Category: Upstream Parenting

How to Make a Homeschool Schedule Easily (Sample Schedule Included)

1/16/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Making the schedule for your homeschool will help you find some organization in your busy day. Some days, you may not follow the schedule exactly. Someone may finish early or late. There might be a field trip or extracurricular activity. But it does help to have a visual plan in sight. As a homeschooling mother, I have made and re-made many homeschool schedules. Here is the way I have found to be the easiest and most effective.

Plan All Subjects Before Starting to Schedule

First, you'll need to figure out which subjects your child/ren will be learning and how much daily time is needed for each. Each family will have a different set of subjects, as some may wish to teach more about something that is valued in their family. All homeschoolers will have Reading/Language Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies/History.

However, depending upon your state, your child may also need to learn something else besides the core subjects. Different states will vary, so be sure to look up your state's requirements and be sure to adhere to them. They also may change from time to time, so be sure to stay current with your state's laws by visiting the HSLDA website or your local Board of Education.

While not required, art, music, and physical education can help provide for a solid educational background. You may also choose to add the study of one or more religions or history in your family's cultural background. Don't forget to factor in a subject that particularly interests your child as well. This can be an interchangeable class, where you focus on certain things your child likes at the time. We call ours "Special Class".

Timing Makes a Schedule Successful

You'll need to specify times for each subject, as well as time for lunch and any extracurricular activities. Remember, some subjects aren’t necessary every day, which can help free up some time. For instance, alternate a few subjects or activities with each other that may tie in together or are miscellaneous activities that aren’t needed daily. Core subjects do need to be factored in each day, whether you are studying them through hands-on learning or from a book. A field trip or class outside of the home does count as instruction time, providing it has something to do with what the child is currently learning. Some trips, activities, or lessons might also include instruction for more than one subject.

Bringing Your Schedule Together on Paper and in Action

Lastly, you need to put the schedule on paper, factoring in the first two points. It may take a few tries to get it right, but don't worry. It will fall into place. Sometimes, once you have implemented the schedule, you may find too much time is allotted for one subject and not enough for another. Revise until you have it the way you want it.

Remember that during homeschool, some kids will finish earlier than planned. That's fine. Just move on to the next subject. In a homeschool setting, 6 or 7 hours of instruction may not be necessary because there are far less students to answer questions for, no roll calling (you already know who's there), and no time constraints as to when you can begin the next subject. As long as students are receiving adequate lessons and instruction (and you’re following your state’s laws), there’s nothing wrong with a shorter school day.

Sample Schedule:

Here is a sample of one of our past homeschool schedules for an example of what can be done.

8:00 am - Warm-Up Time
This consists of yoga (exercise, as well as preparation for learning with an awakened mind, body, and spirit), pledge of allegiance, and reciting our own school motto.

8:30 am - Group Reading/Circle Time
Each person reads aloud from our current novel. Younger kids read from simple readers or picture books (whatever level they are on) before the novel and can continue to play with books or clay during novel reading.

9:00 am - Discussion & Reading Comprehension
Discuss the toddler books and the novel and ask appropriate comprehension questions. Toddlers can play in the circle with blocks or other "busy" toys once it’s time to discuss the novel.

9:30 am - Vocabulary/Spelling test or study
Toddlers may use abc or word flash cards instead.

9:45 am - Free reading
Read or look at picture books, according to appropriate levels.

10:30 am - Writing Assignment
Write in journal, do a research paper, complete a writing worksheet, or play a writing game on the computer - depends on what needs to be done) - Adult can make lunch while they’re doing this and toddlers can do something at their level, such as a game or drawing.

11:00 pm - Lunch

11:30 pm - Recess/Exercise/Sports
Rotate between sport of the month, exercise, and free play - if the weather's bad, do an exercise video or dance - toddlers participate where possible or just play actively.

