What does a homeschooling day look like in our household? With 4 kids spanning a wide ability range, sometimes things do look like a circus tent. Here’s how we make it work!
Here’s a glimpse into a typical day in the Homeschool Circus household.
On this particular day it was the official first day of school for my 6th and 3rd/4th graders. (My high schooler had began his school year 3 weeks prior).
Our mornings start a bit different for each child. My oldest (9th grader) rises early to start his work. After his siblings wake up, he joins everyone for breakfast. After devotions and clean up, it’s school time for all.
First things first – I spend about 1/2 hour with our toddler, The Nip Napper. Today it was playing with Wikki-Sticks. (Each child has about 1/2 hour of Nip Napper in their schedule as well. My 3rd/4th grader reads to him or plays a variety of blocks, my 6th grader wrestles with him or plays trains/cars and my 9th grader likes to do puzzles)
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| Learning numbers with Wikki Sticks |
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| Playing pattern blocks |
Next up – Sequential Spelling with my middle children:
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| Sequential Spelling |
Followed by a sharp change of plans — we were supposed to start our Geography Task Cards, but, I did not have everything I needed to start this week. Fortunately, this is the perfect opportunity to finish one last book from the Holling C. Holling unit study (Beautiful Feet) – Seabird!
In addition to reading a few chapters, we did copywork with some definitions, a little mapping and drawing of a ‘bark’ (a whaling ship).
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| Seabird Geography! |
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| Copywork |
My 3rd/4th grader and I spent time doing a Mother/Daughter bible study.
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| Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalms 56:3 |
My 9th grader completed: math, literature, history, writing, computer science, studied scripture (Teen Bible Quiz) and participated in Kempo class.
My 6th grader completed: math, spelling, grammar, worked on the Seabird unit study, studied scripture (Teen Bible Quiz), finished his Kempo binder, went to a friends’ house and participated in Kempo class.
My 3rd/4th grader completed: math, spelling, handwriting, worked on the Seabird unit study, had a bible study with mom, read a book, phonics and participated in Kempo.
How do I plan it all?
Well, this year, my oldest is working independently. His schedule is basically a copy of the weekly plans from My Father’s World. I then write in his extras onto this schedule and include it in his binder – science, math, computer science, Teen Bible Quiz and Kempo.
The below schedule is mostly for my middle 2 children, but I do have a space for things we do with The Nip Napper as well.
Aside from math, I fill out this schedule once a week. Math I do everyday and is dependent upon on whether or not each child has achieved mastery of a given concept before I move them on.
I also lay out their books the night before so everything is ready to go the next day!
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| My oldest’s High School work — easiest kept in a box! |
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| Having all our books and materials laid out the night before makes for a smoother morning! |
What’s a day in the life of your homeschool look like?
About the Author:
Spirit-filled believer and follower of Jesus for the past 20 years. Wife and helpmeet of 18 years. Veteran homeschooling Mom of 10 years to 4 blessings ages 3-14 years. Encourager, blogger, curriculum/book reviewer, Young Earth Believer with a Geology Degree. Lisa is the author of Homeschool Circus. Connect with me on my Homeschool Circus' Google Profile.
Lisa – who has written 43 posts on Taber's Truths Christian Living Magazine.
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I like the box idea for keeping up with the books.
My DD is older and does most of her work independently, but we have recently decided to meet together in 10 minute blocks throughout the day for instruction and review. This works better than meeting for extended times due to her ADHD.
I noticed you use sequential spelling. Did you know Vocabulary Spelling City has that on their free site? Here is a link to it: http://www.spellingcity.com/avkofoundation/
Best wishes for a super year!
Joyfully,
Jackie
Jackie,
One thing I love about homeschooling is the ability to tailor learning to the child. Sounds like you’ve got a good plan with your DD!
Thank you for visiting and reading. And also for the tip about Sequential Spelling the website. I will be sure to check it out.
Many blessings to you!
~Lisa