NEW BEGINNINGS

Simply put, our Curriculum Planner, Student Planner and Home Management Binder are a work of our heart! We are glad you are here to benefit from it. {Please do not host these files on your site.}

 This planner will TAKE TIME to build,  but once you do it once or twice you will understand our method. TAKE YOUR TIME to build it so that you have ALMOST PERFECTLY what you want. Take a breather if you need to by just remembering which STEP you are on and come back.

Build your own unique planner and savor the organizational tidbits shared along the way on each page and on each form. There are 7 steps to building the planner but each step has SEVERAL options to help you determine which form/s are best suited for your needs. Print off all the forms you like. There is no right or wrong, just what is right for you.

By reading this section below you understand how this planner is intended to be used and get the most out of it.

 A. It is a Daily Planner.

I am not impressed with weekly planners. There is never enough room to write. A weekly overview is good but I just don't feel weekly planners have enough detail. I have a weekly form that you can ADD to your planner to see a weekly glance but there is more room to "plan" when it is daily.

B. Printed on both Sides

All my forms are lined up so that most can be printed on front or back. There are a few pages like my 2 page calendar spread that do have specifics on which side to print. Do not waste paper.

C. Used for Multiple Ages

Even though I have the undated 180 page lesson planner divided up into 3 sections, it can be used with up to 6 children. Draw a line in between each of the 3 sections and you now have 6 sections. This can be used with up to 6 children. Also, you can divide one section for younger toddlers or preschoolers where less room may be needed. In addition, I have a different form for families that are larger. They have unique needs.

D. Pages are undated

By having an undated Lesson Plan and you filling in the date, you can skip school on days you need to and pick back up without erasing. Talking about erasing, that brings me to this next point.

E.  No ERASING Allowed {please}

One of my biggest pet peeves about lesson planning is the view that because one is using paper/pen we need to erase. We do not and here is why. Lesson Planning is just as much about journaling after we school as it is planning slightly ahead.

Do NOT make the mistake like I did one year and plan the WHOLE year {yep that is right and yes I had TONS of time in it and immediately was "behind" but I learned a very very valuable lesson} Life is not planned always and so our homeschool journey cannot be. Life is partly made up of appointments and partly unplanned and just "living". This lesson planner needs to be utilized the same way. Plan generally, fill in your planner after you school specifically. By saving a part of your schedule each day at the end of your school day just like a public teacher does, you can plan for the "immediate future". The immediate future is next week, tomorrow or a few days NOT the whole month. In addition, a huge advantage to this method is that you adjust lesson plans quickly, that day if necessary if something is not working which is the whole reason a lot of us homeschool in the beginning.  

 F. Coil Bind, {not notebook, not comb binding- there is a difference}

Because you are not sure what you may want in your planner, a lot of homeschoolers may think that a Notebook style planner would be good because you can add to it. But I do not feel it is and this is why. You will be constantly aggravated by it and tempted to keep adding "perfect forms" {do not exist} because you have not reined yourself in to use a system. An unorganized person is one who constantly wants to keep adding to a system instead of utilizing one that is close to what they need. Organization is about sticking to a system not constantly adding more work for yourself. Come over, come over {can you hear me tenderly calling} to the organized side and breathe easy by using what you selected and learning more about yourself as to what you like or don't like. The next one you make will be even better, just don't aggravate yourself.

In addition, notebooks are bulky and hard to write in with the 3 rings that seem to get in the way. Notebooks work good for timelines and notebooking where you are constantly adding content. That is NOT what you want to do with this planner.

 Each step has MULTPLE options. This does not mean you have to only choose 1 option. You may choose to print off ALL the options. Each step may provide multiple color choices and layouts and it is the same for each option. In other words, I have not created ONE planner and ask you to use it for your unique family. But I have created ALL the forms needed to go into a planner and then some. You can decide what is best for your family on each step.

1.In thinking about Teachers Manuals, they are NOT dated but are numbered --- revolutionary thought uh? lol

2. The homeschooling family lifestyle is ever changing and one advantage to homeschooling is flexibility.

With a dated curriculum planner, it can make one feel "behind" if you skip a few days of school to care for "life".

