DIY Homeschooler

It can be a dicey thing…living the learning lifestyle AND satisfying the requirements, authorities, in-laws, and even ourselves that our children are meeting the necessary metrics of learning. So how do you keep that balance? How do you keep records when DIY homeschooling?

Table of Contents

• Simplifying
• Key Elements of a DIY Homeschooling Schedule
  • Spiritual Development
  • Skill Development
  • Content Discovery
  • Creative Pursuits
  • Life Preparation
• Pulling It All Together
• Free Planning Template

Frankly, it was a struggle at times — and not because my children were not learning. They were excelling! But because of my own preconceived notions. For example, if I don’t have a stack of completed workbooks to refer to, did my children really learn? (Those who know me know how silly this is….)

Simplifying

In the end, what worked for us was to keep the distinction between skill development and content learning. For areas of skill development, particularly math, my weekly planner would include the lessons we planned to cover each day. Writing was an every day event. Every day my students would write (or correct their writing from a previous day) and every day I would correct writing.

For content subjects, there would be a blank space to fill in at the end of the day. Some of those items on my weekly schedule were known in advance (guitar lessons, field trips, or planned experiments/projects) and those would also be filled in.

For content topics we pulled heavily from The Reading List. That list spoke volumes about where my children were in their learning. The list included those books they would be reading and another separate concurrent list of books we would be reading aloud.

But the best part about a DIY homeschool schedule is that it is flexible enough to include projects that grow with the child. Those projects ended up being the basis on which to practice the skills (not just reading and writing, but also thinking, presenting, and learning).

When those official learning years were completed I could easily pull out the records and create a transcript. Even my own children were astonished at what they had achieved.

Key Elements of a DIY Homeschooling Schedule

I grouped the areas of learning into bigger blocks: Spiritual Development, Skill Development, Content Discovery, Creative Pursuits, and Life Preparation. The content in each of these areas grew and changed with the child.

Spiritual Development

This area might include:

• Bible reading.
• Bible study.
• Family devotionals.

Some years we simply read the Bible together. In their younger years they might read on their own from a children’s Bible or simple translation.

We also included family devotionals and discussion, which also grew as they grew.

Bible study might be copying and memorizing in the early years. In the later years one chose to read Calvin’s Institutes and keep a notebook while studying through Proverbs.

Learn More

• 10 Ways to Use Notebooking: #1 Bible
  Copy. Illustrate. Narrate. Includes recommended resources in order of increasing difficulty. This is very reflective of what we did (aside from the books on The Reading List).
• Bible Study Tools
  Wide variety of devotionals, lessons, and other Bible study tools.

Skill Development

What do your children need to know? The best way to determine what they need is to know where they are. A scope and sequence may help. These areas might include:

• Copybook.
• Memory work.
• Reading (for the younger student).
• Language arts (for the younger student).
• English language and rhetoric (for the older student).
• Writing and research.
• Math.
• Logic and worldview (for the older student).
• Languages.

Language arts might be copying, narration, dictation, or a writing project based on interests. Spelling and grammar were primarily included as part of writing (again, every day). But we did take a year or two to cycle through a grammar text prior to the upper-level work.

The beauty of this system is that each child has a direction and framework. But within that framework he or she can choose the fodder. For example, in languages, one may work through Spanish, while another prefers Hebrew.

Learn More

• 16 Prewriting Activities
  A lack of handwriting ability doesn’t have to deter us from laying a foundation on which to build a writing habit that will last our child a lifetime. 16 prewriting activities for inspiring the youngest writer.
• 8 Writing Activities for the Younger Student
  8 writing activities for the younger student as he develops his mechanical skills.
• 14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Complete Series
  A more extensive writing program.
• 11 Tips for Choosing a Math Program
  Choosing a math program can be a trial! Here are 11 tips based on our experiences, observations, and extensive math background.

Content Discovery

Opportunities to explore God’s world, whether through books or in person can include:

• Literature.
• Poetry.
• History & geography.
• Civics, economics, & law (for the older student).
• Science & nature.
• Fine arts (music and art).
• Field trips.

Literature came right off of The Reading List, and included interacting with what was read (discussion, narration, etc.). That meant that to discuss Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, I needed to read the book, too (a literature guide helps).

History and geography usually went together. The reading list included a text for a “spine” for history, with geography incorporated. We did include several geography texts.

Writing was a means of learning for all of these areas. You cannot write what you do not know.

Learn More

• 6 Ways to Get the Most from Literature-Based Studies
  For those who rely on a literature-based approach, it is particularly important to process what we read. 6 tips for interacting with literature.
• 10 Elements of Engaging History Studies
  10 elements of engaging history studies — even while using the standard history text!
• The Reading List: Geography
  One of the easiest and most effective ways to cover geography for the younger ages is simply to read, engage, and learn.
• 10 Easy Ways to Incorporate Music Appreciation
  We learn to appreciate music by listening. 10 easy ways to make it happen!
• 8 Ways to Easily Teach Art Appreciation
  Covering art appreciation without breaking the school time budget.
• Reading Lists
  More ideas.

Creative Pursuits

These were the more hands-on endeavors:

• Arts & crafts.
• Music.
• Projects.

Creative pursuits included learning to play an instrument, art projects, and projects that followed an interest.

Learn More

• 6 Ways to Encourage Your Children to Pursue Their Interests
  Don’t discount the importance of these endeavors. We are teaching them how to learn on their own!
• 14 Ways to Plan Studies Around an Interest
  14 ways to plan studies that focus on essential skills, while honoring individual interests.

Life Preparation

• Physical training.
• Life skills (computer programming, for example, for older students).

Physical activity was at times formal, at other times a class outside the home, and at other times simply scheduling time for walks, or strength training (when older). The point really isn’t to check that box so much as create the habit and routine of exercise — moving every day!

Life skills we have covered before.

Pulling It All Together

Create a table with the days of the week across the top. Then add the subject areas you want to be sure to include along the left side.

For any skill areas (math, language arts, handwriting, etc.) you may wish to write down the lesson in advance. For content areas, you can work through your reading list, ask for an oral narration of what was read, and note the pages covered after the fact. Older children can learn to take over the recording tasks to some degree.

The projects your students work on will be those interests near and dear to their hearts. It will be easy to encourage reading, research, writing, and discussion when delving in to a favorite topic.

Yes, but….

Over the years the common objection to DIY homeschooling is a lack of structure or organization. Let those scheduled blocks provide the framework. And take heart — they ARE learning!

Free Planning Template

DIY Weekly Planning Template ~ Free
Our free weekly planning template can help you visualize a vibrant and inspiring homeschool experience.

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Additional Resources (to Read Through in Order)

Skill Subjects vs. Content Subjects {The Key to Simplifying}
Here is the key to simplifying home education — understand the difference between skill subjects and content subjects.

7 Ways to Identify Real Learning
Is real learning taking place? Here are a few identifying characteristics to look for.

Process Vs. Product
We are a product-driven society. If you ask someone how they are, they’ll likely begin listing all of the things they have been doing. In the field of education, the preferred model is outcome-based — product comes first.

The Benefits of Home Education (and what to do next)
Everything you need to know about home education along with resources to get you started.