Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

dy•nam•ic constant change, progress, activity

Homeschool Planner

How to Create A Homeschool Lesson Plan in 7 Easy Steps

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

Learning how to create a homeschool lesson plan goes hand in hand with choosing a homeschool planner. Besides, how to plan homeschool lessons gives you a strong edge over other homeschoolers who may not take time to learn.

Too, homeschooling means customizing the learning experience.

Learning how to create lesson plan can mean the difference between whining or winning for your kids.

So, whether you create multiple individualized lesson plans or you create only one you’ll be glad you have this skill set.

How to Create A Homeschool Lesson Plan in 7 Easy Steps

Additionally, how to make homeschool lesson plans can become drudgery. I want you to avoid that while teaching you how to quickly create a lesson plan.

7 Easy Steps to Create a Homeschool Lesson Plan

Look at this example below; I’m using this book we love Air is Not Oxygen.

I’m using it as an example because although it has less pages than other curriculum, it’s full of hands-on ideas.

I want to show you how to incorporate them into your lesson planning.

Study each step as I have thoughts and questions which you need to ask yourself.

It is an easy way to learn the beginnings of lesson planning.

Take a look at these 7 easy steps in how to create a homeschool lesson plan.

Step 1. Determine the total days in your school year or the time period you’ll be using the curriculum.

Note: Typical days in a school year are 180. I will use that number too.

This first step is important because it aligns with your scheduled year.

Even if you use laid out curriculum, it may only have 130 or 160 lesson plans or days.

If you’re adding the resource you’re lesson planning for as a supplement, you’ll want to be finished the same time as the rest of your curriculum.

Then, one last more heads up and that is to don’t forget your local law. If they determine the number of days you homeschool, that is your starting point here in Step 1.

Step 2. Decide how to divide the resource.

Step 2 is deciding how to divide your resource.

I find dividing by chapters is one way. And dividing it by pages is even easier. My book has 124 pages. I’m using the pages since it will give me the time I need each day.

So, one question you need to ask yourself here is how many days does the curriculum cover.

Because we had not really done a lot of science the year before I used Air is Not Oxygen, I knew we wanted to do something each day.

Additionally, I know the lessons would not be long.

Step 3. Weed out chapters/content that you don’t want to cover.

In this next step, this shows the true strength of an individualized lesson plan.

Take time to weed out content which your children already know or have covered.

Also, I look at my resource closely to be sure the minimal amount of review is included.

This way, I can cover exactly what interests my children or cover what is my goal.

Step 4. Determine the content that you will cover, skim, reduce, or take longer on.

Now that you’ve deleted lessons, reviews, or test that you don’t want to include you have a different total number.

However, this may not your final number of lessons. Why? Because like my resource I’m using, it has 2 bonus hands-on activity for every concept I was introducing.

Time to include both activities needs to be added. Right away I can tell that at least 2 days per page is the pace I needed.

This gives us time to do a quick oral lesson and include both hands-on activities or choose one. But the pace is exactly what my children needed that year.

Step 5. Do simple math. Divide, multiple, and regroup to get your final number of lessons.

Finally, here at Step 5 you need to do your first simple division to give you an idea of your pace.

For instance, my resource has 124 pages. And I know I want at least two days per lesson.

I can plan several ways. First, I can double the pages in my resource so my pages doubled are 248.

Remember, I said I was following a 180 day. Right away, I can see that 2 days per 1 lesson won’t work.

So my solution at this point is to start with my plan of 2 days per 1 lesson even though I know my year will run out before my lessons – maybe.

Why? Because I know some lessons we may skip although I couldn’t find any right now. I just won’t know that until I jump in.

Moreover, some lessons we may do 2 for 1 day. It will probably even out through the year.

You may ask, “Why Do the Math?” Because math doesn’t lie. And it’s not fluff meaning you get a realistic view of what you can actually cover.

So, even if it’s easy to figure out how many pages you need to cover, still go through this process. Making mental picture of this process in your mind keeps it cemented there the whole year.

Step 6. Ask: Do You Want to Include Special Projects or Testing?

Next, this is the step where you want to include additional days for special projects.

Too, testing may be required in your state. You need to plan in extra days for those tests.

Step 7. Glance over the material to determine which parts can be covered orally.

In conclusion, keep in mind many lesson plans can be covered orally. They don’t all have to be reduced to writing.

How to Create A Homeschool Lesson Plan in 7 Easy Steps

This is a good way to cover material when your child needs to work on recall. Also, if your children are working on recall, oral lessons are fantastic.

