One of the most popular posts here on Raising Arrows came from people searching how long it takes to homeschool and landing on this post:
I wanted to elaborate a bit on the above post by addressing how long individual lessons take because I had a reader ask how I handle timing for each lesson.
Unlike public school, homeschooling does not have a bell to tell you to stop one subject and move rooms and teachers to start the next subject (although I do have a dinner bell to let people know when a meal is being served!).
We also don’t have homework because it is all HOMEwork, and we keep working until we are finished. There isn’t any “leftover” work that needs to be completed before the next school day, and there are rarely extended assignments before junior high or high school age.
So, let’s talk about how long homeschool lessons actually take. I’ll separate the lessons out by stages to make it easier to find where you are at in your homeschooling journey. I also welcome you to lend your own thoughts and experiences to the comments section of this post – we can learn from each other!
Notes: I have subjects separated by “basic” – which means the barebones of what should be taught to that age group – and “extra” – which means the additional subjects that could comprise your child’s homeschool day. If you’ve read my other post on how long a homeschool day should be, you know that I hold a philosophy of very little “seat work”, especially for young children. Things that I consider to be essential to homeschooling (intelligent conversations, reading aloud, Bible and discipleship) are not included here because I do not consider them “subjects” but rather part of a well-rounded LIFE.
Elementary Age
The Basics:
Math = no more than 30 minutes
Phonics = no more than 30 minutes (Once the basic mechanics are in place, switch this to a required Reading Time of 15 minutes – more if they like.)
Handwriting/Copywork = no more than 10 minutes (do not do if any other subject requires a lot of writing that day).
The Extras:
Science = no more than 20 minutes formal (and as much informal as they like – exploring, observing, etc)
Grammar = no more than 30 minutes (I do not recommend formal grammar prior to 4th or 5th grade, and even then, I prefer an overview with a follow up in junior high and high school.)
Spelling = no more than 20 minutes. (I only teach spelling if there is a need – I have several children who are natural spellers and a curriculum would be a waste of their time and mine. If you are interested, you can also read my thoughts on teaching vocabulary words.
History (and similar studies) = no more than 20 minutes unless you are using a vibrant curriculum that utilizes living books and interesting projects. If using the latter, work as long as you have their attention.
Art = no more than 30 minutes (use lessons that are non-stressful and do not require a lot of prep work. I recommend You ARE an Artist chalk art lessons.)
Music = lessons are typically 30 minutes in length, do not require practice times beyond that length.
NO HOMEWORK EVER! There is no need at this age. Every subject they do should be done within the allotted time. They can certainly “work” on their own time in subjects that interest them, but drawing a subject out too long will squash your child’s love of learning.
Summary:
A basic elementary age school day = 70 minutes or less
Junior High
The Basics:
Math = no more than 45 minutes
Science = no more than 45 minutes
History = approximately 1 – 1.5 hours, based on how integrated the curriculum is with other school subjects and how interesting it is to you and your student.
The Extras:
Composition = no more than 30 minutes – preferably this is part of your history integration.
Art = as desired (if you are forcing a child to do art at this age, you are wasting their time and yours)
Music = as desired (same as art – by the time a child is this age, they are either passionate about music or they are not. They will pursue the arts if this is their passion. Feed that passion as needed.)
Summary:
A basic jr. high school day = 3 hours or less
High School
The Basics:
Math = no more than 1 hour
Science = no more than 1 hour
History = approximately 1 – 3 hours, based on how integrated the curriculum is with other school subjects and how interesting it is to you and your student.
Literature & Composition = approximately 1 hour – (preferably this is part of your history integration.)
The Extras:
Electives = approximately 30 minutes a piece (base these classes on what your state requires, what your child’s college of choice requires and/or family preferences and child’s interests)
Summary:
A basic high school day = 4 – 6 hours total
If you are looking for inspiration for keeping your homeschooling simple and living-books based, I highly recommend this video series (available in download or DVD):
Homeschool Made Simple is hosted by Carole Joy Seid, a homeschool mom who has been helping families work through the logistics of homeschooling for nearly 30 years. The set contains 6 workshops on how to keep a simple literature-based homeschool using your Bible and a library card (with a smattering of other resources thrown in). Yes – it really IS that simple!
