Right now, homescholing parents all over are starting to think about the new school year. Whether you are relaxed or structured in your homeschooling, it can feel overwhelming trying to make out a plan for all the subjects, books, field trips, classes and goals you want to cover.
Relax! It doesn't have to.
Here's three steps to take to make your homeschool planning simple (four if you want to go all out).
1. For each child, make a list of what you want to accomplish. For unschoolers, this could be general things like taking weekly field trips, working math into more everyday activities, reading to the kids every day, setting up neat art projects several times a week, taking part in Westward Ho! and so on. If you follow a curriculum, list those that you plan to use along with other goals (such as classes, subjects not covered, classes and coops, books you want to read, etc.).
If you want to see the Scope and Sequence (or typical course of study) for your child's grade to help in planning, World Book has one. Keep in mind that there is no merit in "keeping up with" public schools unless you plan to put your child in one soon, though (and even then, kids typically work it out pretty quickly if they haven't been taught the school's curriculum). Use scope and sequence guides only as guidelines and inspiration! One of the joys of homeschooling is that it can be tailored to meet the interests and skill levels of each child, after all.
Include your children in this process. Ask them what field trips they'd like to take, any subjects they're eager to learn about and so on.
2. Write down the following categories, with room under each one:
Daily
Several times a week
Weekly
Monthly or bimonthly
Several times this year
Once
3. Now write your goals down in the category they fit under. For instance, math is a daily goal for many homeschool families so that would go under daily. Reading might also go under daily. Writing and history might be several times a week, while science projects and visits to the library might be weekly. This obviously needs to be tailored to each child and each family. Some kids may do science every day, for instance.
Remember to keep it reasonable! Don't plan twice as much as you've ever gotten accomplished. Stick with basic guidelines, subjects and wishes.
Goals can also be more general, such as daily time set aside for read-alouds, art projects, exercise, circle time and/or learning games.
Monthly activities could include your planning time and special projects such as lapbooks. Put one-time goals in "Once," such as visiting the Jeffers Petroglyphs, studying your family tree or reading certain classic books.
That's it! Post your list somewhere where you and the family will see it often. It will serve as a reminder for things you want to work into life and to keep you on track once things get busy again.
4. (Optional) If you like, print out blank monthly calendars and/or planners and write in your subjects and tasks. Donna Young has lots of great ones for free. Otherwise, just jot down notes to yourself on your own calendar at each month, to break the year down into manageable goals.
Keep in mind that almost no teacher ever finishes every task that's planned for the year -- not in public school, not in private school and not in homeschool. These lists should be enthusiastic family goals, sources of inspiration and tools, not a die-hard list of things we have to do at any cost.
After all, our most important goals are generally simple things like...
1. Live according to our principles and beliefs.
2. Spend time together as a family.
3. Teach our children to be self-sufficient and how find out anything they need to know.
4. Foster the love of learning and of life.
If we can manage those most of the time, our children will be well suited for the world. And if we work in Ancient China, Huckleberry Finn and at least three lapbooks, so much the better!
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