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

What do you think, does this give you a great start to making an easy lesson plan?

Look at these other homeschool planner posts:

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

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

This unique flexible and beautiful preschool homeschool planner is the perfect homeschool planner to use for early learners. While creating this 47-page early learner planner I included flexible planning pages.

Forms like 21 thematic planning pages, a year at a glance page, and 12 months of planning your theme are a few included.

Adding in an editable lesson planning template and 4 colorful attendance sheets helps you to easily meet record keeping guidelines if necessary.

Early Learner Homeschool Planner

In addition, while I focused on creating this planner for preschool age, I know the early learning stage spans quite a few years.

So, the BEST part of this planner is that it can take you from the preschool years to first grade because of the flexible planning pages included.

Too, if all your kids are first grade and under, this is the almost perfect planner for you.

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

In addition, creating this beautiful and useful planner, I also guide you how to plan.

Guiding you how to plan is very important to me; I want you to have less stress while knowing you’re creating a strong foundation.

Using my over 20+ years of experience, I know what is helpful and what is not for the early years.

Planning for the Early Years

First, look at what I included as being foundational in a planner for your little learners.

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner
  • 2 beautiful and colorful covers
  • an inside editable title page to personalize your planner
  • a pre-homeschool year planning page because planning begins before your year does
  • a form for adding books for your budding reader
  • an undated year at a glance two page spread for adding in important concepts
  • 12 months January to December for you to add your themes for each week of the month
  • 1 two page spread editable lesson planning template.
  • 21 themed pages to plan thematic unit studies
  • 1 editable page for themes to add your own ideas
  • 4 different color editable attendance records if record keeping is necessary

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

Next, look at 3 tips in how best to use this very flexible planner.

  1. The thematic pages can be used for any grade from preschool to first grade. While I planned many themes, I never had time to teach all I planned. Keeping your themes all in one planner allows you to use them again for kindergarten and first grade.
  2. Also, the 12 months of planning theme pages are not editable for a reason. At any age and especially the early years, learning is based on interests. Loosely planning or having a framework is how you want to plan. You need a direction. However, most of my planning occurred spontaneously when my children showed interest in topics. I don’t want to encourage the mindset some homeschoolers have thinking your whole year has to be planned all in detail. It should not be. You homeschool to move at your child’s pace not a standard.
  3. If you have a kindergartener or first grade, then use the editable lesson planning template. Otherwise, the thematic pages are just what you need for teaching preschool. This is how you use your planner all the way to first grade or with multiple children if they’re all first grade and under.
A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

Thematic Planning Pages

Equally important to me as I mentioned earlier is helping you plan your preschool years — the right way

There is much hype in the educational world about pushing children earlier and earlier to learn formally.

I do not hail to that mindset because I’ve seen the harm of pushing a child too early to learn.

It normally backfires because an educator is going against the natural development of a child.

Children learn best through play learning. If you choose to include worksheets use them minimally.

Why? Because children learn best through hands-on using their senses and imagination. You are not wasting your time or theirs when you let a child lead in what they want to play learn.

To encourage you to follow your child’s natural love for learning, the following 21 themed pages are included in the preschool planner so you can plan your themes.

Also, where possible if I have a unit study or activity here, I linked the topic to one of mine to get you started.

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

By giving you a suggestion for your topic, I want to encourage you to become an excellent home educator.

Year-Round Planner

Another feature is that you can use it for year-round homeschooling.

From the beginning, do not think like public-school meaning that learning only takes place on a public school schedule. Do not be stressed thinking homeschool preschool should start in August on your child’s fourth birthday.

Learning takes place gradually and that is why my planner is titled Early Learner Homeschool Planner. Your child learns 24/7 and 365 days.

All my forms encourage using a 12-month cycle to track your early learner’s progress.

Look at my other forms here that you can add to this planner for preschoolers to first grade.

Furthermore, a planner is as good as the bling.

Okay, well it may not be a necessary part of your planner, but it sure makes the day better to add glam.

For example, I love this cute wire name paper clip for holding my place in the planner.

Preschool Lesson Planner to First Grade Planner

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

Finally, learning how to use your planner for your children from the preschool years to first grade is important. They are the foundational years; plan with hands-on ideas, getting outside to learn through nature, and by games.

Reading aloud is the single best things you can do for your early learner.

Grab this gorgeous planner to help you plan for the first-time little learners!

TOS

Important: READ THIS FIRST.
Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar

.• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later, etc.

• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. If you have problems getting your download OR have a question email me my web based email: tinahomeschools at gmail dot com.

More homeschool planner links:

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

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

Whether a homeschool weekly planner or a homeschool daily planner is best for you depends on your circumstances. Building a perfect homeschool planner doesn’t have to take a lot of time either.

Today, I’m sharing the pros and cons of choosing a homeschool weekly planner vs a homeschool daily planner. They both have slight advantages and things you’ll want to consider. I’m pointing out these subtle differences and sharing which layout I prefer.

Besides, whether you choose a weekly or daily planner you’ve already set yourself up for success.

You set yourself up for success because you’re managing your time from the start more efficiently.

And managing your time with any planner is better than just leaving priorities to chance or a whim.

3 Benefits of Using a Homeschool Paper Planner

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

Take a look at 3 more benefits of using a homeschool paper planner.

1. Handwriting engages the hand brain connection.

As educators, we know the benefits of the hand and brain connection for our children.

However, the positive effects of helping us to recall is no less for us as parents.

2. Your creativity is boosted.

Then, when I write down my lesson plans or jot ideas, I’ve found that my thoughts linger.

Creativity flows because handwriting takes longer. I’ve heard it said that handwriting can be calming; I’ve found this true for me too.

And if you love the crafty creative side of a planner like adding stickers, pictures and other decorative items, your planner rocks.

3. As I write, my focus is sharper and does not become distracted by flashing lights on an app or device.

In other words, my paper homeschool planner becomes a unique tool which reflects my overflowing thoughts and unique writing style.

As you can see, whichever choice you make, your homeschool printable planner becomes a hard-working tool.

Pros of a Weekly Homeschool Planner

Let’s jump into some of the advantages of the weekly homeschool planner.

One of the best things about a weekly planner is that you get a bird’s eye-view of your week.

Look at my Editable Weekly General Planning Page and 3 reasons why you may want to use it.

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

This form can be used in many ways:

  1. For example, you don’t need a lot of room to write when you have younger kids. You just need a framework to follow your child’s interest
  2. In addition, when teens are doing more of their own planning, you need a framework for them. Most teens want full control over their schedule. A weekly glance page keeps you on the same page with your teen because you jot down clear guidelines. But the best part is that a teen can choose any way to accomplish his goals and won’t feel hemmed in.
  3. If you’re a big picture first person, then you may want to use the weekly planner.

Additionally, use a weekly planner if you want a thinner planner.

If you’re planning generally and don’t need detailed lists or lesson plans, you may find the weekly planner is perfect for you.

In my experience I find that families who only have one child do not want a lot of room to write. So, a weekly planner may be the perfect fit their family.

Cons of a Homeschool Weekly Planner

Next, one of the biggest cons for me of a weekly planner page is that there is not much room to write.

Although being streamlined appeals to me on some level, the lack of room to write is a huge turn off for me.

Especially when you have multiple children, it’s hard to jot down exactly what my objective is for each day.

And because my planner becomes an expression of my thoughts and goals for my kids, room to write lesson plans, my musings, and ideas for future studies are important to me.

Pros of a Homeschool Daily Planner

Next, look at the advantages of a daily homeschool planner.

The advantage I love the most and the reason I use a daily planner over a weekly planner is that there is a lot of room to write.

Below, look at one of my many editable lesson planning pages. This one is from my Colorful Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner.

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

Because each day is a two-page spread and I have many editable boxes, your daily lesson planning pages can be formatted to suit your planning style. Especially if you have a large family, this option may be better for you.

I have some families who use one side of the page for half their children and the other side for the other half. This way they can see what all their kids are doing each day.

Another way to use this type of page is more of a traditionally way. Use the left-hand side of the page for student’s names and fill in the subjects covered from left to right.

Compared to the weekly planner, daily planners have specific pages for specific tasks.

For instance, look at these various and specific pages to pair in your homeschool daily planner. These are just a sampling of the over 400 pages I have here on my site Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Cons of a Daily Homeschool Planner

Finally, look at the cons of a daily homeschool planner.

One of the biggest drawbacks can be a large planner. If you print front and back which is what I suggest on my 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner this greatly reduces the size of your final planner.

One more drawback for you may be that you don’t need as much detail as the pages provide. If that is the case, a homeschool weekly planner may be a better fit.

Don’t fret if you choose the wrong type of planner in the beginning. Switching and finding your perfect set up is part of the homeschooling journey.

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

Tell me, which type of planner do you prefer — a weekly or daily homeschool planner?

