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Year 2023 Homeschool Planning Schedule Beautiful Form

September 23, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Today I have the 2023 homeschool planning schedule for your homeschool planner ready early.

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

The planning schedule begins January, 2023 and ends December, 2023.

Year 2023 Homeschool Planning Schedule Beautiful Form

Even if you started later in the year, 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.

School Year 2023-2024 Homeschool Planning Schedules Beautiful Forms

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

Look at these other homeschool planner products that I know you’ll love!

More Planner Resources

How to Get the Free Planning Schedule

This free printable is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

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

Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow

September 22, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, we’re making an easy hands on snowflake winter craft. Add this to my winter season unit study.

While not everyone gets to enjoy the splendor of white crystal winters, we all appreciate the beauty of that type of winter.

Even if your winters rarely reach below 70℉ you can still at least touch on all that it entails for the cold months.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids Who Don't Have Snow

This craft allows your child to bring out an artistic side while also getting in some science.

Too, this activity works great for kids in early elementary through middle school.

And can be adjusted to give more or less information.

Next, look at some research questions for kids to dig deeper into a topic.

They can either find the answers in living books or on the internet. Research skills is another component to add to this unit study.

Flake Facts

Look at these facts to get you started

What US state gets the most snow? Vermont
Approximately how many crystals make up a flake? 1-200
How big is the largest lake ever recorded? 15” wide, 8 “ thick – Guinness World Book,1887
What are the smallest flakes called? Diamond Dust Crystals
How many sides does a flake have? 6
How long does the average flake take to reach the ground? 1 hour
What temperature does it have to reach for flakes to form? 35 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius)

And then add some of these resources for a mini unit study.

Watch a couple of YouTube videos:

If you live in a place which gets mountainous drifts try out some of these Activities That Celebrate Snow for more fun.

Resources for a Winter Unit Study

Also, look at my How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders and work birds into your winter study as well.

Winter is an especially important time to give them a little extra help as food is scarcer.

If you want to continue adding activities to your mini winter unit study give your child some copywork.

Grab my Free Winter Copywork for Middle School

Or chose a writing prompt like:

The little dancing snowflake was on its way to…
We ran out into the snow and….

Finally, be sure you spend some time learning about the science of how and why borax creates these crystals on objects.

Crystals are molecules that bind together ionically. Borax crystals have a square shape.

First you heat the water and the borax dissolves into it. Warm water holds more powder and it becomes super saturated.

As the solution cools the molecules they need somewhere to grab onto. So, they cling together as well as the object that you put in the solution.

Try different amounts of borax in the different bowls. Too, try different temperatures for the water to continue the experiment.

I love how the crystals make the pipe cleaners sparkle like real flakes.

There is a double page spread in Nature Anatomy that I love to recommend as a must have science reference. It covers a little on flakes and their characteristics.

Let’s make this winter fun craft.

How to Make a Borax Fun Easy Craft

Look at this easy list of ingredients:

You will need:

2-3 colored pipe cleaners per flake
Large glass bowl or other container
2 cups water
⅓ cup borax
Pencil, skewer
String

Then look at the directions below.

For each flake you will need 3 longer pieces 3”-4” long and least 12 pieces about 1” long.

Twist the 3 long pieces together in the center and spread them out evenly to create 6 spokes.

Twist each of the small pieces around the end and center of each spoke, bend to point outward slightly.

You want your flake to be slightly smaller than you container so it doesn’t touch the sides.

Tie a piece of string around the center of each flake and then around the skewer or pencil so that it hangs down into bowl.

Heat 2 cups of water to boiling. Stir in ½ cup borax until mostly dissolved.

Pour liquid carefully into the bowl.

Let your flakes sit for 24 hours or more. Here is what mine looked like after about 5 hours.

After just about 16-18 hours.

And a little over 24 hours.

They are so fun to make you are going to want to create all kinds of shapes. Make them over and over to celebrate season and event. Try making your name or initials.

Other Winter Fun Resources

Finally, here are some other resources you may love.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard

September 21, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time book #4 has many topics but one is the Elizabethan period. If your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, your child will love making a fun England Tower Guard craft.

We’ll travel back to Elizabethan Times, specifically 1595, with the third story in Geronimo Stilton Lost in Time The Fourth Journey.

It begins with a visit with Queen Elizabeth I.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard

As usual Geronimo gives us a great look at the time period through maps, images of fashion, buildings, vocabulary, and famous people such as Sir Francis Drake and Queen Elizabeth.

Take a look at the rich clothing from the time period.

There were ruffles, lace, ribbons, fancy cuffs, and collars.

I love that this fun series of Geronimo Stilton books because they always include important historical details to make it real to kids.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft

The Queen’s Guard (or King’s, depending on who the reigning monarch is) did not come about for another 200 years after Elizabeth I ‘s time.

But I thought it would be fun to draw some comparisons to Elizabethan England and modern England with these cute little figures.

They can be used as a bookmark, pointer to keep your place while reading, or as a little puppet.

