Comments on: Will You Share About Your Day?

By: Cathy

Cathy — Sat, 29 May 2010 23:14:22 +0000

I first began homeschooling my children when they were four years old; they are now 15. Over the years we have had to adapt our schedules at times, but overall the following has been a schedule that has worked for us: My husband leaves for work each day around 9:00. I use the time before he leaves to have my morning devotion, cook him breakfast, watch the news and catch up with emails. After 9:00 I go around straightening up things that are out of place in the house before we start homeschooling at 10:00. At 10:00, we meet in our designated schoolroom and complete Bible, Math, and Science. We break for lunch at 12:00, fix lunch, and do various activities around the house. At 1:00 we go back to school until 3:30. I then took the house and divided into deep cleaning segments that take about an hour apiece. There is an assignment for six days a week that will ensure that the house is always clean. The girls are responsible for their area upstairs. At 6:00 my husband is back home and we sit down to supper and then enjoy our evening. For the past several years I have taken in a friend’s son who did high school work with us until passing his GED. This year I will be having a new student join the mix who is a little younger than the girls. This past year and a half I had to work for three hours each day at the family business, but now I’m back to being able to do this from home.

By: Vickie Bordelon

Vickie Bordelon — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:31:30 +0000

Great idea! Love your blog Malia as well as you talk at the old school house expo! This is my 2nd year homeschooling and we are having a very difficult time with scheduling. I have been taking my 5 year old to O.T. and S.T. for the past 2 years 2 days a week for 2 hours each day and we do 1 day of coop. I was hoping to reduce the amount of going that I was doing, but I don’t know if that will be possible. The therapist believe Aubrey may have Asperger’s and we will be seeing a neurologist next month so I am not sure how this will be working with 2 days of therapy and 1 day of coop. Thanks for your ideas.

By: Stephanie Holland

Stephanie Holland — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:59:42 +0000

I love this topic, as so many of my homeschooling friends would love to be a fly on the wall at each others homes. My husband and I have 6 children ages 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1. I do not remember all the details on why we decided to homeschool. The biggest factor was that our oldest was begging us to teach her to read when she was 2 and could read all the bold face words in Teach Your Child to Read in a 100 Easy Lessons, a month before her 3rd birthday. I like to talk to other moms about this topic in hopes of gleaning some great tid bit on how to be more efficient with my time in order to do the “fun” stuff that you have great plans for at the beginning of the school year but you have pushed to the side by the 2nd month in. I read a great book- A Mother’s Rule for Life. My husband gave it to me for Christmas 5 years ago. (But I didn’t find the time to read it for a whole year.) When I did, I decided to implement what I read. Superwoman had to hang up her cape. I made lots of lists- cleaning, errands, activities, school, etc . . Then I assigned months to certain activities and put them on the calendar. Those things that had to happen more frequently were assigned a day of the week. My children and I now clean one major area a day: M-dusting & vacuuming, T-bathrooms, etc. Otherwise the pigpens followed us around and undid all our hard work if we spent all day cleaning. I used to do the same with laundry. I realized that there were some things that could not escape daily attention like the dishes and cooking. But laundry was one thing I did not have to do on the Lord’s day. M, W, TH, F clothes get washed. Tues. towels get washed since its bathroom cleaning day. Sat. beds get stripped. For school, I have tried so many organizational methods of assigning school work. I was introduced to the Work Box method this past fall. I have tweaked it to fit my space and family’s needs. It is actually helping incorporate those “fun” things. I wanted to school year round, but didn’t have a good method until last year. We went to a 4 day school week where we do book work M-Th. Friday is library day and fun activity day, field trips, get togethers, computer time, Summer, we do school on M-W-F in the morning before the pool has warmed up. T & Th we go see free movies at the local theater and summer reading activities at the library. I had great ambitions and decided to move a few subjects/special projects to the summer only.
A good day for us is: 7-8am Mommy time: exercise, shower dress, pray, laundry, unload dish washer 8-9am kids get up, dress, breakfast, chore
9-noon school
noon-1:30pm lunch, read-aloud (sometimes its a bk on tape), recess
1:30-3 finish up any studies/ free time
3-8 activities
5:30 make dinner
8 baths 9bedtime
my husband used to say “we” homeschool, but that changed a few years ago when he went to night shift. Luckily, he has been able to work from home for the last year. So he can pop in and say goodnight and occasionally sit and have dinner with us. Ora et Labora- Stephanie

