A simple way to create an effective homeschool schedule is by using Microsoft Excel. Microsoft Excel is easy to use, it is free and it allows flexibility to suit any homeschooling family. Here are simple steps to create a homeschool schedule that is flexible and accommodating for a homeschooling family.
Create a Grid for the Homeschool Schedule
Create a basic grid for the homeschool schedule by using the cells on Microsoft Excel. Create a table with seven columns and as many rows by choice.
Label the top of the columns as the days of the week. Not all homeschoolers follow the standard Monday to Friday study regime, so setting up columns for all seven days of the week opens up a schedule for homeschoolers to do their learning at their own pace or schedule.
Secondly, create the time slots for each day. Here again, it is best to be flexible. Instead of creating slots per hour, like in a traditional classroom setting, each homeschooling family may wish to employ longer sessions to break up the day. For example, instead of setting one row at 8:00 am to 9:00 am, this session could just be called "Morning Session (7.30 am - 10 am)." This can be followed by "Matinee (10:00 am - 12 noon)." Since many homeschoolers tend to be driven by their interests, they may find that their learning sessions stretch beyond the traditional hour per class.
The upside of using this structure is that one or more subject or activity can be done during a slot. Since homeschoolers tend to learn at their own pace, they may find that some slots are well utilised, while others may provide them with spare time that they can use as down time or just to do something different from what is planned out in the given schedule.
Fit in the Meals and the Chores for the Day
This may sound ironic to a homeschooling naysayer, but fitting in the meals and chores is part and parcel of homeschooling and helps break up the day. Fill in the main slots for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and tidy-ups, to provide a better overview of what happens during a typical homeschooling day.
Fill in Outside Activities for Homeschoolers
Many homeschoolers are active members of the community, volunteering at charities or religious institutions. Many indulge in sports, book club meetings, attend co-op classes, have play dates and a host of outside activities.
Fill these "compulsory" activities in to the Excel cells first as it would set the tone for the learning sessions at home. For example, if a homeschooler is busy with bowling training on Monday mornings, he or she may not want to study Chemistry in the evening, and would maybe enjoy a read-a-thon instead. So it really depends on each homeschooler's learning preference.
Fill in Core Subjects
Core subjects vary for homeschoolers. Some may view English, Maths and Religious Studies as the core subjects that need to be studied daily. Others may view Gardening, Home Economics and Pure Sciences as something they would indulge in daily. Whichever the subjects are, fill in the daily core subjects, or the subjects studied most throughout the week into the most appeasing slots on the grid.
Fill in Learning Blocks and Unit Studies
Homeschoolers also engage in curriculum blocks and unit studies, so fill these in into the remaining slots. Spreading them out over the week would allow homeschoolers to enjoy a colourful schedule. This would complete the "formal" learning portion of their homeschool chart.
Always Allow for Down Time and Leeway
It is also important to allow downtime and leeway within the schedule itself. Emergencies may crop up, like a quick dash to the grocery store or a visit to the doctor.
Also, create a list of extra activities that can be done (as rewards) once all subjects or activities are completed per session. These are generally activities that are not included in the grid. For example, they could be listed down as: computer games, drawing or painting, poetry – depending on each individual homeschooler's needs and interests.
Take Advantage of Microsoft Excel's User Friendliness
Once all the cells have been filled in, homeschoolers can colour code their activities using the functions on Microsoft Excel. This will motivate younger homeschoolers to keep to the schedule, especially if they have not started reading yet.
Similarly, subjects, blocks, sessions and activities can be altered easily using Microsoft Excel, giving homeschoolers the flexibility they need when planning out an effective homeschool schedule as learning interests and focus may change over time.
Maria Zain - Maria is a wife, mother, coffee addict, homeschooler and writer - not in that particular order. On most days, all roles get muddled up ...
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