Planning Overview

Planning for the next school year can be difficult, therefore I write everything down in one place.  Below is my Yearly Planning Overview that I use for each child.

It is self explanatory.  I suggest using a pencil, writing every subject that you think should be covered and slowly try to streamline and eliminate any busy work.

Planning Overview

Well Planned Day Review & Giveaway

I am excited to host a give a way for a Well Planned Day Planner!  This planner has been a life saver for our home school.  I use it to record everything we complete through the year.  There is so much that I enjoy about this planner that it is difficult to write about it all.  Here are some of my favorite features:

Class Plan

There is a class plan available for up to 4 students.  Schedule their day/week and curriculum for the year.   This is important because you can coordinate their schedule with the teacher schedule.  (I use this to coordinate my time with each child.)  I use a pencil when completing this.  I make changes through out the year.

My Education/Responsibilities Chart

I use this for my younger children. I write down the main seat work subjects they have.  Then I use clear contact paper over them.   I hole punch the ends and cut a slit in the hole.  My planner is in a three ring binder.  So I pull those out every time they sit to complete their work.  They use a dry erase to check off and put it back when they are done.

Monthly Books to Enjoy/ Field Trips/ Enrichment Activities Page

Wonderful tool for reviewing what was accomplished over the year.  I use this to list all the books each child reads or has read aloud for that month.  I include all our activities, movies, etc. that we use school related.  It gives me a good at a glance of what we are accomplishing.

Calendar Layout

I am most excited about the new 2013/2014 because of the two page spread calendar and monthly tabs!  I have not been able to utilize the 1 page calendar in the past.   The squares were too small.  This simple update has saved me from buying a separate general calendar!  The two page spread of the week has been wonderful and can be easily used.  I have used this in a variety of ways.  I only write what we actually accomplish.  If I plan ahead and write it in the planner, than I make sure those items are completed.

The giveaway has ended and a winner has been emailed! 

Planning: Evaluating Prior Year

It is time to start thinking about/planning the next school year.  Planning strongly influences the flow of your school and family life.   There are a few steps I go through for planning.  First, start with an overall evaluation.  The key areas evaluated are academic, social, character, habits, and family cohesiveness.

1.    Evaluate the previous school year. 

o   Did everything run smoothly?  If not, why? 

o   What worked?

o   What didn't work? 

o   Discuss with your children/spouse their thoughts for the year.

o   If there is time have them complete a questionnaire.

2.    Evaluate each child.

o   What areas need improvement?

o   Where did he/she shine last year?

o   What habits do they need to work on?

o   List curriculum used and decide whether it is worth using again or scratching.

o   Use resources to gain insight of where your child should be.  I typically use The Well Trained Mind as my guide.

3.    Evaluate time.

o   Did we manage our time well?  Look at each week, day and the overall year.

o   Did we playing catch up most of the year?

o   Did our days seem relaxed or stressed?

o   What activities did we participate in?  Were they worth the time spent?

o   Was there time for them to explore new things, be bored, play games, etc.

4.    Evaluate yourself.

o   Decide your strengths and weaknesses.

o   Did you take care of yourself and not just the family OR too much on yourself?

o   Were you approachable by your children? 

o   Did you feel stressed or overwhelmed?  If so, can you pinpoint why?  

o   Did you use your time wisely?

This overall evaluation should not take long.  It is just taking a quick glance at the year and what stands out.  Do not be too critical.  This process helps you begin to think about what is going well and changes that you might need to make.