Five years later lesson planning for homeschool is easier to complete. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that figuring out to plan would take me this long. It really seems so easy watching or reading about how others’ plan.

The learning curve associated with how to plan the homeschool lessons was long for me, and then I had a lightbulb moment.

In hindsight, I realize that homeschooling would take planning and by nature I am not a natural planner. Flying by the seat of my pants was not working.

Now, that I have all three of the youngest children (my oldest graduated last year) planning is a high priority.

Planning The Year

My first step in planning is to lay out all of my curriculum into piles for each child. Then sort their individual piles into the subjects.
Second I write on a list for each subject what lessons we will complete.
Third, I write down my goals for each child and each subject.
My final step is to type my written plan into a spreadsheet per child so that I can take it on the go. (We have a lot of evening activities so my planning needs to be flexible).

Planning For The Month

After I get all of the lesson plans entered into my spreadsheet then I print out the spreadsheet and laminate my “Yearly Plan”. That way, it is accessible if I am on the go planning.

Breaking down each subject into my homeschool monthly calendar (well planned day) That way I have an overview of everything that needs to be done that month.

Each month prior to starting our new section of lessons I will grab manipulative and supplies and lay them on a table to see how they can be intertwined into the unit. This helps me to visualize and organize my ideas.

Planning For the Week

Many months I searched and searched for the weekly planning printable that would make my life easier. I finally found it at www.meetpenny.com. I love that site because it has a lot of resourceful information. So, my weekly homeschool sheet lets me write (I use pencil) my subjects that I will be working with, and each child. The best part is the space! I don’t write small so they boxes are big enough for me to write what I need! Huge deal to me…..

Everything that I need for that week and what we will be learning and covering in each subject is written on that paper. This makes the daily process even easier!

Planning For The Days

Grabbing materials for my days are easy. Mastering the preparation that is behind the planning of homeschool lessons was not so easy.

First, I grab the weekly sheet and start with each subject. Manipulatives and supplies, games or puzzles for each child go into a ziplock bag with their name on it. Then I place each bag into a small box labeled MONDAY.

This process is continued for each day of the week. FRIDAY is review day so mostly review materials go in that box.

Final Thought;

This planning process has helped me with flexibility and lowering my stress. All of the tools that I must have for our productive homeschool days are in my reach. How about you? What is your planning process?