Finding the right weekly homeschool routine is key to maintaining a positive homeschool experience – especially with little learners! After a few years of testing and tweaking, we have finally found what works best for our family. And today, I’d like to share it with you along with 3 tips for creating your own weekly homeschool routine!
Table of Contents – Click to jump ahead!
Step 1: List your weekly non-negotiables
The first thing I do anytime I update the weekly homeschool routine for our family is make a list of our non-negotiable activities. These are activities that always take place at the same time, and that we’re committed to prioritizing. This can include church activities, extra-curricular classes, sports teams, etc. Once these activities are on the calendar, I’m better able to assess the amount of time I have to work with.
Step 2: Choose your weekly homeschool days
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is the flexibility to “school” as many days as needed! Our family doesn’t follow a strict 5-day school week, but we do try to stick to at least 3 solid days at home for school time. We have found that planning the bulk of our school time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday helps us enjoy a long weekend with family! Once you’ve figured out which days work best for your kiddos to focus on school, jot them down on your weekly homeschool routine!
Step 3: Pick days for extra weekly activities
In addition to listing our non-negotiable activities and homeschool days, I also like to include planned homeschool outings on certain days of the week! This helps me make sure we’re getting out of the house for special learning time. It also insures that our family is making the most of our paid memberships at places like the zoo, museum, etc. It’s so fun to have these outings to look forward to each week! And this helps with lesson planning if I know we’re taking a fun “field trip” that week!
Our Weekly Homeschool Routine
Still need a little inspiration for creating your family’s weekly homeschool routine!? Look no further! Below you’ll find the weekly homeschool routine our family as used for the last couple of years, and plan on using again!
MONDAY – (HOME DAY) We LOVE “home days” after busy weekends. We begin our week with a day at home full of homeschooling and chores focused on the main living space. I also try to make Monday our grocery day! We get a delivery of groceries in the morning (thanks to our Walmart+ subscription) and then do a bunch of baking and meal prep for the rest of the week. If we get finished with all of our tasks at a good time, we hit the neighborhood park in the afternoon with some of our homeschool buds!
TUESDAY – (1/2 HOME DAY) Tuesday is at least another “half” home day. We spend the morning taking care of homeschool lessons as normal. But in the afternoons we get out for a trip to the zoo, museum, botanic garden, or just out for running errands!
WEDNESDAY – (HOME DAY) Wednesdays are usually another full home day for us. If I can help it, I definitely like to alternate between home days and errands days. That way we’re not getting too cooped up from staying in too long, but also not running ragged from getting out too many days in a row. Our family has Bible study at church on Wednesday evenings, so spending the day at home before gives us plenty of time to take care of lessons and chores.
THURSDAY – (NONNI DAY) Thursdays are “Nonni Days” for us! This is the day that I do all things The Stay-at-Home Teacher because the girls spend the day with my mom, their Nonni! I know that this is not feasible for many families, but if you have the ability as a homeschool momma to spend a few hours alone – TAKE IT. I went nearly 8+ years without this time and mercy. It’s been a total game changer. (I promise to share a blog post ASAP with ways you as a homeschool momma can get a few hours to yourself for chores or just hot coffee in your weekly homeschool routine!)
FRIDAY – (FUN DAY) Fridays are flex days! If it’s beautiful outside, you’ll likely find us running around outdoors! If it’s a rainy day (or super hot because #texas) we use this as a homeschool morning followed by indoor fun or running errands.
SATURDAY – (HOME DAY) One of my absolute favorite things about homeschooling is that we’re able to get out of the house for lots of fun activities during the week while everything is less busy. Then on Saturday, we stay home for family time and chores! I love to make a big Saturday brunch, enjoy movies (or some college football!) during the day. It’s also a great day to take care of household chores in the bedrooms and bathrooms.
SUNDAY – Sunday is church day! This is LG’s favorite day! We spend the morning and early afternoon at church and lunch with friends. Then the rest of the day is spent resting at home, prepping for a new fun week!
Let’s hang out!
Well, friends. I hope these tips help you create the best weekly homeschool routine for your family! Keep in mind that one of the BEST things about homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and make school fit around your life, not the other way around. So feel free to use your routine as a guide for your week, rather than a set schedule!
I’d love to chat and hear about the routine that works best for you! Come hang out with with us in some of our favorite places for lots of fun info on learning with littles! Click on the buttons below to join us!
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I love the flexibility of homeschool and I love how you are so transparent!!
I’m so glad this was helpful for you!