Even if you are not reading Geronimo Stilton, this is a fantastic simple craft to do during any England unit study.

And this simple craft can be done by a wide range of ages.

You can set out photos of the guard and supplies and let your child take the lead to allow for process art rather than product art, this is especially good for younger children to experience.

Facts about Elizabethan England and Modern England

This is a great time to study England with the passing of the Queen, to study how her country honors her, to learn about the line of secession, what life was like during the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth and current times, and more.

Here are some fun facts to share to get you started on your mini unit study journey.

Share them over tea or while your child colors or creates these fun tower guards while using Geronimo Stilton Lost in Time The Fourth Journey.

Fun Facts about England Then and Now

The Elizabethan Period lasted for 45 years.
The capital of England is London.
Queen Elizabeth I never married or had children.
The Elizabethan Era is famous for its works by William Shakespeare.
Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
The last king to reign prior to Queen Elizabeth II’s death was George VI.
Queen Elizabeth II was England’s longest reigning monarch at 70 years on the throne.
Charles is now the king of England and wife Camilla will be known as Queen Consort.
The Tower Guard consists of one officer, six non-commissioned officers and fifteen soldiers.
The longest river in England is The River Thames.
The English drink more tea than any other nation.
There were over 400 years between Queen Elizabeth I and II.
Both queens were 25 years old when they took over the throne.
Elizabeth I’s younger brother Edward VI was actually the last King of England, Elizabeth II’s father Edward I was the last king of the United Kingdom consisting of the joined kingdoms of England and Wales.

You can use any subtopic in the book to engage your child.

The Big Ben you see in the photos came from the Safari Ltd Around The World Toob and is a must to add to sensory bin or dioramas when studying famous places or landmarks around the world.

How to Make an England Tower Guard Craft

Next, look at the easy supplies to make this fun England tower guard crafts.

You will need:

Jumbo popsicle sticks
Red, black, white, gold craft paint
Black felt
Craft glue
Small paintbrushes

Trace around the top of your jumbo craft stick a little larger than the actual stick and about 2” down to create the hat. Set aside.

Leave the top ¼ unpainted.

Paint the rest half red up top for the jacket and black on the bottom half for their trousers.

Let dry completely. You can flip it over and do the other side if you like or paint it a solid color to make it look more finished off.

Use a paint pen or the back end of a small brush to add details like gold buttons, eyes, a white belt and gold buckle to your guard.

Let it dry again.

Glue the hat into place just above the eyes and let it dry a final time.

If you use hot glue it will be ready to use much quicker.

Other Geronimo Stilton Resources

Look at these other craft ideas to go with the Geronimo Stilton Books.

Whether you want to do a literature unit study or easy history unit study, these are great books to use for both.

You can use your tower guard to hold your spot between reading sessions, to follow along the line as you read or for play time.

Learning about England then and now is a great way discover what has remained the same, what has changed, and how different countries governments rule.

Day 15: Discovering Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

September 20, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Discovering Learning Styles is our next topic. Today is day 15 discovering learning styles for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

You will find an overwhelming amount of information on learning styles that is free and there exist volumes and volumes of scientific research galore too.

My desire is to whittle down this information into terms that we all can understand.

First, it’s important to realize that unless you have tutored your child up to this time, you may not be fully aware of his abilities, strengths and weaknesses.

Day 15: Discovering Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

True, from helping your child with his homework, you have an idea of his weak subjects, but it is quite another thing to be the full time teacher now.

What is a Learning Styles

Many homeschoolers come home to school only to realize that their bright and gifted child struggles with some concepts they feel should have been mastered in the lower grades.

On the other hand you may sense frustration because your child may have mastered some previous concepts. So now he finds learning tedious and boring drills a time waster.

It takes time to get to know your child.

1:1 tutoring is so much more comprehensive because you are now discovering his learning style.

Again, MANY definitions exist on the internet, but a learning style is the way a child prefers to learn.

It is easy to understand and talk about them like personalities than it is to talk about learning modes. Most references refer to auditory, visual and kinesthetic learner.

While it’s important to understand modes because it goes along with learning personalities, it is easier and more practical to understand their learning styles or personalities.

Cathy Duffy is queen of understanding learning styles.

Prior to the time she wrote the 100, 101, and 102 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum, we identified learning styles by quirky names like Golden Retriever or Concrete – Sequential.

In her book she uses terms like Perfect Paul, Competent Carl, Sociable Sue and Wiggly Willy to help you identify certain traits or characteristics.

I prefer to leave labeling alone, but information and knowledge on personality quirks can help you make a better choice in curriculum and it also helps to promote closer relationships with your children.

Unlike adults, children cannot articulate why they prefer to move when they learn math.

But if you make them think that something is wrong with them because they need to move, you may be heading toward problems and burnout.

Flexibility is needed to avoid the we-have-to-be-in-strait-jackets-before-we-can-learn thinking.

Day 15: Discovering Learning Styles

Another example is if you are a mom that enjoys doing projects in your home and you do not mind a fair amount of clutter, but your daughter is wilting away because she does not have an organized place to do school, then your stress factors are multiplied.

