Make A Home School Organizer

We all agree a home school organizer is an absolute necessity for us homeschooling Moms. Yet we can set up our own system that is inexpensive, unique for our own situation and works just fine.

Note: It is important to have your physical homeschool in order--books, supplies, seating arrangements, etc. If your classroom/kitchen table is a mess, fix it first.

Make your planner. Follow these points. Adapt as needed:

• Check state laws. Incorporate required information in the home school organizer. (e.g. date, time, place of the field trip)

• Design a lesson plan format. You will copy this for each week, so it's not too specific.

• At the top, put "Week of _________________" Begin the school week each Sunday.

• Choose a short, inspiring quote or saying that will start everyday. I put "J.M.J."

• Measure out a chart. Use a computer if at all possible. Save the format so that you can quickly and simply make yearly adjustments.

  You need eight equal columns. Label each at the top. The first is "Subjects," followed by one column for each day of the week. To save space, abbreviate the days (Sun., Mon., Tues.)

  Draw vertical lines between columns to the bottom of the page.

  Make one copy of this form for each child. (To eliminate confusion and allow for more information, I always used separate sheets for each child.)

  Begin with the first child's plan. In the first column, write the subjects in the order they are to be studied. (helpful, but not necessary.) A high schooler, for example, might have "Biblical Reading," "Math," "English," "Biology," "American History," "Music," "Drama," "Phys. Ed."

  Below the last subject, draw a horizontal line.

  If there is an activity that is routine, type that in the appropriate space. For instance, if everyday there is flashcard review, go ahead and type "FCR" in each Monday through Friday space. Leave plenty of room to later write the daily assignments.

  The bottom space is for "Notes." (reminders, "Buy pencils," "Send in papers," and any additional information.

  Do a lesson plan format for each child.

  Copy enough charts for each student for all the weeks of the school year. Watch for specials at UPS, Mail and More, etc. I always bought a quantity card which further saved a few pennies. (This was cheaper than using the ink of our home copier.)

• Find a sturdy binder that you like. (Mine has a plastic front flap in which I inserted a lovely picture, St Anne teaching the Blessed Mother)

• Punch holes in all the sheets.

• Use divider tabs to separate the plans for each student.

• Weekly, write the lesson plans in the spaces. Use pencil so you can erase neatly. Don't work too far ahead so you can easily make changes. (Extra day needed for a math concept? Unexpected field trip?)

• Record specific information. Include book titles and page numbers, days off and why (Thanksgiving vacation), art projects, music lesson times, time spent at baseball practice and games, etc.

  Don't forget Saturday and Sunday activities. Family bike rides, museum visits, art projects, etc. Lots of learning occurs on weekends! Write it down.

• Consolidate other helps in a front or back section. I had 'phone numbers, diagramming rules, multiplication and elements charts and lists of recommended books.

Use this home school organizer. Carry it with you. Make it work for you...simply and efficiently.

Find more organizing ideas at

Homeschool Order

The Importance of Discipline

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