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7:10 a.m. Get Up
I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. I didn’t sleep well last night. But since my back was hurting, I knew lying there any longer, hoping to fall back asleep, was pointless. I sneaked out of bed, careful not to wake my son. He’s been camping out with me this week while my husband is away on a work trip.
I exercise first thing in the morning, otherwise it never gets done. And honestly, I love the way I feel afterwards– energized and loosened up. Miles and Julia are awake by now and get their own breakfasts.
After taking a shower, I have breakfast. I clean up the kitchen and go in search of Miles. He’s been playing Legos in his bedroom. Julia has already started working on a physics lab report.
Miles is still in his pajamas. I remind him to brush his teeth before we start school. He’s learning how to use his new electronic toothbrush, so I stick around to count the seconds and help him keep track of where he’s already brushed.
9:40 a.m. Start school
We have no consistency in our school start time. Some days if I’m up earlier, we start earlier. But today it takes over two hours before we’re ready to sit down.
The night before, I write a checklist for the day. It keeps me on track and helps Miles know what to expect. Today’s list is long already, and Miles decides to add “art” to the bottom.
9:45 a.m. Math
Miles works on Multiplying by 6 and 7. We work through most of the problems in the textbook, but I have him only do one page in the workbook. Dimensions Math workbooks are well-written. They make math problems fun by adding a twist, such as riddles and mystery pictures. Today, Miles gets to put his answers in a “crossword” puzzle.
I told him I was going to run upstairs and straighten my hair while he worked on the rest of his problems, but he said he didn’t hear me. He spent those ten minutes doodling while he was waiting. We’re working on independence!
10:40 a.m. Read aloud
Before I start reading, I ask Miles to get dressed. He’s been wanting to stay in his pajamas all day, but he doesn’t own more than two pairs to make that practical! He wasn’t happy about it, but we’re going out later, so it was necessary.
When my daughter was in third grade her father read her the entire Harry Potter series. We made a deal. Since he read H.P. to Julia, I’d get to read H.P. to Miles.
Third grade has been my benchmark, but I’ve had such mixed feelings about reading the whole series. What about the scary content? The death? The questionable behavior of certain characters? Let alone the early adolescent love that Miles can’t relate to? Wouldn’t it be better to read one book every year, matching the age of the main character?
I had my daughter look back in her journals (yes, she started journaling at a young age) to prove that she read the complete series in one school year. She promises me that it didn’t change the way she felt about the books later. She loved Harry Potter, and she’s read the series at least two times since then.
So, naturally, I’m not going to torture my son by making him wait years to hear the end of the story. We’re half-way through book five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying our read aloud time, but I’m looking forward to next school year, when I can read a variety of books again.
11:30 a.m. Keyboarding
Miles is learning how to type using Keyboarding Without Tears. His posture isn’t the best, so I move him to the dining room. We still use our kid-size table and chairs for a good portion of our school day, but Miles is getting too tall. (I’m too tall too). I should move the table set to the barn, but it’s hard to let go. It will mark the end of an era– no more littles in the house!
11:45 a.m. Language
Language is next. It’s a short lesson on using commas in a series. Miles simply has to copy a few sentences using correct punctuation.
I love his neat handwriting! It has improved tremendously. I used to worry that he’d never form his letters correctly. Last year was a constant battle getting him to write from the top down, and use lower case letters.
12:00 p.m. Memory Work
We work on memorizing little bits of information through chants and songs for week 17 in the Claritas Cycle 2 Memory Guide. Subjects include history, geography, Latin, English grammar, math, science, scripture, hymns, and timeline.
12:30 p.m. Lunch
Lunch is the first time we all come together in the day. Leftover chicken soup and quesadillas are on the menu.
1:00 p.m. Outside
Having a dog forces us to go outside to get fresh air and play time. Rosco, our maltipoo, loves to chase the ball and explore the yard. We walk down in the woods and back up the field, startling a flock of Canada geese. I have to give Rosco a rinse in the tub. He gets so muddy when the temperature is above freezing!
Meanwhile, Julia jumps online for her Latin class. She’s studying Latin readings, classical authors.
1:45 p.m. History
We’ve learned a lot about George Washington this year in our literature guide from Beautiful Feet Books. Today we start talking about the writing of the constitution by reading A More Perfect Union.
2:15 p.m. Screen Time
I know some families don’t do television, but it’s a life saver for me. Every afternoon my son watches something on PBS Kids, and I get a break. I catch up on chores, respond to emails, and spend time talking with my daughter.
Today Miles watches Wild Kratts, a show that at least has educational value. He’s taught me quite a few things about animals that he’s learned from those Kratt brothers.
3:30 p.m. Art
I did not have art on the agenda, but since Miles put it on our checklist, he chose the activity. Drawing in his sketch book with his brush pen set never gets dull.
4:00 p.m. Pack Up
We pack dinner, games, and pajamas to prepare for our late night out. Then, around 4:45, we hit the road. Julia plays clarinet in a youth orchestra that meets on Thursday evenings in the winter. It’s a 1 1/2 hour drive, but we’re used to it. When you live in a rural state, you have to commute to provide certain opportunities for your kids.
6:15 p.m. Orchestra Rehearsal
While Julia rehearses, Miles and I set up our dinner in the school cafeteria. We spend the next two hours eating, playing games, (like Ticket to Ride, Rush Hour, and Set), and walking the halls. Finally, at 8:45, we begin the long journey home.
A homeschool day in the life, with a 16- and 8- year old looks like this, for the most part. We work separately in the mornings, come together at lunch, work more (and relax) in the afternoon, and come together again for dinner. My hope is that you can find your own unique family rhythms that makes homeschool work and become an enjoyable adventure.