12:15 pm - Math
Learn a lesson and complete related problems from textbook or worksheet - toddlers might be tracing numbers or using flash cards instead

12: 45 pm - Math Fun
Play a board game, computer game, or do a hands-on activity (such as pattern or counting games)

1:05 pm - Math Review
At times, review will be done along with the regular lesson or game. When this happens, we move on to the next subject.

1:35 pm - Miscellaneous
Rotate Character/Etiquette/Citizenship, World Religion, Home Economics, and French Lessons

2:05 pm - Social & World Studies
Social Studies, History, Geography, Government, or Black History Lesson with accompanied discussion, worksheet, or activity (rotate genre and lesson type)

2:30 pm - Science Lesson
Lesson with accompanying worksheet, discussion, or activity

3:00 pm - Snack & Cool-Down Break
You can play and eat outside, weather permitting.

3:30 pm - Art or Crafts
This may or may not be related to what we're studying, sometimes it's a free-for-all, sometimes it's a formal art lesson

4:00 pm - Music
Sing, learn about different aspects of music, or learn music history and culture.

4:30 pm - "Special-Class"
This is a time where you are free to ask any question about anything and have it answered. They can learn extensively on one question or they can ask more than one question and get simple answers to them all. My children usually prefer to learn extensively on their favorite question. One of my daughters almost always wants to learn something new about Egypt. Another has a new question every day.

5:00 pm - School's out!
Go to playroom, computer, or bedrooms while the adult cooks dinner (or help with dinner if you want)! Have Fun! This is your free time. When dinner is quick or we order food, we will all play outside or ride bikes, if everyone agrees, during this time and eat around 6:00.

Side Note:

Some days we will skip art and music if the kids want to play instead. Many times, the kids finish their assignments ahead of schedule. When this happens, we have a "free work" basket where the kids can pick from various worksheets (some fun, some work) to use up time. If there is still extra time after 1 worksheet, the person who is ahead can move on to the next subject.

Also, on certain days, there will be a class or field trip taken outside the home. On those days, only core subjects will be taught. If the trip lasts the entire day, we will do extra work in core subjects not covered during the trip on the following school day and skip whatever electives we need to skip to allow for time -- or if the kids feel like it, we'll just have a long school day, so they can still have their electives, but only if they want to.

Saturday and Sunday:

1. Go to library or bookstore for any references or books needed

2.Take any planned "field trips" that won’t work during the school week and bring along a sketchbook or notebook for each person, when useful (any follow-up work will be done on Monday during appropriate subject).

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Homeschooling to Get Positive Social Interaction?

1/13/2015

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A New Look at Socialization Skills Within a Homeschool

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

For so many years, choosing to educate children from home was looked at as stripping away their social interaction. However, many homeschooling families will argue with that fact, and for good reason.

How Can Homeschooled Children Make & Find Friends?

Some people might assume that because children homeschool, they will not have any friends. This is simply not true. Friends can be made from your neighborhood, an extra class, at the park, at the museum, within your own extended family, and various other avenues. A public school is not the only place one can acquire a friend.

Homeschooled children are allowed to call and play with their friends, just as a publicly or privately schooled child would. It is no different. There are birthday parties, slumber parties, shopping trips, and more - all the activities traditionally schooled friends do as well.

How is it Possible to Get Social Interaction During Homeschool?

In many homeschooling families, extra steps are taken to be sure that socialization is included, which means there is researching to be done on the parent's part for the methods and sometimes extra classes that will provide this.

This research often leads to finding solutions that focus on positive interaction with others because any good method will focus on the positive, rather than the negative. Social interaction is also given special attention, thus making socialization greatly important to a homeschooling family.

Positive Social Skills VS Negative Socialization

This special attention mentioned above often isn't given in public or private school because it is sometimes assumed that since the children are with other children all day, they are socializing well. However, this assumption shouldn't always be made. All socialization isn't positive. It can be negative as well. This is a fact looked over by many.

While some teachers do provide some great character development and social instruction in public school, which they are to be commended for, the children are often greatly influenced by each other. This comes naturally, as they desire to fit in. Also, it is simply just fun for them to relate with each other, which is certainly okay when that relating isn't negative.

