Tina Robertson

School Year 2023-2024 Homeschool Planning Schedules Beautiful Forms

September 5, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I have the 2023 to 2024 homeschool planning schedule for your homeschool planner ready early.

Sometimes having both the current homeschool schedule and marking the next school year in your planner can be helpful.

My homeschool planning schedules allow you to plan your year whether you homeschool year round or not.

The planning schedule begins July, 2023 and ends June, 2024.

School Year 2023-2024 Homeschool Planning Schedules Beautiful Forms

Even if you started in August or September, you can use the schedule because it is twelve months.

Remember, I create both academic and physical year calendars.

Although the homeschool planning schedule calendars may seem similar to plain calendars, let me assure you they are not.

Three Different Homeschool Calendars

And I create three different types of calendars each year.

The three different types of calendars I prepare each year are.

Regular calendar for reference. I normally put two or three in my planner.
A planning schedule like I have today which I create both an academic and physical year.
Then the two page per month calendar for tracking appointments.

Also, you need at least one of each type of calendar in your homeschool planner.

However, you want to know best how to use it.

Homeschool Planning Schedule

Here are some features and sections it has.

12 months on one page so if you school year round, you can still track;
is a calendar where highlight weeks you plan to homeschool and mark out weeks you take off;
is used to track each day and total weeks by writing down; and

it has a comprehensive key box at the bottom of the form for you to note things like first day of school, holidays, quarters, and goals for days and weeks to homeschool.

Look at my samples below in how to use the planning calendar.

Finally, having a plan to begin your homeschooling year with sets you up for success.

Other Homeschool Planner Resources

More Planner Resources

How to Get the Free Planner Schedule

This free printable is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my Exclusive Subscriber’s Only Library and you get this freebie too.

This is how you get access quickly.
► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.
►3) Look for the automatic reply giving you the password to the private subscriber’s area. You should have it soon.

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Day 12: Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

September 4, 2022 | 10 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creative storage solutions is our next topic. Today is day 12 creative storage solutions for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

I think homeschooling storage epitomizes the meaning of creative storage solutions.

Thinking outside of the box starts on your first day of homeschooling and you just keep reinventing as you go along.

I found out that I had quite a few things at my house that with a little tender loving care could be turned into storage or at least be used in our school area.

Day 12: Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Though it’s not storage, something as simple as updating a lamp shade to bring it to your school room gives you a sense of empowerment or starting fresh.

Of course, a little orange in my house doesn’t hurt anybody either.

Take a look below at the medley of things I have collected from the around the web that could easily be used as storage.

Homeschool Storage

Do you have something like this at your home that you can remodel, repair or refinish?

Source: The Pleated Poppy

I loved how she used wood crates to create a space. A little paint and you have beautiful and unique!

Source: Hello Kiddo

How many different things can you find to make into a bookshelf?

Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool

Source: Schoolgirl Style

I shared my color coordinating binders on Day 8: Organize Your Home Then School and look how this idea is implemented.

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

I am the author of the book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Your imagination is your limit when it comes to color coordinating everything.

Source: Little Brags

A tool box for craft storage. I luv.

Source: Somewhat Simple

She created preschool stations with these bins. Lovely!

Source: Becoming Martha

Homeschool Storage Ideas

Make your school room unique by creating things you need and like!

Source: Decorascao

Isn’t this beautiful and thrifty? Gorgeous.

Source: That’s My Letter

These beautiful diy chalkboard easels are so creative and useful.

Weekly-Workbox-Grid-visual-organizer-for-homeschool-copy.png

Source: Homeschool Creations

Look at the way Jolanthe organizes her homeschool. She uses a system called Workboxes by Susan Patrick

I love the way she modified the system to fit her family. She uses folders and a grid instead of strips. Be sure to check out her post: Our New Workbox System ~ Workbook Weekly Grid

Look at how Kathy has set up her workboxes and she has some free printables for her system too.

And again, look how Kristen modified that same system to work for her family by using At A Glance Charts.

Source: Preschoolers and Peace.

Look too at how Kendra put her twist on this system.

