What A Homeschool “Lifestyle of Learning” Really Looks Like

Homeschoolers often talk about having a “lifestyle of learning” but what does it really mean? Every week this year, I am sharing an in-depth look our weekly lesson plans, as well as a recap of our prior week, in an effort to show you what it really looks like. This is Week 13 in a 52 week series all about real life, interest-led learning.

What A "Lifestyle of Learning" Really Looks Like In Your Homeschool

After reviewing our quarterly record of learning earlier this week, it hit me that we only have 12 weeks left in my sons freshman year of high school (one more quarter to go). I think we are on track, but only because I took the time to summarize what we’ve learned here and in our homeschool records.

This is always, always, always how it feels when you take this type of approach to homeschooling (and maybe if you homeschool in general).

  • Am I doing enough?
  • Do we need a new math program?
  • I am not sure this is going to work.
  • Will he really be able to graduate as a homeschooler?

I could list about a million more questions and doubts that I’ve had over the years. Part of it is my nature. I feel an intense responsibility for my son’s education, maybe more than I should, because I truly believe this is our only choice. The weight of this reality means more anxiety and concern than I’d like to admit.

lifestyle of learning

What A “Lifestyle of Learning” Really Looks Like

The other part though, is why I have chosen to share these recaps each week. When you homeschool with an interest-led lifestyle of learning, there are no report cards or check boxes.

Over the years, I have certainly become more confident in our homeschool and my ability to help my children learn. But, still, here I am, one quarter left to go in this school year, and I find myself worrying that I am not doing enough.

If you feel this way too, please know, you are not alone. Also, please know that I think this is just an inherent part of learning in this way.

I firmly believe that learning as a way of life is absolutely the best choice for many of our kiddos. Unfortunately, it is also is one that gives us very little measurement.

It’s why I keep track of all of this. My state doesn’t require anything other than an attendance record. I keep these records for myself – to remind me that what we are doing each day adds up over time to an entire education.

Maybe you need the reminder as well?

Take a look at everything we accomplished this week as part of a “lifestyle of learning.”

lifestyle of learning

Real Life Example: Homeschool Lesson Plans vs. Reality

Monday

THE PLAN

  • YouTube Video – His choice
  • Finish last Friday’s shipping routes map
  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • Infusion – 4 hours

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Tuesday

THE PLAN

  • Drivers Ed Online
  • Everyday Math Word Problems
  • Ancient American History
  • YouTube Video – His choice, something educational
  • Online Voice/Music Lesson – one hour
  • Current Events Discussion – read and discuss various news reports

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Notes on Tuesday: For reading practice, I print out the lyrics to a song that my son enjoys, but does not yet know all the words to (using a larger font and extra line spacing). My son will then read through the lyrics as reading/dyslexia reinforcement. We also played “Name that Tune” to work on processing speed, something I throw in from time to time now that we are no longer participating in any educational therapies.

lifestyle of learning

Wednesday

THE PLAN

  • Physical Therapy – 2 hours
  • Driver’s Ed Module
  • CTCMath
  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • Science: Human Body Study
  • Current Events Discussion – read and discuss various news reports

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Thursday

THE PLAN

  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • Social Time with friends – 1 hour
  • Art class – 1 hour
  • Rock Climbing with friends – 3 hours

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • Social Time with friends – 1 hour
  • Art class – 1 hour
  • Rock Climbing with friends – 3 hours

Friday

THE PLAN

  • CTCMath
  • Current Events Discussion – read and discuss various news reports
  • Creative Writing Activity
  • YouTube Video – his choice and educational
  • Science: Human Body Study

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

technology education with MYTEK LAB

Our Homeschool Lesson Plans For This Week

Monday

  • Field trip with friend to museum and science center

Reference Notes: Every Monday, my son has subcutaneous immunoglobin infusions. This week, we have scheduled his infusion on Sunday afternoon to allow us to go on this field trip.

Tuesday

  • Drivers Ed Online
  • Everyday Math Word Problems
  • Human Body Final Overview
  • YouTube Video – His choice, something educational
  • Online Voice/Music Lesson – one hour
  • Current Events Discussion – read and discuss various news reports

Reference Notes: Tuesdays are our first full school day of the week. Because my son always feels better post-Monday’s infusion, we typically do a large percentage of our more traditional homeschool work on this day.

Wednesday

  • Rock Climbing with Coach – 2 hours
  • Driver’s Ed Module
  • CTCMath
  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • Science: Human Body Study
  • Current Events Discussion – read and discuss various news reports

Thursday

  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • YouTube Video – His choice
  • Reading practice – Shakespeare
  • Rock Climbing with friends – 3 hours

Reference Notes: We typically spend Thursdays in lessons mostly outside our home.  My son attends a program on Thursday afternoons through a local private school. The school is closed this week for Spring Break so we are making do at home.

Friday

  • CTCMath
  • Current Events Discussion – read and discuss various news reports
  • Creative Writing Activity
  • YouTube Video – his choice and educational
  • Ancient American History

New Interest-Led Homeschool Lesson Plans And Updates, Every Week

Get Our Weekly Homeschool Lesson Plans

Sent directly to your inbox each week.

    We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
    Built with ConvertKit

    Additional Resources For Strength-Based And Interest-Led Homeschooling

    Take a look at all of our past lesson plans and recaps!

    Research shows that a learner allowed to spend the most time studying in areas of strength, tends to perform exponentially better in all areas including the areas of weakness.

    These resources will help you get started.

    Record Keeping For Interest-Led Homeschooling: Subject By Subject


    Shawna Wingert is a former training and development professional turned education specialist, and has homeschooled her two children for the last ten years.Shawna has written four books about homeschooling unique learners and has been featured in homeschooling discussions on Today.com, The Mighty, Simple Homeschool, My Little Poppies and Raising Lifelong Leaners. 


    You can find her online here at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.

    Similar Posts

    assessment in your homeschool

    Do You Need A Beginning Of The School Year Assessment In Your Homeschool? {Weekly Lesson Plan Recap #32}

    As we begin our new homeschool year, I am continuing to share all of our weekly lesson plans as well as a recap of how last week actually went. This is week 32 in this year long series. Last week was our first official week of the new school year. My son is now in…

    Homeschool transcripts
    |

    Unique Homeschool Portfolios, Record Keeping And Transcripts (Interest-Led)

    One of the most challenging aspects of interest led learning is figuring out how to keep track of all of it. Because our children are the ones guiding much of the learning, how do we keep records, design homeschool portfolios and create high school transcripts if we take an interest led approach to homeschooling? I…