It’s time to share some Tips for Planning Your Homeschool Year!
If you’re new to this series, be sure to read our homeschool tips & tricks intro.
As much as you might want to skip the “boring parts” of planning, I don’t advise jumping into homeschooling without a plan. If you do, you’re likely to set yourself up for disaster. Even after homeschooling for nearly ten years, I still take the time to think, pray, and plan.
Here are eight tips I have for planning your homeschool year. Keep in mind that it’s always good to plan, but being flexible with your plans is even more important!
*Please note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Tips for Planning Your Homeschool Year
1. Take the time to think and pray. If you homeschooled last year, think about the areas that glowed. What did you do well? What do you want to keep doing this year? Also consider areas where you need to grow. What didn’t go so well? What would you like to try differently?
If this is your first year, take time to consider your reasons for homeschooling. Pray about how you can plan this year to be successful.
2. Set goals for this year. You may want to set overall goals for your family. You’ll also want to set academic and character goals for each of your learners. Our Homeschool Lesson Planner has a couple of pages where you can do this for your learners.
3. Purchase your curriculum {if any}. If you already have your homeschool curriculum picked out, go ahead and purchase it so you can look at it ahead of time.
4. Find a homeschool planner you love. I have created a Homeschool Lesson Planner, and I’m super excited to share it with you! A planner can help you keep thoughts and ideas from clouding your head and get them onto paper. {Also check out our student planner for your middle or high school learners.}
5. Think about your overall schedule for your homeschool year. Does the year-round model interest you? Perhaps you’d rather homeschool the traditional months of August/September through May. Maybe you’re going to have a baby in November. Look ahead and map out what would be the best plan for your year.
Because my oldest son goes to a private school, we follow his schedule. When he’s in school, so are we. When he’s out, we are too. It just makes life easier.
6. Set aside a dedicated amount of time to plan. It takes time and concentration for me to come up with a game plan. That usually requires time away from my kids {because they’re LOUD}. I think through my year, my curriculum, and my weekly/daily routines {we’ll talk more specifically about routines coming up next}.
7. Map out your first couple of weeks, but DON’T plan too far ahead. I think it’s super helpful to map out your first couple of weeks for many reasons. In these first couple of weeks, I recommend starting small, maybe with just reading, spelling, and math, and building up to more. Your first couple of weeks are better spent introducing the routines that will help your entire year run more smoothly.
I DO NOT, however, recommend planning way ahead! If you plan and write out your lessons too far in advance, you might be tempted to follow your plan instead of being flexible to respond to your child’s needs. For example, what if your child remembers more than you thought he/she would and you’re okay to skip some of the review lessons? What if your child really struggles to remember concepts and you have to spend more time on a particular skill? Remember the key to homeschooling: be flexible!
8. Lastly, start organizing your space and your supplies. If you have a schoolroom, it’s time to organize the space for your stuff and your learners. You can take a peek at our homeschool room to maybe get some ideas. Or drool over all the ideas on my Homeschool Organization Pinterest board!
You’ll also need to think through supplies. Do you need a laminator this year? Do you need some pattern blocks? Go ahead and make your list, then be on the lookout for sales!
Find all the posts in this homeschool series…
Enjoy homeschooling!
~Becky
Leave a Reply