When someone suggests that you make a schedule for your homeschool, does your heart leap with joy, or do your knees turn to jelly? Let’s look at some reasons and formats you can use to make your home school more peaceful without making it feel like you are captive in a straitjacket. 

Why should I write a schedule?

You might wonder, “Am I able to homeschool without a written schedule?” Certainly, however, having a schedule written out will not only help keep track of what needs to be done, but it could also give you a little peace of mind. The busy atmosphere during a homeschooling day can knock plans right out of your head at the first bloody nose or sibling squabble. It also offers a bit of freedom for older students who can keep their days moving once they know what is on the schedule. In addition, you can use it to help with your school record keeping because you can refer back to it as needed.

When do I plan the schedule?

There are a few variables, but personally, I find it helpful to set a general schedule for the year, a few weeks before we start each new school year. This could include a monthly breakdown, goals for each child, and scheduled holidays or vacations. That being said, I would also recommend fine tuning your schedule on a weekly basis. I find Sunday afternoons or evenings are a good time to brain dump. This is when you can add in newly scheduled appointments, curriculum challenges, and fun opportunities. You can also take this time to plan your menu for the week. 

How do I make a schedule?

Now, this is where things get interesting. There are several formats you can use, don’t be afraid to try something different if the first one, or first seven, don’t work for you. Just to clarify, a schedule is NOT an attendance record. While you can combine lesson plans with your schedule, do not combine either of them with your attendance records. Attendance should be kept separately, preferably on a single piece of paper, so that it is easily accessed if needed.

To clarify a few more things, a schedule is not a lesson plan. A schedule really starts from the moment you wake up until you crawl into bed at night. It will most likely include meal times and ideas, social events, and extracurricular activities, as well as school needs. Your schedule might list the day in anywhere from 15 minute to 1 hour intervals. It can be as detailed as you like. You can keep it digitally, but there are many solid reasons for using good old paper and pen. Interesting fact—did you know that writing out your plans physically helps cement them in your brain, and holding a pen or pencil in your hand stimulates much more neuron connectivity than typing on a keyboard? 

What should my schedule look like?

If you are of a more free thinking mindset, you might do well with what I call a “what comes next” schedule. This kind of schedule works well with a simple notepad or basic blank calendar if that seems less daunting. You write out a rough schedule, more like a map of the day. For example: 

• Breakfast done by 9 am. 
• Math, reading, and English are done by noon. 
• Lunch from 12-1 pm. 
• History and science are done by 3 pm.
• It’s laundry day with basketball practice at 5.

Lesson plans can also be as detailed or as basic as you choose. Much of that is dictated by your personal style, what type of curriculum you prefer, and who will be using the schedule. If your older students will be looking at your lesson plans for independent work, you may need to include more specific instruction. Or, you can keep your plan simple, and let them fill in the details after they are done to help them learn record keeping skills and save yourself some time and brain power! Check out the IAHE School Planner compiled by experienced homeschooling parents who understand. 

Give yourself some grace and time, and you will hit on the right one for you. And remember that whatever your family style is, you will find that a schedule, whether relaxed or structured, can be your best friend.