3. Our undated Curriculum Planner though does not mean unorganized, it is organized. It is NUMBERED. This allows you to "see" where in YOUR school year you are regardless of when you start. No more "skipped" pages or wasted paper because you had to skip one or more days.

Too, each page has a place for you to fill in the date.

Also, on pages 45, 90, 136 and 180 I have listed quarters. At page 90 is a notation for 1st semester and end of 2nd semester on 180 to flag "benchmark" days for your easy planning.

4. Some homeschooling families begin their school year with the physical year of January to December and not the academic year of August to May. This planner can be used at ANYTIME that suits your family whether you follow an academic year, physical year or any other time of the year.

Understanding the printing/coil binding process some now will save you a costly mistake. 

As mentioned, this planner is designed to use BOTH sides of the page and LEFT refers to the left side when the planner is laying flat and RIGHT refers to the right side when planner is laying flat. I know this sounds crazy, but it makes more sense when you start printing as you are just giving the 180 page download.

The LEFT side or ODD Pages are moved over on the page to the left more to allow for coil binding in the middle.

Likewise with the pages that are for the RIGHT side or the EVEN pages are moved over to the right more to allow for coil binding in the middle.

Print the EVEN pages first.

This ASSUMES that your printer prints from the largest quantity (or Page 180) and then back to the small quantity or (Page 1).

It was easier for me to simply print EVENS first then ODDS instead of doing double sided printing since my printer has that capability.

Last pointer: If you don't all ready know which way your paper feeds into the printer, try a few sample pages before you print ALL the ODDS. Tip: Be sure you notice how your paper is stacked in the tray BEFORE you pull it out so you will know what your printer is doing.

Is it numbering from largest quantity or page 180 to page 2? Then you need to follow my directions. If not, test a few pages first.

For my printer, since page 180 is out first, I have to re-stack the whole pile that comes out with page 179 on top instead of page 2 so that when it is printed it is numbered correctly.

Printing tip from one of our members named "Our Family is His". She said "When you have your nice stack of sheets numbered from 2 to 180 do everything the same BUT click the box next to "REVERSE PAGES". Then load your stack as it was printed (properly positioned so it prints on the back like we mentioned). It will pull page 1 on the back of page 2 and so on all the way to the end without you have having to hand restack. Just that simple and click."

If you like more than one cover, you can print lesson plans for half the school year--then you can print the other half and pick another cover. :o)

About the Covers - My tip is to laminate the cover. So you can print any color cover on plain paper {save your card stock} since the laminate copy gives you stability.  More on laminating at the bottom when you get ready to print.

Because we now have so many colors to choose from each year, the covers have their own page.

Click here to go to Step 1 Page.  

  Select a Cover and/or Back Cover and then return here to continue with STEP 2

Because our calendar options have also grown, they have a whole page dedicated to them. Click here to go to Step 2 Page.  

You have to have objectives otherwise where would you head? This is your plan, your goals to accomplish for the year. I have some links here that I have used over the years. I normally place this to close to the front of my planner. By putting the objectives closer to the front I find it is easier to review them from time to time and at the end of the year.

Also the purpose of a scope and sequence is for you to decide what concepts to cover {scope} and sequence {in what order to cover them}. Instead of learning instantly how to lesson plan and understand the learning process, you can follow one already made. Use it as "guide" so that you can see what other similar curriculum providers are teaching at that time. Placing these in your planner gives you an idea of what concepts are being taught which grade. Then you decide what works best for your learner.

Scope and Sequences we have added to our planner:

Christian Light Education - WOW, what a nice download. They have both elementary and high school. You can buy the scope and sequence to see what is in each booklet or you can download it for FREE on their site. The links are right above where the cost is for the booklets and this is how they look.

I believe each download is 72 pages. So pick/choose which page you want to keep in your planner as a way to guide you in lesson planning or since we use part of CLE for our school, we enjoy having the pages we are working on in planner.

Abeka's Scope and Sequence - 16 page download for a scope and sequence for children ages 2 years old to 12th Grade. Just print off the pages you need.

World Book These are general curriculum requirements from preschool to 12th grade.

