We have a 10 year old and have been homeschooling since the start. Kids do well with clearly defined structure, plenty to keep them busy, and strict limitations on screen time. Some recommendations:
1) offset parental time vs kid time awake by two hours; we stay up late he wakes up early. It gives us each space.
2) before we wake up he has chores: load the dishwasher and feed the chickens.
3) After morning chores that he has two options read or free time on his graphing calculator; he's known to read 75+ pages each morning in a children's novel.
4) Every morning he cooks his own breakfast; he prefers home made pancakes from scratch (with goose eggs this time of year
)
5) We eat breakfast together every morning around 8:30-9; then school starts.
6) Class times are 1 hour each and he's expected to self teach in his room which is set up with a desk.
7) He's allowed out once per subject to ask questions if he needs help; generally he has to ask mom first, then me if she can't help... as I work from home and prefer not to be interrupted.
8) The school day is also punctuated twice with half hour snack times, which he must fend for himself.
9) Throughout the school day he's allowed any type of music he would like so long as it has no lyrics and I can't hear it from the office.
10) We alternate days of art and music; he's very well supplied to self indulge in both subjects and is generally left free with "show us what you did" expectation.
11) each day has a physical education time which we generally encourage to be outside... even if its raining/snowing (with proper gear).
12) The core subjects... math, science, english, social studies we provide text books and he's expected to complete specific assignments.
In math he's about 2-3 years ahead of his level; generally he has 30+ "math problems" daily
In science we've kept him supplied with college level text of various subjects and expect him to read and show reading comprehension via verbal discussion at the end of the school day.
In English we focus on writing - his least favorite subject - and we generally push him with high expectations to churn out essays, letters, stories, and poetry
In social studies he's generally using material "at his grade level" and we expect him to read through the text book and answer the questions at the end.
13) The school day ends at 4 and he has chores again for about an hour; feed the chickens... clean up, etc.
14) After end of day chores he generally gets free time to do as he pleases and is well worn from his day.
15) Then dinner comes... its his job to see the table is clear and set, then cleared again after.
16) Usually in the evening he gets computer time... he's generally not allowed on the internet. Its during this time he learns computer programming... its not "school time" per say... but I generally challenge him with questions and he's gaining understanding of c++, python, arduino, rasperry pi, javascript, html/css, etc. He's allowed no more than 2 hours of screen time.
17) then shower... and mom reads to him for 30-40 minutes before bed.
Rinse repeat 5 days of the week. Weekends are far less structured.