By: Mary Mullenix

Mary Mullenix — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:22:48 +0000

I pulled my youngest out of public school 10 years ago to homeschool her. In 2007 she took a military high school GED exam to join the military. When her scores came back we found out she had received the highest score of any in this area in over 15 years. Her home schooling was a lot of reading and learning about life and how to manage a home. She has been in the service for 3 years now and has 2 MOS titles and is getting ready to go over seas in August.
I also have a five year old granddaughter who lives with me that I am now home schooling. I use “The Core Knowledge” series for her. I have used it with all my kids to see if the schools are up to federal standards. When she started to school at home in January my 22 year old son came to me and said mom I want to finish school at home with you.
You see he dropped out one year short of graduating because he had been labled “special ed” and we could not pull him out to homeschool him because of the city shools need for the special goverment funding they get for these kids. (some kind of state rule)) I know now that he was not special ed he just did’nt learn the way other kids did. To this day I am sorry that I ever made him stay in school as long as he did.
Our school days are everyday all year long. We feel you should learn something new everyday. Our day changes from day-to-day due to my husbands work hours. So here is a sample of what we do.

8 up and dressed
9 breakfast
10-12 pledg, story time and educational videos
12 lunch
1-3 Bible time, crafts, writting
3 snack
3:30-5 P.E.
5-6 supper
6-7 free time
7-8 bath and bedtime
We do chores through out the day and Sunday is the Lords day and family time.

By: Kris Tyree

Kris Tyree — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:55:54 +0000

I have been homeschooling for about 4 years now, pulling out one child 4 yrs ago, another 3 yrs ago, and the last two 2 yrs ago. As a single parent, I had to start slow because my ex was very against hsing, so I started w/one of the grandchildren I am raising, and then the next. Then after I had gotten full custody, I pulled our two out. I started with a much more scheduled program, but now we are more relaxed. I have to be on guard as some family members are not too keen on HSing, and I feel a need to be on board with things. The kids have Bible and History all together, then the 3 youngest have science together, the older boy works alone w/help from me if needed. Then they all do math, by themselves but I am there to help if needed, or to teach a new concept. Usualy we have a break then, and have lunch. We will finish up with reading and anything else in the afternoon. We love field trips, or just the park or outdoor walk. We have church 2x on Sunday, and Wed night. The kids have a drama class that goes fall/ winter w/ a show in the spring, and then a summer theater program They have Art 1x per month, but we do art at home too. I think life skills are important too, so they have time cooking, sewing and working in the yard/garden. Of course, life has a way of changing plans, and somedays I feel I accomplished nothing, and other times we get so much done in a week I’m amazed. We have a lighter schedule in summer, but I don’t like to stop entirely for too long, because its harder to start back up. I feel I have a tendency to be overscheduled w/other things to do, and also can easily fall into being lazy, and just do what I want/need to get done. Through it all, the Lord is there to encourage and uplift me, as well as my church friends. Sometimes I get sidetracked by others opinions, and they get me doubting myself, but God always reels me in, and sets my feet back on the narrow path. Praise Him for that!We are different, because we are chosen by Him, and He will never steer me the wrong way.. Oh, by the way, we use ACE Math, Apologia Science, Mystery of History, and Learning Lang Arts thru Lit. I really want to start doing more unit studies and lapbooks, too.

