We have made it to the final days of May, which absolutely means…. It’s time to start planning the next homeschool year!!!
A few weeks ago, I shared my struggle of finishing the current year’s work or jumping straight to the new material that I have planned. You can read a bit more about this yearly internal debate HERE.
So, before I actually start planning the school year, I do a bit of prep work to “get in the mode” of homeschool planning. Over the next few days (or weeks,) I will bring you along on this process. And, here’s a fair warning: my brain goes fast, hold on! (Or, I’m just highly caffeinated…)
Preparing to Prepare
The first thing I love to do prior to starting planning for the next school year, is to remove all of last year’s materials and organize our homeschool cabinet and rolling cart. You can see this in action HERE.
Having a clean slate sure makes things easier when purchasing new school supplies (or knowing what needs to be purchased) and having a dedicated home for the new materials as they are arriving. (My fave place to buy homeschool materials, now that we live rurally?? Check out my next post to find out this and all of my homeschool faves!)
Now, because we haven’t quite finished a few books, and they will carry over into the next school year, they will stay in the cabinet. Also remaining in the homeschool cabinet: math manipulatives, nature books for copying/consulting, coloring books and a science kit that has a plethora of activities and supplies housed in one neat box (and, fingers crossed, we will actually get to it in the next few months!)
Besides those few things, the entire cabinet was cleaned out, sorted into keep or toss piles, shelves were wiped down and the unfinished materials were returned. I didn’t get a before photo, but imagine the contents below, times two, shaken up and haphazardly dumped out.
Mini Conference At Home
Another thing I love to do in preparation for the new school year, is to read/reread or listen to some of my favorite homeschool “mentors” speak about topics that are relevant to our family. (This means I typically skip the unschooling or textbook-based discussions.)
I just finished my yearly reading of Teaching From Rest, by Sarah Mackenzie. Each time I read this book, I glean a new concept, that honestly isn’t new in the, “I’ve never heard this before” sense. It is just a specific idea that strikes me in an unique way because I am not, or have started slacking, on the item. The thing that stood out this go-round is legacy! And how much intentional time leaving a legacy takes. We are knee-deep in the thickest mud, but it’s so worth it to do it well.
We’ve all heard of folks at the end of their lives, looking back and wishing they had spent more time with the people they loved. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard someone wish they had spent more time getting things done…Today, do less. Do it well.”
Sarah Mackenzie, Teaching From Rest, pg. 51, 54
Other key mentors I plan to listen to over the next few days: Pam Barnhill, The Homeschool Sisters (Cait and Kara), Sonya Shafer, Sally Clarkson, and Steve Demme (just to name a few.) I will pick topics that go along with what we do for homeschool: Charlotte Mason, classical, rhythm, beautiful and lovely, fun, etc…
Paperwork
Once I have tackled the space, and begun listening to the cheerleaders of homeschooling, then I am ready to start the deep dive into printing a yearly schedule, creating the book lists, making an attainable daily checklist, etc… As boring as “paperwork” sounds, this is maybe my most favorite part, which is why I save it for last. After I’ve cleaned and organized!
I love to head over to this site for the calendar and schedule printables. I often go for the yearly overview, that has lines running down the center so I can make notes of field trips, weeks on or off, larger trips or vacations, my hubby’s travel schedule. It is the perfect spot for an organized brain dump.
For the past 6 years, I’ve relied heavily on Ambleside’s curriculum, which has been such a blessing to our family. I highly recommend them if you are just getting started in Charlotte Mason homeschooling. This year, I plan to divert to my own curriculum creation, and I feel that after 6 years of following Ambleside’s
“scaffolding” I will be successful in this endeavor.
Okay, enough talking about planning…. It’s time to get to work! I would love to hear how you get started for your homeschool year!
Check back for the next post to get a list of my FAVORITES of homeschooling. I’ve already given you a sneak peak with the printables, but don’t worry! There are plenty more!!