Our caveat: As experienced homeschool moms we want to assure any of you that are new to homeschooling that it is NOT the curriculum that teaches the child. We are not teaching a "curriculum", we are teaching a "child". No amount of Godly curriculum will do us any good if we do not have the "hearts" of our children. It is by example, persistence and cultivating a love of learning that instills the passion for "more learning". So please do not get so caught up in standards that you forget that each child is "unique" and a gift. ADJUST to that child's needs but use these scope and sequences as "tools". DO NOT become enslaved to curriculum or testing.

The planner page is organized just enough to help you because I list the subjects out for you. 

The skill subjects are MATH and LANGUAGE ARTS. The 4 sub categories of Language Arts are Grammar, Reading, Writing and Spelling. They are listed on my form under Language Arts

The content subjects that most of teach our children together on like Geography, Science, History, Foreign Language, Bible and Art share one box since those subjects rotate during the week. For example, we do history one day and science the next.

That box is at the bottom of the form with enough room to write or lesson plan what you want to do for the day.

This page has 8 larger columns going across the top from left to right and three areas going down and one larger area at the bottom on each page.

Why would you want to use this non dated form? Well, first there is a lot of flexibility if you need it. Look at some examples of how to use this page. These are just a couple I came up with but I wanted those of you that struggle with organization see the flexibility.

It is time to make it "unique" by adding in extra touches that you need or like. We have more forms on the page More Forms page [1] {Step 5} and More Forms [2] {Step 5}  for you to add throughout your planner to make your planner UNIQUE. 

In addition, I have added several colors where possible to coordinate your pages. The colors chosen on the extra forms will coordinate with just about any cover you choose. Remember it is not about matching your pages but about blending them and each planner being unique because of the pages you chose. There are so many combinations.

 Print off as many or as few of them as you want. There is no limit. Just because I may have 5 options does not mean you can't print off every one you want. 

 For example, I like several pages of the Notes Page throughout my planer and now the Weekly Planning page too. I need to see my year around schedule to see which days I choose to take off/school. Print them all or choose what you want.

 Click here to go to More Forms [1] page 1 for Options 1 - 10.

What do I mean by this? Well did you notice all the pictures I had in my planner? Since teaching is a work of the heart, I personalized it by adding pictures of our  previous school year's field trips, activities and special moments to remind me of what we DID accomplish the year before instead of all that we did not.

Any "organizing tool" has the ability to be cold, austere and rigid. So that is what I believe anyway..LOL So this makes it warm and inviting and PERSONAL.

Did I mention over the years the pictures make a nice collage for memories as well? Since we don't really have time to do all things we love, like I would love to scrapbook a memory book each year but right now this will have to do. Too, in this planner you have all the "proof" of what you accomplished by adding your field trip notes and souvenirs and pictures of your co-ops, lapbooks, music recital and dance recitals. Don't forget to add your child's art work, drawings, greeting cards received for your work for other homeschoolers and attending/working homeschool conventions. Pretty cool uh?

Basically, I copy and paste pictures and make a collage on one page. You can do this in Word and Open Office or even Paint Net. Paint Net and Open Office are FREE.

Then I print them off on regular paper OR photo paper depending on how much I want to pay and added them inside a page protector AFTER binding the page protector in with the rest of planner. Be sure to decide where you want to place the pictures in your planner, put a page protector there to save that spot.

Add your PHOTO PAGE inside your page protector AFTER you bind it all together.

Tip to remember: You will have two pages of photos per one page protector (front and back). So be sure you have taken enough pictures to add to your binder. 

Page Protectors - I put mine at the front and back instead of between lesson planning pages but IF you use the tabs I mention below which are page protectors AND tabs you might not need as many.

Don't just buy one, make it WORK for you baby.

The Page Divider needs to serve a dual purpose if it's going to exist in my planner and not just take up room. Choose one that is a page protector (top loading or opens from top so you can stick in pictures, lose papers or business cards,recipes,etc.) Also you can look for one that is a pocket AND a tab. Think of "storage" anyway you can get it without making your planner so bulky by adding too many plain pockets.

 The Avery Protect 'n' Tab divider pages are sheet protectors with soft tabs. So the page protectors serve as dividers between sections or you can even divide the lesson planning pages monthly. Sometimes I put page dividers between months (separating out 30 lessons or so but be careful to do this if you feel it makes you seem behind because you have divided it into months).

Here are some Tab Dividers I have used and like

What to put on your tabs? I have used various names on my TABS over the years depending on what I need from my planner that year. Here are a couple different lists of generally what I have used each year and in the order they are in my planner.

