A homeschool schedule can help us bring our big picture ideas into daily life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, bridging the gap between our plans and our reality might be one of the most challenging parts of homeschooling. In this episode, Leah and Amy discuss the art of scheduling a Charlotte Mason homeschool. How do you make plans that flex and adapt when you get hit with a curveball, whether it’s dawdling over lessons or a toddler who needs some extra attention?
Listen now, or scroll down for show notes!
The sense that there is not much time for his sums or his reading, keeps the child’s wits on the alert and helps to fix his attention; he has time to learn just so much of any one subject as it is good for him to take in at once: and if the lessons be judiciously alternated…the program varying a little from day to day, but the same principle throughout––a ‘thinking’ lesson first, and a ‘painstaking’ lesson to follow,––the child gets through his morning lessons without any sign of weariness.
Charlotte Mason, Home Education
What Do We Mean By Homeschool Schedule?
[1:25] Homeschool scheduling improves with experience
[2:26] Schedule vs. Plan
[5:10] How attached do you get to your homeschool plans?
Bringing Big Picture Ideas Into the Homeschool Schedule
[8:30] I don’t want my kids to think that homeschooling is optional.
[10:29] We do short lessons in order to build a habit of attention.
Challenges to Bringing a Homeschool Schedule Into Action
[12:33] Last year I said yes to way too many things.
[16:19] Our biggest challenge is what Charlotte Mason called ‘mooning’ over lessons.
[18:01] I can’t make my child bring his own will to bear
[21:33] adults who will break a job down into little steps and accomplish a little bit are less stressed and happier
Practical Tips for Homeschool Scheduling as an Art
[24:24] I take notes on my weekly schedule
[26:05] I plan nine weeks at a time
[28:38] Homeschool scheduling is a work in progress
Mentioned in This Podcast, and Other Resources on Scheduling
Scheduling Your Charlotte Mason Homeschool from Thinking Love
Charlotte Mason Homeschool Scheduling from Around the Thicket
How to Help a Homeschool Day Run Smoothly from Around the Thicket
Hey Amy,
You mentioned a book you read on Will Power! I checked the shop but did not see it. Please share the name & author! Thanks.
Really enjoyed this discussion on “Homeschool Scheduling.” Much of what you & Leah discussed gave confirmation to the changes I’ve made in our homeschool schedule over this last year! Appreciate you both!
Nancy
Hi Nancy!
The book is called Willpower by Baumeister and Tierney. I only gave it three stars on Goodreads, so I don’t know that I’ll add it to the site…I would probably try to get it from the library rather than purchasing it.
Here is my review:
“I sort-of recommend it. It is grounded on solid research, but I wonder how much that research has progressed in the ten years since this book was published. Specifically with of some of their practical recommendations around parenting and dieting, there were some suggestions that don’t sit quite right with me.
“Despite this, the underlying ideas are helpful. I’m certainly motivated to make sure my kids have a snack before I ask them to tidy up…”
Hope that helps!!
Amy