organization Archives - Page 3 of 9 - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Sep 15 2014

Record keeping made easy!

No matter your style of homeschooling, you’ll want to keep track of the things you do. From subjects the kids study to the list of books they’ve read, it’s nice to have a record of the learning year.

Many families enjoy recording all the things that happen during homeschool, and do it as a way of documenting the childhood years. But, it’s important to note that many states actually require homeschool records, too. That’s why it’s important to have a system in place for dropping papers and tracking dates in case you need them again.

There are lots of different ways for keeping homeschooling information. It can be helpful to hear how other families do it, before creating a personalized system of your own.

These are 3 easy ways for families to store important papers, and keep track of the learning that occurs each year:

Tote, Box or Bin

A popular way to keep track of important homeschool “stuff” is by dropping it in a large box, tote or bin. Keeping things stored in one place means they’re always available in the same spot every single time. While this may not seem like the most organized way to store projects and paperwork, it does guarantee that kids always have a place to leave things for mom or dad, and save things that are important to them. Plus, it makes sure that nothing important ever gets thrown away or misplaced throughout the year. Ask any parent who has spent an entire day searching for a single, very important homeschool piece of paper, and you’ll hear how valuable this really is!

Filing System

Another way to store homeschooling data and work samples is in tabbed file folders. Instead of putting everything into one giant box, file folders help organize related materials together, making for much easier access later on. Depending on the family and the homeschooling style, files could be created for every child, every subject, or both. Additional files can be created for other things to save, such as web sites for school use, books completed, special projects assigned, activities done as a family, legal documents, grades or test scores, photographs of the children, flyers and pamphlets collected while on field trips, or anything else that is important enough to save. Since larger projects cannot fit into folders, taking photos of projects or storing them somewhere else may be necessary. Note: If file folders are not available, large envelopes, stacking paper trays or rolling storage carts with drawers can be used instead.

Digital Collection

Digital technology makes it possible to store vast amounts of homeschooling data in one small space. Taking digital photos of projects and people, and scanning individual documents is a third option. While this could be time-consuming at first, developing a habit of working primarily online, and saving work electronically will eventually reduce the amount of time it takes to create digital records, ultimately eliminating the need to use paper at all. To satisfy the desire to have a hard copy (to display on the coffee table or show grandparents), some families like to create a photo collage, scrap book, or other showcase for every child, and have it professionally printed (think SnapFish or Shutterfly) as a book or spiral-bound journal at the end of each year.

Great ideas for organizing homeschool records found here!

Click To Tweet

No matter what kind of record-keeping system is used, the kinds of things that homeschoolers save are always the same. Typically, homeschoolers tend to hold on to things like:

written work and practice problems
completed workbooks and worktexts
creative projects, like artwork, photography, music, videos and more
state, district, legal and other important homeschool documents
test scores, placement indications, evaluations, curriculum recommendations
storage media containing work
a book list, driving log, list of field trips and other lists
pamphlets, ticket stubs, brochures and other memorabilia collected throughout the year
transcripts, report cards, grades
class descriptions, course syllabi, names of books/curriculum used
journals written by kids, notes or lesson plans developed by parents
lab reports, research papers, other specialized assignments
records of learning accomplished in a day, week, month or year

In one of my books, I devote whole chapters to homeschool record-keeping, household organization, lesson planning and more. I cover everything I talked about in this article, plus I’ve included sample forms, charts, and schedules, too. To see that book, click here.

Happy homeschooling!

For more like this, click:

Storing homeschooling memories

Comprehensive high school records

Workbooks versus worktexts

To organize the entire homeschool year, you might like:

Plan Your Own Homeschool Curriculum — the guide to an organized homeschool year using only the materials you choose

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Aug 31 2014

Think about it: Staggered first days

Not everybody does the first day of school the same way. There are some families who jump in exactly the way they left off the month before, without making too big a deal about it. Then, there are others who start with making a huge breakfast, taking creative photos of the kids, and holding a special kick-off celebration.

