Comments on: What counts as homeschooling? https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:19:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Jamie C. Martin https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-804049 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-804049 In reply to H.

You might be able to find out more if you look at hslda.org and check out their map of varying homeschool laws.

Since most schools in the US typically work with 180 day school year, 875 hours would break down to a little less than 5 hours per day. That would probably be for all subjects combined, so I think that gives you a lot of flexibility to create your own school day according to what suits you and yours! It doesn’t mean that you have to be doing lectures and academic assignments for that entire time.

]]> By: H https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-803938 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-803938 The state of Wisconsin and others requires 875 hours logged per school year.So can I still count “everything” or do they mean 875 in only the “required” subjects?Alot of people including me seem confused by this.How would we find out.

]]> By: Marilu https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-587972 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-587972 In reply to melyssa.

All of my kids are artistic–one is studying animation in college, and another one wants to. I love SpongeBob, and think it is valuable for the humor, writing, animation, and family time spent watching.

]]> By: Julie https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-494639 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-494639 The idea of Always Learning is paramount. With a teacher-student ratio of 1:6 (all on different grade levels), I can’t be “teaching” everyone all the time. There are subjects that are mandatory each day (reading, math), but when I’m working one-on-one with someone, the others tend to putter about exploring, creating, experimenting and (most of the time) it’s all okay. It doesn’t look like the local school, but that’s one of the reasons they are at home.

]]> By: Christy R https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-494159 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-494159 Oh, yes. I live in a state that requires certain subjects. I’ve started writing down what we do just to make sure that if they ever ask, I can say, “Yup. Not every day, but here it is.” It’s been really helpful for me to sit down at the end of those days where we didn’t do much school type work and write down what we did do and assign a category, and think about how valuable it is. Playing outside as PE, kids telling me what they’ve figured out in math or reading signs, social skills when playing together or with friends, watching Wild Kratts, listening to the Narnia Chronicles on audio book in the van – it all counts. Playing in the mud pit is totally science. So is finding a dead snake on a walk. There’s really very little we do that doesn’t count. And when I write it down, it encourages me that the kids really are getting what they need. And much more than a lot of kids.

]]> By: jennie https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-390630 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-390630 What subject woukd I count board games under? Like trouble, connect 4, sequence, etc.

]]> By: Catherine @ A Spirited Mind https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-355768 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-355768 In reply to Charlotte.

Well said. I completely agree.

]]> By: Katy https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-355607 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-355607 In reply to Charlotte.

Great points!

]]> By: PJ https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-291725 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-291725 Thanks so much for writing this article, it was definitely needed today!! I do have a question I would REALLY appreciate anyone’s input on. My husband and I have VERY different ideas about how to homeschool and what “qualifies” as homeschooling. For example, I want to take our kids to a meeting with my mom and the ALS clinic where my dad was treated. I thought it would be interesting for them to be a part of the planning meeting because the clinic wants to set up a garden for the families who come there for treatment. After the meeting, I was planning to take them to the Museum of Arts & Sciences near us. However, my husband says “No” because they won’t have time to get their “schooling” done before we need to leave…really? Am I wrong to think that this would be a good, educational experience for them? I’ve already told him that he could either let them do some of tomorrow’s work today to ease up on the amount they have to do tomorrow or I will cover it with them on Friday, even Saturday if needed. However, he is adamant that they should not go out tomorrow but finish their schoolwork instead. This wouldn’t be so bad if it were just this one thing, but we have this argument frequently. I am just feeling very discouraged right now and wish that somehow we could get on the same page, or at least close pages, when it comes to homeschooling. Any suggestions, input would be greatly appreciated!! And if anyone would like to share directly, my email is greyleigh@hotmail.com

Thank you for letting me share!

]]> By: Megan https://simplehomeschool.net/what-counts/#comment-261887 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=20520#comment-261887 What a great reminder. I completely agree that we need to ask ourselves if this is worthwhile and our kids are truly getting something out of it.

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