September 2021 (ages 13 & 10)

 Now that we are about six weeks into the semester, things are starting to feel settled. That seems to be the typical time period it requires for our routine to feel like it fits. My head has finally stopped spinning and the kids know what to expect.


Getting back to school this semester has been a little crazy. Multiple factors are at play, including tween hormones, pandemic uncertainties and leadership changes. My students are both aging up this semester and the sibling atmosphere in our house is the perfect storm - never a dull moment. While many people were hopeful as communities began to open up post vaccine, a new round of viruses hit us. And unexpected plans for people relocating and being promoted have introduced extra responsibilities in two different areas of our homeschooling. This was a lot to process during August and early September, but now that we are well into our routine and the weather has begun to cool off, things are feeling more relaxed.

My students have different strengths, weaknesses and interests, as you may expect. I've really tried this year to customize their routines accordingly. One is more interested in technology and the other is more interested in recreation.

So here is what we are up to these days regularly on Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri:
(Wednesday and Saturday are for catching up or relaxing, and Sunday is for worship)

Middle school daily routine:
7-9am - quiet (wake-up, meditate)
9-11am - morning lab (computer time for a mix of lessons and gaming)
11a-1pm - lunch break (transition that usually includes eating, watching a show and recreation)
1-3pm - free time ** (slow down and unplug with a board game, book or other hobby)
3-5pm - afternoon lab (same as above)
5-7pm - family (dinner, board game, conversation)
7-9pm - quiet (decompress and debrief from our day)
9p-7a - rest (peaceful personal time and sleep)
** (two days a week "free time" is replaced with "internship" which is basically volunteering)

Elementary school daily routine:
* (usually outside swinging any spare moment available!)
7-9am - quiet
9-11am - free * 
11a-1p - lunch
1-3pm - lessons
3-5pm - free *
5-7pm - family
7-9pm - quiet
9p-7a - rest

Weekly assignments (both elementary and middle school at their appropriate level):
Math, Comprehensive studies, Typing, Budgeting, Spanish, Science, Research, Creative writing (aka "story"), Cursive, Donating (aka "toy trade"), Civics, Bible study

Extra curricular activities:
Weekly - tennis, volunteering, bible study
Monthly - clubs (4-H, TCG, RPG)

Hobbies:
video games, card games, trick shots, board games, model sets, science experiments, instruments (keyboard, piano, bells, drums, recorder), photography, videography, stop motion animation, building blocks, backyard pick up games

Links:

Charts that I use (click on the image to enlarge):

Elementary lessons - receives a ticket for each completed lesson which may be redeemed for screen time.



Middle school lessons - check means complete, circle means overdue; if there are no lessons overdue, may play video games with friends in the afternoon



Family chores -