Episode 149: Homeschool Plan Like a Mother
What You’ll Learn
On the last podcast, we talked about choosing curriculum and how it needs to line up with your ‘why’. Sometimes, finding your ‘why’ can feel a bit like hunting a mythical unicorn, so Brittany & I thought we’d share her process for discovering her ‘why’ each new year. (Because it changes each year, and it’s different for every family).
Reflecting (02:00)
First, we’ve created a FREE resource for reflecting on the homeschool year (and if you aren’t homeschooling…yet…you should grab it and fill it out anyway because you may gain a little insight).
The first part of Britt’s homeschool planning reflects on the previous year. She answers questions—yes—but she also asks her children their thoughts on the year. This helps for two reasons…it allows families to improve the homeschool experience year after year, AND it can help kids look for evidence of what they’ve learned and enjoyed (which is SUCH a great habit to begin). You may also be pleasantly surprised by your children’s answers like Brittany was!
When she asked her daughter what her favorite subjects were, she named MATH! This was surprising because math has been a struggle up until recently (when they made the switch to Denison). Her oldest son loves working with his hands and aviation, another daughter loves creative endeavors and piano, and her youngest named breakfast (this wasn’t so surprising).
Another thing to consider (as a mother) is YOUR favorite subject! As Sarah Mackenzie says, YOU will be in your homeschool the longest, and excitement is contagious, so it makes sense to teach and learn things you’re truly interested in!
Reflecting on the previous year can help you gain perspective, get out of the weeds, and see what you’ve accomplished in the year (prepare to be pleasantly surprised at the results). In addition, there’s something powerful about putting pen to paper (as you reflect on your homeschool with some thoughtful questions).
Thinking about what you want to say goodbye to this coming year is just as important as considering what you’d like to continue! The best part? YOU get to decide!
Beginning (13:05)
As you’re beginning a new year, and you’ve done your reflection, answering questions like, “Which curriculum, days, and social activities, will we include in the coming year?” Knowing the answers to these questions will lead you to your ‘why’ and visualize what you’d like your year to look like!
Brittany and I have been homeschooling for 10 years now. Please believe us when we say that a little consideration up front (thinking about and thoughtfully answering questions about the coming year) will not only save you time, but it can save you a TON of money! We don’t plan down to the nth degree; we are flexible, but if you get your values right away, the decisions become easy.
My favorite question from the homeschool beginnings is “What we’ll start,” because I love starting ALL the things! Thankfully I have Brittany to talk me down when I tell her all my amazing ideas that I won’t have time for.
Brittany’s favorite is, “What culture do I want to foster in my homeschool this year.” She takes it to prayer and asks the Holy Spirit what culture should be fostered in her homeschool this year.
My second favorite is the Possibilities List! This applies directly to homeschooling, yes, but it also applies to life in general. Will kids be driving this year? Working new jobs? Learning new languages?
Brittany’s second favorite question is, “What will success look like at the end of this season?” Asking yourself, before you begin, is SO powerful. Does success look like a focus on relationships? Fun? Time & memories together? Being a ‘family’ focused family? If your success is dependent on outside factors, it can be REALLY hard not to feel like a failure. So, considering what success looks like to your family will help you keep your eye on the prize!
Curriculum (20:20)
This is the most fun (and dangerous) part of the Homeschool Plan Like a Mother guide. We recently did a podcast on this entire topic!
The first page in this section is a dot grid, and a GREAT excuse to go crazy! Sketch, make notes, and dream out the curriculum on paper. Will you do theater, art, or a different math? Use the page to brainstorm!
Then there are subject overviews, and these pages will help you focus on what you need to keep…get rid of…and purchase. Brittany has to be intentional with the curriculum she keeps because her house is the perfect size for her family (without too much extra stuff). In addition…think about that curriculum that you’re NOT using, sitting on a shelf and looking at you day after day…you don’t need that type of pressure! Give it to a family that WILL use it and move on!
Brittany reminded us that anytime you bless another family with something you couldn’t or wouldn’t use, you may find those blessings being returned to you.
Under the ‘supplies needed’ section, Brittany looks ahead in the curriculum and makes a list. Doing this early in the year allows her to watch for sales as they come up. There’s also a section for ‘lesson frequency’ where you’ll circle which days you’ll work on each subject (while keeping in mind that you’re working on everything just about every day—perhaps just not officially).
The blank ‘subject overview’ pages are great too, because you have the opportunity to fill in any special or extra subjects you may be tackling as a family! Foreign language, entrepreneurship, child-led, and interest-led subjects can all find a home here.
The ‘weekly overview’ page is an excellent way for homeschoolers to plan their weekly rhythm! Maybe you want to homeschool 7 days a week, perhaps you’re a 4 days a week family, or what if you do every other day? This page can be a great place to use as you try different schedules that fit your season of life!
Next are the adventures and adventures in reading pages. Brittany loves working with her kids to fill out the ‘adventures’ pages, but just know that kids have TONS of BIG ideas (and expectations and boundaries may need to be set). Adventures can be big and little (don’t be discouraged if you’re in a little adventure season). Adventures in reading are STILL adventures. Keeping track of books the kids have read can be helpful when you’re looking for the next book or even a gift for a friend.
There’s a goal page included, but it is purely a suggestion (and a place where you can write your goals down…if you have them). Some years are just for survival. You do NOT have to have BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).
The ‘student narrative’ is my FAVORITE page in this section because it allows you to be a student of your child (in paper format). This is the story your child is telling you right now, and it will help you track some of the non-academic learning that’s happening.
Finally, there’s a monthly narrative that will help you review, re-assess, and check in with your plans for the year. Sometimes (raising my hand) we can begin the year with AMAZING ideas that aren’t exactly realistic. If you take the time to review each day or week, the beautiful part of homeschooling is that we can make changes FAST.
If you’d like to plan your homeschool year with us, head to the shop and get your Homeschool Plan Like a Mother guide!
And, sweet momma, never forget…
YOU are doing beautiful work!