Whatever works in your family is always the best way to go. Remember, homeschooling is about you and nobody else.

One idea I love, that worked well for us as the kids got older, is to “stagger” the first day of school.

It’s not always as fun as doing a BIG first day. But it has BIG benefits in other ways.

What I love about staggering first days is that I get to spend an entire “first day” with every child. We can make it as special as we want — and it’s all about them.

On a child’s first day, we go over all of the books or curriculum I have planned for the year, and I show them exactly how each is supposed to be used. I make sure the student understands all of our resources in detail, including where each book is kept, where to find the resource sections, what to notice while reading through the chapters (e.g. vocabulary words or review questions), how to take notes from that book (if I am requiring it that year), how much is to be completed in a day, where to put any completed work so I can see it, and anything else.

We do the same thing for non-book things, like art or science supplies, DVDs or web sites I have saved for their use, logs they are supposed to fill out, online courses, or anything else the student is assigned that year. I work with them to make sure we both understand the language that is used, any difficult instructions, what needs to be photocopied or filled-in, or anything else that needs understanding and training early on.

On that child’s first day, we also go over what is expected by the end of the day, what the general time frame might be, and we do a dry-run through any schedules or plans I have put together for that day. The dry run includes chores, quiet time, outside activities that need to be coordinated with the rest of the family, or anything else that make sense for that particular student for that year.

Something I also like to do on the first day is organize that student’s work area. We use our time to find favorite supplies, decide where to hang charts or calendars, locate a favorite chair or school-time toy, and talk about where the student would like to store his stuff for the year. (I used to organize my kids for them. As they got older, they enjoyed participating in the process, plus it was more meaningful to them since they chose what made them most productive and comfortable.)

Basically, every child gets a personalized first day. Focused just on them.

It’s like training, but it can also be fun.

Staggered first days means I am able to sit with each child and be there to personally help and explain anything that might arise during the course of the day. At the end of the day, we end the day with some family treat or perhaps a small reward for that child.

It also means I am able to spot road-blocks right away, and make a change that immediately impacts the next day. That actually happened to us this year, when my son and I noticed that a book I had selected was way too easy for him. We actually spent an hour going through the chapters looking for one that was even remotely challenging for him, and finally decided together to scrap the book altogether and go with something else the very next day. (Working with him was the only way to really test the book out in real time. I’m so glad this happened!)

When I stagger first days, I always feel like every child gets a special first day just for him. It’s nice to start a year knowing I gave my full attention to a child before the multiple-student chaos begins!

I know this may not appeal to everyone, but I wanted to explain how it has worked for us. As my kids get older, they no longer need so much attention and individualized academic coaching any more, but I use this idea in other areas of their lives. I highly recommend you try this if you think your kids could benefit from personalized first days.

Good luck! And if you try it, come back and leave a COMMENT about how it went!

Related blogs you might like:

Helping teens plan: The Morning Meeting

Organization doesn’t always come naturally

Parents don’t always know everything. In homeschool, that’s OK.

SHARE it:

Aug 09 2014

Simple fixes help make life easier

Like many of you, I never find enough hours in the day.

I think every mom struggles with overload. {Isn’t it in the job description?}

Though block scheduling works well in our home, I am constantly assessing to make sure all systems are running as smoothly as they possibly can.

Because time is such a commodity here, I find that recovering even a few minutes can make a big difference in our productivity and my sanity. Procrastination is not an option here — the longer I allow situations to continue, the more frustrated I (therefore, we) become.

I try to identify road-blocks and time suckers early, so I can put my family back on the right path before things get any worse.

Everyone is different, but that’s what works for me.

As I walk around my home, I try to notice areas that need attention. If there is anything I can do to straighten up a problem area, equip a person, or fine-tune a set of instructions, I try to drop everything and get to it.

Last week, I managed to handle a couple of areas that were causing a problem in our home. I’ll show you the quick fixes I came up with for the time being, knowing I will eventually have to handle these items on a larger scale next time I update our chore charts and homeschool schedules.

