A Relaxed 3rd Grade Homeschool Schedule

Do you have a third grader? Are you unsure how their homeschool schedule should look? They’re ready to take on a bit more than last year, but you’re not sure how much. We follow a more relaxed 3rd grade homeschool schedule. I don’t follow a timed schedule. It would freak us all out if we got behind; it’s not my style.

>> See more homeschool schedule printables to make homeschool planning easy

But I do have a task list for my kids to complete, so they know what’s expected of them and when they’ll be done.

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Choosing the Best Homeschool Curriculum

Homeschooling is a lot of work, and it can be stressful.

You struggle with what curriculum to use, how much time you should spend on each subject, and if your kids are getting enough exercise. In addition to all the stress of homeschooling, there’s also the challenge of finding free resources for teaching different subjects.

Your kids have too many extracurricular activities, and with so much going on, it can be hard to get through a homeschool day without losing your mind!

I’ve created a 3rd grade homeschool schedule that will work for any family. Our children have tried and tested this schedule over the past few years, so we know it works!

My daughter loves her new routine because she gets plenty of time playing outside or screen time while still being able to do some reading or math practice each morning. In this post, I’ll show you exactly what our daily routine looks like so that you can create

Recommended Homeschooling Books for Moms

Are you just starting out with homeschooling? No need to worry! I’m here to assist you. Here are some of my top book recommendations to guide you on your homeschooling journey.

Homeschool Planning Guide for the Unorganized Mom: An easy-to-follow plan for successful homeschooling when you don’t even know where to startThe Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and LifeThe Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your KidsThe Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at HomeA Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of LearningThe Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education

 

Building Independent Learning Skills

By third grade, kids can handle things more independently, and it’s a good time to let them try some tasks without step-by-step help. Think things like reading a few pages quietly or doing a short worksheet. You’re still nearby to answer questions, but they’re starting to manage small chunks solo. This gives you a breather and helps them feel more confident.

Over time, this builds habits that are useful in later grades. You’re not expecting perfection—just giving space for them to try and learn from small mistakes. A timer or checklist can help them stay focused while you do something else nearby. It’s low-key and easy to adjust depending on how the day is going.

Recommended Daily Schedules

Need something more sturdy? You can try one of these daily schedules, I love visual schedules and as long as it’s easy to implement and your child can see what they’re doing each day, that’s a win.

Magnetic Dry Erase Weekly Calendar for Fridge: with Stain Resistant Technology – 17×12Daily Schedule Pocket Chart, BlueLOBZON Magnetic Responsibility Chart Dry Erase Board with 8 Marker Pen/Eraser Chore Chart/Reward Chart Meal Planner Calendar Dry Erase Boards for Family, Study Planning

 

Making Time for Fun and Curiosity

There are days when my child doesn’t get to everything; however, math, reading, and writing are done every day at the very least.

Sometimes, science and art get neglected, and I use Friday to catch up on what we missed during the week.

Not every moment needs to be academic. Leave room for fun things that your child enjoys, whether it’s building with blocks, watching ants outside, or drawing comics. These moments may not look like “school,” but they matter just as much. They bring balance to the day and give your child a chance to follow their interests.

You can also keep things flexible by having a few open-ended choices ready. For example, after lunch might be a good time to choose between puzzles, listening to a story, or a nature walk. This kind of freedom lets your child enjoy learning without pressure and helps the day flow more smoothly.

Recommended Homeschool Planning Resources

Need even more help with homeschool planning? Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Grab these homeschool planner resources to help you get your school year organized.

How long should a 3rd grader homeschool?

If she does everything on her list and doesn’t mess around, she can be one in 3 hours.

They say you should spend an hour for each grade up to 6th grade, and then 6 hours for grades seven and up.

I want you to use this as a guide; it won’t always be the same. There are things my child can get through pretty quickly, and there are other things she doesn’t like and will just space out or find other things to occupy her time, so she needs more redirection.

Do we go 3 hours straight? Nope.

There’s a snack and outside time in between. I don’t teach in the mornings; we get started after lunch. Ah, I love the flexibility of homeschooling.

You might like the weekly schedule instead of setting up a daily one each day, so you only have to plan it out once a week.

This looks more cluttered, and my daughter likes the daily schedule because she attaches it to her clipboard and can get started without me.

More Homeschool Schedule Printables

• Homeschool Routine Ideas
• How to Make a Daily Homeschool Schedule
• How to Make a Weekly Homeschool Schedule
• Kindergarten Homeschool Schedule
• 1st Grade Homeschool Schedule
• ADHD Homeschool Schedule By Look! We’re Learning!
• Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten by No Time for Flashcards

Remember, keeping things simple and flexible in your 3rd grade homeschool days can make a big difference. A steady rhythm with room to grow, explore, and relax helps everyone enjoy the process a bit more. You don’t need to pack the day full—just focus on what matters most for your family.

Get the third-grade homeschool schedule printables below