Homeschooling

Start Homeschooling Mid-Year with A Gentle Feast

December

Homeschooling is a natural, adaptable way of teaching and learning that fits into any family’s lifestyle—no matter the time of year. If you’re thinking about starting mid-year, A Gentle Feast makes the transition simple, with step-by-step guidance and resources to support your journey.

Core Subjects: Language Arts

When beginning mid-year, the first step is determining your child’s levels for language arts. At A Gentle Feast, these core subjects are customized to meet each child’s unique needs, while history and science are taught family-style, bringing everyone together.

How to Get Started:

For Early Readers

- Option 1: Start at Lesson 1 and move at a regular pace. Don’t stress about completing the book by summer—it’s more important to build a strong educational foundation.

- Option 2: If your child has already mastered some material, focus on the areas they need most, completing more than one lesson a day and skipping sections they’ve already learned.

For Proficient Readers:

Start at the beginning of the Language Arts Books for your child’s form and move through the lessons sequentially. The skills are taught holistically and your child will see them again, so there’s no need to finish the book by the end of the year. Consistency is what matters.

For handwriting, pick a level that suits your child. This might include starting cursive if they’re ready to take that step!

Family-Style Learning: History & Science

History and science are ideal subjects for starting mid-year because you can easily combine multiple ages together with meaningful, family-style lessons.

- Science: There are two scientists and two science concepts per year. I would focus on completing one by the end of the year.

- History: Begin with the history cycle that most closes matches what you have already been doing, or simply start back at Cycle 1 (The Age of Exploration). Look at the book selections for the different forms and see what you can combine, based on your children’s ages. I recommend starting with only the American history stream to finish out the year. At the end of the year, you can keep going with this cycle or start fresh with the next one. Need more information about A Gentle Feast’s approach to history, read this blog post.

Addressing Common Homeschool Concerns

Finding the Time

Worried about fitting homeschooling into your busy life? With A Gentle Feast, you can design a schedule that works for your family. Whether you school year-round, follow a traditional calendar, or fit lessons into evenings or weekends, flexibility is key.

Need help organizing your day? Watch our 5 Steps to a Life-Giving Homeschool video for practical tips to create a rhythm that works for you.

Socialization

Concerned about social opportunities? Homeschooling offers endless ways to connect! Join local co-ops, sports teams, art classes, or community events to help your kids build relationships with peers.

Homeschool Space

You don’t need a dedicated classroom to homeschool successfully. Many families use their kitchen table, couch, or even the park for lessons. Simple tools like a rolling cart or bookshelf can keep supplies organized and accessible.