By: Kelly Greene

Kelly Greene — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:01:24 +0000

I am in my first year of homeschooling our just turned 6 year old and we have a just turned 1 year old. My husband is a Pastor so his work hours are flexiable. I do the bulk of the homeschooling but my husband joins us on fieldtrips and when I work (2 days a month) he takes over school for that day.

typical day:
5:30am to 6:30am wake up sometime between these times, exercise, unload dishwasher from night before, do Bible time.
6:30am to 7:30am; prepare breakfast for family, on Mondays (laundry day) start laundry. Eat and get things togther for schooltime.
7:30am to 8;30 am start school sometime between these times. on Tuesday it is latter because I go the Bible study first then after I return we do school.
9:30 am to 10:30am: we finish with school during this time frame, shower and get dressed. Playoutside if waether permits until lunch, or play inside games, coloring and sometimes watch a movie.
12:00pm lunch, Daddy comes home, church is right across the street! We all eat together at the table. Psend a little time discussing what we did at school.
1:00pm to 3:00 pm: Daddy back to work, oldest outside to play if weather permits, youngest nap time. I use this time to prepare things for supper, to cleaning or tiding up around the house, reading, answering e-mail, etc. Also may spend time coloring or playing a game with oldest child.
3:00pm to 5:00pm: if weather permits outside time, or playing inside. cooking supper.
5:00pm to 5:30pm Supper occurs between these times. Sometimes earlier if my husband has an early meeting.
5:30pm to 6:00pm: family time until children go to bed.
6:30pm: youngest goes to bed
6:30pm to 7:30pm family time with oldest, games, watch a movie, etc.
7:30pm to 10:00 pm: spend time with my hushbad (if he is not at a meeting) reading sepeartely of out loud to each other, reading e-mails, watching a movie, etc.
10:00pm sleep.

We do not have TV hooked up to and channels so we only watch DVD’s or VHS’s. I try to limit TV time to 30 to 45 mins per day. Will also allow oldest to do computer time on some days, I set a timer for no more than 30 mins.The schedule is flexiable so that if theree is a doctors appt or we are going to visit a family in our church.

In christ,
kelly

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:38:59 +0000

Good evening. A little about our story. We started homeschooling 4 years ago. My husband and I decided to bring our children home from private school when tuition became too expensive. At that time our oldest was finishing 5th grade and the next one was finishing Kindergarden. Now our oldest is in the middle of 9th grade. She was dx with diabetes last year and I am SOOO thankful she has been home to be able to help her manage her diabetes. Our second daughter is working through 4th grade. We have started our 3rd daughter in Kindergarden and she is now reading. Then our son just turned 3.
Every year is different than the one before. This year we have decided to take an extended Spring Break. We start raising our own food last year. Right now we have 3 steers for beef, 60 chickens and 5 horses. (Just to clarify, the horse are for enjoyment, not food!)In the next few weeks we will be putting up fences and building a barn for the cows and horses as well as a coop for the chickens. What better way to learn life skills and to be doing them first hand.
Aside from our extended break, I work full time as a nurse in the ED of our local hospital. I work 12 hour shifts and am gone 2 days of the week and every other weekend. My husband is a tow truck driver and stays home with the kids while I am at work. We are using Sonlight this year. I have to use a pre-scheduled curriculum due to time constraints. The girls are very good at self learning. Is it easy? No way! Would I do it any differently? If I could do it differently it would be to be able to stay home with my children full time, but that does not seem to be in God’s life plan for us at this time.
If you ask what our daily schedule is I don’t think I could tell you. Every day is different. My husband and I do not “do school” the same. I have found that very challenging yet God has brought about in me a humble spirit in this matter.
I hope this post is helpful to anyone who is struggling with working full tme, running a small farm, homeschooling and the such. As Todd Wilson, The Family Man, has said, “It’s hard, but it’s good!!!”

