Timetables – Rigid Flexibility

Homeschooling provides flexibility

Children usually thrive on routine, predictability and consistency. As homeschoolers, you have the relative freedom to be flexible, adapting to the child’s needs and abilities, not to mention the unexpected and spontaneous events that catch us out so often! Some children find too much flexibility daunting, and insist on more regimentation for a sense of security. As a parent, you can best decide just how flexible and how strict your routine is.

General considerations

In our experience, homeschoolers work well with academic subjects (such as PACEs) from morning to lunch time, while afternoons are often best for craft and physical activities. Regular classes can be worked into a routine.

Education Department suggested time allocations

You can use the NESA guide, which shows that the expectation per week is about:

• Maths: 5 hours
• English: 6-7 hours
• HSIE (HASS, SOSE), Science & Technology, Creative Arts, PDHPE (HPE): 2 hours each
• Additional Activities: 5 hours

Over a five day week, that translates to about

• 1 hour per day for maths (including maths related activities, measuring and play);
• 1.5 hours per day for English, Word Building and Literature combined (and including other literature activities, drama/play, writing)
• < 1 hour per day for other core subjects;
• 1 hour per day for other activities including research, educational play, excursions, cooking, walks, bike riding, socialisation etc.

This adds up to a 5 hour day, including the “additional activities.”

The following timetable is a suggestion only. Something in this format would be a good example to show to homeschool authorities, as it shows consideration for formal and less formal work, adequate breaks, a range of subjects without getting bogged down with exact goals, and social opportunities.