We are getting ready to start homeschooling and I was wondering if any of you have ground rules for your "classroom"?

Thanks,

Amy

We are relaxed homeschoolers, but my rules are:  chores first, then "school work".  No computer until after lunch (or nothing would get done).  Free time computer (games) is only after 3 pm and only 30 min per day.  Other than that, they are free to schedule their own time within those parameters.  One will do math early to get it done and the other will put it off till the last minute!  :)

Jenny

Yes, and if I don't follow them I get a time out :)   Seriously, we do.   You must be at school on time, hair brushed, and teeth brushed.  We allow a certain amount of tv before and after school.  We don't start school until 11:30 however.  The rules of the household overflow into the classroom.  Whatever applies at home, applies at school. 

HTH

None too hard and fast because that's the beauty of homeschooling :), but bad attitudes are the worst offense and meet with the most punishment. 

They get to watch t.v. during lunch but then no computer or t.v. till after 3pm and only if school work is finished.

Have fun!

good point about the television rules. Hadn't really considered that, but I can see how that could be important ground work to lay!

Thanks for the great ideas, please keep them coming!

Not so much rules as schedule flow. We flow through our day. Too much bad behavior or poor cooperation might land you some extra busywork after school, though. Also, if you are particularly naughty during school, and school takes much more time than it should, you owe me chores to help keep my housework on schedule. :)

Lunch after math.....no lunch until math is done. Took him till 5:30pm one day to decide he would do his worksheet...had lunch around 6:30pm. He's done with math by 10:30am now!

Here's a few:

Always do you best effort. Less than that will result in an assignment being redone as many times as it takes.

Complaining of boredom will result in mom finding something for you to do, and it's usually a chore she doesn't want to do.

If schoolwork is not completed in a timely manner, social activities and "electronic" activities will cease.

You can do your work anywhere (on your bed, on the deck, hanging upside down off the couch) unless mom sees a decline in quality. Then mom decides where you work and it will be where she can see you.

Yep.  We keep it short and sweet:

Be kind.

Be respectful.

Be polite.

or

Be Quiet!

When you think about it, it pretty much covers it.

We don't have a lot of "rules" either.  The big is that if you don't want to do school, you must go to your room and not come out until you're ready to do school.  This works great for my DD.  She hates being alone. 

The rest are just house rules.  Don't talk when someone else is talking.  Obey Mommy, ect.

We only have three household rules and they apply to school too.

1. Listen to mommy and daddy.

2. Always do your best and tell the truth

3. Always be nice to other people and animals (we have 10 animals in the house so that's an important one)

Anything else pretty much fits into one of those three categories.

We don't have any hard and fast rules...other than the Golden Rule.  That prety much covers alot.  But I'm thinking of instilling more rules as time goes on...I think the more discipline I have for them the better the overall day will be.  ??

We don't have special rules per say other than regular house rules "be nice or you will not be allowed to play together" kinds of things.  I AM finding out that a routine makes everything work more smoothly.  After everyone gets up, dressed, breakfast, has a little morning TV/play time to relax.... we do housework!  If everyone pitches in we are good to go in about 30 minutes.  Then some school work, then lunch, then naps for my youngest.... older two can do some art or other activities of choice. Some days the older two and I will read together during this time.   A movie is allowed during this time if they want down time.  After naps we go outside, maybe walk to the Library or Post Office, run errands etc.  Then some days it's after school activities time.... Girl Scouts etc.    Then dinner, baths, play/tv, then bed.  They like knowing what to expect!  Me too!

Edie

re: Angela L

I have to agree with the "bad attitudes". I think more parents should focus more on the attitudes of their children. I'm glad to see someone else that has a  "worse" punishment for an attitude!!

Lisa

Yes we have rules. Someday he might have to go to public school, we want him to know how to act, so he won't be out of place there.

I agree with those who said they follow a schedule and deal with "the bad attitudes" with greater punishment.  I have found if one child has a bad attitude it kind of breeds and next thing you know the whole house is cranky.  If you deal with the bad attitude quickly, peace remains. 

I also found that if we have a flexible schedule we function better, get more done and don't have as many bad attitudes.  The children know what to expect when and it makes it easier on them.

I say flexible, because if it is too ridgid, I get stressed trying to stay on schedule.  But, if the schedule is too flexible I have to deal with the fall out.  So  and in between is what is best for our family. 

Other than that, our biggest rule is if you can't treat your family with kindness and respect don't expect to get to spend time with friends.