If you’re just getting started with homeschooling, one of the first things you’ll need to do is create a homeschool schedule. This can be a daunting task, but don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this blog post, we will provide tips and information on how to create your own homeschool schedule, including downloadable content and sample schedules to get you started.
A typical homeschool schedule might involve spending several hours each day teaching your children at home. Many families choose to follow the public-school calendar and structure their lessons around that, while others create a more flexible schedule that allows for more personalization and family time. Regardless of the approach you choose, it’s important to have a plan in place so that everyone knows what to expect.
A great option for designing your homeschool schedule is to create a yearly calendar and divide it into quarters or semesters. This will give you a good overview of what needs to be covered each month and can help prevent overwhelm. Alternatively, you can create a more weekly schedule that outlines what specific subjects will be studied on each day. Whichever approach you choose, be sure to leave some flexibility for when life gets in the way and things need to be rearranged.
Whether you are a new homeschooler or just looking for some inspiration, read on for everything you need to know about creating a homeschool schedule!
How to Design a Homeschool Schedule That Works for Your Family
When it comes to homeschooling, one of the most important things you can do is create a schedule that works for your family. Whether you follow a more rigid public-school calendar or prefer a more flexible approach, having a plan in place will help everyone stay on track. The most important thing to keep in mind when designing a homeschool schedule is that each family is different and what works for one family may not work for another. So, be sure to tailor your schedule to fit your own unique needs.
Start by creating a yearly calendar. This will help you plan out big events and holidays that you want to include in your child’s education. It will also help you keep track of how many days are in each school year and how many weeks are in each month. Once you have a yearly calendar created, it’s time to start creating your weekly schedule. This is where you will plan out specific lessons and activities that you want to include. When creating your weekly schedule, be sure to include time for both structured learning and free play. Kids need both of these in order to be successful learners.
In addition to including time for structured learning and free play, you’ll also want to include time for downtime during the day. This is important so that everyone can relax and rejuvenate. Some may also benefit from adding a family activity night to the schedule. This is a great way to spend time together as a family and have some fun.
Furthermore, making sure there is enough time each week for your child to work on their own interests and passions is also an important part of their education that should not be neglected. And last, when creating your homeschool schedule, be sure to be flexible. Things will not always go as planned and that’s okay! Just be prepared to adapt when necessary.
Tips for Designing a Successful Homeschool Schedule:
- Be realistic about what can be accomplished in a day and plan accordingly.
- Include time for both structured learning and free play.
- Allow for some down time during the day when everyone can relax and rejuvenate.
- Make sure there is enough time each week for your child to work on their own interests and passions.
- Be prepared to adapt when necessary.
- Flexibility is key when creating a homeschool schedule!
- Plan out coursework and lesson plans in advance and tailor them when needed, based on your child or student’s needs.
- Include time for family activities and bonding, social interaction is important in a homeschooling environment.
Factors to consider when creating a Home School Schedule
Some children do better with a more rigid school schedule, while others may prefer flexibility. Consider your child’s personality when creating your schedule. You don’t have to follow a traditional school calendar in order to cover all the required subjects. However, you should aim to plan out your lessons in advance.
Here is a list of factors to consider when creating a Homeschool Schedule that is right for your family.
- What type of learner is your child?
- What subjects do you want to cover?
- How many hours per day/week can you dedicate to schooling?
- Are there any outside activities or obligations that will affect your schedule?
- How much time each day do you want to spend on schoolwork?
- What types of activities and subjects do you want to include in your child’s education?
- How much time does your child need for breaks and free play?
- What days of the week will you have more time for schoolwork?
- Are there any subjects your child is passionate about and would like to spend more time on?
Be Consistent but Flexible When Creating a Homeschool Schedule
A successful homeschool schedule requires consistency, but it’s important to be flexible so that you can adapt when needed. This allows for a more personalized education experience for your child and can help prevent burnout.
So, don’t be afraid to change things up if something isn’t working. Things will not always go as planned, and that’s okay! Just be prepared to adapt when necessary. This is especially important for first-time homeschoolers, who may not be sure what to expect. Just make sure you have a plan B in case of emergencies!
Sample Daily Homeschool Schedule for Young Children and Toddlers:
Use the following sample Homeschool Schedule as a general idea of what a daily routine may look like. Copy it or use it to generate your own schedule ideas. Be sure to tailor it to fit your homeschooling needs, your child’s age, and stage of development.
| 8am – 9am | Breakfast and Stretching |
| 9am -11am | Structured/Assisted Learning |
| 11am -12pm | Down Time/Nap Time |
| 12pm – 1pm | Lunch and Social Interaction |
| 1pm – 3pm | Structured/Assisted Learning |
| 3pm – 6pm | Free Play, Recess, and Hobby Time |
| 6pm – 7pm | Dinner |
| 7pm – 8pm | Family Bonding Time |
| 8pm – 9pm | Bedtime Routine |
A Sample Weekly Homeschool Schedule of Lesson Plans:
Use the following sample Homeschool Schedule as a general idea of what a weekly routine may look like. Copy it or use it to generate your own schedule ideas. Be sure to tailor it to fit your homeschooling needs, your child’s age, and stage of development.