Sarah @ The Life of This Mother says
This is so helpful, thank you. We are considering homeschooling in the future and this has been a topic of discussion between my husband and I. I am loving how my mind is opening up to how broad and relaxed education can really be, and not strictly set subjects for set amount of times etc. I so hope we do homeschool!
Coby says
Hi Amy! This was a really helpful post! Thank you for the insight into your routine. I do have a question- with your elementary age kids, do you do all the subjects every day? The only ones I do daily are phonics, math, and writing. Science and history are not every day. There are some other fun things I’d like to get in, but I seriously don’t know how or when! Things seem to take so long because my 1st grader needs a bit more one-on-one attention with the basic subjects, so I do 2 math lessons and 2 phonics lessons….I just feel like my days could go more efficiently so that I COULD squeeze in some of those extras!
Amy says
We do the same ones you do every day. When we have extras we want to squeeze in, they go in the afternoon or evening. Lessons have to be kept short in order to keep young children engaged. If I were you, I’d shoot for one “extra” a week, and then just do it. Don’t get overwhelmed with details or trying to do something extra every day. Just do that one thing on one day of the week. It’s a place to start, and you will feel like you’ve really accomplished a lot fitting that one thing in!
Emily says
Thank you for making this so simple! Oh how we homeschool moms tend to overcomplicate things. 🙂 What do you use to teach grammar? We’re currently using Rod and Staff and I feel like it’s so mundane and repetitive. I’ve been looking into the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Any thoughts??
Amy says
Oh Grammar…the bane of my existence! *sigh* I’ve tried both of the ones you mentioned. Both felt too tedious. I recently spoke with my oldest son and he told me he still remembers lessons he learned from the one year we did Shurley Grammar, so….that’s what we went back to. I have my 4th and 5th grader in it, and so far, I am pleased with the short lessons and how much they are learning in a short time. The only reason I quit using it was because I went to a conference where a certain speaker mentioned how she did not like Shurley and preferred Rod & Staff…talk about adult peer pressure! Even I’m not immune!
Rebecca says
We are using Shurley English this year too…first time for us and we are really enjoying it. She’s learning fast and retaining it so no complaints. I am thinking of switching her next year to something else with more writing involved because Shurley English repeats year after year (you can basically start at any grade level and it’s the same at every one). I’m not entirely sure what I would switch to but I have a little while before I have to decide.
Madison says
I know this is an old post but I so appreciate your honesty of saying even you aren’t immune!
-Madison
Amy says
Ha! Yes indeed!
Grace G. says
My state (Maryland) requires music & art for every age as required subjects taught and must show thorough work at our reviews. What do you recommend for junior and high school in those subjects for those of us who HAVE to teach them? I just have an elementary age student now but I would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks so much. Your articles are a great encouragement and always relevant.
Amy says
First of all, thank you for sharing about your particular state. I always appreciate gaining insight into homeschool laws across the country. I would encourage teaching music and art appreciation (The Gift of Music and How Should We Then Live come to mind). I would also explore a plethora of art mediums and musical genres as a way to expose your students to potential interests. You also might look into church choirs and homeschool choirs as an option for music, and community art classes and events as an option for art.
Rachel says
Any tips for helping a student learn to do their work diligently? I would agree with the amount of time you mention, but I have a 7yo boy who is a master procrastinator. He can make 2 lines of copywork take 3 hours. Not because it’s hard for him, but because he won’t just buckle down and do it. We could be moving on to the “fun stuff”, but can’t because he’s still working on the basics. So frustrating!
Amy says
I was going to address this problem in this post, but then decided it needed to be a post all its own. One question I have for you is how would he respond to a timer? And what might be behind is unmotivated work?
