A Typical Homeschool Day (Kindergarten, 3rd, and 4th Grades)
When I blogged years ago, every so often I shared my family's rhythm and routine at that point in time. A friend of mine told me she loved those posts. I am continuing that habit if for no one but her. However, I too love a peek into other people's daily life. And so without further ado—
Morning Routine
I'm recording this on a Friday at the end of our first week back to school. I woke up a little after 7 am. A sore throat hit in the first days of school so I have felt a bit sluggish. I go to the kitchen, plug in the percolator to make our morning coffee, and sit on the couch with my Bible and journal in hand. (I use the St. James Daily Devotional Guide for my reading.)
School days do not always allow me to have the time I'd like to journal; however, this morning, I manage to write four pages before reading the day's passages. A little after 8 am, it is time to get ready for the day.
My children (ages 10, 8, and 5) have been up since 7:30 am. My son attempted warming up their breakfast on an outside fire, but it did not go as hoped. They settled for using the stove.
Our Morning Time Together
Around 8:45 am, I go outside with my stack of books for family worship: The New City Catechism, The Biggest Story Holy Bible for Kids, New Morning Mercies for Kids, and The Sing! Hymnal.
We learn a catechism question/answer each week and spend a month learning a song.
Currently, we are on question 33 and learning "Christ is Mine Forevermore" by CityAlight.
I have enjoyed reading New Morning Mercies for Kids together. It goes through many fundamental topics of the faith. Paul David Tripp has the uncanny ability to speak very plainly about deep theological realities while also being extremely practical. All very helpful aspects of cultivating a personal faith.
Afterwards, we take a walk around the neighborhood. Our loop is a little less than a mile long, and everyone must walk—no riding toys!
School Time Around the Table
We get back and gather round the dining table for our school work. This week, we are reviewing addition facts before jumping into new lessons.
Since it's Friday, we did a special activity to capture something of what they learned this week. Being the first week, they each did an About Me sheet and set up their notebooks which will be added to several times a week throughout the year.
Then it is time for lunch! The pantry was quite bare so we had a lunch of banana bread. (Don't worry—I ordered groceries that were delivered later that day and everyone ate as needed!)
Afternoon Time of Rest, Work, & Play
At 12:30 pm, we rest. Each person goes to a bedroom for quiet time alone. Some days go better than others; this was an okay day. I laid on the couch and read more of Uprooted by Grace Olmstead.
The kids come out of their rooms at 2 pm and instantly raid the kitchen. It has still been so hot here that they have struggled to get outside quite as much. They played freely while I did computer work for my role as Creative Director at Homeschool Made Simple. I had a meeting at 4 pm until a little after 5 pm. Usually I sit at my dining table with this view:
Friday Evening Fun
My husband was working so I took the kids to see him. We ate smashburgers and listened to live music. I usually end up in a fold-out chair with a current read for company.
Around 8 pm, I corralled the children to go home.
Once they were in bed, I caught up on some YouTube channels I watch very irregularly then listened to a few chapters of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 3 before going to bed.