During recess, the children are within sight of the teachers, but not always within earshot or in immediate reach, which can lead to some of them using inappropriate language or behaviors. The others either tell them they don't like those words or actions or they repeat them.

Now all the children that were in that general area have heard that language or seen that behavior and some will want to use it -- and they will. This, in turn, spreads the negative action to even more kids, cycling and creating a viral pattern. Pretty soon it will get to most of the children who are in the same age range.

Another reason that viral cycle happens is that once a certain number of kids are doing something, others begin to view it as okay. It becomes more accepted because they are used to seeing it and it doesn't even cross some of their minds that it might be wrong.

Perhaps if children were taught from the beginning how to interact positively, rather than negatively, some of these problems wouldn't exist later in life, which brings me back to homeschooling.

Extra Effort Can Make a Difference in the Quality of Social Skills

The main difference I’ve seen with homeschool socialization and public school socialization is the fact that in homeschool, much more effort is put into developing social skills, because of the fact that children may not be with other children all day (unless they have siblings). The fact that parents know other children aren't present -- and the effort put in to make up for that -- often makes for a child who is more likely to interact with most people in a positive way.

One more reason that positive social interaction is often more readily learned in a homeschool setting is because homeschooled children will be exposed to people of all ages throughout the day. This makes for a much more diverse learning experience.

Importance of Mixed-Age Grouping for Social Skills

Even better, when there is more than one child in the family, working together is often a huge part of the schooling process, even in siblings that range in age. Some homeschooling families even teach from a mixed-age perspective, leading to a great deal of cooperation with each other.

Group cooperation is an important skill needed throughout life. Many colleges actively seek out home schooled children because of their exceptional social and educational abilities.

Making the Right Social Choices for Your Child Specifically

In closing, I will say that not all public school interaction is negative and not all homeschool interaction is positive. Ultimately, it is up to the parent to examine what situations are best for each individual child. Many children make it through public school fine, as do many in homeschool.

People should come to realize that socialization isn't about whether you choose school at home or utilize public school or other options, but about whether a positive environment is created for the child. If the social environment your child is in right now is not a positive one, it is time to consider other options.

Those options may or may not be completely switching the child's schooling style. It could be just doing it in a different way or finding creative ways to incorporate positive socialization.

Whatever method you choose, be sure it is one both you and your child will feel comfortable with.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Questions Kids May Have when Switching to Unschooling

1/12/2015

Q & A on Discussing the Unschooling Homeschool Method with Kids

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Sometimes when switching to unschooling from a more traditional homeschooling method, your kids will have some questions. Here's some common questions kids have when faced with this new form of learning. The questions are accompanied by answers that may help them better understand what unschooling is all about.

Yay! Does That Mean I Don't Have to Learn Anymore?

No. Unschooling does not mean you won't be learning. It means that you will learn based on your strengths, weaknesses, and interests, rather than learning through a set curriculum. It can also mean you will learn through hands-on experience and play.

Can I Play All Day?

Well, you will be playing but you also will be learning. You can learn through play if learning is going on. It's most likely going to be more fun than learning in a more traditional way. Sometimes playing will help you learn your lessons and that's perfectly fine if it works for you.

Are we Still Going to Use Textbooks?

Unschooling doesn't necessarily mean textbooks and other materials won't be used. Just like any other teaching method, some unschoolers use textbooks and some may use other materials to teach with. When and how they are used will align better with the way each child learns and their individual readiness. So, you might use textbooks and you might not. Sometimes other books or other learning materials work best.

Do I Have to Sit at a Desk All Day?

No! You can if you learn well that way. But you can also do other things if they help you learn. Unschooling is about doing whatever works best for each kid. If blocks help you learn how to count, you can use them. If visiting a veterinary clinic helps you learn about an animal, you might get the chance to do that. But if reading a book at your desk helps you more, you can do that instead.

Do I Have to Learn All Subjects?