Source: Squidoo Workboxes by SpellOutLoud

If you can’t get enough then go to the Squidoo Lens kept by Maureen at Spell Out Loud to see more. There are some wonderful ideas there.

Are the creative juices flowing yet? I hope you are inspired to use some of these ideas to make your learning a place that is both beautiful to learn in and a place for creative storage.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-11 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

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Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft

September 3, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, for the book Geronimo Stilton field trip to Niagara Falls summary, we’re making a fun flint corn craft. Your kids will love book number 24 Field Trip to Niagara Falls of the Geronimo Stilton books series.

We are back on another adventure with the globetrotting time traveling fabumouse Geronimo Stilton.

Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft

While we’re visiting Niagara Falls, we are learning about camping, the waterfall, various trees and animals of the area, and the Native Americans that called it home.

The book Field Trip to Niagara Falls is book 24 and we loved it.

These books pack a lot of great information into fun and easy to read stories that will get the most reluctant reader excited to see what Geronimo Stilton is up to.

In addition, this book has many ideas for unit studies.

But today we are going to learn more about the Attawandaron tribe.

Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary

The Attawandaron tribe lived on the shores of the lakes Erie, Huron, and Ontario making the area around the falls their home.

And the Attawandaron tribe was part of the Neutral Confederacy of the Iroquois people.

They were a semi-nomadic group who lived in bark-covered longhouses.

Also, The Maid of the Mist is a legend believed to have come from the Iroquois people and Geronimo does a lovely job of relaying the story.

Next, we’re making a hands-on fall craft that not only provides the perfect set up to teach your child about indigenous people of the area but also makes a beautiful fall decoration.

Types of Corn

While researching we also discovered that Indian corn is now commonly called flint corn or ornamental corn.

It’s been said that these colorful ears are named after the indigenous people of North America, but that is folklore.

It is still okay to call it Indian corn.

Many present day Native Americans call it that.

It was used for food rather than decoration the way we use it now.

Give your child a few other activities to turn this book, Field Trip to Niagara Falls, into a mini unit study.

Geronimo Stilton Niagara Falls Unit Study Ideas

Research the difference between Indian (flint) corn and regular corn.
Have your child identify on a map where the Attawandaron are thought to have lived.
Paint a watercolor picture of Niagara Falls.
Create a diorama of the falls with Safari LTD Native Americans
A lot of the book covers camping near Niagara Falls, have your child list all the things you would need if you were going on a camping trip.
Use the Leaf Snap app to identify trees in your yard.

And a lot of the book covers camping near Niagara Falls.

Have your child list all the things you would need if you were going on a camping trip.

How to Make an Indian Corn Fall Craft

The book has a great section on Native Americans and the area they lived in and covered.

It gives your child a great base for the craft.

List of materials needed for the Indian corn fall craft

54 small wood beads,16 or 20 mm
3 pipe cleaners
Raffia
Craft paint/brushes
Paper plate
Hot glue gun/sticks

First, twist together 3 pipe cleaners directly in the center and fan them out evenly. Set aside.

Add orange, yellow, and red craft paint to a paper plate or bowls. Add a little water to thin it and stir well.

If you want darker colors add less water.

And if you want more of a wash like my example add more water to thin it out more. This will create a light stained look.

Add ⅓ of the beads to each plate and roll around to coat completely.

I left 12 of my beads unpainted to give it a fourth color.

Transfer to a paper towel to dry. Allow to dry completely.

Once dry, your child can begin adding the beads to the pipe cleaner in any pattern they like or no pattern at all.

Each half holds about 9-10 beads of this size, leaving ½” to 1” unbeaded at the top of each.

Once all your stems are filled, bend them up and twist the ends together securely.

Adjust and bend to make it full and round.

Grab a chunk of long raffia and fold it in half.

This will become the husk.

Lay your corn over it to measure how much space it takes up and knot just above the corn.

Add some hot glue to the raffia and press the corn into place.

Tuck the twisted pipe cleaner tip into the knot as much as you can.

Pull some around to the sides and glue it as well. Trim the top if you like.

You could also just go with fall colored pony beads and feel to make it a bit simpler and save a few steps.

But I like the look of these wood beads, don’t you?

