Home School Help: Homeschool Planning Made Simple

With the new school year fast approaching, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve accomplished in the past year and define where we want to go!

Below you’ll find a list of ways I prepare and organize for the year ahead.

These simple steps help…

MINIMIZE CLUTTER

BRING ORDER

DEFINE PURPOSE

in the education arena in my home.

6 Steps for Successful Homeschooling Planning

Step 1: Bring Closure to Prior School Year

I use a pocket expanding folder to store samples of my children’s work during the school year. I label each division by subject. I also label the front with the child’s name, grade and dates of the year.

These folders are easy to store, make a great keepsake for the child, and organize work samples that may be required by your state.

Our state also requires us to keep track of attendance and lesson plans. I also list the books we’ve read during the year and any extra-curricular activities. I clip these forms together and file them away.

Find out the homeschool requirements in California or in your state!

Check out the links above to see and print for free the forms I use!

Step 2: Write Subject Goals for Upcoming Year

My homeschooling philosophy tends to lean more towards a Charlotte Mason approach. So, my subject goals include some curriculum but mainly a long list of books to read and unit studies to cover.

I have chosen a form that suits me from among these free, printable term and subject planners. I print one form per subject and refer to it throughout the year to make my weekly lesson plans.

Here are the subjects we will cover in my sons’ 3rd and 1st grade year. Some we cover on a daily basis while others only on a weekly basis.

-Math, Phonics, Handwriting, History, Science, Read-Alouds, Art, Art History, Music History, French, Creative Writing, Handicrafts

Step 3: Make a Wishlist

Inevitably, the subject plans I make include new curriculum, books or supplies to purchase. Next, I make my wishlist! After some research online, I add prices to my list and then, total up my potential expenditure.

Finally, I prioritize by asking myself these questions.

-What on my list is absolutely necessary?

-Can I possibly make, borrow or invent some of my homeschool supplies (like science kits and art supplies)?

-What on my list do I need right away in the fall? Are there any purchases that can wait until mid-year? Christmas and birthdays are great times to ask relatives for homeschool books!

Step 4: Pray for Homeschool Purchases

God so faithfully supports us in our homeschooling journey. He stands by us in our convictions, gives us our homeschooling vision and empowers us to make it happen!

This includes empowering us to find the materials He has laid on our hearts to use. Because we have a strict homeschooling budget, I’ve learned to only buy what I need for the first half of the year when possible. This helps me spread the expense out through the year and to avoid stockpiling curriculum that I may never use.

MONEY-SAVING TIP: Buy second-hand!

Pray over your needs. Expect God to supply in unexpected ways! Some of my best homeschool finds have come from:

-garage sales

-used bookstores

-a friend’s generosity

-www.ebay.com (The world’s largest garage sale!)

-www.rainbowresource.com

Step 5: Develop Your Teacher Notebook

This is an invaluble, central location for all my homeschooling paperwork. I use a 3-ring binder and dividers to keep my current lesson plans, former lesson plans, subject planner, and book lists in order.

Save money! Create your own planner for free!

Go to www.donnayoung.org to print all the forms you need.

This year, I am adding my household’s master chore list, meal planning chart and my children’s activities’ information so my notebook will be even more functional not only for school but for home as well!

Step 6: Declutter Homeschool Materials

Avoid hoarding homeschool curriculum and supplies. I sift through my homeschool cupboards a couple times a year to see if there are any materials I can unload.

At the end of this past school year, I gave a couple of boxes of materials away to friends who were just starting their homeschooling journey.

I use 1 cupboard in my laundry room for curriculum and 2 in my garage for supplies, books on CD etc. Nothing fancy! I do like to organize my curriculum by subject so it’s easy to find.

More stuff can mean more mess and more time! Simplify when possible. Don’t let fear hold you back from letting some stuff go!

Here’s a fun tip for organizing daily homeschool materials!