Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

Share your homeschool day in the life

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share your homeschool day in the life

We’ve reached the end of our third annual homeschool day in the life series!

I’ve enjoyed seeing how each individual family creates the unique learning rhythm that works best for them. I hope you’ve enjoyed it, too–and have perhaps filed away a few ideas to apply to your own days.

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In case you missed any of the posts, here are the links again:

Today it’s your turn to join in! Have you written a post on your blog sharing your homeschool day in the life?

Tell us the ages of your little people and leave a link to your post in the comments below. Then we can hop around and “visit” everyone. And if you don’t have a blog, feel free to leave a comment describing your day right here.

Thanks so much for taking part!

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  12. Stephanie @ Harrington Harmonies

    It’s amazing because every homeschool is unique and has it’s own way of doing things. With my two oldest graduated I have a 10 year old I am still homeschooling. Here’s what a typical day is supposed to be like: http://www.harringtonharmonies.com/2012/08/back-to-school-ready-weekend-edition-1.html *But see below for those bad get nothing done kind of days!
    Stephanie @ Harrington Harmonies’s latest post: What to do on bad homeschool days.

    Reply

  15. Ann

    We begin the school day early with our first- and third-grader. We all are early risers. My husband and I co-teach. He handles math, writing, grammar and spelling in the early a.m. while I work from home and then he heads to work and I handle science, history and literature. The kids are involved in some outside music/PE/science classes. I teach art weekly. We spend as much of our day outdoors as we can in any decent weather, walking, gardening or doing projects like building a compost heap, which I write about at http://www.backyardandbeyond.org. Math, writing and reading are daily, some other subjects (history, cursive practice, science) are every couple of days.

    Reply

  22. Vt Mama

    Good morning!
    We have two sons, ages 6 and 3 3/4.
    We just began this journey in January and are figuring out our own groove!
    Our younger son goes to preschool 3 mornings a week but the other days joins us (on those days, we do museums, and outdoors (cross-country skiing and skating and snowshoeing).
    I learned QUICKLY that our children do not find joy in traditional copy out letters, write a sentence types of learning, and nothing puts a cramp in the day like disconnect so sometimes i am sneaky so that my elder is writing but doesn’t see it as tedious! Instead he is pursuing something he loves and learning naturally happens.
    One day, my elder said he wanted to make a puppet so we planned it all out (colors, material, what kind, etc), decided materials, made it, then interviewed it (it’s a space alien), which allowed us to learn the who what when where why in story-making. We wrote down the interview, drew a picture of the alien, and took photos!
    Other days, we play hangman (for letter writing practice- in a way that he loves) or use our counting pebbles and construction vehicles to learn numbers odds/evens, counting by 2s and 5s. Every day, we try to have a short circle time with a verse and candle, and we do our nature watch using binoculars- then often go outside to follow the tracks we spot. each night before bed, I try to put out things for the next day I think he would be interested in (right now, anything outer space or “magic school bus” oriented are instant hits!) -from books for him to look at or read to art ideas to a theme- it starts him off excited (like he’s going on a treasure hunt). I am keeping a daily journal of everything we do and bring it with me EVERYWHERE! The boys also have their own journals for drawing, writing, whatever they want and we keep a large “journal” with all of our art projects (or photos) and stories we create.

    We are part of a weekly hs group at our library and an art class, cross-country ski lessons twice a week, and once a month go to a museum hs day. Mostly, I’ve learned flexibility is key and following my children’s interests ensures a great day for us all!

    Reply

  23. Bekki

    I am Bekki, a wife, mother of four (ages 10, 9, 8, & 5), small business owner, lover of the Lord, among many other things. Here’s my blog and Day in the Life of …

