Homeschool Planning

Getting Organized: BEFORE

AFTER

Ok, I'll admit it, I am an organizer.  I plan ahead.  I color coordinate my closet (and my husbands!).  But having 3 kids puts a damper on many of my organizing endeavors.  I have accepted that I will always be living in some sort of chaos and that my plans will often get altered.  It's the life of a mom!

With our homeschool year coming to a close, I have started thinking about planning.  I've been reading homeschool blogs and following more homeschooling moms on Twitter.  It has given me a lot of new ideas.

The first of which, is that I'm thinking about making my own curriculum for K.  Scary?  Yes, a little, but I have found a lot of online websites and printables that have given me a pretty good feel for what I will need.  It is going to be work, but planning and organizing get me excited!

Here are a few websites I've found:

The Homeschool Classroom: http://www.hsclassroom.net/2012/02/top-ten-free-online-phonics-resources-for-preschool-kindergarten-and-beyond/

Homeschool Creations: http://www.homeschoolcreations.com/

3 Dinosars: http://3dinosaurs.com/wordpress/index.php/free-dinosaur-pack/

Walking by the Way: http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?p=716736

The Better Mom: http://www.thebettermom.com/2012/06/helping-your-child-become-a-better-reader/

Mama Jenn: http://www.mamajennblogs.com

CENTSible Homeschooling: http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com

Our Goodwin Journey: http://www.ourgoodwinjourney.com/search/label/homeschooling

There are so many more out there!  I've only touched the tip of the iceberg.  Regardless, you catch my drift that making your own curriculum is possible.

Secondly, I've come to the conclusion that I would love a Homeschool Planner.  The thought of one makes me smile.  The actual process of planning an entire school year is daunting.  My online searching has eased my anxiety.  There are a lot of free planners and women who share their secrets of what what worked for them, how they planned their school year, how far in advance they planned, etc.  It has been reassuring and uplifting.  I know I'm not the only one out there!

Some websites to check out as well:

Homeschool Creations:  http://homeschoolcreations.com/Homeschool-Planner.html  (You will have to purchase this planner, but there are great ideas and lots of free printables to add to your planner!)

Mama Jenn: http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2010/08/my-homeschool-planning-docs.html

CENTSible Homeschooling: http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/2012/04/20/free-homeschool-plannersgeneral-homeschooling-centsible-homeschooling/  (Lots of websites to search from here!)

Money Saving Mom: http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/free-printable-and-customizable-homeschool-planners.html

Free Homeschool Deals.com: http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-monthly-homeschool-planner/

I did not print worksheets/forms off of all of these websites, but I did get valuable information from looking at them.

What a whirlwind!  It is an exciting journey.  I'll be keeping you up to date as I get more and more accomplished.

My next goal: finding ways to keep a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old engaged while teaching my kindergartner.  Oh boy!  :)  But I have a few ideas and have seen some great ones.  More to come!

Blessings,