It’s that time of year. Choosing curriculum, planning the school year, and all the shiny new expectations for the new school year. Whether you homeschool year round, follow the traditional school calendar, or somewhere in between, the transition is exciting. Many of us get those lovely new curriculum catalogs and we peruse them, drooling over the latest and greatest. Buuutttt stop! Resist! Whether your jam is online shopping or snapping open the stiff spine of that catalog the size of large city phone book, just wait a second. Hold your horses. Take a moment and think about this past school year.
Review the past year.
Why review? Because we have to know where we’ve been to know where we need to go.
- Did you meet your goals. (What! Goals?! Do we need goals??? Oh I hear ya, but the answer is a resounding, YES! More on this in a bit.)
- Did you like the curriculum you used this year? If not, why?
- What are your child’s weaknesses?
- What are your child’s strengths?
- Did some things stand out as fun, memorable, effective? What sparked joy (heehee Kondo fans?) Is there something that needs to definitely happen again? Ask those kiddos.
My child made some great progress this year. We are delving into the Classical model of education. While it holds some similarities to our previous approach it is still much more rigorous than what we are accustomed. So, grace.
Setting Goals.
Now, don’t head on over to those curriculum websites just yet. I know, trust me. Let’s talk goals.
- What is your goals this coming year?
- Is there a weak area that needs to be shored up?
- Love of learning need to be restored?
- Ways to encourage the reluctant learner? (I’ve had/have a couple of those.)
- How to keep those strengths strong?
- Do you prefer workbooks or a living books approach? What does your child prefer?
- Is it a season where your student needs to work more independently?
Now, that you have clearer picture of where you’ve been and where you wish to go, finally it’s time to look at all the shiny curriculum. Ahhh, yes, finally the fun part. But don’t get carried away! Have your review of last year and your goals handy.
Curriculum shop smartly.
Since we have a clear picture of our successes and yes, even shortcomings and goals for the new year, we are finally ready to tackle the vast array of curriculum. Hopefully, we won’t get sucked into purchasing things just because it’s new and shiny. Ask yourself, before you buy, will it help you meet your goals and how. If you’ve been homeschooling for awhile like me, I highly recommend shopping your own bookshelves first. I guarantee you have some treasures you’ve forgotten. I plan on buying just a few things for Classical Conversations Cycle 2 and math.
I sincerely hope this has been helpful to preparing for our best year homeschooling ever. My goal is always to have an even better, more organized and productive year. Come back for the next part in this series. Planning Our Year Round Homeschool. I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a comment. Follow me on social media.
Happy Homeschooling, my friends!