From Our House to Yours
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: 8:30 AM
8:30 to 9:30 AM: Teaching time with 10 yo CTC student; Playtime together for 4 yo LHTH student and 7 yo Beyond student.
9:30 to 10 AM: Breakfast and Chores
10 -11 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: 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.) 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