My big kids are set to start seminary NEXT WEEK, so I have been in the throes of planning our homeschool this week. (Just at a more frenzied pace than I have already been all summer.)
A friend on Facebook asked how everyone was doing with planning their homeschool this year, and I decided to share my tips here, as well as on her post.
Here they are:
1) PRAY
2) Budget and then just buy the darn things you want to use for your homeschool. Not buying what you need, and putting up with something less than desirable is an unnecessary lesson in frustration. Have a garage sale, or babysit, if you must, but don't settle for junk.
3) Keep the end goal/the BIG picture in mind when planning, and let go of those topics your kids don't actually need this year.
4) For homeschooling High Schoolers: Create and then use your kids' high school transcripts as an OUTLINE for what you want/need them to accomplish. It's has been the greatest things EVER for keeping me organized. (See www.thehomescholar.com to learn how to make transcripts.)
5) I also use a yearly, wire-bound planner with a weekly layout for planning and recording our homeschool each week. Simple, easy, not overwhelming. Love it!
6) Don't feel like you have to customize everything. Sometimes buying already-planned out lessons are really the way to go!
7) Make a list of books you want to read loud for the semester, and then read aloud every day! You will NEVER regret it!!!
8) Go to the temple and pray some more. Then breathe. And then "do it!"
Happy planning to all my homeschooling friends out there! :-)
