by Jodie the Mom | Jun 10, 2024 | Homeschool

Planning For Homeschooling: Everything You Need To Know

It is that time of year, planning for homeschooling! Out with the old curriculum or posted on Ebay, and in with the new.

Planning for homeschooling can be fun and exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Whether you are new or a veteran, making sure you haven’t missed anything can be stress paralyzing. Let’s take the stress out of planning for homeschooling.

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This post is going to guide your through the process of planning for homeschooling.

If you are looking for ideas on homeschool curriculum or tools to use in planning for homeschooling, then this is for you.

Before You Start Planning for Homeschooling

Our first year of homeschooling was a disaster, and I am a homeschool graduate. But there were things we needed to figure out, grooves we needed to find, and curriculum we needed to dump.

But that is normal, just when I think I have it figured out something changes.

There are things that I keep in mind when I’m homeschool planning.

1. Learning Styles

Understanding learning styles is key to tailoring learning to your child. Part of the reason we homeschool is so our kids can learn at their our pace in and in their own way. Understanding their learning styles is going help you find the right curriculum and tools.

2. You Can Change

If something didn’t work for you this year, then change it. I know it is easy to keep buying what’s familiar. You understand how the curriculum works and your kids do. It’s easy. But if it made you cry (yes, you can cry over curriculum), then change it.

Even if you like something and your kids didn’t, change it.

3. Is High School Coming

After planning for 3 high school students, I kind of enjoy this process. Is your child going into high school or is he almost there. Do you need to start planning homeschool high school transcript or figuring out dual enrollment?

You child can start taking high school courses in middle school. If you want to start on some of the credits, then start planning for high school in middle school.

4. Organization

Do you need to change your homeschool space? We are like sardines in our homeschool space. It is just enough room to work, school, and walk. This has changed over the years. We’ve moved desks, rearranged, bought more bookshelves.

Is there something that drove you crazy this past year that you need to change before next year? Or are you adding another child to your homeschool and you need to make space? Now is the time to reorganize your homeschool space.

5. All-in-One Curriculum

I’m just going to say it. Sometimes we can be pretty snobby about the curriculum we use. Like I’m a better homeschool mom if I curate all the curriculum each year. Or if I shun workbooks and find living books to read (insert eye roll).

If this is how you want to rock your homeschool, then do it. But for work from home and homeschooling moms, being able to open the box and run is one of the best ways to homeschool.

I’ve done eclectic and put each subject together, but the planning for homeschooling like this is a time suck. If I want to manage my time as a working homechool mom, then I need open and go curriculum. The curriculum I usually use is Abeka Academy.

This is a lot to think about even before you start planning for homeschooling. I usually have a notebook going with all my thoughts in it. I like writing with paper and pen because I am more creative. Also, I don’t need to be in front of a screen just to get my thoughts down.

Planning for Homeschooling: Homeschool Curriculum

These aren’t out of the box curriculum suggestions, but these are tools to use and add to your all-in-one curriculum. These can easily supplement what you are doing and encourage your kids to be independent learners.

If you need specific help picking curriculum for your work from home and homeschool life, then check out this guide.

I am a fan of homeschooling online too. If this causes some anxiety, then read my suggestions on homeschooling online.

1. Skillshare

This has become a very surprising tool in our homeschool. We’ve tried a number of different online offerings like this, and Skillshare is the best one for all ages. If you want to add interest-based learning to your homeschool, but can’t really afford individual classes for all your kids. It gets expensive. This will give you the greatest variety for one price.

There are so many classes to choose from. Your kids can choose stop motion animation to bookkeeping. We haven’t encountered any classes that aren’t safe for kids. I am sure there are some on there, but we haven’t come across any.

I also use this to upskill for myself. Skillshare offers the most versatility for a really affordable price.

2. Homeschool Planet

Are you wanting to go eclectic with your homeschool, but you aren’t sure how you will manage all the planning for it? Then you definitely want to check out Homeschool Planet. You can read more of my review on homeschool organization.

I am a fan of all-in-one curriculum. But I am also a huge fan of making homeschooling work for you. This is one of the tools that can give you the most homeschool freedom and still work from home.

3. Greg Landry Homeschool Science

This is probably one of my favorite science curriculum. Science it not my favorite subject, so it is definitely one I like to outsource. Yes, you are allowed to outsource learning. We are about homeschool freedom, so if you need to get someone else to teach a subject, then do it.

You can choose between self-paced or live classes. All the hard high school classes are also available with virtual labs. This is my favorite part. No fire extinguisher involved science experiments.

4. Mr. D Math

Another great resource for outsourcing learning, and it is more than just math. My daughter is currently taking the American Sign Language 1 class, and she is really enjoying it. It is self-paced, but she gets live feedback from the teacher on all her homework assignments.

If your child is wanting to continue on to college, then this is a great way to get started learning online formats and teacher requirements.

5. ABCMouse

We can’t forget the little ones. This is a great supplemental tool. I’ve seen posts about using it as a full language arts curriculum, but I wouldn’t recommend it for that. It is just supplemental. But my kids love it, and it gives them a computer game to play. My youngest will use it on the Kindle and my first grader uses it on the computer.

This same company also has Homeschool+. It is definitely a more robust online curriculum offering.

6. Night Zookeeper

I am going to use this for the upcoming school year for my soon-to-be second grader. It looks like a lot of fun. I try to add subjects and curriculum that he can do independently. All my kids help with homeschooling the younger grades, but it really helps to have a subject or two that doesn’t require help from older people.

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7. The Momtrepreneur’s Guide to Curriculum

This workbook contains almost 10 years of experience and homeschooling every grade. Yes, I’ve homeschooled one kindergartener, one first grader, two second graders, three third graders, three fourth graders, three fifth graders, three sixth graders, three seventh graders, three eighth graders, three ninth graders, two 10th graders, one 11th grader, and one 12th grader. With more to follow.

In all the years, I’ve discovered what works, what doesn’t, and what was ok.

This workbook is packed with all that knowledge. If you want to work from home and homeschool, then this is for you. Figure out your homeschool style. Learn the different learning styles. Get an in-depth look at curriculum for each grade with helpful suggestions specifically for working from home, and so much more!

Conclusion: Planning for Homeschooling

Are you ready to plan your homeschool year? Always remember there are seasons to everything, and seasons change. Don’t be disappointed if your year doesn’t go to plan. That is the beauty of homeschooling, you can make changes.

Grab your copy of The Momtrepreneur’s Guide to Curriculum.