Not Back to School Blog Hop Week 4

This is the final week of the Not Back to School Blog Hop and the theme is a Day in the Life. I think we're supposed to share our daily routines. Then I asked myself, we're supposed to have routines? LOL

No, not really. We do have a flexible schedule. The key word is, of course, flexible. If we need to take more time for a certain subject or stop until tomorrow, we do. If we breeze through one subject, we move on. And break time or snack time are taken as needed.

We're up and at 'em by 8 am. After breakfast, each child has chores to complete. I simplify this process by using chore jars.

The large popsicle sticks are painted pink or red with white tips. Various chores are written on each stick, then placed in the jar. When they've finished that chore, they can turn the stick over so the white tip is showing. I can easily glance over and see if they've gotten their chores done. Anything not completed before school starts has to be done after, but that rarely happens. If chores are finished before school, they have free time so they work to get things done!

As always, we start our school day with devotions and prayer. We use the Word of Life Olympian program that our church uses for kids' Bible club. The kids enjoy reading the Scripture passages together and discussing what they mean. We've all learned a great deal this way.

Since the kids are close in age, we do our science, history and geography studies together. Usually I will read from the textbook, then we work on notebooking or other projects together.

 Our separate subjects come next. Language and spelling is done with little help from me, but I'm available if either one needs further explanation. The kids have extremely done well with their independent work, and I'm really proud of them!

Math is also done separately, but I do spend more time working with the Princess. Mr. Lego has greatly enjoyed using Teaching Textbooks so far this year. I'm thrilled that he's catching on so quickly!

When all of their independent work is done, we regroup for reading. By reading, I mean that I read aloud to them. I've done this since we started homeschooling, and it's been a great tool to model how to read with expression. We're finishing up Courage and Conviction:Chronicles of the Reformation Church that we started at the end of school last year. When we're done with that, we'll begin Johnny Tremain, one of my favorite historical novels of all time! Even if your children are no longer elementary age, reading aloud to them (and to each other) has great benefits. It truly is a family-building exercise.

We usually finish up all our schoolwork before lunch. That leaves our afternoons free for library trips, field trips and socializing with other homeschoolers. I'm also going to start letting the children take part in my kitchen adventures. They've both shown an interest in baking and cooking, so they'll be helping with lunch and supper - as well as clean up! Yay!

So, what does your homeschool day look like? Do you prefer a tight schedule or are you more flexible? What works better for your family?