Even though attendance is not required here in Texas, I do this about every 2 years to hold myself accountable and keep a "pulse" on how much we are actually homeschooling for a year.

Sample One - One year from my planner. I used tabs where I could divide all the kid's work BUT by months.

Attendance Chart

High School

Calendars

Objectives

July - June (1 tab for each month) I prefer to have my tabs reflect each month so I can find it easier in my planner instead of JUST "Lesson Plans"

Reading List

Notes

Sample Two - Another year from my planner. I used tabs where I could divide all the kid's work BUT by kids, not months. Where I have Child One I put the child's actual name.

Calendar

Individual Child's Reading Logs

Child One (name) Lesson Plans

Child Two (name) Lesson Plans

Child Three (name) Lesson Plans

Memory Work

Reading List from (Another Source like WTM or Veritas or Ambleside on line. This helped me to see choices in case what we picked out we didn't like)

Photo Album (Instead of putting pictures throughout my planner like I do now, a few years I add a separate section for them. You may like this better)

Teacher's Master Schedule (This helps me to see which kid I am suppose to be working with on which day. )

Notes

Sample Three - Another year from my planner, I used tabs where I wanted to include a list of skills for referral that year. Also, teaching Pre-k and K requires easier lesson plans and separate than older children since those grades you can mostly teach by themes. So Lesson Plans were for my oldest children and Theme Units for my youngest child.

Calendar

Pre-k Skills Check List

2nd Grade Skills Check List

4th Grade Skills Check List

Pre-k - Theme Units

Be sure your planner is laid out in the order you like. If you followed my steps, most of it will be organized. However, you may prefer to put Day at a Glance in between each planner page or you may prefer to have a separate section for that and the same way for Journaling. You DECIDE what you like!

Binding.

As far as binding, the way I liked the best is coil bind.

For a few bucks more, especially if you printed your pages, it is worth the coil bind. The best reason is that the pages lay flat on my table. Too, the binding does not take as much room on the left margin.

Coil bind comes in ALL colors, red, black, white, and even purple and pink. lol. But it just depends on which office supply place you get it bound at as to selection. If you are a true adventurer you can even order ANY colored coil through a binding company and take your own color as I do sometimes.

For example a college town will carry the colors of your local college or even school. Some will just carry the basics like "black and white".

I use to call ahead to the Office Max to see what is in stock before I chose my "cover" so it would all coordinate. But for bigger planners, (real thick ones) the choices are usually limited to either black or white.

 Cover and Back

I used to get a clear cover and then a hard back black cover to provide some support because I just didn't really take it anywhere. That was fine. (This normally is what the average office supply worker usually recommends.) If you choose this, keep in mind you have a selection colors for the sturdy back cover as well. For example, if you choose a purple binding, you can do like a pearl iridescent back. It is very pretty :o) and clean looking, not to mention professional looking.

BUT my favorite trick I have learned --is to laminate the FRONT and BACK extra big. Be sure to NOT choose "thin" laminate. A thicker laminate will serve to protect your binder during the year and give it stability.

I have the office supply worker place my front page on a 11 x 11 piece of card stock. Then they laminate over the whole thing PLUS about an inch PAST my cover page. The same way for the back. The office worker laminates an 11 x 11 piece of card stock for the back.

Even though my pic below is not to scale, there is the same amount of room on both the left side and right side of my cover page as shown by the red arrows.  Rounded corners too by laminating - NO sharp corners please!

In other words, my front page of my planner is centered on this 11 x 11 piece of paper with about one inch on each side.

You will notice right away that you do not see ANY of my tabs sticking out or the inside pages as the front and back laminated this way protects all the inside pages.

Here is the pic in case this sounds like "mumbo jumbo"

What do I accomplish this way?

1. It is more sturdier than a clear front and hard back.

2. My front calendar page is protected because it is laminated and not loose.

3. The tabs to my pages are "inside" and protected and not getting bent and caught on everything as I "transport" it or cutting me.

4. I can place my planner down on liquids such as water (I have done it before by accident) and it's okay because the back protected any pages. Just wipe and go.

5. Did I mention your planner just can look SMOKIN' HOT? It can even match your purse for the year. ROFL