First Step: Set a Reasonable Schedule

Can’t we just expect our students to do what is right because it is the right thing to do? Give them the responsibility, right? I mean after all, it is there school, their education, right? They know what to do, and they should just do it, right? The answer is an unequivocal “NO!”

Most students, unless you have one of those amazing rare, compliant breeds with DNA, which sprouts halos and wings, resist responsibility and structured learning with most of every bone in their bodies. Sure they like school, but more to be with their friends than the boring slog of review and practice. This is just human nature. These students are busy people with other more attractive options, such as Playstations, Nintendos, and worse of all smart phones. If they could do this on their own, they wouldn’t need you. That means that someone must be in charge, and unfortunately that means you. 

In our field, we often say that education needs to be teacher directed and student centered, meaning teachers are in charge of the organization of the classroom and the lessons based upon the individual needs of the students. This concept translates into homeschooling. 

First Step: Set a reasonable schedule.A general reasonable schedule for homeschooling is two to four hours of “concentrated dedication” to learning per day based upon the age and skills of the student. Something to consider is your students natural rhythms. Are your students night owls or do they hop out of bed at 7:00 a.m. with smiles on their faces? So, the time lessons at home begin can be flexible. This means that you don’t have to roust them out of bed at 6 a.m., unless you have to feed and milk the cows. But I do recommend a specific timeframe and a set schedule that works for your family. Mornings for lessons often work better than afternoons. In addition, an extended length of time with a couple of brief breaks works better than separating the time into larger segments with hours between because it is difficult to get children back to tasks at a later period and more difficult for you to manage. Be as consistent as you possibly can, but not rigid. Do remember that life does intervene. 

I invite comments, suggestions, ideas. 

If you have questions that I might be able to answer generally, please email me. Please keep in mind that this blog is for suggestions that may or may not work. Here is the disclaimer, professional advice requires much more in-depth information and contact and is beyond the scope of this blog.  email: gail.coulter@outlook.com