Yes. You still need to learn all subjects. But the order you do it in and how you do it might be different than what we did before. If you are enjoying a particular lesson, we might spend more time on that if you want to. If you aren't in the right frame of mind for another lesson, we might move on to the next and come back to it later when you are ready.

Will I Still have Grade Levels Like All My Friends?

Yes. You still will have grade levels. However, the order that you do things in might be different than what they do. You will still graduate at the same time if you earn your way there - just like any other type of learning. Unschooling is just a way to make learning more fun for you and allow you to focus on things you are most interested in to help you succeed in life.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

Can 'Free' Schooling or Unschooling Help My Child Succeed in Life?

1/10/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Free schooling, unschooling, and even open schooling is becoming a more popular choice as parents and teachers struggle to find enjoyable ways for kids to learn. Often, you will see these methods associated with homeschooling. But that is not always the case. Not all homeschoolers use unschooling and not all free schoolers are homeschooled. Can free schooling or unschooling help children succeed in life?

What is the difference between 'free schooling,' 'unschooling,' and 'open schooling'?

First, these schooling methods do not mean the child is not learning anything. It is the belief of many parents and educational professionals that more freedom with schooling enhances self-reliance and leadership. Because of the ability to learn freely, the way in which each individual employs these methods can vary significantly. But the main point is to learn from everything and encourage independent study skills.

Some schools, such as Jefferson County Open School (Lakewood, Colo.) and Armathwaite Community School (Cumbria, U.K.) are adapting independent learning methods, such as open schooling as well. Open schooling is very similar to unschooling, but is done within a traditional school building. Multi-aged grouping, openness of subjects, and other techniques are utilized.

Unschooling simply refers to schooling in a way which deviates from a standard format.In simple terms, it is a method (usually adapted by homeschool families) that encourages child-directed learning. Some unschoolers use textbooks and worksheets, while others may not. Most homeschoolers use the world around them.

I've called our method free schooling almost from the beginning, as I learned pretty quickly that schedules and exacts were not for us. What we call free schooling is the freedom to learn from everything around us without the restrictions of a typical curriculum. In many states, a nationally standardized test is still required. However, this has never been an issue, as the kids have always scored well above grade level.

Why do parents choose unschooling or free schooling with so many other options?

As a parent who chooses free schooling, I find that it encourages children to be leaders in life. When my children grow up, I want them to think for themselves and stay ahead of the competition. Writer Kathy Foust says "Hunter is a hands on learner that is devoted to science. I am a believer in making education into a fun, lifelong process. I combined those two things to develop his curriculum." Her son is currently in public school, but has been homeschooled previously, using more hands-on methods.

"Hunter loves science and hates worksheets of any kind. So, everything we did, we did with science. Since science is really all about observation and experimentation with a focus on recording steps, I used that to our advantage," adds Kathy in regards to forgoing more traditional paper and pencil methods. "I used this method with my child in particular because I know that children all learn in different ways and that for things to be understood by anyone, they must be presented on a level that that person has an interest and understanding in. I want my child to not be a sheep, but a shepherd and to learn to think for himself and question things rather than simply accepting them because they are told to him. As a result, Hunter is able to stand up for his own values and beliefs rather than simply accepting situations surrounding him."

How can parents implement free schooling to teach their kids?

Think of everything as an opportunity to learn. If you find an interesting tree or leaf on a walk, take time out to talk about it. If you don’t know what it is, study the item and look it up later to learn more. According to Kathy, her and her son "created a science notebook and every experiment was done with a detailed explanation of every step of the scientific process. In this way, Hunter was made to feel as if he was doing 'grown up' things in his own "lab" and didn't realize that he was developing math and writing skills along the way. Our discussions and experiments with plants and animals brought history, geography and social studies into the lessons. His natural curiosity about all things 'sciency' gave him a great pull toward reading. Keep in mind that this is 1st grade-in our public schools Hunter is just now given a science course in 4th grade!"

Are there benefits to unschooling?

