The Best Ways to Effortlessly Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool to Make Sure It Will Happen (E29)
Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to tailor your children’s education to their individual needs and interests. Music education is an integral part of a well-rounded curriculum, fostering creativity, discipline, and cognitive development. However, ensuring that music education consistently happens can be challenging when we homeschool moms have so many other subjects and activities we must get to. In today’s episode, we’ll explore the best ways to effortlessly schedule music education in your homeschool, incorporating various fun and easy techniques and tips, to make sure it becomes a regular part of your routine.
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.
1. Use a Planner to Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool
One of the most effective ways to ensure music education happens regularly is by using a planner. Whether you prefer a paper planner or an online/digital one, each has its benefits.
Paper Planners
Paper planners offer a tactile experience that many find satisfying. Writing down your schedule can help solidify your plans and make them feel more concrete. You can customize your planner with different colors for various subjects, including music, to make it visually appealing and easier to navigate. Add stickers or washi tape for even more fun! Additionally, using a physical planner can reduce screen time, which is a plus for many homeschooling families.
An alternative option that is similar to a paper planner, is what I’ve been using the past several years: the Rocketbook teacher planner. It has plastic-type pages that can be erased–either with an erasable pen which is used to write in it–or with water and a cloth. I love that it’s compact and easy to carry. And, it doesn’t lead to waste because it’s reusable. I can still make it fun by using different colors of pens in it.
Online/Digital Planners
Digital planners, on the other hand, offer flexibility and convenience. With options like Google Calendar, Trello, or specialized homeschooling apps such as Homeschool Planet, you can easily adjust your schedule as needed. Digital planners can send reminders and notifications, helping you stay on track. Some can even send your children their school to-do list each day. They are also accessible from multiple devices, making it easy to update your schedule on the go. I also love that some can easily move the lessons to the next day if you get behind due to an illness or emergency.
Read a review I did of Homeschool Planet here.
2. Pick a Scheduling Method for Music Education in Your Homeschool
Different scheduling methods can help you incorporate music education effectively into your homeschool routine. Here are some tried-and-true techniques that I have tried and had success with.
Loop Scheduling
Loop scheduling is a flexible method that can work wonders for music education. Instead of assigning specific subjects to specific days, you create a loop of subjects to rotate through. For example, your loop might include memory work, poetry study, art history, and music appreciation. Each day, you move to the next subject in the loop. This way, if life happens and you miss a day, you simply pick up where you left off, ensuring that music (as well as the other subjects and activities on your list) isn’t neglected.
Block Scheduling
Block scheduling involves dedicating larger chunks of time to fewer subjects each day. For instance, you might spend the entire morning on music education every other Tuesday. This method allows for deep dives into music, providing ample time for learning, listening, and creative exploration, without the pressure of switching subjects frequently.
Morning Time
Morning Time, also known in homeschool families as Circle Time or Morning Basket Time, is a popular homeschool routine where the family gathers together to start the day with various activities. Including music education in your Morning Time can be an excellent way to ensure it happens regularly. You might start with singing, listening to a piece of classical music, or a short music theory lesson. Some specific courses we’ve gone through in our Morning Time are Recorder Time with Mr. Jerry, Learn Classical Music with Cartoons, State Songs of the 50 U.S. States, Music Appreciation of the Romantic Era, or my friend Kathryn’s Ukulele Adventures. Most recently we’ve been doing the Music Lesson Calendar of the Month from the Music in Our Homeschool Plus membership. The key is to make it a consistent part of your morning ritual, and it will for sure happen every day!
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that can be adapted for scheduling music education in your homeschool. This technique involves breaking down the day into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes long, called “pomodoros,” followed by short breaks. Here’s how you can implement it for music education:
How It Works
- Set a Timer for 25 Minutes: Decide on a specific music activity, such as doing a lesson from the A Year of Charlotte Mason Music Lessons online course. You could alternatively have your child practice an instrument, do a music theory lesson, or listen to a new piece of music. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus solely on that activity without any interruptions.
- Take a 5-Minute Break: After the 25-minute session, take a short 5-minute break. Use this time to relax, stretch, or grab a snack.
- Repeat the Cycle: Complete four pomodoros (25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks in between). After the fourth pomodoro, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes to rest and recharge. These next pomodoros can be other subjects such as a reading lesson, math, science, or read-aloud.