Other Geronimo Stilton Resources

This Indian corn craft gives your child a chance to express their creativity, work on fine motor skills, and keeps hands busy while they listen to a read aloud, audiobook, or add it to your unit study.

It makes a lovely decoration for home doesn’t it?

You can prop it up on your desk to add a little fall flair or decorate your table with a whole bundle.

Day 11: Swoonworthy Learning Spaces & Homeschool Rooms And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

September 2, 2022 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool spaces is our day 11 learning spaces and homeschool rooms of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

Not everybody chooses to have a school room. And homeschool spaces and learning spaces are special to each family.

But all of us have to have an area that we feel comfortable learning in.

Finding the exact niche in your home for welcoming tons of new books and supplies is not easy either.

Day 11: Swoonworthy Learning Spaces & Homeschool Rooms And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Though my first area looked a lot like a mini version of a public school room, it has changed many times over the years to accommodate my sons as they have grown.

Just like it is natural for your children to grow, it is normal to update and change your learning area each year with your family’s needs in mind.

Homeschool Spaces

Some years you will make drastic changes, other years changes will be more subtle.

Look at a few of these tips to keep in mind as you plan an area for younger children.

1. If you are teaching writing, be sure your children can practice good posture by making sure they have size appropriate furniture. We can’t expect pretty writing if they are sitting on phone books at the dining room table.

2, If you have ~~walking destroyers~~ precious toddlers, then look at storing you supplies up and out of their reach like the top of a closet. Under a bed in a container with a lid that they can’t pull out worked good for me for a few years too.

3. Because you will be getting little help in picking up items while you are training them, try to keep one room or area where you keep a majority of your items. It will be easier to locate what you need.

Look at a few of these things to keep in mind as you plan an area for older children.

Murphy Winter Antique White Fold-out Convertible Desk

1. Older children can crave privacy at times. Look at desks that extend, then fold back into themselves when they are not used. Even something simple that is attached to the wall, like a Murphy desk and then folds away works too.

2. Because you will have help as they are older, some of your books can flow out of your area and be kept in out of the way places. We have a large guest bathroom, and some of our books in magazine holders are kept there. But since my kids are teens they can help themselves and then put them back.

Organizing Homeschool Spaces

3. Kids are no different than you and I when they get older and prefer very specific supplies, pen or notebooks. Include them in making purchases because they have preferences too.

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

I am the author of the book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Let’s lighten up things and look at some swoon worthy spaces. Maybe one of these will help you to be inspired with your learning area.

Source: Pottery Barn (Please Pin from original sources)

Though a lot of their furniture can be expensive, some of their pieces work great especially if you have all young children, you will get a lot of use out the furniture.

Idea for Spring Nature Exploration Table

Source: The Imagination Tree (Please Pin from original sources)

This is a great idea to show how you can have a science/nature table inside. It doesn’t take much.

Source: My Joy Filled Life (Please Pin from original sources)

I love the use of space here, especially the wall space.

Beautiful table and walls for homeschool room.

Source: Luxe Living Forum but the site is no longer there.

I love this table and storage, though I would include chairs with backs if you end up using an area like this for writing. But, for crafts it is great.

Source: Hope and Honey

Love this cheery area for a learning area.

Source: Handmade Charlotte (Please Pin from original sources)

Love how she used the wall and you notice one space is a little higher for an older child and the other table is lower down.

Source: Just A Night Owl

What is not to love about this school room complete with lockers and chicken wire.

Source: Just A Night Owl

Source: Wildflowers and Marbles (Please Pin from original sources)

Homeschool Spaces

I see this as an area for one or two small young children.

Source: Natural Beach Living (Please Pin from original sources)

What a beautiful area to start off your journey in!

Source: Forever, For Always, No Matter What (Please Pin from original sources)

I love the update Jennifer made to her room last year. It is the perfect example of what I am talking about when I say that sometimes changes are big one year and then another year they are subtle.

I have more pictures on my links below if you can’t get enough eye candy. Click on each graph to go to the page.

Look here at Sharla’s school room at The Chaos and the Clutter.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-10 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

The fact that we have to draw some of our ideas from playrooms, crafts and offices makes it an unique experience when we find something that works for our family.

