Homeschooling SchedulesBy Marcie CiampiHomeschooling schedules vary from home to home, ranging from traditional, tailored, to nonexistent. In our home we use a rotation homeschooling schedule which enables me to choose and adapt a schedule to best meet my son's needs. 
There are several types of schedules and techniques I use during our teaching day. I have listed examples of the schedules below that I have either used with my son or continue to use today. If you find something that might work well with your homeschool program, adapt and modify the technique to fit your family's needs. I thought of these ideas when trying to come up with inventive ways to motivate my son, who is on the autistic spectrum, to stay on task while homeschooling. I know the techniques won't fit with everyone's teaching philosophies, but the methods I have listed below work well in our home. When teaching children with special needs, I try to remain open-minded and creative in my endeavors to foster and encourage a productive learning environment. Some of these scheduling ideas have been a fantastic addition to our school day. Traditional Reference Schedule:
This is one example of the traditional schedule I use as a reference for myself, and, at times, as a reference for my son. On the original schedule I have at home, the days of the week are in a horizontal row on the top of the paper, like you would find on a calender, and the subjects are listed in a vertical row under each weekday.
Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: We incorporate P.E. usually during break time, when Andy will jump on the trampoline. Other times he participates in Karate, flag-football, and walking. Life Skills are incorporated throughout the family day and within certain lessons. During science time, I might read to Andy techniques to help with his obsessions or he may help tend to the vegetable garden. During history we might discuss how people should be treated and what does "justice" mean. Biblical discussions, prayer, stories are usually during history or literature time, or when Andy's father is home. I also use biblical documentaries, picture books and children's stories on c.d. I explain more about the specifics of our reading and literature choices in the article I wrote about quality literature. This traditional schedule typically lasts from 8:15 until noon. Andy takes breaks as needed in between. When he takes longer breaks, we stretch the day out a bit longer. "Reading" is Andy's book of choice he reads independently. "Literature" is a book of my choice that Andy reads independently and narrates back to me what he has read. Sometimes I include written comprehension. History and Science will often be another form of literature, such as historical fiction, a biography, or non-fiction book.I incorporate geography, novels, short stories, videos, time-lines and more for history. We use library books, science kits, computer websites, videos and the such for science. "Read Aloud" is generally a classic I have chosen which I read to Andy. My husband or I read a book to the boys in the evenings before bed. We also have a book on c.d. we listen to while in the van. Music is also incorporated throughout the week, as I play a composer's music on c.d. Once a week we read a story related to music or do an activity. Art is often included in other subjects, but I make sure to incorporate a art lesson at least once a week. The above schedule is the most traditional schedule we use. I use it a few times each month. I keep the schedule on a clip board for quick reference of what subjects I would like to include during the week. There are no set time periods. Some days Andy will read his book of choice for an hour or longer, and other days he will read for ten to twenty minutes. If lunchtime has arrived and we still have much of the day to accomplish, we will pick up where we left off the next day. Next year, my plans are to incorporate Latin and a nature journal. 
CheckOff List
A check off list works well with my son. Having a list of tasks at hand and knowing exactly what he has to accomplish, eases Andy's anxiety. I know this regimented list won't work well with some family's philosophies, but this type of check off list helps children on the autistic spectrum and with other learning disabilities. I have different variations of the checkoff list. I list ten to fifteen tasks, some short, and some longer, and also list break time. Here is an example of what the list might look like:
Sometimes my son will evaluate how well he did by given himself stars for each item, sometimes he will check off as he goes, other days I might give him a penny or two for completing a task. I don't see this as "paying" my child to work. I would rather him have a penny than sugar candy. Other times, I will give him tally marks to add up to earn specific favors, such as inviting a friend over or playing a video game. I try not to give incentives too often, but in working with a child with Aspergers Syndrome the extrinsic awards sometimes get us through the day. Sometimes an award for doing well with the check list might be extra break time or choosing a place to go out and eat lunch. Of course, I always use praise, write smiles and stars on his list, and encourage my son. Variations with the checkoff schedule include: Choosing to follow the tasks in any order. My son making up his own task sheet. Estimating time for each task and playing a game like "Beat the Clock." Offering the incentive, "If you focus well this morning, you can remove one thing from the list for today." Box Windows
Box windows are one of my favorite forms of homeschooling schedules. The goal is to have 10 little paper windows you can open and close. They resemble an advent calendar. To make a box window: 1. Take two pieces of light-colored construction paper. 2. Use one piece of paper and fold it length ways about 1/3 of the way, make 10 small slits along the sides to form 5 windows, two slits for each window, leaving space between the slits. 3. Fold the same paper from the other direction 1/3 and making 10 more slits for five windows. 4. Carefully cut the bottom of each window so you can pull the flap up. 5. Then glue the outside frame onto another piece of construction paper. This sounds complicated, but it's quite easy. It only took me about 4 minutes before breakfast. And it was well worth my time and effort. To save on paper you can buy white, clear file folder stickers, and rewrite inside the windows several times. 6. On the top of each flap write a clue or a number/letter, and inside the flap write a task to follow. (I refer back to my traditional schedule to see what subjects I would like to cover.) Here is an example of what I wrote outside on the ten flaps, in the (parentheses) is what was inside the flaps.
