6 Steps to Creating a Successful Homeschool Schedule That Works

Ready to sit down and create your homeschool schedule, but hitting a roadblock? Are you still trying to figure out how long the day should be or what you should be including from day-to-day? One of the biggest struggles I get from homeschooling mamas is choosing the best order to plan your day.

These 6 straightforward steps will guide you through how to create a successful homeschool schedule that works. So grab a pen and notebook and strap right in.

1. Have detailed, realistic goals

The first step to creating a schedule that works is to set both detailed and realistic goals for yourself.

If you haven’t already you should write down your homeschool mission statement that includes both your short-term and long-term goals for the year.

The Homeschool Binder Kit has a very cute and easy to use homeschool mission sheet that you will love.

To create achievable goals you will want to follow the SMART method. A complete breakdown of this proven goal-planning strategy can be found here.

Your goals should include what you want for your homeschool schedule, levels or metrics you want to use to measure your child’s learning (if you choose), and different goals you want to accomplish for yourself as the teacher/parent.

2. Keep your schedule visible/handy

Making a schedule in your really pretty notebook you never use and leave on the shelf in the room won’t be of any use to you.

You want your schedule to be visible to both you and your students. Routines work better when everyone is on the same page.

Keeping your schedule somewhere you spend most of your time or where it is easily accessible assists with keeping you on track. Two places you can start with for keeping your schedule visible is in your homeschool binder and a board or wall in your homeschool room/area.

Choose the place that is best for you and your little ones. They will also enjoy keeping the day on track once they learn the routine themselves.

3. Make adjustments as needed-don’t be a glutton for punishment

Have you created the perfect schedule, but it just doesn’t seem like your children are adjusting? That’s because the child isn’t meant to bend to the schedule you want you schedule to bend to your child.

There is no problem with having structure, but you want to be flexible as you go through the day. If you can ‘t get to a subject or you stray off track that is OK.

However, if each day feels like you are pulling teeth then it’s time for a change. Are you going over your blocks of time every day for science? Then simply change the amount of time you allow for science activities.

Trying to force a routine that isn’t working is one of the biggest homeschooling mistakes you can make. Don’t punish yourself–change can be your best friend.

4. Focus on harder subjects earlier in the day

Think about yourself for a moment. When you would get up to go to work did you feel most energized as soon as you start the workday or the last four hours of your workday?

If you are being honest with yourself you usually start the day ready to take the bull by the horns. After a few hours you are watching the clock waiting for each hour to pass before you are done for the day.

Well, the same goes for your homeschool schedule. When the day starts mentally your kids are ready for ‘school’ but as the day wears on their attention starts being pulled elsewhere.At that point they are ready to be done just as much as you. Probably more.

By planning harder, less engaging subjects earlier in the day you can take advantage of that focus to knock out the tough stuff. Subjects like math, history, or reading work best during this early time frame.

And then you can use the time where you start to lose engagement (generally after lunch) to do more engaging subjects and activities. Activities such as, art, music, or gross motor playing are great.

5. Stay diligent on checking off tasks and remaining organized

Maintaining your schedule is so much easier if you stay organized. Once you create your schedule you should start planning what type of learning activities you will be incorporating into those time blocks.

Be sure to check off the tasks as you go. I suggest starting with a theme and centering the blocks on your schedule around that theme.

For instance, if you’re using a transportation theme go through your day and choose things that fit those time blocks. For instance, circle time could be the song “The Wheels on the Bus”.

After choosing that song you can check that off your list. If there is a printable you need then print it out and check it off.

Checking off these tasks as you go will make planning your schedule feel more efficient and successful.

6. Everything does not need to fit in your schedule every day (acts as your routine)

The most important factor to homeschooling is that you have to remember that it is not the same as public/private school.

The goal is NOT to try and fit every single thing into your routine every day.

You should actually fluctuate between a few subjects every other day. Mondays and Wednesdays can be reading, science, and art. Tuesdays and Thursdays can be math, music, and history (citizenship).

Then you can have your constants like circle time, physical play, and individual station time.

Breaking the day down in to parts allows you to create shorter work days, avoid burnout from excessively long days, and keeping things from becoming repetitive while still maintaining a routine.

Start Planning

You now have 6 great insider tips on how to create a homeschool schedule that works for you and your family. If you have already gotten your editable copy of the homeschool scheduler template than you can start planning right now.

If you have not gotten that planner here is a link to that FREE schedule template.

And for the complete breakdown of everything homeschool the 50 page “Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling for Beginners” is the way to go. It is a complete step-by-step guide for homeschool mamas jammed pack with guidance and useful resources.

Time to go create an amazing, successful homeschool schedule that works.

Last Updated on May 1, 2023 by Kierra