- MONDAY:
- Math lesson
- Science lesson
- Reading lesson
- Free play
- TUESDAY:
- Art lesson
- History lesson
- Foreign language lesson
- Free play
- WEDNESDAY:
- Physical education
- Music lesson
- Computer lesson
- Free play
- THURSDAY:
- Library day
- Gym day
- Swimming day
- Free play
- FRIDAY
- Open house at the library
- Shopping day
- Free play
- SATURDAY:
- Outing to a museum or park
- Gardening day
- Baking day
- Free play
- SUNDAY:
- Bible Study
- Rest and relaxation day
Creating a Homeschool Schedule for Preschoolers
If you are homeschooling a preschooler, your schedule will likely be very different than that of older students.
Below are some general tips to help you get started:
- Start with a basic routine and gradually add more activities as your child becomes more comfortable with the homeschool setting.
- Keep your schedule flexible, as young children may not be able to follow a strict routine.
- Provide plenty of opportunities for exploration and play, as this is an important part of early childhood learning.
Sample preschool homeschooling schedule
Use the following sample Homeschool Schedule as a general idea of what a weekly routine may look like. Copy it or use it to generate your own schedule ideas, and tailor it to fit your homeschooling needs.
- MONDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, letter of the day
- Reading time
- Art activity
- Outside playtime
- TUESDAY:
- Math activity
- Reading time
- Science activity
- Outside playtime
- WEDNESDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, number of the day
- Reading time
- Creative activity
- Outside playtime
- THURSDAY:
- Bible story time
- Reading time
- Gross motor activity
- Outside playtime
- FRIDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, shape of the day
- Reading time
- Fine motor activity
- Outside playtime
Creating a Homeschool Schedule for Elementary Students
Once your child enters elementary school, their homeschool schedule will become more structured. However, it is still important to allow for plenty of flexibility, as children this age can have a wide range of interests and abilities.
Tips for creating an elementary school homeschool schedule:
- Choose a curriculum that fits your child’s interests and abilities.
- Include a variety of subjects, such as reading, math, science, history, and art.
- Balance structured lessons with plenty of time for exploration and play.
- Make sure to include breaks and outdoor playtime whenever possible.
Here is an example of an elementary school homeschool schedule.
Use the following sample Homeschool Schedule as a general idea of what a weekly routine may look like. Copy it or use it to generate your own schedule ideas, and tailor it to fit your homeschooling needs.
- MONDAY:
- Reading lesson
- Math lesson
- Science lesson
- History lesson
- TUESDAY:
- Art lesson
- Reading lesson
- Math lesson
- WEDNESDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, handwriting practice
- Reading lesson
- Math lesson
- Science lesson
- THURSDAY:
- History lesson
- Art lesson
- Reading lesson
- FRIDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, spelling practice
- Reading lesson
- Math lesson
- Creative Writing Lesson
Creating a Homeschool Schedule for High School Students
As students reach high school age, their homeschool schedule will become more specialized and focused. In addition to the standard subjects, you may want to consider adding courses in college prep, career exploration, or other areas of interest.
Tips for creating a high school homeschool schedule:
- Choose a curriculum that meets the requirements of your state or country.
- Be sure to add courses for college prep, career exploration, or other areas of interest.
- Make sure to include time for homework and extracurricular activities.
- Balance rigorous coursework with plenty of time for relaxation and recreation.
Here is an example of how to create a homeschool schedule for high school.
Use the following sample Homeschool Schedule as a general idea of what a weekly routine may look like. Copy it or use it to generate your own schedule ideas, and tailor it to fit your homeschooling needs.
- MONDAY:
- English lesson
- Math lesson
- Science lesson
- TUESDAY:
- Foreign language lesson
- College prep course
- WEDNESDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, study skills practice
- English lesson
- Math lesson
- Health lesson
- THURSDAY:
- Science lesson
- History lesson
- Elective
- FRIDAY:
- Morning routine: breakfast, calendar time, career exploration course
- English lesson
- Math lesson
- Physical Education
Creating a successful homeschool schedule takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. So, take your time, be flexible, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
Final Remarks
Learning how to create a homeschool schedule that WORKS for your family is not an easy task. It’s important to tailor it to fit your family’s needs. Every family is different, and what works for one may not work for another. So, take the time to figure out what type of schedule will work best for you. However, with some planning and flexibility, you can create a schedule that works well for your family. Just be prepared to adapt when necessary!