Do you have an area in mind in your home? Do you have pictures to share already?

Homeschool Organization + {Storage, Spaces and Learning Places Part 1}

Day 11. Swoonworthy Learning Spaces. 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp.

How Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful

September 1, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool teaching styles wasn’t something I understood when I wanted to know homeschool learning styles.

Too, after researching for years and even teaching a workshop about it, there is still much confusion about how to identify homeschool teaching styles.

In addition, terms like modalities, teaching styles, and learning styles are terms that need to be clarified.

How Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful

However, tapping into the way a child prefers to learn is essential to success

Do you wonder why it seems like one child understands exactly what you mean when the other one seems clueless?

You know it’s not because that child is not trying to understand you.

It can be frustrating and discouraging to feel like you’re not getting your point across.

Homeschool Styles

First, for years research has been based on 3 types of learners.

They are either visual, auditory, or tactile or a combination of them.

How Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful. Do you wonder why it seems like one child understands exactly what you mean when the other one seems clueless? You know it's not because that child is not trying to understand you. It can be frustrating and discouraging to feel like you're not getting your point across. So instead of focusing on trying to funnel all people to categories or labels, I focused on understanding learning personalities.

And some of the characteristics of visual learners are:

Normally they learn through their eyes.
These types of learners love photos, maps, visuals,
diagrams and maps.

Next, look at a few characteristics of auditory leaners:

They tend to be good listeners.
And they can learn better through music, discussions, and sounds.
In addition, they love to record discussions and topics to listen back to later.

Lastly, some of the characteristics of tactile learners are

that they learn best by doing.
Hands-on projects, acting out, and performing experiments.

However, a lot of research has been done since this.

And although the science is not conclusive about exactly how we learn, we can agree that both children and adults have preferred ways of learning.

So instead of focusing on trying to funnel all people to categories or labels, I focused on understanding learning personalities.

Identifying Homeschool Learning Personalities

When you understand the way your child prefers to learn then you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning.

To learn about personalities means to understand your and your child’s strengths and weakness.

Additionally, a learning personality means the skills a person uses to gather and perceive information.

So, a learning personality will include learning styles like visual, auditory, or tactile but it also includes personal preferences. That is more unique to individuals.

Too, I feel like understanding a personality is easier to identify than a learning style since many do not agree even on how many learning styles there are.

4 Ways Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful

You can plan a successful course with your child’s strengths and weaknesses in mind;
Specific goals can be set and met because your leaner will know how to meet them;
There is individualized education; and
Your learner will be eager to learn lifelong instead of struggling with why he doesn’t understand some subjects as well as he does others.

Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality

Finally, after years of putting the pieces together, I have created an online self-paced course on how to identify your homeschool child’s learning personality.

This course will give you solid beginning points and look what you will learn.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Tapping into the way a child prefers to learn is essential to success.

Tina Robertson

Three Different Homeschool Calendars

Homeschool Planning Schedule

Other Homeschool Planner Resources

Glam It Up Package

2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

Editable Homeschool Lesson Planning Pages – Mink Over You

Editable Weekly General Planning Page

Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages

Doodle Coloring Curriculum Planner Cover

Sunkissed Curriculum Planner Cover

0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

00. Ancient Civilization History 20 Coloring Pages

1. The Best Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner

Awesome Reading Aloud Tracking Time Homeschool Form

Editable Front Cover – Coral Inklings

More Planner Resources

How to Get the Free Planner Schedule

This free printable is a subscriber freebie.

Homeschool Storage

Who is Tina Robertson

Homeschool Storage Ideas

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-11 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary

Types of Corn

Geronimo Stilton Niagara Falls Unit Study Ideas

How to Make an Indian Corn Fall Craft

List of materials needed for the Indian corn fall craft

Other Geronimo Stilton Resources

Homeschool Spaces

Organizing Homeschool Spaces

Who is Tina Robertson

Homeschool Spaces

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-10 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Homeschool Styles

Identifying Homeschool Learning Personalities

4 Ways Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful

Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality

YOU WILL LEARN:

Other Learning Styles Resources:

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