What Does the Ninety Percent Rule Look Like in My Homeschool?
Sheila CarrollShare
Enjoy the audio version of this blog post.
Mothers wrote to tell me what a relief to hear about the 90% Rule. If you feel the same, you will enjoy exploring what the 90% Rule looks like in your homeschool. Prefer audio? Listen here.
Last week I shared what I call the 90% Rule of Homeschooling.
The idea comes from Mark Levy in his book Accidental Genius. Levy noticed that in most kinds of work, the first ninety percent produces the real gains. The final ten percent—bringing something to absolute completion—often requires a great deal of effort yet adds comparatively little to the work's value.
What does the 90% Rule look like in your homeschool day?
First, not every subject has to be done every day. Nor should your elementary-age child spend more than 15-40 minutes on an assignment. The lessons lengthen as the child gets older.
Second, academics should, ideally, be done by noon. The afternoon is reserved for outdoor time, nature study, music lessons, handwork, kitchen help, and snuggle time on the sofa with a shared family book.
As Miss Mason wrote in Home Education:
“The morning’s work should be finished by twelve or one o’clock, leaving the afternoon free for exercise, handicrafts, and other pursuits.”
Third, a typical timetable looks something like this:
9:00 – Opening / Scripture
9:15–12:00 or 12:30 – Lessons (short lessons in rotation)
Afternoon – Free time, nature walks, handicrafts, games, music practice
The afternoon is intentionally free from academic study. Miss Mason believed that children should work with full attention in short, focused lessons rather than endure long school days.
“The success of the method depends on short lessons… the child works with his whole mind during the time.” Home Education
When lessons are short and focused, a long academic day becomes unnecessary.
Charlotte Mason built her schools on this principle. Lessons were short, books were rich, and children were expected to think about what they heard and read, and to narrate regularly.
Many parents discover that when the day becomes lighter, something surprising happens.
Children begin to engage. Curiosity and creativity return. Resistance lessens.
Children want to learn and to enjoy learning. Short lessons, living books, and outdoor time make this possible.
That is the spirit behind the curriculum we publish at Living Books Press.The goal is to offer rich experiences, living books, and thoughtful lessons.
We planned our curriculum with Miss Mason's rhythm in mind. The weekly and monthly schedule is organized around those recommended by Miss Mason.
If this way of homeschooling appeals to you...
Consider exploring the Curriculum Bundles, which include a grade-level teaching guide and all books published by Living Books Press.
Explore the Curriculum Bundles
Or, explore the individual Teaching Guides.