Just Starting Out homeschooling? Here are my Homeschooling Schedule Examples

Homeschooling schedules vary between families. They are as varied as flowers in a garden! There is no right or wrong way to structure your homeschool day. I would like to show you different examples of homeschooling schedules and how I have scheduled differently over the years.

Timetables vs Schedules

A homeschool timetable and a homeschool schedule, while often used interchangeably, have distinct differences based on structure and usage. A timetable is typically more structured, detailing specific events or activities at fixed times and often recurring regularly. For example, giving a child 20mins for spelling, 15 mins for grammar, half an hour for writing. It includes exact times and durations, providing a clear and consistent plan.

In contrast, a homeschool schedule is more flexible and can outline activities or tasks to be completed within a certain period, not necessarily tied to precise times. Schedules offer more general guidance on what needs to be done rather than when exactly it must happen. With a schedule, my children know what is coming next, but we aren't on a strict timetable. It is a general flow to the day. Maths might take 15mins, or 30mins. Writing might go for 15mins or if we are hyper focussed it might go for an hour. When I can see them losing concentration, we either have a quick brain break, or we leave it for the day and move onto another subject.

Morning Time

Over the last 18 years, my schedules have changed more times than I can count. With each new season in life, the schedule changes to suit. We have a general flow to the day. We start our day with morning prayers and read alouds. Often we then do one other subject which brings beauty to our day. Art, poetry, artist study, composer study or nature study. These can be done with all age groups.

Here is one of our Morning Time blocks - just before maths. I am reading aloud to the kids as they do some nature journalling. The toddler is 'joining in' while sitting on my lap.

We then move to maths. We find putting this intensive subject at the top of the day is always the easiest. I have always had all the children doing maths at the same time. My brain can't handle children doing different subjects! When I am in math-mode, I can easily switch between fractions, geometry and ratios much easier than switching between literature questions and chemistry!

During maths time I will often get out a math-related activity even for the kindy age child. Anything to keep their little hands busy! They sit next me at the table while I help any older child with their maths lessons. If these little ones just want to go and play though, I am more than happy with that!

After Morning Tea

After morning tea is always the time that we enter into language arts. They have had 1/2 an hour to eat some morning tea and have a run around outside (and I have had time for a quick coffee break!). Their brains are now ready for spelling, grammar, copywork, writing stories or reports. As often as we can, this is incorporated into other subjects as well. Writing a research report on tsunamis, or a comic on an event from Australian history, or a story set in ancient China. Unit studies on different science, geography or history topics are the best way to complete writing lessons. I prefer to do these lessons on topics that the children have chosen as well. Last year we did a deep dive into Ancient China and Japan all because one of the kids loves lego ninjago!

A love of ninjas led us into a deep dive into Ancient Japanese and Ancient Chinese culture. We spent our Language Arts sessions reading related books, writing reports, writing stories and making stop motions all with this theme in mind.

After Lunch

After lunch is when we spend time doing other subjects; history, geography, science, technology, economics and business, civics and citizenship. This is more project-based learning. They work through topics they enjoy as they gradually cover the curriculum.

When I had four children homeschooling plus a baby, we did afternoon subjects together. I would group together two children to do the same science lesson - they would just adjust it to their age level. History lessons were also done as a family.

Some families like to finish by lunch time. I prefer to take my time throughout the day and finish around 3 ish. This is a very unhurried day though. It gives me time to have a long lunch break, half hour morning tea break so I can hang out the washing and then have a coffee-break, feed the baby, put the baby to sleep, and any other jobs that may pop up that day. These days I also need to time run out the door to take and/or pick up teens from the train station or work.

Science Time - free to choose what they like, this child chose to experiment with making his own bubble mixture from scratch.

Flexibility

As my children have entered into high school, I generally let them be in charge of their own schedule. I still expect them to be present for family prayers, and then move onto maths, but then they are free to organise their schedule however they would like. Some of my older children, at times, decided that they wanted to day free to do their own projects (ride motorbikes, build cubbies, light campfires) so they would get up extra early and be done with their school day by 9:30 am.