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

For more ideas on homeschool planners, look at these posts:

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

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

If you’re looking for free homeschool planner printables or a complete homeschool planner, you’re sure to find one here.

A DIY planner consists of many sections like a front cover, back cover, lesson planning pages, attendance forms, evaluation forms, grading forms, calendars, and schedules.

However, what makes your planner unique are the various printables you use.

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

Forms which are not only beautiful but easy to use helps to keep your day organized.

So, look at the sections below for a hardworking planner.

  • front and back covers
  • inside pages
  • numerous lesson planning pages
  • attendances pages
  • evaluation pages
  • grading scales
  • high school forms
  • teacher and student schedules
  • field trip forms and

MANY more forms to make it perfect.

Why Coil Bind Makes the BEST Binder

Also, because I believe your planner is best when homemade, you need to know why coil bind works best.

One of the best reasons to use coil is that your planner lays flat.

When writing you want the planner to be as flat as possible.

I see some pictures with notebooks and while I love notebooks, they don’t even make it in my top choices.

Why? There are three huge reasons I don’t like or use notebooks.

  1. First, the O rings get in the way of writing.
  2. Second, the planner cannot bend back. That is important if you print only a semester planner and want to use part of the paper for a pad to write on.
  3. Third is that a notebook binder encourages you to keep organizing.

Organizing is about accepting a system and making it work. It’s not about constant change through the year and never using your planner. Adding or deleting pages adds to the stress. Using what you’ve created and making it work albeit not perfect is how organized people roll.

In addition, coil uses very little space on the margin for the coil to go through.

Did I mention how many different colors coils come in?

Some colors are beautiful, but most office supplies business will have basic white or transparent which are always my top choices.

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

Whether you buy a coil binding machine or take your planner to an office supply place, you won’t ever regret using coil.

Curriculum Pages for Your Planner

Add these Printables to Your DIY Homeschool Planner ♥♥

You'll love these popular forms to make your planner uniquely yours.

A Homeschool Beginner’s Guide to Figuring Grades and Saving Time

Not all assignments need grades, but in middle and high school you may need to track grades. Grab this Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record.

More Front Colorful Covers

You'll love these beautiful covers. Just print .

4 PRE-Homeschool Year Planning Pages (and tips to use them)

Planning doesn’t begin when your school year begins. It begins 8 to 6 weeks BEFORE your school year. Grab this pre-planning page, scheduling your year plan, holiday list and school year goals.

Week At a Glance Form

Gorgeous Week at a Glance for an overview of your week because sometimes you don't need to plan day by day.

Homeschool Memorization & Tracking Form

Memorization Tracking & Planning page for passages or poetry.

Goals Form

I have 2 color choices for you today - orange or blue for goals for your school year.

Community Service Planning Record

Homeschool community service record for your teen. Tracking your teen's time to add to the high school transcript is easier with this beautiful and useful form.

Homeschool High School How To Prepare THE Transcript

Editable High School Transcript. Once you know the basics, it's easy. Be sure to grab my other tips for high school.

Photo Credit: hessunacademy.com

Weekly Time Blocking Schedule for Kids and Adults

Use this weekly time blocking schedule to keep track of your week down to the hour!

Photo Credit: www.hopeinthechaos.com

Student Planning Pages

Student planning pages to help kids learn how to plan their homeschool days, weeks, and months.

7 Step Planner Inside Page - Color Choice Miss Ya

This color choice is named Missed Ya because it has been a while since I shared some of my favorite color combinations which are orange and pink. You'll love this BEAUTIFUL inside page.

Photo Credit: rockyourhomeschool.net

Get Organized with These Portfolio Checklists

Need to put together a homeschool portfolio? Use these checklists to help you make sure you have everything you need (and skip the rest!) 

Useful Editable Movie Report For Homeschool

EDITABLE movie report in two color choices.

Homeschool Curriculum Cover - Purple Haze Color

Beautiful purple color cover.

Homeschooled Teen Job Performance Evaluation Form

Give your teen a job performance evaluation to compliment his high school transcript.

Back Cover Pages

Grab these 4 beautiful back cover pages with quotes.

Year At a Glance Form For Moms Buried in the Organizing Details

I have a gorgeous year at a glance form for you.

Summer Loving Curriculum Planner Cover

You'll love the color scheme in this cover named Summer Loving.

Free Library Resources List

Use this library list to keep your library finds in one place in your planner.

Back Cover Curriculum Planner

One Mother Teaches More than a Hundred Teachers back cover page.

