Homeschool Schedule – 7 Steps to a Structured Day

Step 1: Break your day into time blocks

Time blocks work well with a homeschool schedule. Think of these as mini routines where your goal is to perform specific activities, in a specific order. Add approximate timeframes. We all know this is not always reality, but it gives us something to work towards; goals to be met. How can you break you down into time blocks? You can find my time blocks here. My day consists of the following:

• Morning Routine – includes chores, breakfast, and kitchen clean up
• Academic Work 1 – essential subjects that tax the brain the most
• Morning Break – physical, outside time
• Academic Work 2 – subjects we can work on together
• Lunch Break – lunch, kitchen tidy up and quiet time
• Academic Work 3 – creative time or nap time for little ones
• Free Play – must include a period of physical activity, outside
• Pre-Dinner Routine – cook, kids showers, chores, screen time for younger ones
• Dinner – eat, kitchen clean up and family game (including teens)
• Free Time – screen time for older kids
• Bedtime Routine – night routine, storytime and/or independent reading
• Adult time – includes setting myself up for the next day

Step 2: Identify all activities in your day that are time-dependent

Does the baby need quiet feed times? Are afternoon naps necessary? Do you work during specific hours? When do the kids have online lessons? What time do you cook dinner? Write all these activities directly onto your schedule at the time they are to be completed. They are NOT flexible, therefore, you need to fit everything else around them.

Step 3: List all other activities that need to be done during the day

On a separate piece of paper (or column on the spreadsheet) list all other activities you wish to complete each day. Try to keep the list as simple as possible. Next to each activity decide:

1. Is it an ESSENTIAL or NON-ESSENTIAL activity? Non-essential are tasks you would like to complete, but the family will survive if it does not get done.
2. Who is responsible for it?
3. Are you needed to help with the task or oversee this task?
4. Approximately how long will it take to complete it?
5. Which time block is the activity best suited for? In other words what time of day works best to complete this task? For example, I find Maths and English work best during our morning academic session. I cannot concentrate if my kitchen is a mess (a personal preference), so kitchen tidy sessions are placed throughout my day.

So many Mum’s struggle with the question of how much time to devote to academics every day. I certainly do, and hey, it’s a valid question, especially when you start to wonder about how to best break up your kid’s study time. Fortunately for us, Homeschool Downunder has written a fantastic article on the subject. Click here to read about How Many Hours Do You Homeschool?

Tips to consider:

• Now is a great time to get the kids involved in chores and general help around the house. Older kids are capable of understanding that these are unusual times and Mum and Dad really need help. Can your older kids help out with the younger ones – buddy an older child with a toddler? This is a strategy that is commonly used in many homeschool families and scheduled into the day.
• Are there any chores that you can relax during this time? With kids home all day, everyday, things are going to get messy. I have only 1 house tidy session each day where kids are required to put their toys away and tidy their school area.

Step 4: Identify areas in your current schedule that are the most challenging

After your activities are listed, think about those which are the greatest struggle. Which areas do you wish to work on that will bring you the most benefit once life returns to normal? (There is no point in doing all this extra work without reaping some long-term benefits) Number your time blocks (from Step 1) with 1 being the area you struggle the most. Now you have a starting point.

Remember: Morning and Evening routines are foundational routines that set the tone for the day. If these are not working well for you, I suggest you begin there.

Step 5: Allocate YOUR activities to your homeschool schedule time blocks

At this stage you have:

1. a list of time blocks,
2. a schedule with activities that cannot be moved,
3. a list of all other ESSENTIAL and NON-ESSENTIAL activities, and
4. a starting point – your most challenging time block.

Begin with YOUR list of activities and write which time block you wish to slot each activity into. This way you identify when you are

• free and fully present to help the kids,
• available to oversee the kids while doing something else, and
• occupied, therefore, the kids need to work independently or with your partner (if this is an option for you).

Once your activities are allocated to a time block, add all other activities to each time block.

Step 6: Add all other activities to your homeschool schedule

The hard work is done! You are ready to fill in your schedule template. I like to use an Excel Spreadsheet for this. You can download my template here. Add all other activities (step 3) to your schedule (step 2).

Look at each time block independently. Imagine you are performing each task according to your schedule. Does it flow? Do you need to adjust the time frame? Should tasks be reordered? Is another family member better suited for the task? Can the children take on more chores themselves? Move activities until you are happy with where they sit and the flow of the day.

Step 7: Transform your homeschool schedule into a functioning routine

A schedule allows you to create a time for your priorities, in contrast, a routine is what makes it stick. A routine is all about household flow and giving you and your kids a sense of daily normality.

Your goal is to create a simple routine or checklist for each time block. Imagine telling the kids to start their morning routine, rather than make your bed, brush your teeth, brush your hair, get dressed, etc, etc. This alleviates you the hassle of reminding them of every single task that needs to be done. It makes life organised, predictable, yet provides you with flexibility when required.

Finally, print out each routine and place them where they will be most useful. In bedrooms, in bathrooms, in the kitchen, at the desk, etc. Get the kids on board. Have them type or write their own routine. My son likes to use Canva. Use photos for little ones. Allow them to be creative – use colour, images, anything that helps them feel a sense of ownership.