Have you started your homeschool prep? No?! You are not alone. As a homeschooling parent, you are responsible for more than just teaching your child. You are also in charge of selecting the right resources and tools to help your child thrive. And I mean not only academically, but spiritually, emotionally and socially as well. But with so many options out there, in can be overwhelming to know where to start. That is why I have compiled a list of the top 5 things to do to prepare for a successful homeschool year. Yes, curriculum choice is very important, but there is so much more, such as finding a supportive community. But not to worry; we have got you covered. So buckle up and get ready to explore these key resources that can make all the difference in your school year.
Curriculum Choice
One of the most important decisions you will make as a homeschooling parent is selecting the right curriculum for your children. With so many options available, it can be daunting to sift through them all and choose the one that is the best fit. But with a clear understanding of your child’s learning style, interests and strengths, you can make an informed decision that will set them up for success.
We have several blogs for you to check out as you try to determine which curriculum is best for your family. Click on the link below to read more:
HOMESCHOOL BLOGS
Take the time to carefully consider your options and choose the right curriculum for your family. This way you can set them up for success and make your homeschooling journey a rewarding and fulfilling experience. When you get your curriculum choice all sorted out, you can begin to focus on the next key resource for a successful homeschool year: lesson planning.
Lesson Planning
Depending on your personality type, this is a part of the planning process that you are either going to love or hate! If you hate planning but feel like it is a necessary part of your homeschool prep, look for a curriculum that provides the lesson plans for you. There are plenty of them out there.
Personally, I always chose curricula that had lesson plans. However, I definitely tweaked them to fit our schedule. For example, my kids loved having Fridays off. No problem, as long as they made it through the lesson plans early. They knew what was expected of them for that week. So when the lesson plans were completed, they were rewarded with an extended weekend. Who doesn’t like a Friday off?!
Regardless of your feelings toward this, it is important to have a clear plan for each day’s lessons.
When planning your lessons (or tweaking the lessons that you have been given) consider the learning style and your family’s schedule. Then you can tailor your lessons to fit your family’s needs. Take into account each child’s strengths and weaknesses. Create lessons that challenge them while also allowing for success. Especially if you are new to homeschooling, this is an area where you will need to adjust as you go and learn about each child.
Give yourself tons of grace in this area!
Additionally, be sure to include a variety of activities to keep your child engaged and interested in the material.
Another important aspect of lesson planning is setting achievable goals. Identify specific learning objectives for each lesson and track your child’s progress towards achieving these goals. This will help ensure that your child is staying on track and meeting the necessary requirements for their educational level.
Let’s now move to the fun stuff, the importance of joining a homeschool co-op!
Don’t Go It Alone
In addition to having a solid plan for lessons, homeschooling families can benefit from joining a homeschooling co-op. I could not have done it without our co-op! This is incredibly beneficial not only for the kids, but also for the parents. My very best friends to this day are the other moms that I met at co-op. We have laughed together, cried together, celebrated together and everything in between. I am very grateful that we have supportive family members, but my co-op moms were my biggest cheerleaders because they could relate to every struggle and celebration that we were experiencing throughout our journey.
Not only will you form great friendships, but you will be able to share resources and ideas. You will also see your child’s socialization skills skyrocket the more you get involved. (Not to mention, it is a great social outlet for you as well.) It’s a win-win!
By connecting with other homeschool families, you may discover new teaching methods or approaches that work well for your family. I learned so much from my co-teachers when I taught at co-op.
Co-ops also provide a space for group projects and other collaborative activities (like gym class) that are harder to do at home. And my favorite part about co-op – going on field trips!
Planning Field Trips
When it comes to homeschooling, learning is not confined to the four walls of your home. I often think that HOMEschooling is such a misnomer. Field trips are an important aspect of your child’s education, providing them with an opportunity to explore and learn outside the traditional classroom setting. From museums to parks, historical sites to science centers, the possibilities of field trips are endless. My greatest resource for finding field trip ideas was through Facebook groups. I found that many of these groups are made up of families that are quite thrifty – another big win!
Not only do field trips offer a break from your usual routine, but they also provide a chance for your child to reinforce what they have learned at home. For example, a trip to a historical site can bring to life the events and people they have been studying in their history lessons. Also, a visit to a science museum can allow them to apply what they have learned about the scientific method and see it in action. This is especially helpful if you time it well.
As I mentioned, it is always more fun to go with friends within your homeschool co-op. They provide a sense of community and connection on a deeper level with other homeschool families. Many attractions offer special homeschool days or group discounts, allowing your child to meet and connect with other kids who are also being homeschooled.
SHOPPING!!
If you are a shopper, here is an area where you can really have fun and create a unique classroom within your home. Depending on your taste, you can make it fun and colorful. Or maybe you want it cozy and aesthetically pleasing. Or maybe you can have areas for BOTH! The key is to make it an area where your whole family is comfortable and fosters a love for learning. There are two things that I don’t miss about shopping for public school supplies. One is searching and searching for the 18 pack of Crayola crayons. Not the 12 pack. Or the 24 pack. Not even the 36 pack, even if it comes with a sharpener and a really cool box. I also do not miss labeling EVERY. SINGLE. THING. Are you with me on that?!
Before you head to the store, peruse your curricula and make notes of supplies that you will need for each subject, at least for the first few weeks. Or create a board on Pinterest for art or science projects and create a list from there.
We have a few on our Homeschool Pinterest board to get your ideas flowing.
Be sure to add educational games to your shopping list. These games can serve as powerful teaching aids that make learning a fun and engaging experience. In fact, research shows that children retain information better when they are having fun.
And let’s be honest. Some days you need to just scrap your lesson plans and pull out the games. You want to be sure to have them on hand because when those days hit, the last thing you want to do is have to make a run to the store to get something to do.
Keep in mind that if you find that the lesson plans aren’t cutting it for the day (or, as kids nowdays would say, the math ain’t mathin’) that doesn’t mean that you cannot get back to your plans within that same day. If your child is feeling bored or restless, taking a quick break to play a game can help them refocus and feel refreshed.
In conclusion, making sure you cover these top 5 things can set you up for a very successful year. It can make all the difference in your child’s academic success. From curriculum choices to shopping for fun supplies, there are endless resources at your disposal. As you navigate the world of homeschooling, do not be afraid to try new things and experiment and tweak until you find what works best for you and your family.
Cheers to your best year yet!
Leah