What is your favorite time of the year? Perhaps it is a holiday or a season? I love homeschool planning season! When the homeschool catalogs start to arrive and the sales start, it’s better than my birthday. I love planning out the new homeschool year. And I’m always up for simplifying the schedule to make these easier for our family. But just how to do that?
How to Focus Your Homeschool Planning
With all the resources available for homeschooling, it is easy to be overwhelmed. Focus your homeschool planning by creating lists:
- What resources do you currently have?
- What supplies, resources, and curriculum do you need?
- What is working well in your homeschool?
- What is not working in your homeschool?
- What can you add to your schedule?
Simplifying the Schedule by Using Great Resources
Where do you look for information about homeschooling resources? As part of The Old Schoolhouse® family, we have several ideas to share with you. In addition to reading and searching this website—HomeschoolingFinds.com—we also recommend reading the digital magazine online or the app. You can find the seasonal resource guides at TOSMagazine.com or HomeschoolApp.com. These guides feature a variety of curriculum for your homeschool.
Another great place to look for new ways to teach math, fun new books, or full curriculum, is the Homeschool Influencer Network Influencer Team. Members of the team share products courtesy of the Network as well as products they find on their own. During July, one influencer has been focusing on shark-themed lessons. Another influencer shares tips for a healthier lifestyle with easy-to-make snacks and lunch ideas. And if you need a new science curriculum? Little Learner and Mom posted what their family will be using in their homeschool for their middle schooler this year.
If you prefer to read blogs, we have an Evaluator Team that shares about curriculum on HomeschoolingFinds.com as well as on their own sites. Heather, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, Brio Magazine, and The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently writes at ThriftSchooling.com. She recently shared about Little Lions Decodable Books for us.
Planning Styles and Techniques
Simplifying the schedule can happen when you find the style or technique to plan your homeschool day that works for you. So whether you like to write everything out in great detail or just have a basic plan for the week, knowing your likes and dislikes when it comes to planning is good. Having a schedule will also help you protect your time.
Here are a few places where you can learn more about planning styles and resources:
- Planning, Planners, and Preparing for the New Homeschool Year (A series of resources from our authors.)
- Three Tips to Help You Plan Your Home School (Making planning work for you.)
- Homeschool Planning & Record Keeping (Using calendars, binders, and more!)
- Episode 26: Homeschool Planning: Breathing Room and Simplicity (Heather Vogler from The Old Schoolhouse® interviews homeschool legend Cynthia Simunovich, Director of Branson Academy.)
- The Homeschool Minute: Homeschool Planning: Breathing Room and Simplicity (Connect with our favorite authors to read advice about homeschool planning.)
Simplifying the Schedule for the New Homeschool Year
One key takeaway from this article? A plan can be changed. Adapt to the new problems that creep up during the homeschool year. Don’t feel tied down to a curriculum just because you bought it or because it worked for your older child(ren). Be prepared to get rid of curriculum or courses that aren’t working for your children and family. A plan is just that—a plan.
HomeschoolingFinds.com Author
This article has been written by Kristen Heider. She is the Business Building Team Manager of The Old Schoolhouse® and the Social Media Manager of HomeschoolingFinds.com. She shares more about her family’s homeschooling journey at A Mom’s Quest Teach.