Organizing

18 posts

Aaaand…We’re OFF!

“Aaand … we’re off! … like a dirty shirt!” This is how every road trip begins for our family. Well, sometimes if my husband hesitates too long after the first part, the kids (or now the grandkids) try to “fake him out” with maybe “like a dirty undershirt!” or “like […]

Help Me Choose a New Planner

It’s that time again for my ADD self to organize my brain/days in a paper planner. I’ve tried digital — I use digital at work but not by choice, and it’s just not what comes naturally to me. I always end up reaching for paper. My first priority planner This […]

sticky notes

Help! I’m Organizationally Challenged!

As I’ve spoken with many of you on the phone or via email and shared with you in person at your state conventions, a recurring theme has been: Help! I’m committed to homeschooling, but I’m feeling overwhelmed just by everyday life! For those of you who were “born organized,” you […]

5 Tips for Finishing Your Homeschool Year Strong

It seems like just last week you were writing up those lesson plans for the fall, planning a few field trips, organizing the bookshelves, and suddenly . . . the year has gone by! Where did the time go? Whether you’re raring to go for another few months, or you are dragging […]

Evaluations & Portfolios

In other posts, we’ve discussed testing and assessment options. Depending on the legal requirements for homeschoolers in your state, you may choose to instead have your child evaluated, or have a portfolio evaluation. Evaluations Who might benefit from an evaluation? Young children, students who don’t read well or quickly yet, children with learning […]

Desktop Organization -- Everyday Homemaking

Controlling Paper Chaos

(I found this in my archives from almost ten years ago and realized I need to revive this system, as my desk paperwork is again running amok. Do you ever realize you KNOW what to do but just need a reminder?)   The photos in this blog (well, in all […]

What Records Should You Keep?

Homeschool Records: Souvenirs of Your Homeschool Journey Just like your banking records, there are certain papers that are useful for you to stash away for the future, whether for a school official, or for your children, or for you to reminisce! It is helpful to put together a portfolio each […]

A Day in Our Homeschool

As I type, Anna is curled up on the sofa in the school room, reading King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry so she can work on her History of the Horse unit (a Beautiful Feet publication). Leah is packing to join Anna and me to minister for a week […]

lesson planning

Lesson Planning 101

There’s a saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Lesson planning is just determining what you want to cover in the school year and laying out a framework to accomplish those goals — a strategy for homeschool success. Some parents will plan in more detail than others, but even […]

Getting the Most Out of Your Homeschool Convention

Many state or regional conventions are not just for homeschoolers, but are truly family expositions, with lots of workshops and exhibits of interest to families–regardless of education choice. If this is your first or second (or tenth) homeschool convention, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the […]