How Many Hours Do You Homeschool?

Many people have the misconception that homeschooling takes hours and hours and hours in a day. Though the schedule and lesson plans have undergone some changes in teaching a preschooler versus a high schooler, our usual homeschool day doesn’t last a typical school day.

Flexibility is the key in our homeschool! Our older children, who are primarily self-sufficient learners, begin their day earlier while the house is quiet, so they can finish about the same time their younger siblings do. This also is advantageous in having them help around the house or being freed up for extracurricular activities.

The olders generally start by 8:00 AM and are finished by noon or 1:00. Their days consist of advanced Math (Algebra or higher), Literature, History, Science, and an elective or two.

The youngers generally start by 9:00 AM and are done by noon. Their days are a mix of work alone and work with mom activities, including Language Arts, Math, Science, History/Geography, and Art.

So how do we do it all by lunchtime? Math and Language Arts happen daily. Science and History happen two to three times a week depending on the level. Many of our subjects overlap, making implementation a snap. (Literature and read alouds mirror History. Art and Language Arts and sometimes Science go hand in hand).

We find this is a good schedule and keeps everyone from boredom or being overwhelmed.

While our planned homeschooling day is generally completed by noon, the remainder of our day follows a loose routine. After lunch, we have time for larger art projects that mirror historical periods, music lessons and practice, co-op classes, read aloud fun by the olders to the youngers, and free time.   

Completing our work earlier in the day and allowing for an afternoon flow also makes way for late afternoon and early evening activities that vary from day to day.

While most outsiders are amazed that we get so much done in 3-5 hours, it looks pretty normal to us! The kids know that formal learning time is something to be enjoyed and not dreaded. The hours are short, but the fun is long! We’ve discovered that it’s the perfect fit for us!

What’s your homeschool day look like?

Check out the fabulous homeschooling resources at Rainbow Resource Center!