Choosing A Homeschool Start Date {week 31 lesson plan recap}

This year long series is all about lesson planning in our interest-led homeschool. Today, I am sharing a recap of last week’s plan vs. reality, and I include an overview of our Week 31 Lesson Plan for the upcoming week. This week, I am also answering your questions regarding choosing a homeschool start date.

As I have shared our slow progression towards back to school this year, many of you have asked me what our initial start date will be, as well as how I decide when it’s time to officially start back.

“This may be a dumb question, but how do I decide which day we need to actually start our new school year?” Jessica G.

First off, this is NOT a dumb question at all! I had the very same question when we first began homeschooling.

Choosing A Homeschool Start Date

Table Of Contents

What I’ve learned is that there is not one right answer. Like everything in homeschooling, it really depends on your family dynamic, your personal preference, and what your children need.

For instance, one year, we didn’t officially start back to school until the end of September because my son was undergoing a neuropsych evaluation and I wanted the results before committed to our new school year.

Another year, we literally made no changes to our homeschool throughout the summer and just continued on into the next year without stopping.

In both instances, the only thing that I really needed to do was pick a date that worked and use that for attendance tracking in accordance with our state standards.

Meeting State Attendance Requirements For Homeschoolers

In my state, we are required to show 180 days of learning during the course of a single year. Which days those are however, is totally up to me.

For example, I do not typically count any of the days of summer learning as part of our 180. I find we don’t need to in order to meet the state requirement throughout the year and eliminates any pressure I feel about summer homeschooling.

Bottom line, before you consider when to start back to school, make sure you understand what your state requires. Then, plan accordingly.

What Is Our Official Start Date For The New School Year?

For the past couple of years, I have used the start date and school calendar published by the private school my son attends two days a week for art and social skills. Although we are only part-time and not required to do so on any level, it serves as a line in the sand for both of us.

One benefit of this is that my son sees that “all the kids” are starting a new school year and is less resistant to doing the same.

This year, it is a little more complicated as my oldest will also be heading back to college in the same timeframe.

For now, here is my general plan.

Official First Day Of 10th Grade: August 22, 2022
- This week will include a few back to school activities at the private school, and an overview of the new materials and subjects we hope to cover in the next few months.
- We will not go 100% back to a “full-time” schedule for a few weeks to allow a bit of a ramp -up.
College Start Date: August 29, 2022
- This will be our first week back to school with only one student in the house.
- Because I am expecting a bit of grace needed for both of us as we adjust, this week will also be incredibly flexible and not a “full-time” week of learning.
Daily Learning Routine Begins: September 6, 2022
- It is my hope that we will be in a better place to put in more time and effort by this 4 day week (after Labor Day).
- As always, all is subject to change based on anxiety levels and overall ability to transition into the new routine.

In the meantime, here is what our summer learning looked like last week.

Last Week’s Homeschool Lesson Plans vs. Reality:

Monday

THE PLAN

YouTube Video
Learner’s Permit Practice Quiz
Blood Plasma Infusion – 4 hours

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Blood Plasma Infusion – 4 hours
Learner’s Permit Practice Quiz – Now that he has completed the online course, we are working through actual practice quizzes provided by the DMV. I have no idea what to expect in terms of accommodations from the DMV, so we are getting as prepared as possible before taking the actual test.
YouTube Video – Our Planet: High Seas Documentary

Tuesday

THE PLAN

Audiobook and Discussion
Social Time with friends at school – 1 hour
Art class – 1 hour
Voice class – 1 hour

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Audiobook and Discussion
Social Skills and Art – Because his teacher is out on vacation, he is not attending as planned this week and next. Instead, we practiced watercolors at home.
YouTube – The 12 Most Famous Paintings Of All Time and discussion (He did not agree with the creator’s choices)
Voice class – 1 hour

Wednesday

THE PLAN

Physical Therapy – 2 hours
Learner’s Permit Practice Quiz
Spelling Practice
You Tube Video – kids’ choice
Ocean Study – Final Lesson

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Physical Therapy – 2 hours
Learner’s Permit Practice Quiz
Spelling Practice using text messages
Ocean Study – Final

Thursday

THE PLAN

Audiobook and Discussion
Social Time with friends at school – 1 hour
Art class – 1 hour
Rock Climbing Class – 2 hours

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Audiobook and Discussion
Beyond Personal Finance
Reviewed Enrichment Options on Education Perfect
Rock Climbing class – 2 hours

Friday

THE PLAN

Rock Climbing
You Tube Video – kids’ choice and educational
Beyond Personal Finance
Audiobook and discussion

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Rock Climbing
YouTube Video – Astronomer Jill Tarter
Google Research (totally interest-led) – UN Treaty of Outer Space