Rachel says
Thanks for responding! Based on previous attempts, I would guess that a timer would not be helpful, but I haven’t tried it for copywork. I would say that it’s really just a heart issue and it will take time and prayer and consistency on my part. I just don’t want him to develop a dislike of writing in the meantime. I’ll look forward to a post on this topic! 🙂
Sana says
Have you gotten around to write the post about procrastinating kids? Iv got one in my home too!!!
Amy says
I have not, but I just wrote it down as something I need to do! Thank you for the reminder!
ANGIE says
If my day is supposed to be short, how do I document an average of four hours a day? State law requirement.
Melissa says
Then you count all the extras! Go to the park/gardening/ballet? Gym class
Baking/meal planning/cooking/laundry/house cleaning? Life skills
Piano lessons/singing lessons? Music class
Changing oul/baling hay/feeding animals? Ag class
Library trip?
You get the idea. Our kids get so many hands on activities others don’t get!
Jenni says
Same question here. In the State of Kansas, you are legally required to have “school” as a homeschooler for six hours a day, 186 days a year. My kids hit their core subjects with no issue, learning to read early, ahead in math, etc. but it doesn’t take that long. I do allow for things like recess, lunch, etc. but still that doesn’t fill up the whole day.
Rebecca says
We have requirements here in TN as well, 4 hours per day, 180 days a year. Some days we do 4 hours, some days we do 6, some days we do 1 or 2. As a cumulative average, we probably hit right on the 4 hours per day. I include our music practice and any exercise/play time we are able to get in. I don’t include meals because, truly, our goal is to be finished every day by lunch, except for maybe some extra reading or some memory work. You can count home life activities…..cooking, life skills, etc., math problems at the store, audiobooks in the car, you can be pretty creative. It also doesn’t all have to happen Monday-Friday….what about watching a history documentary on Sunday? Or reading aloud for an hour on Saturday? It all adds up.
Amy says
Hi Jenni! I used to live in Kansas and the law read “equivalent”. Unless that has changed recently (and even if it has), Kansas does not require you to report hours. Teachers are not getting 6 full hours of seat work in during the day. We have to allow for the difference in environment. It sounds to me like you are definitely “doing your job” with your children.
Dawn says
I’m sure you must read aloud to your children!! Do you take walks? Go to the grocery store? Visit the library? All of those things count, even though they aren’t sit down school!!
Amy says
Not sure if you are the same Angie who asked this question on my Facebook page, but just in case you are not, here is a copy and paste from there to that Angie. 🙂
“A couple of points to consider, Angie – 1. Does you law use the word “equivalent”? 2. Translate YOUR hours to public school hours. Homeschooling is much more efficient in most cases, so a math page you do at home in 15-20 minutes, easily translates to an hour in traditional school because of how long the teacher must take to get the kids in their seats, explain the problems, answer questions, handle discipline issues, etc.”
Does that help?
Miranda says
I have 2 in elementary and 1 in preschool. Right now it feels like I am doing school all day long. In the morning I have 1 on 1 time where I work with each child individually. The preschooler wants this time with me so I work with her too. Usually 30-45 minutes each, while the other children help to keep the toddler busy. We work mostly on our language arts. They are only sitting for the 30-45 minutes but it takes me all morning. After lunch the baby and toddler have naps and I read to the oldest 3. We have some writing time, the oldest does math that she does independently with Teaching Textbooks. If all goes well we try to do some art or crafts or build with lego. I’d like to add in some more science and social studies and I’m hoping once our routine is a little more normal it’ll go more smoothly and we’ll have more time for it.
Diana says
Loved this, Amy! Thank you!!
Micaela says
Thanks for sharing this. There are some ‘extra’ subjects I don’t see on here, though: health, foreign language, geography, computers, and p.e. How long should those take?
Amy says
Health and P.E. probably ought to be “naturally” occurring subjects, and not something that takes a certain amount of time. Georgraphy really should be integrated into a history curriculum, so it would fall within that time frame. Foreign Language is one I should have included. It’s a 20-30 minutes a day subject – not necessarily every day, but my daughter does do her ASL every day which helps with fluency. Computers depends on what you are teaching. Word processing and other programs need to be integrated into your curriculum because you use them as tools (and definitely teach typing). Programming and other upper level computer classes will more than likely fall in the elective category and can take as long as you (and your child) are willing to spend on them.
