Summertime is typically when homeschooling parents reflect on the school year just ended and plan for the next season that usually begins in the fall. They not only think about academic subjects, but also about household chores that need doing. Chores such as annual major housecleaning, landscaping and gardening, and clothes inspection.

This may be the year to consider changing what has become the normal homeschool routine to better fit changing needs in the family life. The fable about the busy ant vs. the lazy other bug (I forget which kind) is an excellent illustration about this. Children learn better in a home that is well organized. A practical illustration of this: If the family is cold because summer clothes are still out, while winter clothes are packed away, this may make thinking difficult. Another illustration: If the family cannot move easily from room to room because piles have overtaken the home, then frustration builds for all. Discouragement and guilt follow for the parent who is in charge of managing the household.

Other considerations the homeschool parent must think about when evaluating the previous schedule and planning for the new year are the ages of the children, how many will now be homeschooling, what changes have occurred and affect the family (a new baby, a new job, a new responsibility in church), and developmental changes (such as a thirteen year old who now wants to be alone or a 7-year-old who now works more slowly than ever).

My tips for scheduling come from many years of experience. The meanings of tip include the end that is showing and the pinnacle. It implies that there is more to be seen and more that is not seen. Therefore, when I give tips to parents, I remind them that they are in charge of the home. They must decide if the suggestions I give are reasonable for their family because there are other matters of which I have no knowledge.

Tip #1
Come up with a semblance of a schedule that everyone in the family can live with because the children will feel more settled and will continue to learn how to be diligent. The parents will also feel better because the schedule recognizes the importance of the educational aspect, but not at the expense of daily living. For example, farm families who homeschool look at what daily chores need to be done at what time. They also consider what events happen seasonally (planting, harvesting, and canning). When the garden plot is ready to be planted, it cannot be delayed because history work in homeschool is being studied.

Tip #2
Some academic courses stick best when done every day (math, phonics, spelling, etc.). Write those into the daily schedule.

Tip #3
There are other courses that can reasonably be done on a monthly or seasonal basis (such as unit studies for history, science, geography). Work with a calendar for those topical studies to determine which ones would be best studied in which season. For instance, learning about gardening in January is not the best way to go in Maine. Use the winter to study about planets and conduct indoor experiments.

Tip #4
Plan into the schedule vacation times and down times because everyone, including the parents, needs time away from the books. Even if the family does not go away for a holiday, take a week or so off for a time of renewal and rest for everyone.

Tip #5
Step back and consider each of your children's interests and plan activities to incorporate those into the schedule. By doing so, you will know you are caring for their individuality.

Tip #6
Look to the future and move confidently into the new year with high expectations knowing that you have planned reasonably and well.
Shirley Minster © 2003

About the author:
Shirley is the founder of Home Education & Family Services and Royal Academy, sponsors of the New England Homeschool & Family Learning Conference. She and her staff work annually with hundreds of families offering a wide variety of services and helping parents custom design learning programs to fit their children’s learning profiles and the family’s lifestyles. Royal Academy, a state recognized private school, provides uniquely tailored programs for students grade K -12 and includes full transcript and diploma services to high school students as well as help with college and career planning and preparation. Visit Shirley's web site: http://www.homeeducator.com/HEFS to find out more about Home Education & Family Services and Royal Academy.