I shared recently that we’re focusing on essentials so I can heal, but our homeschool routine hasn’t supported this goal very well!
Our overall life routine has been the same for at least 6 years, using a block system that can flex as the kids grow and change. Our mornings focus on constructive activities: chores, schoolwork, or other calm activities when we’re not doing school. The afternoons are for play and hobbies.
The school portion now goes into the afternoon because the kids are older, but we have a hard stop at 3pm. This helps everyone stay balanced between school, other responsibilities, and free time.
This framework fits us really well, but my husband wants me to keep teacher-time within that morning block. That way, I have a full afternoon to accomplish a balance of work and rest.
We reduced our number of subjects last year, but I was still trying to teach every subject, every day, for every child (except the high schoolers).
I eventually realized the only way to finish teaching by noon would be to rotate lesson days between subjects. I also wanted to keep our mid-week “light day”. It keeps all of us going on tough weeks and gives me a catch-up day for other tasks.
After sketching out some possibilities, I settled on a school routine that is working well!
Homeschool Routine for Elementary & Middle School
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I used to have a set start time for school but it caused a lot of anxiety for everyone. So we went back to a general start time.
My teens get started early on their own but the rest of us sit down sometime between 9 and 10. We begin with a Cultivating the Virtues study and then I work with each child one-on-one.
I used to begin with my youngest and work up to my oldest, but this wasn’t a good plan for my two special needs kiddos.
So I now work with them first, beginning with my 8yo and then my 12yo. My 14 year old comes next as I have to work with him before his online classes. The 10 and 6 year olds round out the morning.
To figure out a teaching rotation, I listed each child’s subjects and decided:
- which subjects need to be done daily
- which subjects need my help
- what portions can be done independently
- how often I need to check on independent work
From there, I was able to put together a Daily List and a Rotation List.
Daily List
- 6 year old
Mom-time: Recitation, phonics, math practice sheets, and copybook
- 8 year old
Mom-time: Recitation, phonics, spelling, copybook, and cursive
- 10 year old
Independent: Latin and literature assignments
Mom-time: review independent work and highlight next Latin assignment in lesson plans
- 12 year old
Independent: Latin, spelling, and literature assignments
Mom-time: spelling activities and review independent work
- 14 year old
Independent: literature and assignments from online classes
Mom-time: check-in with assignments, review literature work
- All: CTCMath online
Rotation List
Rotating lessons are for my 10, 12, and 14 year olds. They’re added to each child’s Mom-time.
Mondays: Latin
– Drill forms, vocabulary and/or grammar
– Highlight tomorrow’s Latin assignment in printed lesson plans
Tuesdays: Literature
– Review completed assignments
– Preview next chapters
– Highlight Wednesday and Thursday’s literature assignments
Wednesdays: Fun Day
– Independent work for 10, 12, and 14 year olds
– Together subjects: States & Capitals, Mammals
– Grade high school work
– Help high schoolers with anything that needs my focused time
Thursdays: Literature
– Review completed assignments
– Preview next chapters
– Highlight Friday and Monday’s literature assignments
Fridays: Latin
– Drill forms, vocabulary and/or grammar
– Highlight Monday’s Latin assignment
Resources for Independent Work
Several moms on the Memoria Press forum have made free literature and classical study dictionaries for specific levels, so I printed those out for my 10 and 14 year olds. This allows them to work independently on that portion of their guides.
Ideally, that vocabulary section builds their ability to determine meaning from context. But dictionary skills are important, too, so I’m calling it good for now.
My 12yo is in Simply Classical Level 4 which has its own official literature dictionary. Spelling is a struggle for him so using the dictionary allows him to be more independent while keeping his spelling on track.
Since we’re only doing a few subjects right now, I’m using homemade planning sheets to write down the older kids’ assignments. I’ll be very happy when we’re back to MP’s curriculum manuals!
I went ahead and bought the Individual Lesson Plans for the subjects we’re wrapping up. Now I can just highlight their next round of assignments with a Frixion erasable highlighter.
If it’s highlighted and unchecked, they know it’s a current assignment. Easy-peasy!
Homeschool Routine for High School
My high schoolers are juniors this year and we were blessed to have online classes or streaming video for nearly all of their courses.
(I’m not sure if we’ll be able to afford outsourcing next year but I know we’ll survive somehow. After all, homeschoolers taught for decades without outside resources!)
Memoria Press Online Academy
High School Composition III for both
Henle II: Caesar for 16 year old
Memoria Press Streaming Videos
VideoText Algebra I & II
Dante’s Divine Comedy for 16 year old
Modern Biology for 17 year old
Homeschool Connections Recorded Courses
United States History: Early American, Revolution, and Modern (all with Philip Campbell)
Personal Finance for 16 year old
Other Courses
Catechist Training for 17 year old (with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd)
High School Theology for both boys (with the Didache program at our church – also available to use at home!)
Work
At almost 18, my oldest works three full days each week at a woodshop and then he works a few hours at a maintenance/caretaker job once a week.
I’m concerned about him working so much, but both jobs have been really good for him, especially since his normal activities have been so limited by the pandemic.
They’re also great preparation for what he wants to do after graduation.
My 16 year old works two days a week at a print shop and he works with his brother at their maintenance/caretaker job once a week.
Homeschool Perfection?
Ten years of homeschooling has shown this mama that there’s no such thing as a perfect homeschool routine. No routine will guarantee easy days, cooperative kids, and the ability to face every day with a smile.
Instead, a homeschool routine needs to fit the season you’re in and give clear direction for when you get off track. For us, this one fits the bill.
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