My “Go-To Recipe” for Homeschool Success
Do you have a “Go-To Recipe” you use again and again? A “go-to recipe” is a recipe you pull out for meals again and again. A go-to recipe is a favorite because of its simplicity and its success rate. It is tried and true, and it always works. Well, just like my cooking binder has some well-loved go-to recipes, so does my homeschool binder. The formula is basic, but it always works. So, here is my go-to recipe for homeschool success!
Go-To Recipe for Homeschool Success
- Set a start time and stick to it.
- Alternate teaching times with independent times.
- Set times to meet with each student and stick to them.
- During teaching times correct work competed, teach teacher-directed boxes, and end with giving directions for semi-independent or independent work.
- Mix in joint playtimes for youngers, add snack breaks, and season with love!
- Oh, and make sure everyone has their own copy of your ‘Go-To Recipe’ for homeschooling!
Now, that’s a recipe for success!
Sample Go-To Recipe for Three Children Ranging Ages 4 to 10
Let’s just say you have a 4 year-old doing Little Hands to Heaven (LHTH), a 7 year-old doing Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory (Beyond), and a 10 year-old doing Creation to Christ (CTC). Here’s a sample go-to recipe:
- Start time: 7:30 AM
- 7:30 to 8:30 AM:Â Teaching time with 10 yo CTC student; Playtime together for 4 yo LHTH student and 7 yo Beyond student.
- 8:30 to 9 AM: Breakfast and Chores
- 9 -10 AM: Teaching time with 7 yo Beyond student. Independent work time for 10 yo CTC student. Independent playtime 30 minutes and audio book 30 minutes for 4 yo LHTH student.
- 10 to 10:30 AM: Teaching time with 10 yo CTC student with snack; 7 yo Beyond student helps 4 yo pick up from playtime then they have a snack together at kitchen table.
- 10:30 to 11:15 AM: Teaching time with 7 yo Beyond student; Independent work time for 10 yo CTC student; Independent playtime of learning stations for 4 yo LHTH student.
- 11:15 to 11:45 AM:Â Teaching time with 4 yo LHTH student; Independent work time for 10 yo CTC student; Independent work time for 7 yo Beyond student (playtime if independent work is done before time is up).
- 11:45 – 12:15 PM: Teaching time with 7 yo Beyond student; Playtime together for 4 yo LHTH and 10 yo CTC students. (Tip: If running behind, have 10 yo finish LHTH with 4 yo.)Â At this point, 4 yo LHTH student and 7 yo Beyond student are done with school.
- 12:15 – 1 PM: Teaching time and final correcting time with 10 yo CTC student. Exercise video or playtime with toys together for 4 yo LHTH student and 7 yo Beyond student.
- DONE! 1 PM Lunch and then Free Time! A recipe for success!
In Christ,
Julie
This Post Has 4 Comments
Did you mean there to be two different descriptions for 10-11am and 10-10:30 and 10:30-11:15? I love the idea of being done by 1pm, but not sure about the times conflicting then.
Oh! Thanks so much for asking, Jan! The descriptions were right, but the times were slightly mixed up. I am so glad you asked! I also think it’s helpful just to note the “T” times and the “I” times for each guide’s work (not for free time or playtimes) next to the times. I do this to check to be sure I have the time allotments for a guide right. I do realize there are “S” boxes in CTC as well, but between the “T” and “I” times those are covered wherever they fit best (i.e. end a teaching block by giving the directions for an “S” semi-independent work time, and then have an “I” independent work time scheduled next). Anyway, noting the “T” and “I” times for the above schedule, it would be:
7:30-8:30 CTC – T
8:30-9 Breakfast/Chores
9-10 Beyond – T; CTC – I
10-10:30 CTC – T
10:30-11:15 Beyond – T; CTC – I
11:15-11:45 LHTH – T; Beyond – I; CTC – I
11:45 – 12:15 Beyond – T
12:15 – 1 CTC – T
This totals about 4 1/2 hours of work time for Creation to Christ, 2 hours 45 minutes of work time for Beyond Little Hearts, and 30 minutes for Little Hands to Heaven.
If you are not a morning person or if you don’t have somewhere you have to be in the afternoons after lunch, this schedule can easily be shifted later in the day. Hope this helps!
In Christ,
Julie