the merits of people who constantly flash their academic credentials and imply that someone without a college degree is unintelligent I would be more than happy to engage in further discussion on a new thread, but that is not the purpose of the original topic.
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Feel free to start one.

One person’s “flashing” credentials is another person’s “mentioning in passing.” Potato, pot-ah-to.

I don’t see a lot of people implying that “someone without a college degree is unintelligent.” You will, though, see a lot of people stating that life in the contemporary US is often very difficult for people without either a college degree or serious vocational training and that parents do a disservice to children if they expect that children can be instantly self-sufficient at 18 without that. That is not generally feasible.
 
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