    Thanks for reading 😉

    Reply

  33. Jai

    Rhythm…very important. As I trained singer, I learned at 5 how much rhythm is important. My challenge is that I am a melody kinda girl and do not do well holding down the rhythm section. (perhaps that is also why I married a drummer.) Although, I depend upon rhythm being my foundation of creation, I like to be the one that moves out of the box, pushing all the limits. So, I end up rebelling against myself, or so it seems. I read recently that Bach was the one who brought the experience of harmony into music. Yet, one way he achieved this was by also creating dissonance. He created an experience of tension in order to really feel the relief and bliss of harmony. and let me tell you…I LOVE harmony. ( Simon and Garfunkel anyone?) SO on some levels I need dissonance. I need challenges and monkey wrenches thrown in where I think there should be smooth flow of rhythm. The opportunity or challenge I see for me is trying to create a rhythm of my own while still being able to push the limits of life and create new and interesting melodies.
    Which brings me to mornings. Ah, mornings…I dread. I wish I woke up bouncing out of bed with a mary poppins whistle coming outta my mouth. Alas, that is not me. I feel NOT ready. I’d rather sit, read and write and think about the complexities of life for about two hours while I drink coffee. I’ve tried to get up before the little ones in order to achieve this ‘balance’ but find it incredibly difficult to peal myself from the bed. Wow, reading this makes me sound depressed. maybe I am. Yet, I don’t think so. At about 10 am I feel great and ready to go. I love my kids and my life. I love being with them most ALL the TIME. So it’s not that I dread my life. It’s just that I like to live it at my pace. And with Kids that is not possible. Add a tiny house (well not as tiny as some, but it’s tight at 1200 square feet for five. and we share a bedroom.) and a hubby that works from home. (he at least has the garage) I should also mention that I am 8 months pregnant, it’s the middle of winter and I may have gestational diabetes and cannot have grains or sugar. ARGH! pull the covers up please and wake me in spring with the bears. I think what I am experiencing is more like burnout. Not enough time alone nurturing my needs. Trying to get it all done and live up to the ridiculous standards in my head. Like I need to get up and be able to be with my kids right away! Instead, I want to have the courage to just have free time first!
    I thank all of you for your focus and dedication to your kids. That’s why we do this, isn’t it? We love them. The ‘day in the life’ has been really good for me. As long as I can stop myself from the comparison game and instead give myself the right to go at my own pace. another reason I chose this lifestyle anyhow. So I could have more control of what my life looked liked in stead of being run by the school system. SO who’s in charge? Me, my kids, or how others do it better? I am taking back my power to claim my rhythm…now I just have to have the courage to know (I mean listen) to who I am and what I need.
    Anyone else out there have ‘bad’ mornings?

    Reply

    • Kari Patterson

      Hey Jai,

      EVERYONE has bad mornings, so don’t believe anything different! We all have rough days and feel like pulling the covers over our heads … and at 8 months pregnant we’d think you were crazy if you DIDN’T want to stay in bed! Good grief! Just know there’s a random girl out there (me) who’s praying for strength for you today and I just hope you feel encouraged! There will be plenty of days for homeschooling, I hope you can just rest and enjoy those littles (and some coffee) today. Hang in there sister!
      -Kari
      Kari Patterson’s latest post: Happy February: Both E-books FREE today only!

      Reply

  38. Kerith Stull

    HOMESCHOOLING MY SPECIAL NEEDS TEENAGER — I’ve got a unique homeschool situation. I’ve been homeschooling my special needs (almost) 17-year-old daughter for the last three years. She has moderate cerebral palsy, walks with a limp, has limited use of her right hand, cannot speak (at all, altho she makes noises and uses sign language fairly fluently), and academically functions at a fourth grade level (altho her math skills arre at ending first/beginning second grade level).

    I’ve got the rough draft done on the story of our journey with her and am about halfway done with re-writes. I blog every Thursday about some of the highlights of things we studied during the previous week.(I blog most weekdays about other topics with my daughter.) Hope you’ll come visit my blog and learn about the trials with a special needs daughter as the student!

    http://brielleandme.blogspot.com/2013/01/thursdays-teaching-highlights-crazy.html

    Reply

  49. Jan

    We are new to homeschooling, ds is 9 (nearly ten) and is/was in the fourth grade. I too love reading about how everyone homeschools and getting new ideas! My blog has been mostly for my own venting/sharing with family purposes in the past…

    Reply

  56. Karen

    This wasn’t written with a general reader in mind, but I don’t have time to write a new one today. Here’s our “day in the life” with a 9 year old, a 6 year old, and 3 younger ones tagging along: http://whatthekidsaredoing.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/homeschool-schedule/

    The best part to me is that every Friday afternoon the kids teach each other what they learned that week. We call it “show and tell.” Second best part is that for one week my 9 year old researches specific history and science topics, and for the next week she does a project to use what she learned. We’ve had a lot of fun!

    Reply

  60. Brenna

    We start our days early! By the time my husband rolls out at 7a, everyone is usually up, dressed, and has eaten. I wouldn’t mind sleeping in longer, but this has always been the kids’ rhythm. The nice thing is it means I have my husband’s help with all the morning stuff, and I feel insanely productive before lunch ever rolls around :). I have a 5.5 year old daughter, and a 1.5 year old son along for the ride.

    We start with a little circle-ish time, nothing too formal, just a little transitioning routine, and then move into basic skills stuff. Since she works at the kitchen table, I can often do some dishes, meal prep, etc., while supervising her writing practice, phonics work, etc. , and keeping the toddler busy with dry-erase markers and other special play things for just that time. We can skip most of these on Fun Friday, if she’s gotten through her lessons for the week, and she almost always has! Fun Friday is for special art projects, the library, swimming at the Y, her play group at church…

    When math’s done, the day is ours! We often shift outside to play and read – the current read aloud is Charlotte’s Web, then there are always fun history books, science magazines. Sometime during the day I might have something special planned like an experiment, a Salsa Spanish episode, a cooking project, but she can lose herself for hours in projects of her own design, especially artsy stuff.

    Monday, like Friday, is a swimming day. I work on T/Th afternoons (and during naps and…), so they have a great sitter who comes and plays with them on those days. W is homeschool park day and P.E. in the afternoon. We’re still pretty new at this, but so far, it’s a great daily and weekly rhythm for us!

