Effective Scheduling for the Home School Classroom
Monday, June 12th, 2006By Mimi Rothschild
Parents who are new to home school education may at first have difficulty with scheduling. Home school scheduling has many potential pitfalls that public school scheduling does not. It is easy to become frustrated and even intimidated by the challenges which confront a parent trying to plan a day in the home school classroom.
When putting together a schedule for a home school a parent must be careful to follow any government mandates concerning the times of day a child must be in school and the number of days each year when a child is required to be in school. The home school parent should also be aware that the state sometimes views learning activities differently than the home school parent does. He/she should have a thorough understanding of any government requirements; this will help to avoid needless conflicts later on in the year.
It is important for home school parents not to be overwhelmed by doubts and impossible goals during the first weeks of home school. The home school classroom must balance not just the needs of the students but the needs of the home as well. In addition, if there are children of different ages in the home school it may be hard in the beginning to develop a schedule which fits in age appropriate study and activities for all involved. One of the keys to successful home school scheduling is to give both the teachers and the student’s time to find their rhythm when it comes to study, recreation and home life.
Another important aspect of home school scheduling is making sure friends and families show respect for the endeavor. If allowed, many people may take advantage of a parent who has chosen the responsibility of staying home and educating his/her children. Most people do not infringe upon the home school intentionally, they just fail to realize that the home school classroom relies on structure and discipline like the public school. Adults and children outside of the home school must be taught to recognize the boundaries which the home school parent will set up. Don’t hesitate to let others know in a friendly but firm way when they interrupt the classroom.
Despite the fact that there are certain parameters which the home school teacher will want to enforce, he/she must also realize that not all home schools will operate in the same way. What works for one family may not work for another family. Only the home school teacher can know how his/her home school should be conducted.
So, when a family has decided to educate its children in a home school, it should be prepared for a period of adjustment. It is imperative to work within any state dictates concerning hours and days when class must be in session. It is also necessary to establish policies and to insist upon cooperation from friends and family in maintaining home school rules. However, beyond these dictates and boundaries, a home school teacher should allow the personal character of the home school schedule to develop over time.