I created a quick set of morning chores for some of the kids, since we just weren’t getting enough done around the house in the afternoons and evenings:

I neatened up the high school records that were badly in need of attention:

I hung a corkboard exactly where we needed one {and had some fun making push-pins using some of the old charms and buttons found in my grandmother’s sewing machine}:

And, I created baskets for all of the random school-related discs and DVDs that apparently had no other home:

These little fixes have made such a big impact over the last few days. I am feeling much more peaceful about these areas and we have all stopped wasting time trying to make sense of these areas of chaos.

Are there areas in your home that need attention?

Is today the day you’ll tackle them?

Let my readers know how you maintain order and sanity! Please — leave a COMMENT.

SHARING options:

Aug 05 2014

Ten tips for a great start

So, you’ve reorganized the book shelves and sharpened all the pencils. You even added a white board and a time line on the wall this year!

Made up those schedules? Check!

Updated the menu plan? Check!

A new year in homeschool is about to begin!

Especially if you’ve been on break for a while, the first day back is very exciting — both for parents and their kids. Bravo on your planning efforts and making everything so special for your very first day!

Although you’re already set up for success, let me throw out another list of things some parents forget. Don’t worry if school has already started, cause it’s never too late to implement new things any time of year!

1. Notice what your kids have been reading.

In their space time, that is. While you’re at it, notice what they look at in book stores, watch on television, or talk about with their friends. These are interests (a/k/a study material) for the rest of the year. Score!

2. Hang things in conspicuous places.

Have a child struggling with letter formation? Hang a chart above his/her desk, on the back of a cereal box or even in the bathroom. It’s amazing how staring at something makes a difference after seeing it for a while. Can you say ‘effortless learning’?

3. Go hunting and gathering in your home.

If you’re a treasure hunter like me, it’s easy to forget all the goodies that are stashed in different places around the house. Remember the safety goggles you bought on clearance last year? What about those great stickers and pencil toppers you found at the spring convention? Root around drawers and closets and round up all the cool stuff you wanted to use this year. This is fun, plus it helps uncover other goodies you didn’t even think of using in school either (think: measuring cups, eye droppers, fun containers, and more).

4. Create an Inbox for yourself.

Where do your kiddos drop the stuff they want you to see? On the kitchen counter? (You mean on top of that growing stack of stuff that is already there?) On your desk? (Under your keyboard where you never see it?) Buy, create or identify a box, tote, file organizer or other place and put a giant label on it. Make sure the kiddies know what it is. Never miss anything important again!

5. Figure out things they can do together. And alone.

I won’t bore you with details. Just know, you’ll thank me later. Every parent with more than one child should make a list of activities the children can do together (without bothering you). Every parent of only one child should make a list of activities the child can do alone (without bothering you). Enough said.

6. Make a kit for the car.

It can be whatever you want. Find a box, bag or bin, then fill it with stuff the children can use in the car. Ideas include office supplies, drawing supplies, snacks, music, small (non-messy) kits, a writing surface, small toys, plus anything else. Leave it in there. Swap things out from time to time. (Here’s one idea)

7. Schedule time off for yourself.

I know, I know. Time off doesn’t always have to be scheduled. Homeschoolers can take a day off any time they want. True. But here’s the rub. If you don’t schedule time for yourself, it may never happen. So, why not take a minute to think about it now? Is there a podcast you enjoy listening to once a week? Do you like an occasional Friday night off with friends? What about a long soak in the tub every night? Whatever it is, put it on the calendar. Prioritizing it now will make sure you actually do it later. Time off for homeschool moms is HUGE. Don’t forget yourself in the process.

8. Schedule time off with your partner.

See above. Then, read THIS.

9. Make a list of reasons why you homeschool.

Then, hang it prominently somewhere. Write it while you’re fresh, eager and rested (as in, now). Please don’t wait until your stress level is so high you forget why you’re doing what you do. Trust me on this one.