As with any other schooling method, there are benefits, as well as drawbacks. What they are is going to depend a great deal on each family, each child, and whether this method fits in with the family's current lifestyle. One thing Kathy mentioned is "an enormous difference in the way that he responds to the world as compared to other children his age who have always gone to public school. He has a very well developed sense of right and wrong and tends to gravitate toward the underdog, often defending those that would otherwise simply take abuse from others. He also constantly questions why things happen and understands that it's not the failing of a test that matters, but the corrections that are made to the test that enhance his understanding of the material-something that is not offered to him in public school. In short, Hunter is able to see the 'big picture' much clearer because of homeschooling. He knows he has goals to meet and that sometimes what society expects from him in that moment are not as important as what he expects from himself in EVERY moment."

(Written from personal experience as a homeschool teacher who implements free schooling techniques, as well as an e-interview of Kathy Foust via facebook on Dec. 4, 2010)

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

Last updated 12/11/2020

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Ask Lyn About Homeschool: Discipline During School Hours

1/8/2015

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Do You Discipline Kids Like a Teacher Would or Like a Parent?

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Often, readers and friends ask me questions and share their concerns about homeschool via my Ask Lyn page and other methods. Ann Olson asked: "What's your view about disciplining children while you're homeschooling them? What do you do if they misbehave? Do you discipline them like a teacher would or like a parent would?" My simple answer to Ann is both. There are several reasons for this.

How Do I Discipline My Kids During Homeschool?

I can't speak for all homeschoolers, only for myself. Just like anyone else, they will each have their own way of doing things. Personally, I use positive parenting methods both during homeschool and just in general. Positive parenting in simple terms is using methodology and strategies that somehow benefit the child positively. This does not mean there are no consequences for actions, however, as that would not result in a positive outcome. One example of a positive parenting method is reflected in "Using Songwriting to Help Kids Relieve Stress." It can be used as a way to reflect on negative behaviors and consequences, but also is a positive way for a child to release any pent up feelings.

Each situation will warrant a different type of reaction or consequence. For instance, a child who accidentally spills glue on the floor is not going to get the same treatment as one who says or does something hurtful to a sibling during class. While a teacher may send a child to the principal for the latter, a homeschool parent may instead have the child hug and apologize and possibly give a punishment, depending on the situation. Of course a teacher might also do the latter.

Should You Discipline Kids Like a Teacher or Parent During Homeschool?

In retrospect, disciplining homeschooled kids like a teacher during school hours may help a child in homeschool distinguish between school time and other times. But this won't always be the case. It actually depends more on the parenting and teaching strategies being compared. Not every teacher or every parent disciplines the same. The traditional school teacher and homeschool teacher could have different teaching strategies. Although, they could be the same as well. A teacher in a traditional school might also use the positive parenting method that I mentioned. It's less about disciplining like a parent or teacher and more about figuring out which type of discipline may be needed in each unique situation.

Which Method for Discipline During Homeschool is Correct?

The correct method is the one that works best for each family. Not every family, every child, or every situation is going to be the same. There are benefits and drawbacks to disciplining a homeschooled child in certain ways, just as with any other. Knowing which discipline choice is correct in each unique situation is up to the parent to examine. This should be done, not necessarily thinking about whether it's being done as a parent or teacher, but whether the disciplinary action is what is best for the child in that situation.

Note: The author's positive parenting method has evolved into what she calls Upstream Parenting.

More from Lyn:

Positive Parenting Does Not Mean Zero Discipline
Guide to Positive Discipline for Children

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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How to Make a Homeschool Schedule Easily (Sample Schedule Included)

Homeschooling to Get Positive Social Interaction?

A New Look at Socialization Skills Within a Homeschool

Questions Kids May Have when Switching to Unschooling

Q & A on Discussing the Unschooling Homeschool Method with Kids

Can 'Free' Schooling or Unschooling Help My Child Succeed in Life?

Ask Lyn About Homeschool: Discipline During School Hours

Do You Discipline Kids Like a Teacher Would or Like a Parent?

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