Homeschool schedule for 1st grade in Montana

1. 1Opening rhythm: calendar, chores, read-aloud, or morning basket.
2. 21st grade core block: phonics, early readers, hands-on math, handwriting, read-alouds, and short science or social studies blocks.
3. 3Breaks: movement, snack, outside time, or quiet reset before attention drops.
4. 4Family subjects: science, history, art, music, or nature study can often combine ages.
5. 5Compliance block: update attendance, work samples, or notes needed for Montana.
6. 6End-of-day reset: file work, preview tomorrow, and stop before the routine becomes unsustainable.

At least 720 hours of instruction each school fiscal year for grades 1-3, and at least 1,080 hours each school fiscal year for grades 4-12.

Keep attendance records for your homeschool and make them available to the county superintendent on request. Families should also keep a copy of the yearly notice and strong academic records, especially for high school, even though the available sources mainly speak to attendance.

No statewide testing requirement is described in the available sources reviewed here.

Start smaller than you think. A consistent two-hour routine that actually happens beats an ideal six-hour schedule that burns everyone out.