Planning for the New Homeschool Year
I know this can be an overwhelming time. I have tried many planning strategies and resources over the years.The following method is what works for me and I continue to use. I want to help you, keeping it clear and simple, so I will get right to the point and show you how I plan for the upcoming school year, step by step.(In subsequent posts, I will go into more detail on each subject, including lists of books and supplies I use.)1. PRAY for each child.
Carve out a specific day and time to pray for each child, writing down the thoughts that come to mind, as I listen to the Lord speak concerning each of His children regarding the following areas:-state of her/his soul and relationship with Jesus
-character strengths
-character areas we will need to focus on
-habit training - specific habits they have developed and those they will need to continue to work on
-academic interests
-academic subjects that might require change
2. REMIND myself again of God's vision.
Remind myself again of God's vision for each child concerning the character they will possess at age 18 when they graduate.3. ASSESS the previous year's schedule.
Are there any changes that need to be made? Am I adding another student? Are of any of them moving up a form/grade, thus needing to add more subjects? What worked and what didn't in our schedule?If adjustments are minor, I make the needed changes in my spreadsheet.If adjustments needed are major, I pull out my scheduling cards by form/grade by A Delectable Education, and make changes.Transfer the new schedule to my digital PLANNING TOOL (Version 3.0 coming soon! Join email list to be notified.)4. DETERMINE the new historical time period for the year.
A very helpful History Rotation Diagram by A Delectable Education is a good place to start if you are creating your history streams anew. The historical time period is the hubcap. Most subjects are the spokes from which it radiates, so this is important to determine first.Here is how I have laid out each of my children's history streams from start to end (grade 1 - 12): I have one for each of my children hand-drawn years ago. But for you, I've created an editable PDF version, which you can find HERE.And if you'd like to see an overview of Charlotte Mason's history lessons across the years, check out THIS ARTICLE.5. CHOOSE a science subject & special study.
For a full-range view of a plan for science following Charlotte Mason's curriculum, take a look HERE at Nicole Williams' chart at Sabbath Mood Homeschool.For special study topics, THESE CHARTS, also by Nicole Williams of Sabbath Mood Homeschool, are helpful.6. GATHER resources.
Resources include books, supplies, online programs and websites, etc. for the following subjects from these sources. To help with a few ideas of sources, the following are some that I use, have used, or referred to in the past. (I am working on comprehensive articles with resources for each subject.)ALL SUBJECTS: Books on my bookshelves, A Delectable Education show notes, Ambleside Online, Simply Charlotte Mason, Charlotte Mason Poetry, Gateway to the Classics, Charlotte Mason City Living, Stories of Color, Heritage Mom, Biblioguides, Compass Classroom Middle and High School Courses, The Alveary Store
BIBLE: A Delectable Education Bible Rotation Chart, Mason's Program for Bible Lessons, Savior of the World
HISTORY: A Delectable Education History Rotation Chart, Charlotte Mason City Living, Heritage Mom, Biblioguides, Stories of Color, Truthquest History, Compass Classroom’s High School History Courses
MATH: Math Across the Forms Chart, Beauty and Truth Math, Climbing Higher Math
NATURE STUDY/ SCIENCE: Sabbath Mood Homeschool Living Science Books, Sabbath Mood Homeschool Science Curriculum, Compass Classroom’s Science Courses
RECITATION: Happy Hymnody for hymn selections, Bible Recitations, Recitations Templates by Maria Bell for Sage Parnassus
DRAWING: Brushdrawing Course, Bestowing the Brush (Video Course), Drawing on the Right-side of the Brain (and workbook), Skillshare (I have so much to share about resources on learning art/drawing/painting; it’s deserving of it’s own article or even a series! Stay tuned.)
READING: Simply Charlotte Mason, All About Reading or All About Spelling (for children who would benefit from the Orton-Gillingham method)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Miss Mason's Living Languages, The Cultured Kid, Cherrydale Press, ULAT, The Spanish Experiment, The French Experiment, Talk Box Mom, Duolingo
SHAKESPEARE: Online, Simply Charlotte Mason, Ambleside Online
LATIN: Visual Latin, Living Latin Lessons (live virtual course with Angela Reed for 6th grade+), Word Up (precursor to Latin, for elementary/form2 age)
GRAMMAR: Simply Charlotte Mason, Grammar for Writers, MCT Grammar
SINGING: Miss Mason's Music, Sing Solfa
HISTORICAL FICTION & FAMILY READ-ALOUDS: Read Aloud Revival, Charlotte Mason City Living (multicultural books), Who Should We Then Read, A Time to Read, Give Your Child the World, The Read-Aloud Family, Biblioguides (Free membership for Life-giving Motherhood members)
Note: There are many Facebook groups that sell used books. Also, check out used.addall and bookfinder. If you have library books sales near you and thrift shops with used books, you are blessed! Remember to take your book list with you or your phone with an app like BookBuddy+.ALSO, see my AMAZON SHOP where I will continue to add books and resources.
7. PERUSE other helpful websites, groups, and books. (Optional)
If you would like additional ideas, recommendations, and inspiration, here are some websites and groups I find helpful to me:Mapwork: A Charlotte Mason Inspired Geography Discussion Group
Living Books of All Peoples Group
8. WRITE my selected resources for the year in my spreadsheet.
For those who love spreadsheets and charts too, or want to give them a try, I have created an editable, digital version of what I use, for you: the PLANNING TOOL. Sample charts (yearly master plan + weekly schedule), instructions, and an optional cover page are included. The editable weekly digital download that's included is explained in the next step.(*** With the loss of my former website, the links to this PLANNING TOOL was also lost. It’s all good! In fact, it has given me the impetus to work on Version 3.0. One of the things I’d like include are customizable Canva templates for those of you who enjoy using Canva. Stay updated on my progress with this Version 3.0 by joining my email family.)Keeping the principle, "The child is a person" at the forefront of my mind, I give some autonomy to my child; She/he may choose which books to read first from among those I have selected. I find this simple act nurtures our partnership in her learning journey, and provides an active way for her to express ownership of her education.9. CREATE a weekly timetable for each child.
Here, I put the time allotted to each lesson per day, with the lessons in order that were determined by the scheduling cards earlier, and the names of the books/resources needed. The parent or older child, checks off or notes down the pages read in the space provided. There is also space for "Afternoon Occupations." This becomes our terms' record.If you would like to see examples of Charlotte Mason's time tables, THIS ARTICLE shows a helpful compilation thoroughly researched by Richele Baburina.10. ENJOY! and don't be afraid to assess.
It's okay to adjust as needed throughout the term as the Holy Spirit speaks and guides you. You may not need to make any major changes, but a tweak in the schedule may become necessary, for example. I usually do this during the first week, which I approach with much grace. Both for my children and myself.I hope sharing my process provides you with some ideas, friend. Have fun planning to spread that delicious feast of ideas for the precious person(s) in your life!For the King & His kids,
Min
