Homeschooling is a wonderful way to provide your children with a personalized and flexible education. But did you know that homeschooling does not have to follow the traditional school calendar? In fact, many homeschooling families choose to school year round, taking advantage of the benefits and opportunities that this schedule offers.
In this article, we will explain what homeschooling year round means, why some families prefer it, and how you can create your own year round homeschool schedule that suits your family’s needs and goals.
What is Homeschooling Year Round?
Homeschooling year round is a term that describes a homeschool schedule that does not follow the typical nine-month school year, but rather spreads the required number of school days or hours throughout the entire calendar year.
This means that homeschooling families can take more frequent and longer breaks during the school year, while having a shorter summer break or no summer break at all. It also means that homeschooling families can adjust their schedule according to their own preferences, circumstances, and learning styles.
There is no one right way to homeschool year round, as different families may have different reasons and methods for doing so. However, some common features of homeschooling year round are:
- More flexibility and freedom to plan your school year according to your family’s needs and interests
- More opportunities to take advantage of seasonal activities, events, and travel
- Less risk of burnout, boredom, and learning loss for both parents and children
- More consistency and continuity in your homeschool routine and curriculum
Why Homeschool Year Round?
Homeschooling year round may sound daunting or exhausting to some parents, especially those who were educated in a more traditional setting. However, there are many advantages and benefits of homeschooling year round that may outweigh the challenges and drawbacks.
Some of the reasons why homeschooling families choose to school year round are:
To avoid the summer slide:
The summer slide is the phenomenon of losing academic skills and knowledge over the long summer break. Research has shown that students can lose up to two months of learning during the summer, and that it can take up to six weeks to catch up in the fall. By homeschooling year round, you can prevent or minimize the summer slide and keep your children’s learning fresh and active throughout the year.
To enjoy more frequent breaks:
Homeschooling year round does not mean that you have to school every day of the year. On the contrary, it means that you can take more breaks during the school year, which can help you and your children recharge, relax, and avoid burnout. You can also use these breaks to pursue other interests, hobbies, or projects that may not fit into your regular school schedule.
To have more flexibility for travel:
One of the perks of homeschooling is that you can travel with your children without worrying about missing school or disrupting your schedule. By homeschooling year round, you can take advantage of off-season travel deals, avoid the crowds, and explore the world at your own pace and convenience. You can also use travel as a learning opportunity and incorporate it into your curriculum.
To accommodate different learning styles:
Homeschooling year round allows you to tailor your schedule and curriculum to your children’s individual learning styles, needs, and preferences. For example, some children may learn better in shorter bursts, while others may prefer longer periods of immersion. Some children may need more review and reinforcement, while others may thrive on more challenge and variety. By homeschooling year round, you can adjust your pace, intensity, and frequency of instruction to suit your children’s learning styles and optimize their learning outcomes.
How to Homeschool Year Round?
Homeschooling year round does not have to be complicated or difficult. In fact, it can be quite simple and easy once you figure out what works best for your family. Here are some steps and tips to help you create your own year round homeschool schedule:
Check your state requirements:
Before you start planning your year round homeschool schedule, make sure you are familiar with your state’s homeschool laws and regulations. Some states may have specific requirements for the number of days or hours of instruction, the subjects or topics covered, the documentation or reporting of your homeschool activities, or the testing or evaluation of your children’s progress. You will need to comply with these requirements regardless of your homeschool schedule, so make sure you know what they are and how to meet them.
Choose your calendar:
The next step is to choose your calendar format and structure. There are many ways to homeschool year round, and you can customize your calendar to fit your family’s needs and preferences. Some of the most common year round homeschool calendar options are:
Six weeks on/one week off:
This is a popular year round homeschool schedule that divides the year into six-week periods of instruction followed by one-week breaks. This schedule also allows for two longer breaks of six weeks each, usually during the summer and the winter holidays. This schedule works well for families who like a consistent and predictable routine, as well as frequent and regular breaks throughout the year.
Nine weeks on/two weeks off:
This is another common year round homeschool schedule that follows a quarterly pattern of instruction and breaks. This schedule requires a shorter break in December, but tends to mesh better for those who use a more textbook-style approach, since many textbooks follow a nine-week unit schedule. This schedule works well for families who have older, high school students, or who prefer a more traditional and structured curriculum.
Four weeks on/one week off:
This is a more flexible and relaxed year round homeschool schedule that allows for a longer summer break of eight weeks, with only a couple of weeks for Christmas and New Year’s. Some families may choose to shorten the summer break and take a longer winter break instead. This schedule works well for families who like shorter and more frequent periods of instruction and breaks, or who want to enjoy more of the summer activities and events.
Four days on/three days off:
This is a year round homeschool schedule that is truly year round, with no long breaks at all. Instead, this schedule follows a four-day school week and a three-day weekend throughout the year. This schedule works well for families who like a shorter and more flexible school week, or who want to have more time for other pursuits and projects during the weekend.
No set schedule:
This is a year round homeschool schedule that has no fixed or predetermined structure or pattern. Instead, this schedule allows the family to school throughout the calendar year, keeping track of their in-school days or hours to meet the state requirements, and taking breaks as needed or desired throughout the year. This schedule works well for families who value spontaneity and autonomy, or who have unpredictable or variable circumstances that affect their homeschooling.
Plan your curriculum:
Once you have chosen your calendar, you can start planning your curriculum and activities for the year. You can use any curriculum or resources that suit your children’s learning styles, needs, and goals, as long as they meet the state requirements and cover the essential subjects and skills. You can also supplement your curriculum with other activities, such as field trips, online courses, co-ops, clubs, sports, or hobbies, to enrich your children’s learning and provide them with social and physical opportunities. You can plan your curriculum for the whole year, or for each period or unit, depending on your preference and flexibility.
Review and adjust your schedule:
As you homeschool year round, you may find that your schedule works well for your family, or that it needs some tweaking or changing. You may discover that your children learn better or faster than you expected, or that they need more time or support than you anticipated. You may encounter some challenges or difficulties that affect your homeschooling, such as illness, travel, or family issues. You may also find some new opportunities or interests that you want to pursue or explore with your children. Whatever the case, you can always review and adjust your schedule as you go along, to make sure that it meets your family’s needs and goals, and that it provides you and your children with a positive and rewarding homeschooling experience.
Conclusion
Homeschooling year round is a great way to provide your children with a flexible and personalized education that suits their learning styles, needs, and preferences. It also offers many benefits and advantages for both parents and children, such as avoiding the summer slide, enjoying more frequent breaks, having more flexibility for travel, and accommodating different learning styles.
Homeschooling year round does not have to be complicated or difficult. You can create your own year round homeschool schedule that fits your family’s needs and preferences, by choosing your calendar, planning your curriculum, and reviewing and adjusting your schedule as needed.
Homeschooling year round can be a fun and rewarding way to educate your children and enjoy your family life. If you are interested in homeschooling year round, we encourage you to give it a try and see how it works for you and your children. You may be surprised by how much you and your children love it and benefit from it.