'Me' Time

I am no early bird, so I am not one to get up extra early before the kids rise. I know many women who love to get up early and have some quiet time before the noise. I am happy to wait until they are in bed at night. This is when I enjoy a quiet house, and I look forward to my cup of tea and my book. I also allow the kids to have screen time in the afternoon after all their work is done. This gives me a slight pause in the day. I can pop out and get some shopping, get some jobs done, have a quick nap or read my book.

Homeschooling Styles

Different homeschooling styles will lend themselves to different types of schedules. When my older children were in primary school we decided to try 'unschooling' for a little while. Although not strictly unschooling because we still did a maths curriculum, for the rest of the day they were free to choose whatever they wanted to learn. This certainly works for many families but I felt I couldn't sustain it. I needed a little more structure to my day.

Some families work by checklists instead of schedules. The children are expected to complete the checklist and when they are done, they are finished their tasks for the day. Other families prefer the timetable approach and they adhere to a strict timetable. I have also tried this approach but personally found it too constraining. If the children weren't on time with their next subject I found myself getting very stressed. Also, if little incidental things came up (a beautiful rainbow to observe, a racehorse goanna visiting our backdoor - yes that really happened) I felt it difficult to let them stop and observe and enjoy the beautiful experience put before them. But essentially, this is the beauty of home education, following their interests and tapping into what excites them. The best learning experiences happen from these moments.

Size of the Family

I have gone from having 4 children homeschooling plus a baby to now only homeschooling pre-primary, grade 4 plus a part-time high schooler. My schedule has definitely changed as my demands as a homeschool mum evolves. With no toddler or baby to entertain, my days are much less hectic.

During the days with babies in tow, my homeschooling schedule also had to allow for extra time to breast feed, put baby to sleep and change nappies etc. While having toddlers as well they can be quite time consuming too! They need activities set up for them so they you can focus on the older children. With the toddlers it's important to set aside some time before the morning activities do dedicate to them. Cuddles time, reading stories, playing blocks, going for a little walk outside. These can help to fill their emotional bucket before you are focusing on the older siblings. Sometimes though, it still isn't enough and they will need to sit on your lap as you guide everyone else through their activities.

Availability

With the rising cost of living, many homeschool mums work as well. When deciding on your schedule it is possible to arrange it around your work times. Remember, they can be learning at any time of day. It really doesn't have to be during school hours.

Over the years we have also had other classes during the day. Co-ops, basketball, excursions. These all fit in around our day because we are not bound to any schedule determined by anyone else. Up until age 10 we also only homeschool 4 days per week. That is ample time to fit in what is expected of them. On our 'day off' we would lock in park plays, extra excursions, other fun projects they want to finish or just a more relaxing day at home.

Seasons of Life

Life is never linear. Once you think you are in a good routine, something often comes up and you get thrown a curveball. We have had many of curveballs thrown at us. Apart from pregnancies that required me to be off my feet a fair bit, and also a family business that takes up way too much of my husband's time, we have also had very sick children. This has required interstate travel, regular doctors appointments and intensive home treatment. During these times we have adjusted the schedules to suit the season of life we are in.

The other plus side of flexible homeschooling schedules is that we take family holidays when other children are at school. This means we are not paying not peak rates and we get quieter holiday parks.

School Terms Scheduling

We choose to stick with the school terms. Ten week terms, with holidays in-between. Some families choose to school year round. Others do 5 weeks then one week breaks. Whatever suits your family is best. Create the learning environment which suits you best.

I like to stick to the same as the schools so my children get to see their school friends and cousins when they are on holidays. It's a bit hard for them if I'm making them do maths when they could be at a sleep over with their cousins instead!

Homeschooling Schedule Examples

See the printables and ebooks page for downloadable schedule examples.