Maria says
Thank you! I am so glad I found this. My child does not spend hours doing seated work and non-homeschoolers always question me about this. But it’s just him and if he gets it done quickly and understands the lesson I don’t see a need to make a child sit for an extended period of time just to say they did. I feel its quality not quantity. And when a child has that one on one attention I feel it takes less time for them to finish a lesson.
Jessica Shaw says
What programs do you prefer to use for your kids. I have a 4th, 6th and 7th grades. Thank you
Sara C. says
This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. This is our first year homeschooling, and my son is a 5th grader, so we really felt we were jumping straight into the fire. I’ve been concerned our school day just didn’t seems long enough. Thank you for easing my mind!
Lizette says
This makes me feel so much better. I was really starting to worry that I was doing something wrong. It’s only our third day and it’s amazing to have the opportunity to do other things like hobbies!!
Stephanie says
I was homeschooled from first grade through the end of high school, and hope to homeschool my kids Lord willing when they’re old enough. I definitely respect the fact that every family has to decide what works best for them with homeschooling and time limits. But, I just wondered if anyone else felt any concern about how short this estimate is for the elementary age–70 minutes a day seems reallllllly short. We used the A Beka curriculum in elementary school, so that could be the determining factor, but even in elementary school I was busy for at least 3 hours every day. (Once we hit junior high, more like 4-5. High school was definitely 6 hours, like she described in this post.) We did spelling, vocabulary, grammar/English, history, science, math, reading/writing, Bible study curriculum, and P.E. every day. There were only 3 of us, so I suppose my mom had more time to devote than maybe a larger family would have. But it just seems to me that we need to make sure we’re preparing our kids for the opportunity to excel in college and have a stable career. Doesn’t mean we have to be Nazis of course! But I just worry a little bit when I hear about certain school subjects not really being emphasized or covered each day (science, history, etc). I concede that a lot of life skills are not found in textbooks, like cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning house, doing your own laundry, etc. And of course they should be taught outside of school. But just wanted to provide a different perspective and see what others thought.
Mrs.Bigstone says
Hi Amy, we have switched from public school to homeschool for the FIRST time this year 2015/16 for our 12 year old (grade 7) however the transition has been terribly rocky.. She has expressed feelings of resentment because she misses her friends etc but this is why we switched she had a terrible time concentrating and completing assignements due to “socializing” and she was being influenced by her friends who are all non believers .. She had a hard time maintaining her “faith values and beliefs” duento peer pressure and being mocked because she wasnt “like them” etc. we have made the decision as a family that all our jr high children will be homeschooled (the nearest jr high is 30 min away) domyounhave any recommendations or advice for this “newbie homeschooling mom?” Our daughter has not completed much thus far and its a constant battle to get her motivated or even interested. Ive used all the tactics i can find ive even made arrangements for her to go to the local elementary school K5-gr6 from 2-3pm daily.. Still she has not completed anything.. Again too busy socializing :/. Thanks for listening p.s there are NO homeschooled families in my area . Nearest is 4-6 hours away and we have also experienced so much opposition from friend/family and the school board LOL! however we value our faith and are commited to continueing our homeschool journey.. We are plowing through! 🙂
Denise says
I do not understand how the elementary adds up to 70 min. Plus explain
Amy says
The 70 minutes or less is the “basic” school day involving seatwork without any of the extras.
Deanna foreman says
Hi. Is this time based on 5 days a week? I work full-time and am hoping to get Fridays off. Can we apply these guideline times to 3 days a week if we homeschool year round?
Amy says
Yes – that’s how we do it.
T says
Thank you so much. I just started homeschooling my first grader and noticed the time for his lessons only took about 70 to 80 minutes. I was thinking of regular school and how it takes so many hours, I was worried I was doing something wrong.
Amy says
You are welcome! It’s really interesting how much less time it takes!