Benefits of the Pomodoro Technique
- Improved Focus: The Pomodoro Technique helps improve concentration and focus by creating a sense of urgency and limiting distractions. This can be especially beneficial for music practice and study, where sustained attention is important.
- Regular Breaks: Regular breaks help prevent burnout and keep energy levels high, making it easier to maintain consistent practice and learning sessions.
- Flexibility: The technique is flexible and can be adjusted to fit different schedules and needs. If 25 minutes feels too long or too short, you can modify the length of the pomodoros and breaks. Many of the Music in Our Homeschool music lessons (such as in the 15-Minute Music Lessons online course) are only 15 minutes long. So, just do a 15-minute session and then take a break!
- Productivity: Breaking tasks into manageable intervals can increase productivity and make it easier for older students to tackle challenging or complex music topics.
Implementing the Pomodoro Technique for Music Education
- Goal Setting: Set specific goals for each pomodoro. For instance, focus on mastering a particular scale, understanding a music theory concept, or analyzing a piece of music. Clear objectives can make the sessions more productive and rewarding.
- Family Pomodoros: Involve the whole family by scheduling family pomodoros for group music activities, such as singing together, playing musical games, or enjoying a family jam session. This can make music education a shared and enjoyable experience.
Teaching Multiple Ages at Once
Homeschooling multiple children of different ages can be challenging, but it also presents an opportunity to integrate music education for all. In case you didn’t know, I had 8 children in 11 years and began homeschooling from the very beginning. Teaching multiple ages at once became a life-saver in our homeschool!
Music is a subject that can easily be adapted for different age groups. Many of the music courses from Music in Our Homeschool were written with this in mind. Music appreciation, such as the World Music or the American Music courses, can be enjoyed by all ages. Singing Made Easy is a course that was created to be used with ages 3 through adult. Another great multiple-ages course is Great Hymns of the Faith. Family music time can be a wonderful bonding experience and ensures everyone participates in music education in your homeschool.
Music Mondays/Fine Arts Fridays
Designating specific days for music or fine arts can help establish a routine and make it easier to remember. Music Mondays can start the week with a creative spark, while Fine Arts Fridays can provide a relaxing and enjoyable way to end the week. These themed days can include not only music but also art, dance, and other creative activities, enriching your homeschool curriculum. The premium tier of the Music in Our Homeschool Plus membership includes a painting lesson every month. What a fun way to begin or end each week–with music and art!
3. Be Flexible and Willing to Adjust Your Homeschool Music Education Scheduling Method
No matter how well you plan, it’s essential to remain flexible and willing to adjust your schedule as needed. Every single year I homeschool, and I started in 2005, I’ve had to adjust my schedule a few days or weeks into the homeschool year. Homeschooling offers the advantage of adaptability, so if you find a particular scheduling method isn’t working, don’t hesitate to try something new. Pay attention to your children’s engagement and progress, your own feelings about what’s working for you personally, and be open to tweaking your approach.
Evaluating and Adjusting
Regularly evaluate how your music education schedule is working. Are your children enjoying and benefiting from their music lessons? Are there particular times of day when they are more focused and receptive? Use this information to make informed adjustments. Perhaps shifting music education to a different time of day or changing the frequency can make a significant difference.
Involving Your Children
Involve your children in the scheduling process as well. Discuss with them the importance of music education and get their input on when they feel most inspired to learn music. This can increase their motivation and investment in the subject. Allowing older students some autonomy in their schedule can often lead to a more harmonious and effective homeschooling experience.
Conclusion for How to Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool
Incorporating music education into your homeschool routine doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By utilizing planners, exploring different tried-and-true scheduling methods, and remaining flexible, you can ensure that music becomes a cherished and regular part of your child’s education. Whether through Loop Scheduling, Block Scheduling, Morning Time, or themed days like Music Mondays, the key is to find what works best for your family and be willing to adjust as needed. With thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt, you can create a homeschool environment where music education thrives.
See the YouTube Video “The Best Ways to Effortlessly Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool to Make Sure It Will Happen” here:
Listen to the Podcast Episode “The Best Ways to Effortlessly Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool to Make Sure It Will Happen ”:
Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Read the Podcast Transcript here.
Related Posts:
- Transform Your Homeschool: Why the Revolutionary Music Lesson Calendar of the Month is Your Secret to an Unmatched Quality Music Education
- What Exactly is Music Appreciation and Why Take the Time to Include it in Your Homeschool?
- How to Successfully Include Music Education in a Charlotte Mason Homeschool? Tips, Methods, and Resources