By: Phyllis Sather

Phyllis Sather — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:29:30 +0000

A day at Sather Homeschool

I remember thinking a few years back, when things were quite hectic, “I’ll wait to do that until things get back to normal.” That’s when the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “This is normal.” In looking back on our 17 years of homeschool, I have to admit that the quiet, peaceful days that I like to think are normal are few and far between.

In the beginning, we tried to imitate a typical classroom. We even had little school desks. Then our 15 month old son was diagnosed with leukemia and we were pressed into finding a different model. We proceeded to what I like to call a “flexible” schedule, and believe me those 3+ years of chemotherapy taught us to be extremely flexible. We’ve chosen this verse to guide us in making our schedule: “A man’s heart plans his way: but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9”. We’ve put the most important things first, so if the Lord decides to send us an interruption, we usually have them done and can be open to His call on our time. For the first few years, this often meant school in emergency or hospital rooms. I had my little bag packed and ready. When Eric needed to be taken in suddenly, we were equipped to take advantage of new learning adventures. This was the beginning for us of making all of life a learning experience.

We try to start our days between 7:00 and 7:30. Our first hour is spent doing personal grooming, making beds, and having our quiet times with the Lord. Then we meet in the kitchen for breakfast and chores before our family Bible time. We spend about an hour together before breaking up to do various assignments in Bible, Calculus, Physics, or piano.

Our oldest daughter, Emily (22), is studying Calculus with her brother Eric (18) and preparing to take the CLEP math exam with him shortly. She is a freelance editor and keeps as busy as she would like to be with that. She is also writing a book and teaching herself to do graphic art.

Rebekah (21) is studying Web Design with Penn Foster University in Phoenix, AZ via internet. She is also a writer and works at developing her talent every free moment. She is currently studying the French revolution and French so she can use it in one of her novels.

Eric is studying Physics, Calculus, and preparing for his math CLEP exam. In addition he is working with the accountant at church on the finances, and runs the sound board as often as possible. He and Emily also take piano lessons.

While they study independently I have an opportunity to check my e-mail, make phone calls, start dinner, and finish up any things I have going on.

Eric is usually starving by the time math is done, so we stop for lunch. On Mondays I have lunch with one of the children, so I usually leave with my date for the week and go into one of the small towns nearby to eat and listen to whatever is going on in their life.

After lunch, Eric chops wood, shoots his bow, or does something physical — ice fishing is hot right now, while Emily and Rebekah walk our dog, Strider. He is a flat-coated retriever and needs his daily run. He loves the snow and usually comes home wet from rolling in it. The girls have been known to come home wet too, not from rolling in snow, but from snowball fights.

Afternoons are spent on a variety of fun areas of school, including piano, guitar, baking, preparation for women’s Bible study, or writing.

My main responsibility now is overseeing and making sure everyone remains on track. I am indeed reaping the results of training our children to know how to learn and to love learning.

Dinner is about 6:00, with each of the children taking turns helping to prepare meals. Eric’s specialty is breakfast, so while we work on dinner, he often busies himself with a golf video, hitting golf balls or chores his father has given him.

After dinner we gather as a family and enjoy having Dad read to us. This year, we have been reading Minnesota history and a book about Scotland during the 1800’s. Dad is also reading to us from the book of Hebrews. We end our night with family prayers.

Although normal life for us is often hectic and filled with the Lord’s interruptions,
I try to keep my eye on the goal of Titus 2:5 “…to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Some days that means we keep our noses to the grindstone of our schedule, other days that means we respond to a hurting friend’s need for a listening ear and prayer or someone to watch children in an emergency. I’ve often been guilty of attempting to keep life from interfering with my schedule. But… real learning is what happens as we live life. The Lord often has to gently remind me that one of our goals is to teach our children how to live life well. This seems to happen better during the interruptions than during the scheduled school time. Accomplishing what the Lord wants us to do requires that we be available on a daily basis, willing to respond to His call, whether that means following my schedule or being available for service in another way.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:20:10 +0000

