Homemaking Organized Blog

Archive for September 7th, 2011

With first grade well under way I had to come up with a homeschool schedule that would fit in all the new subjects (Science, Spelling, and Handwriting) while allowing Mommy (that’s me) time to breathe (Well that’s what it felt like.) and take care of regular household chores as well as whatever.

Back in the day (last year) the nice kindergarten homeschool schedule allowed me to get much done in the day along with kindergarten class and running an errand or two. Now I have to be smart about my time, organized and scheduled.

So I came up with a schedule (along with the help of Bob Jones) that seems to work well and allow for breaks.

So here is our 2011 First Grade Homeschool daily schedule…

9:00 – Breakfast (I’ve already been up and seen to a few things)

10:00 – Math

10:30 – Break

11:00 – English and Phonics

12:00 – Lunch / Break

1:00 -  Science

1:30 – Spelling

2:00 – School day ends

Free time, Outdoors, Gardening, errands etc.

Now I won’t say it works perfectly every day. Some days we get started late, there are worksheets to complete between each class and so forth but if I with the breaks and knowing that AT LEAST by 3pm we should be finished with the school day that keeps me happy.

Last Year (Kindergarten)

Our Schedule looked like this….

Wake up (you know pray, workout etc)

Dwadle (surf, blab on the phone, snuggle Peanut who was groggy)

Breakfast (pull something together)

Make beds

Start school (By the time school started we were actually organized believe it or not but we took so long to get there. School was only about an hour and 45 minutes too.)

Barrel through (it was three classes, Heritage Studies, Math, and English Skills) be done by the latest 1pm

Play time!

 

This year I knew I would have to be much more organized in work and in home. I take this homeschooling stuff seriously (now that they mailed some tests along with the package). Some steps I’ve been taking that help to keep things together.

Meal Planning – I waffle on this so bad because I really like to cook and experiment AND I like to do it at the drop of a hat. My experimenting now has to be planned. You can find out more about meal planning on the main site.

Work – Knowing that I don’t have all day to write and play around with new planner templates means stuff is getting done slower and in a time slot (like now). I have to make myself okay with that. Peanut’s education is first.

Me Time – I get up earlier and have added in a quick workout and some work time. I go to bed earlier and have some time with the Lord before heading for bed.

Housework -  Except for beds and laundry anything else I want to do has to be done after school.

Errands – Errands are run before school unless hubby is around and can take over the schooling (Wednesday). Trying to do them after means I’m rushing and I actually don’t like being out and about in high traffic. I prefer the lull of the morning. It means school on those days is moved down an hour or so. The beauty of homeschooling.

Friends – I’m so sorry but my friends like to call during the day so I haven’t been answering the phone and have been apologizing profusely. Hey there’s still evenings and weekends.

 

Do you have a homeschool schedule? Tell me about it.