Educating yourself now as to all of your children’s learning style and yours too can help you to bring peace and calm to your home.

Insight into their weaknesses in one or more subjects will help you not just teach with excellence in mind, but to nurture your children.

Also, I have created an easy course where you don’t have to wait to learn about learning styles.

As you homeschool longer, it will be to your advantage to embrace differences and to understand them.

For example, I think about all the beautiful women and mothers whose personalities are opposite of mine.

We complement each other and use that strength for the benefit of our children when we meet together for a co-op.

Overlooking faults is a beautiful thing and finding the good in each personality, even your children sets them up to be the best at whatever they are capable of doing.

There is no one better than the other. We all have strengths and weakness.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

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

Days 8-14 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Discovering Learning Styles in Homeschool

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

September 19, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The human body is a fascinating study and so is the pregnancy belly. Today, in my female study of human anatomy I’m sharing a fun craft. Also I have this Human Body Crafts page for more fun ideas.

Coming soon is a Human Reproduction and Development Free Unit Study for Big Kids homeschool lapbook that I know you’ll love.

To begin any study of human anatomy, it can be easier to talk to your kids by letting them make a hands-on craft.

Whether you want to cover a full anatomy unit study, or it is time to talk deeper about sex and reproduction you’ll want a relaxed approach.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Plus, I never shy away here from important topics for our kids.

So, if you’re teaching about puberty, pregnancy, conception, reproduction or similar topics, this hands-on activity makes it incredibly easy to understand.

And makes it a bit more real for your kids.

This project gently introduces the beauty of babies and female development.

It can easily be adjusted to your comfort level, your child’s maturity, and what you want to cover.

How a Baby Grows Resources

To give your middle schooler a little better idea of where and how a baby grows during pregnancy and how the body changes you can provide them with a fun activity.

It takes a little of the pressure off you both.

Even a too cool for school middle schooler will enjoy the relaxing and fun break from worksheets to dig into playdough.

Here are a few books you can add to this activity to round out the reproduction unit study.

If you don’t already have some of your own that you like, these books can be used for more than just a reproduction topic.

So, your kids will get a lot of use out of them.

Basher Science Human Body book has a small section in the beginning on several good terms such as man and woman, baby, sperm, egg, cell, stem cell, and DNA.

The series is a good reference tool for covering the topic. While the books are a little silly they are recommended for ages 10 and up and make a great addition to a middle school bookshelf.

The Fascinating Human Body Book may be a little young for your middle schooler.

However, depending on the maturity level it may be just right.

It covers small chunks of many different topics and has great illustrations.

Finally, the Anatomicum book is great anytime you are doing a study of any part of anatomy.

It is a handy reference book to add to your shelf permanently because it has beautifully illustrated diagrams on male and female.

Human Body Crafts

Reproduction Female Study of Anatomy

Next, look at this easy hands-on pregnancy belly craft. It requires a few easy ingredients.

Playdough in several colors
A Paper and pen
Plastic mini baby or tiny doll.

We got a bag of these adorable lifelike babies to use in our unit study. They were a little pricey, but we plan to use many of them in different ways.

Start by looking up photos of the female reproductive system and recreate the female reproductive organs with playdough.

You could then have your child label the various parts like fallopian tubes and uterus. Be as detailed or as general as you like.

Use this opportunity to demonstrate the path of the egg with a pointer (or pencil) and how a period is your body’s response to an egg not being fertilized.

Next research Google photos or a book of a cross section for a basic outline of the female body.

Have your child draw a basic outline of a pregnant female body. This gives them a rough shape to work on and helps to create a visual of where organs and systems are in relation to each other.

I found it easy to start by making the outline of the uterus and making sure our little baby fit inside it first then worked my way out with the other organs.

Roll playdough into snakes and coil to make the small and large intestines. Then bunch them up.

Too, you’ll want to add these other human body or anatomy resources.

Other Anatomy and Human Body Resources

Then continuing with the craft. Your child can make each system a different color if he or she likes. That makes for a great visual overall for all the systems of the body.

If your focus is just on reproduction, just make those organs a particular color and all others something else.

Be sure to show how as the baby grows and the uterus expands organs are shifted and pressed affecting everything.

Everything doesn’t have to be in proportion.

You just want them to understand the general makeup of the body and where it is in relation to each other as well as how and where the baby grows.

You might also have them recreate a sperm and egg with playdough as you talk about the job of each.

In addition, understanding X and Y chromosomes are a very important part of reproduction.

If you are at the point of teaching it, you could also demonstrate how the baby’s head eventually turns downward.

And explain the path it takes as it is delivered demonstrating how the body opens and adjusts naturally to allow this to happen.

Human reproduction and development are not easy subject to talk about with kids of any age.

It’s an amazing and complex process which leads to the birth of a human being.

And I hope having this easy hands-on lesson will help you to make this topic a little easier to teach to your kids.

What do you think?

Welcome

Three Different Homeschool Calendars

Homeschool Planning Schedule

Look at these other homeschool planner products that I know you’ll love!

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

Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

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