We are in our 10th year of homeschooling. I still wonder if I am “doing it right!” But the kids seem to be learning well. Our oldest started private school in K4 where they taught her to read, count, and various other things. I started homeschooling with a pre-programmed kid. We started homeschooling her in K5 - she is now in 9th grade. She has a brother in 4th grade, and a brother in 2nd grade, a K5 sister, and a 4 year old sister. I use A Beka for all of the kids as it works well for us. I prefer the “school” type of teaching with workbooks, tests, etc. I don’t do much school with the 4 and 6 year olds, they just seem to pick things up from their siblings and the little bit of PBS they watch during the day.

Our daily schedule goes as follows: (If anyone gets done with a subject early, they move on to the next one and earn a longer break in the afternoon)
5:00 am - DH and I get up and while he gets ready for work I make his lunch and probably iron his pants for the day (really should be done beforehand!)
5:40 am - DH leaves for work and I get showered, then do the ironing, or some sewing. Some days I just sleep in the recliner.
7:00 am - wake the kids who are to get up get dressed, make their beds and report for breakfast. (Usually cereal, pancakes, or coffee cake) I walk the dog.
8:00 am - we all hit the door for a mile long walk around the neighborhood. This is PE for them and exercise for me and my 9th grader.
8:30 - 8:45 am - We prepare for school. I bring out a folding table into the dining room so the 4 and 6 yo DDs have a place to do puzzles, color, play with playdough, make words with magnets, flashcards or whatever. Legos are too noisy.
8:45 - 9:15 am - Pledges, Bible reading, then work on memorizing Psalm 119. There are 180 school days, and 176 verses, so a verse a day. We’re working on it.
9:15 - 10:15 am - DD does Health or History, DS does Math, and DS does Spelling, Phonics, and Reading with me.
10:15 - 10:30 am BREAK TIME!
10:30 - 11:30 am - DD does English, DS does Writing, Language, Spelling, and Reading with me, DS does math.
11:30 - 12:30 pm - lunch time and outside time
12:30 - 1:30 pm - DD does math, DS does History with me, and DS does Health with me.
1:30 - 1:45 pm - BREAK TIME
1:45 - 2:45pm - DD does Science, DS does Science, and DS does Writing, and Seatwork.
2:45 - 3:00 pm clean up the mess.
3:00 - 4:00 pm - outside time or whatever they would like to do. I usually work on grades or sewing or just watch afternoon PBS with them.
4:00 - 5:15 pm cook dinner.
5:15 pm - DH comes home so dinner is on the table waiting for him when he gets here.
As soon as dinner is over, DD and I go for a 2 mile walk around the neighborhood while DH and DSs clean up dinner. When we get home then I visit with DH, or sew, or read, and the kids play in their rooms.

Chores are on charts on the refrigerator and each child is responsible to do their chores each day. We do them either in the morning while we are getting ready, or at lunchtime, or in the afternoon when we are done with school. Laundry and other housework is done during the school day when I get a chance. I schedule days off so I can do grades - I am really bad at getting these done. By the time school is over, I am ready to be done with it for the day and doing grades is no fun.

During some times of the year, we have football practice/games or baseball & softball practice /games as early as 5:30 and often times running until 8:00. We have 2 playing football, and 3 playing baseball/softball. Those are crazy days! Usually we are out at the recreation department on Mon, Tue, Thu, and sometimes Sat morning. Church is Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Weds night. WHEW! Friday morning grocery shopping every other week makes me adjust the schedule and shorten the day, but it fits.

When realtives come to visit, they are always worn out when they leave and tell me to “Rest, you’re probably worn out.” Our poor parents!

Sorry this is so long, but as I always say, with 5 kids, everything about us is either really big or in multiples.

By: Sweetpeas

Sweetpeas — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:58:23 +0000

I did a blog post of our “normal” schedule, it can be seen here: http://broadhorizonsschool.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-in-life.html