Planning, my favorite part of homeschool and also the most tedious. Where to start? How to start? Everyone will tell you different ways to do this, and ultimately none of them are wrong. In the beginning this may seem very overwhelming but once you get the hang of what you enjoy, your children enjoy and what curriculum you like I promise it gets easier.
Step 1:
If you are just starting out homeschool, I recommend you decide what philosophy that you most connect with. This is not a necessary step but will help you to familiarize yourself with each of them. I highly recommend this book by a dear friend, Ansley Arment (The Call of the Wild and Free) if you are interested in reading more about them.
Step 2
Set learning objectives for your children. Make sure they are clear, achievable goals for the academic year. This will help you track progress and ensure your child is meeting educational standards. I also like to meet with each child and ask them what they felt they could improve on and what they did well. We focus not just on educational goals but also on character development. Do not forget to ask yourself these same questions. Growth never stops Momma.
Step 3
Curriculum … you will want to choose a curriculum that aligns with your educational philosophy and your child’s learning style. If this is not your first year, what will you continue to use from last year? What worked? What did not work? Start with a list.
Do you have a spine that will cover most of your curriculum choices? (this is a curriculum such as Alveary, Charlotte Mason, Hybrid School, Peaceful Press, Ambleside Online etc.) These are important steps because they are your backbone. Once you know what your spine will cover you can then fill in the blanks. Make sure you take each student’s learning style into consideration. Don’t forget to include electives that interest your child.
Choose curriculum you will do as a family, one on one with your child and they will do independently.
Now, gather these curriculums, materials and any extra resources they require.
Step 4
It’s time to decide your schedule. Will you do a loop schedule, timed days or relaxed? Will there be a set time for each child to arise and come downstairs and will they need to have chores completed before or after? These may not seem like big issues, but they will become one if you do not set expectations with yourself and your children beforehand. If you choose to skip this step do not become upset if they do not meet expectations, you did not request beforehand.
Once you know what you will do, create a schedule and a daily lesson schedule. What will you do each day in those time frames you set out? Don’t forget to leave room for physical activity, breaks, creative pursuits and fun.
This is how I schedule below – I do not time out my day, but instead just what we are to accomplish. So, I am not set by a clock, if my children need to sleep in, or we have a doctor’s appointment. You can get my template below. Just download.
Step 5
Plan regular assessments to monitor your child’s progress. We have a Charlotte Mason exam every 12 weeks which helps keep us all accountable. You could do this your own way through quizzes, projects, or informal check-ins. Provide constructive feedback for their growth. Remember you are homeschooling for a reason, do not get caught up in the public-school way of doing things.
Step 6
Do not forget to look up your state requirements for homeschooling. Be diligent about this, ask questions and follow the law.
Step 6
What not to forget!
Don’t forget to life skills such as cooking, personal finance, household chores, character development and much more. You know your child and what they need at each stage of life. More sleep? More snuggles on the couch reading aloud. Friday game morning. Whatever it is, don’t stop assessing your day and your children.
By focusing on these areas, you can create a comprehensive and enriching homeschooling experience for your child(ren).