Homeschool Order:

Plan School Year Basics

Homeschool order is vital to learning and character building. The time given to establishing it in your homeschool is really an investment. It returns a hundred fold. Order leads to an efficient, pleasant learning experience for everyone!

To create it, to initiate a routine, is not really difficult. Dr. Mary Kay Clark, director of Seton Home Study School and mother of seven sons, all home educated, states, "Children like routine...Routine gives them security, and they are more willing to do WHAT they should do WHEN they should do it."

Homeschool order begins with the big picture. The key is planning. Take each step--one at a time. Plan your work, then work your plan. (There's a reason this saying has been around for so long!)

• Before the school ends, begin to think about next year. (Watch deadlines for re-enrollment; some arrive before May 1.)

• By mid-July at the latest, order your curriculum, books, any other equipment needed. (About this time, suppliers begin to receive tons of requests and run out quickly.) This way, you won't have back orders in September.

• Take inventory of office supplies on hand.

• Straighten the classroom for the new year. Summer is the perfect time for any painting, repairs, etc.

• Plan a shopping trip with each child. Buy pens, paper, white out, pencils, tape, glue, everything you think you might need for the coming year.

  Buying in bulk now saves time and money. When your child needs a new notebook, it's much more efficient and conducive to learning to just grab one from the shelf rather than making a special trip later. Additionally, most stores have terrific sales in August. It might mean paying 10 cents rather than $1. (I learned the hard way!)

• Be sure to purchase what you need. Clear "Contact Paper" is great for book covers...a planning book...tissues... all the items needed for the coming year.

• Organizing the classes ahead of time is essential to homeschool order. Plan a planning session at least two weeks before you start school. Do it after the child is in bed, on an outing with Dad. Enlist homeschool help from grandparents or trade a planning day with another homeschooling Mom. Four hours of quiet is necessary. Craft (1)a written schedule of subject times for each child, make two copies--one for you and one for him--and (2)a written list of behavior rules.

• Before the opening date, schedule an orientation morning for the child. Actually, this usually takes only an hour or so. Make it festive. Have prayer, pledge to the flag, donuts and milk, whatever sounds fun and feasible.

• Create homeschool order by letting your youngster know what to expect. Go over his schedule. He might like to color his copy of his schedule...red--math, blue--English, orange--reading, etc.

• Have him examine his books and other materials, then arrange them on his shelves.

• Get all supplies organized. The student can gather and arrange his pens, paper, crayons, calculator, etc.. Put small items in a pencil case (cloth preferably, it doesn't rip).

• Label notebooks with subject or divide and label the binder.

• Cover the books.

• Post the behavior rules and schedules prominently. Review them regularly. This is a tremendous homeschool help.

Terrific! The physical homeschool order is set up. You are free to concentrate on your child and his education!

Why Order Is Important

Discipline

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