This is a fun project for older children to make to study vocabulary or other skills, too.
Circle Game
This is a fun way to incorporate a homeschooling schedule into you day. 1. Draw a large circle and a smaller circle inside on a piece of paper. 2. Make lines connecting the outer line to the inner line of the circle so it resembles spaces on a game board. (This can also be made in the form of a ladder or other shape. A circle is nice if you wish your child to pick any space on the game circle to start.) 3. Get a favorite game token from a child's game and place the token on a space you marked as start. 4. In each space write a task in the game space. 5. The child moves the token as he goes along her school day. I sometimes include a stick of gum, penny, or a card with a surprise written on it, on some of the spaces.
Treasure Box
This is very quick and easy way to implement a homeschooling schedule. Find a small box that has a lid. A recipe box, jewelry box, check box, or small packaging box will do. Cut out 10-15 strips of paper. Write 1 task/lesson/assignment on each strip of paper. Fold the strips and place them in the box. Shut the lid. The child pulls a strip of paper and follows the instructions.Options: Child decorates the box with shells, paint, cotton balls, etc. Make a hole in the top of the box and child reaches in to pull out the paper strip. Tape an old cut sock to the top and child reaches through the sock to pull out the paper strip. Place enough strips for the entire week. Pull out a set amount of strips each day. The child contributes ideas to write on the strips of paper. Write an unexpected task on one or more of the strips, e.g. make cookies, take a walk, go to the library, paint rocks.
Hide and Seek
This is a perfect homeschool schedule for springtime. Take those discounted plastic Easter Eggs and stuff each egg with a task for the day. Hide the eggs. Each time the child completes a task, he searches for a new egg, opens it and follows the task.Options: Have siblings hide the eggs for one another. Do homeschool outdoors for the day on a picnic blanket. Implement the egg hunt at the start of the day. Hide a surprise in some of the eggs or a clue about where to find the next egg. Make a map with hints about where the eggs are hidden.
School in Bed
This is a nice solution for when a child is feeling tired or you want to add some variety to a long month of schooling. Take 10 - 15 lesson materials, such as literature books, art paper, blank paper, binder paper, and journal, and place a Post-It on top of each material with lesson instructions. Pile all the materials in a circle atop your bed. Include crayons, markers, and other supplies. Prop your child up in your bed with comfy blankets and pillows, bring in a soothing drink, like hot tea (decaf!), play some relaxing music, and say, "Today we are having school in bed!" For older children, they may want to stay in their bed, put on their favorite music, etc. Here is an example of how to use the Post-Its: (blockquote)Read pages 12-18 and draw a picture about what you read. (place on history biography) Finish math assignment from yesterday. Star the problems which were easy, circle the ones that were the hardest, put a question mark by the ones you are unsure about. Read 2 or more chapters (place on literature book) and call me in to tell me about what you read. Read up to 30 minutes. (place on a book of choice) Write your spelling words in the tiniest print possible, write each word backwards, then try to say the words backwards. (place post-it on a spelling list) Press play on the cd player and dance for 15 minutes or more. (place post-it on the cd) Take the flashlight and go under the covers and review your vocabulary words. (place on a flashlight and vocab list) Ring the bell for dictation.(place on a bell) Come and get me and we will make popcorn and watch the History Channel dvd together in bed. (place on a bag of popcorn kernels) Read-aloud time. (place on a historical fiction book) Options: Include a check-off list for the child to complete after each task. Stick the Post-its on a plain piece of paper when done. Check and Go
On a half sheet of paper write different subjects. Place the paper on a clipboard and give the clipboard and paper to the child.1. The child chooses a subject and places an "x" by the subject on the paper. 2. The child locates a resource related to the subject. (book, computer article, educational movie, craft supplies, manipulatives, etc.) 3. The child studies, creates, researches, reads, etc. 4. The child writes a sentence about what she did. 5. The child picks another subject and repeats. This is a good schedule to follow at the end of the year when the child has some projects to complete and is well aware of where to find resources in the house. The first few times, a teacher might want to follow alongside the child and assist them in finding resources. Another idea is to write out a list of ideas together. For example: History/Geography -- historical fiction novel, biography, articles on the computer, reference books, textbooks, family's photo albums, atlas, encyclopedia, documentary. Having a lot of library books on different topics displayed on a table is a wonderful way to provide resources. Also, the schedule can be modified for an extended library visit. Here is what the paper might look like: ___ Math: I lined up rows of pebbles outside to study my multiplication facts. ___ Science: I went online and read about snowflakes and looked at slides. I filled some water in a cup and put it in the freezer. ____Free Reading Time: I read my book for 22 minutes. ____Literature Book: I am on Ch. 12. I told Mom about the chapter. ____Life Skill: I brushed the dog and cleaned his water bowl. ____History/Geography: I finished my map of Africa. ____Art: I made a paper bag puppet and put stickers of Pokemon on the face. ____P.E.: I stretched on the mat. ____Read-Aloud: I listened to The Cay. ____Writing: I wrote in my journal.
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