Many of us who homeschool our children were educated in either public or private school utilizing a nine month school schedule. Much of the curricula for homeschoolers follow a nine month schedule. In fact, some of us will have to file a Notice of Intent, or other paperwork with a local school district when we decide to homeschool. For these reasons, and possibly others, we can find ourselves attached to a public school calendar in our homeschools.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
We called to NOT conform to the pattern of this world. It seems to me that this nine month school schedule is very much a pattern of this world. I recently listened to a seminar and the speaker (Carmen Coker) shared that we have this current school model because of the agricultural era. In the farming life, the family would need the children at home for a week during the spring for planting, and home during the summer when crops would be tended to and harvested. If that’s true, then this is an outdated and artificial construct, with little relevance in today’s world.
This is something I’ve though about often. My boys are 16 & 15. Neither cares for sports nor is terribly interested in outside-of-our-home activities. When they are not actively in school, they get bored, just want to play video games and watch tv, and generally bug each other. Which, in turn, really bugs me, and is terribly unhealthy for them. They aren’t that far away from high school graduation. There is nothing wrong with them learning how to live without a “summer break.” And no, I’m not just a big, mean mom who’s going to crack the whip all summer. I also like to have some time off when it’s nice out. They have friends who still follow the pattern of the public school system. So when a friend wants to get together, we’ll make accommodations for that. We’ll have days when part of our school day might be a hike or letterboxing or some other outdoor activity. That’s the beauty of homeschool – we have the flexibility to do those things in the midst of learning. I’ve already laid out a basic summer plan. We’re just covering Bible, Reading, Algebra, Science, French, and a bit of Geography.
Monday is a light day. I find that since we’re busier in the summer on the weekend, I don’t get the week’s plans put together. We’ll have Bible, reading, and possibly a little Science or Algebra.
Tuesday is a little busier; probably 2-3 hours.
Wednesday is similar to Tuesday.
Thursday is a light day at home and some outside activities.
Friday is lighter; a half day at most. We often get together with friends on Friday afternoons.
My husband works a job in which he’s very busy from about March/April until October. That means if we ever want some time off as a family or decide to take a vacation, October to March is the best time for us – not the traditional summer vacation.
If your current schedule works well for you, stick with it. But if you’re feeling like it just isn’t coming together the way you’d like, consider thinking outside the box. Remember that homeschooling brings freedom and flexibility to do what works best for our own families, and that applies to the schedule as well as learning styles and curriculum choices.
p.s. You can read more on this idea by Joy at 5J’s.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree. This is the first year that we are trying the year around schedule. It will be a lighter schedule during the summer. But there is so much she has learned in the last 2-3 months that I don’t want her lose and have to relearn for another 2-3 months in the fall. Also extra type classes that we don’t have time to finish during the year and lots of reading.
Blessings
Diane
Where we live (Florida) I know a lot of people who school through the summer because in the winter it’s so nice out no one wants to be inside.
{ 2 trackbacks }