    Reply

  66. Erin

    I am a homeschooling newbie! This is year 2, and I feel like I have (thankfully ) learned a lot – most of it on my knees – and seriously from finding Simple Homeschool. Finding it was really and truly like pieces of a puzzle coming together for me – so thank you, Jamie! And thank you contributors! As I read the first few posts my heart raced with excitement! And then I devoured basically the whole site. Really, truly grateful! Okay: my day: I have two girls, 8 & 7 – I am only homeschooling my elder this year( she’s a second grader) but my first grader tried out public school this year. It has been been okay, but not great and she will join us next year – yay! I’m really excited to teach them both next year! Anyway, I’m so far a Charlotte Mason girl with a pinch of Unschooling thrown in. My day typically goes like this: after driving my younger daughter to school, I come home, make coffee and breakfast. I chat with my husband until he leaves for work, then sit with my iPad and read devotionals, emails, etc. I leisurely eat my breakfast while my 8 year old eats at the same time. About three days a week I go downstairs to the basement and do a ballet barre workout video and I usually throw some laundry in the washer on my way. My daughter plays or writes in her journal during this time. I come upstairs and we usually watch an episode of WordGirl together and then the TV goes off and we start school. We always start by 10:00. I am kinda doing my own Charlotte Mason-y hodgepodge this year. We always read out loud to each other, do math, grammar and my 8 year old loves science. We dont have a sequence for these things, but they all get done. We read together a lot. Our official day usually ends at 1:00, right before lunch. That’s when we put away the all the supplies. But there is usually more read aloud. We’re reading The Boxcar Children mysteries right now and my other daughter likes to be in on that so we wait until she gets home from school. This year I built my own curriculum( fun but a little stressful!) but next year I plan to use Move Beyond the Page for ages 7 – 9. My girls are so close in age I plan to teach them totally together. We are not done building our family ( our family has grown through birth and adoption and we’re adopting again)so we’ll see how that impacts homeschool in the future!

    Reply

  81. Donna Vail

    Hi Jamie,
    Thanks for sharing A Day in the Life! I love all the shares and how families have customized their homeschool to fit the needs of the family and each child. I am always encouraged to be around all the moms who, while have a typical day shown, can change their day agenda on a moments notice to fulfill the most pressing need. No wonder homeschool children thrive! Again, thanks for sharing and creating a space for more families to share. Here’s my Day in the Life…http://blog.aninspirededucation.com/2013/02/04/donnas-homeschool-day-in-the-life-with-17-14-12-9-and-5-year-old/

    Reply

  85. Jessica

    I’m visiting from Explorations in Learning…next time you host a Day-in-the-Life I’d love to share a day in the life of homeschooling my only child, 8-year-old Benjamin! Till then, I can offer you a week-in-the-life (grin). Looking forward to reading others’ days. 🙂
    Jessica’s latest post: Weekly Wrap-Up (Of Sorts)

    Reply

  88. Nicole

    I have a six year old daughter Abigail. She is the 1st grade. Here is our day
    Wake up(me and hsuband) at 6:15
    Work out and then pray together
    Husband leaves for work, Abigail wakes up
    Abigail and I eat and pray
    She gets ready for the day, I do chores
    We start school at 8:15
    Language Arts
    Math
    History(M-Th) Library(F)
    Lunch at 12:00
    Science(M, W) Art(T,Th) Gym(F)
    Gym(M-Th) Playtime(F)
    School’s done at 2:30 or so
    Playtime, run errands,
    Dance(W)
    Dinner at 5:30
    Relax
    Family Bible time
    Abigail to bed at 8:00
    Husband and I to bed at 10:00

    Reply

  89. Tina Bourgeois

    Thank you for sharing this.

    I wonder how everyone deals with doubts about how much they should be doing.

    I am in my second year homeschooling my now 11 year old son he is an only child and had a lot of problems at ps before I pulled him. We are both much happier homeschooling and I have much more proof that he is learning but I’m always worried it’s not enough. I also worry because he is a lonely only child. We haven’t found many friends for him outside of school and he misses that daily play. So it was nice to see a smaller family post about their day 🙂

    We usually do khan academy for math first thing and then some practice sheets for areas I feel he’s weak. I like khan because he’s moving ahead at his own pace, I can see his progress and there are videos to show him what to do if he gets stuck. And he loves all the badges and rewards. We then do duolingo French. Then vocabulary.com where I assign word lists from whatever he is reading (he just finished the unabridged version of Tom Sawyer and is now working on lord of the flies) then he reads for a bit. He might go walk a dog or play in the yard before he continues on with newsela or wonderopolis. One day a week we explore a mystery on mystery science and one day we will do work on learning about our provinces. Another day we will watch a video and read about either an explorer, culture, or aboriginal tribe. On Fridays he writes a letter to a relative and we either talk about music or art and try to find new examples of different styles. We are just starting a “learn how to draw” book together.
    And tuesdays he takes voice and guitar.

    Reply

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