Scheduling My Charlotte Mason Homeschool Day

Scheduling My Charlotte Mason Homeschool Day | Heritage Mom

source: https://heritagemom.com/index.php/2020/08/12/scheduling-my-charlotte-mason-homeschool-day/

Before I jump in, here are a few things to remember:

There is no recipe. This is is just one way of doing things. It's what works for me now, in this season. My schedule looked different when I had less kids, when my kids were younger, when I was pregnant, when we were moving, when I had newborns, etc. I use "forms" to describe my kids' grades because that's the British format that Charlotte Mason used, but there are other reasons, and Wildwood Curriculum gives a great explanation of CM forms if you're interested. This schedule only reflects three children, but I also have a four (soon-to-be-five) year old sitting on my lap, crushing Play-Doh, and asking for snacks throughout all of this. He is my sidekick during the day, and he always plays with siblings who are taking breaks. Speaking of breaks... My kids take a lot of breaks throughout the day. They are not scheduled because scheduled breaks never work for me. They go outside and ride bikes, skateboard, garden, jump on the trampoline, run, explore, etc. multiple times throughout the day. There's a creek and a "lake" (big pond) one minute from our house - two minutes if they dawdle. They usually go outside in groups of 2-3 but rarely altogether. They also play with toys indoors. Some of the toys are plastic 🙂 I cannot do it all, and I've learned that it's better for me if I don't even attempt to stuff myself and my children full of every good thing at the church dinner. I'm super committed to redefining the Charlotte Mason feast and "cutting back until there is peace in my home" (Nancy Kelly). Because of this, you will see many things "missing" from my schedule that are important aspects of a Charlotte Mason education. Where is Latin? Swedish drill? Solfa? Why aren't some kids doing copywork every single day? And {GASP!} where in the heck did Plutarch go? Well...those things didn't make the cut this term. Maybe some or none will be swapped in next term. Or next year. Or never. I don't really know. All I do know is that I love Charlotte Mason, but I love my kids more. So when I have to choose between perfect execution and peace & happiness, I choose the latter every time.

Now down to the nitty gritty. I'm going to let the schedule speak for itself, but here is a broad interpretation of my day:

Breakfast @ 8:30 AM Subjects we do altogether I work with my Form 2 students together while my Form 1 student works on his Independent Learning checklist I work alone with my Form 1 student (1st grade) while Form 2 students work on their Independent Learning checklists. This is likely the end of his day unless he went outside after breakfast instead of doing his checklist. I work alone with my Form 2B student (4th grade) while siblings work through their checklists. This is the end of her day. I work alone with my Form 2A student (5th grade) who is done with her independent work and has been doing her own thing until I'm ready. Everyone is done with everything. I play with my youngest. I try to give him my undivided attention because he hasn't had it since early AM when we were both the only ones awake. I check email and prep dinner. Everyone eats dinner and the kids get ready for bed. I read to the girls while my husband reads to the boys. The girls can stay up another hour reading quietly in their room, and the boys are "lights out." I talk to my husband about whatever and then get things ready for the next day - pull books from the shelf, prep copywork for kids, pull up any links needed, etc. I get on Instagram even though I should be going to bed 🙂 On Sunday afternoons, I edit the Independent Learning checklists and print new ones for the week. This takes less than 30 minutes because they mostly stay the same. I just update page numbers, list new books, change things that aren't working, etc.

Note: The schedule timing for Fridays is not accurate, but I don't want to complicate my scheduling spreadsheet. The children have far less independent work and we do easier subjects on Fridays so we can finish early and go on a hike/walk or some other adventure. Or sometimes we just CHILL.

The Independent Learning checklists are just that. They are things the kid can do by themselves while I'm working with their siblings.

Please note that there are apps on the checklists. Some Charlotte Mason moms do not permit any electronic usage during school or even in their homes at all.

I am not that mom.

I've invested money in high quality apps that engage my children, are not just busywork, and don't have ads or outside influences. These apps help my children learn while I'm working with their siblings, and they are FUN.

Fun matters to me.

Electronics should never be their only source of fun, but if watching a science video once a week ( Generation Genius), completing math adventures ( Dreambox), and learning social studies topics I never think to teach ( BrainPop Jr.) bring happiness to my children's days and peace to my schedule...I'm all about it!

And on Fridays after dinner, my kids watch a movie (or show episodes if they can agree on something which is never).

I'm not saying this so you'll include apps in your schedule if you don't want to. I'm saying it because most traditional Charlotte Mason moms won't say publicly that their kids own ipads, let alone use them.

I just want you to know what's real. A LOT of us are using devices, wisely and with care, throughout the week.

I've included screenshots below, but here is a copy of the Johnston Family Homeschool Schedule. The individual checklists are Tabs 2-4.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

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