The Super Idealistic Homeschool Routine 2012-2013


How in the world will I teach two children, manage a super busy crazy toddler, and care for a crawling baby this year?  This is how.  In theory.  But but but here's the thing before you sigh in frustration thinking that we are serenely and peacefully living this perfectly routined blissful daily schedule or on the opposite side, thinking that we are creating robot children who never have time for spontaneous play or opportunity:

I WON'T ACTUALLY DO THIS.

These schedules are to pacify my neurotic type A personality.  I need to know that I CAN do this.  I need to know that getting everything done that I hope to is actually possible.  When I have a schedule and routine, I feel much freer about going off-schedule, which we very often do.  Does that make sense?  When there is no expected rhythm or routine, I feel out of control and I don't like it.  I lose my peace.  That to me is way more shackling than a flexible schedule. When there is a default mode and the knowledge that if we were to choose we could do things in this way, I feel like I can have a handle on this life.  I feel freer.

So, that's how I do things.  I write routines and meal plans and chore lists and then...I don't really use them.  Though, sometimes I do.  It works for me.  I never promised to make sense all the time.

I do find that the boys thrive with some sort of rhythm in the home.  And they also do well having expectations laid out for them.  It's encourages cooperation when chores or lessons are a result of being on the list rather than something that seems to be made up on mom's whim.  We often get sidetracked from these little routines for good and not so good reasons but again, that's okay.  (Case in point, I do realize that I am living in the land of unicorns and elves when hoping that Luke will be taking a morning nap during the morning lesson time.)  But I just need to know that it can happen not necessarily that it will.

These are simple charts created in Word and I'm okay with that.  They're hung on the refrigerator for easy reference.  Next to them will be the chore lists.

Of course, as with all things in family life and when dealing with real human beings in a real and very imperfect family, this is all subject to change.  Peruse at your own risk...

John Paul’s Daily Routine


Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

7:30


Wake, Dressed, Breakfast, Chores

9:00

Poetry & Scripture

Holy Mass


9:15

Math


10:00

Writing


10:30

Cursive

Latin

Break


Geography

Latin/Greek Review

11:00


Break

Lunch

Break

12:00


Lunch

(HRC Day)

Gym

Rotating Unit

Art

Sign Language


Lunch

1:30

History



Religion

History



Religion


2:00


Science

Science


2:30


Free Time

Free Time

4:00


Chores

5:00


Dinner

6:00


Evening Routine (Time with Papa, Shower, Family Prayer, Read Alouds/Reading)


8:00


Bedtime



Michael’s Daily Routine


Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

7:30


Wake, Dressed, Breakfast, Chores

9:00

Poetry & Scripture

Holy Mass


9:15

Math


10:00

Reading


Handwriting

Reading

Handwriting

Reading

10:30


Free Time

11:00



Lunch



12:00


Lunch

(HRC Day)

Art

Gym

Rotating Unit


Lunch

1:30

History


Religion

History

Religion



Science



Science

2:30

Free Time

Free Time


4:00


Chores

5:00


Dinner

6:00

Evening Routine (Time with Papa, Bath, Family Prayer, Read Alouds/Reading)


7:00


Bedtime



David’s Daily Routine


Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

7:30


Wake, Dressed, Breakfast, Chores

9:00

Poetry & Scripture

Holy Mass


9:15


Lego or Letters


Beads, Buttons, or Beans


Sewing, Stones, or
Sorting/Shape Boards


Puzzles, Playdough, or Painting


Coloring, Cloud Dough, or Computer?

11:00

Lunch


12:00


Lunch

(HRC Day)

Special Time with Mama


Lunch


1:30




Reading with Brothers
 or Free Time



Reading with Brothers
 or Free Time


4:00


Chores

5:00


Dinner

6:00

Evening Routine (Time with Papa, Bath, Family Prayer, Read Alouds/Reading)


7:00

Bedtime


A few notes:  HRC is the Homeschool Resource Center we will be participating in once a week.  I have no idea what I will be doing with the littles during that time but there is a spot for us to wait (suggestions?).  I don't expect David to follow this routine but I liked the idea of having a rotating selection of toddler activities during lesson time and I think he'll appreciate having his own sheet on the fridge.  I think it may make it more novel and appealing to him to have things we only do on certain days.   I tried to make the less parent-intensive ones on days when the older boys would need more direction.  We'll see if it works!  Luke doesn't get a sheet...and he's the huge factor in how all this goes down...

The plan is to start next week.  I've always liked the idea of starting around the feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8) but I'm always itching get back on routine right around now.  Besides, the earlier we begin the earlier we can enjoy spring guilt-free when all the others are in school!  Perhaps next year I'll aim to begin right after the Assumption as other parts of the country do.  Here in New York most schools don't start until the day after Labor Day and don't get out until the end of June.  I like that I can tweak our year to make it work for us and our family preferences.  May and June should be spent outside, right??  There are no elaborate plans to begin our year except to jump right in and do our best.  Maybe I'll make a dessert or something :)  

Do you keep a routine?  How does your homeschooling day normally flow?  What are your biggest necessities with routine and scheduling and what are things you've learned?  I would love to hear your ideas and plans!


3 comments

  1. I need to make a routine like this - I hesitate because I know we won't follow it. But, like you, it will make me feel better to create one!

    We started school yesterday, but we didn't actually do any school : ) I just announced that it was the first day of school and hopefully it will get us all into the mindset of routine. We are going to "lite" school for the rest of Aug and all of Sept so we can enjoy the remainder of nice weather and our guests when they (you) come our way.

    Our elaborate "first day of school" celebration included a trip to the library so the girls could get their own library cards, corn on the cob for dinner, berry picking, a walk around the block, and root beer float ice cream.

    We did history and violin this morning, so now we are off to play with a friend the rest of the day.

    I love the alliteration of David's playtime activities. Your weirdness is shining through : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I know...there is totally something wrong with me, I think. And now I'm craving ice cream...

      Delete

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