10. Celebrate.

Today. Celebrate every day of freedom to raise your children as you desire, without intervention, and on your own terms. Celebrate the first day of homeschool, the last day of homeschool and every other day in between. Celebrations can be big (like a not-back-to-school bash) or small (like a cup of tea shared with your kids on the back porch). Just celebrate the extraordinary opportunity you have to live another extraordinary year.

To your success!

Like this? You might like these, too:

Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks

First Days

Handling First Day Jitters

Share with friends!

Jul 15 2014

{Round-Up} Free Homeschool Planners

As homeschool families, we all begin and end at different times of the year. In our home, for instance, the “year” runs [roughly] August to August.

Most of my major planning occurs in July (read how I do it HERE). Then, I use a variety of planning systems to track smaller items and keep things running smoothly from day to day.

At planning time, I often develop new forms I can use to streamline what we do.

Apparently, lots of other people do, too!

A few minutes of visiting friends’ blogs and web sites, combined with a little prodding to hear what others were up to, and I was quickly able to produce a list a mile long (almost).

Not only is it fun to print and use these planners and tracking sheets, but you’ll get many new ideas seeing how others do it in their homes!

Grab a cup of coffee, tea or your favorite green smoothie and pull up a chair. You’ll be here a little while.

Might want to check for ink and paper in the printer, too…

For starters, some of the forms I have to share with you:

My household binder is available free HERE for download.

My high school planning map (a 4-year plan) is available free HERE.

[I do have a curriculum and lesson system and a high school planning system. Neither is free, but are available inexpensively in our bookstore.]

My blogging friends have shared some of their fantastic & free planning pages with me:

Meet Penny offers a free planning calendar plus a lesson planning page for you to print.

Over at 123 Homeschool 4 Me, you’ll find free planner pages, report cards and other fun pages to share.

Everyday Snapshots is offering a free set of planner pages after you enter an email address.

Homeschooling on a Dime offers an entire set of homeschool planning ages exclusively for its subscribers.

Simply Vicki has a color-coordinated set!

Dynamic Homeschool Plus has developed a full set of customizable plans that are free for the taking.

Walking by the Way offers some great interest-led planners listed for free.

One Fun Mom offers several different planner pages for organizing a homeschool week.

Alternative Learning has some great printables and downloads for planning around thematic units.

LJSkool has a one-page printable to track school vacations. (I love that it says school is “closed” during those weeks!)

Denschool offers an entirely free system for homeschool planning and creating a calendar.

And don’t forget Christian Homeschool Hub, where subscribers have access to tons of printable resources for organization.

Others you might like — all free – that hail from around the globe:

Donna Young has loads and loads of free planning pages for every style of homeschool and every need

Passport Academy offers many freebies, including planner pages and lesson planners for preschoolers.

Five J’s has a one-page assignment planner free for downloading.

Living Well Spending Less has a free planner she developed for her own use. I particularly like her cover designs!

The Homeschool Mom offers several different planners, including one for high school.

Free homeschool deals offers a free student planner in 6 colors.

Bright Hub Education has a free planner for download one page at a time.

Notebooking Nook offers planner pages in both black & white and color.

Some free planning e-books I came across:

A free planning ebook, with printable forms, is available for download at Homeschooling-Ideas.

A Free & Frugal Homeschooling Planning Pack e-book is available for free download.

Plus, a couple of free programs and apps for planning, too:

Homeschook Skedtrack

Learn Boost

Finally, even more free planners in case you still haven’t found what you’re looking for:

The Happy Housewife offers a high school planner is 2 different formats. Make sure to double-check that it meets your particular requirements before using.

A Unit Study Planner is available free at Heart of Wisdom

Several different planning pages can be found at Pumpkin Patch.

Homeschooling Hearts & Minds offers some free pages. They remind me of the ones I made when my kids were little!

Highland Heritage Forms offers 22 different free for homeschoolers to print.

Mama Jenn has a bunch of forms free for printing.

Homeschool Creations offers several printables, including planning sheets that are useful for a workbox system.