Bright Green Cover

You'll love this bright green cheery homeschool planner cover.

Beyond Museums and Zoos Homeschool Field Trip Form

You'll love this field trip reference page to keep when planning field trips.

Another Navy Blue Cover

Grab this GORGEOUS navy blue front cover for you planner.

Updated Homeschool Attendance Forms

Gorgeous and beautiful attendance forms.

School Year Goals Form

More of This and Less of that simple goal page.

Free Student Planners _ Covers now EDITABLE

Choose from many Student Planner Covers to create a Free Student Planner.

Homeschool Co-op Tracking Form

Track the progress of your homeschool co-op with this tracking form.

Inside Title Page

Another inside title page with a pretty color scheme.

Photo Credit: rockyourhomeschool.net

How to Cultivate & Enjoy a Relaxed Homeschool Routine

Easily put together a relaxed homeschool routine with this free printable planning page. Includes 1 page to write on and 1 page that you can directly edit!

Photo Credit: www.intentionalinlife.com

IIL VIP Freebie Hub

Looking for creative ideas and tips to cultivate the love of learning in your home? This 12 page planning pack is filled with ideas, tips and planning pages that will help you incorporate more hands-on learning experiences in your home.

Photo Credit: homeschooling4him.com

Free Printable Homeschool Attendance Sheet

With this attendance sheet, you can keep track of the whole homeschool year on one page. Use it for record keeping and reporting, or for your own piece of mind.

Look at these other posts you’ll love:

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

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

How to choose the perfect homeschool planner for multiple students can be easy when you have the right tools. And a homeschool planner should have unique sections to use for multiple children.

Besides keeping you organized, a homeschool planner for multiple children should include distinct lesson plan templates.

Too, I will show you exactly how to choose the almost perfect homeschool planner for multiple children without breaking the bank.

Besides, using a teacher planner which is used for 30 students is not the same as creating a unique homeschool planner for multiple kids.

Don’t adjust your unique lifestyle to a premade planner that is not created for our homeschool lifestyle. Teacher planners are created for classroom use and not family use.

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

First, learn what you need exactly in your homeschool planner for multiple kids.

Look at 5 questions you want to consider before you purchase or put a planner together.

5 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Or Put Together a Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

  1. Will you homeschool year-round or use the same calendar months used by public school?
  2. Do you want assignment sheets to be filled out by you or will your students be filling out assignment sheets?
  3. What are the advantages of putting together my own versus buying one premade?
  4. Do I live in a state which requires more stringent record keeping and thus need more recording keeping pages?
  5. How important is room to write which is directly related to the size of the planner you want?

So, after you have your clear goals in mind, whittle down your choices.

For example, when you’re teaching multiple students, you need a choice of lesson planning templates.

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

I used lesson planning templates when my kids were younger and when they are older, I did a mix and match of forms.

Using an editable lesson planning page allows me to pick and choose the subjects I want to fill in each year for each child.

I’ve created unique lesson plan templates which can be used for at least 4 if not more children when you use the two-page spread.

Because almost every line is editable you can fill in with your student’s name or a subject. You need lots of flexibility when you have multiple children because you have multiple ages.

Having multiple ages creates problems for most planners. They will either have something too young-ish or templates not flexible for young children as well.

Homeschool Planner to Use for Multiple Ages

I’ve found making my own has been the key to getting that perfect homeschool planner

Also, I use a combination of either a DIY Student Planner OR a weekly checklist. You may need both in your planner.

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

In addition, if you’re trying to save ink (me not so much because I love color) I have an editable form for a 180 lesson plan template.

You can find black and white lesson plan templates here at Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages of my 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner.

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

Moreover, a lesson plan template created for homeschool use should have spaces for you to pen in lesson plans for you to teach your children together.

This lesson planning template I create for 3 or 4 kids.

It also has room at the bottom to pen it topics or subjects your kids learned together.

You don’t really need that much room to write skill subjects in when kids are real young. Jotting down main ideas is what I noted at younger ages.

By the way, if you have 4 kids and one or two of your children are in PreK or K grades, you can divide this template where you list your children’s names with a light pencil.

All my forms have so much flexibility so take your time choosing.

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

Unique Forms for a Multiple Children Planner

Although lesson planning pages and weekly checklist are the heart of keeping your organized, there are other forms you may want for multiple ages.

Organized the pages for a unique homeschool planner to use with different ages does not have to be complicated, but it should be unique.

Again, don’t try to adjust your unique needs to a planner which may have a bunch of useless forms.

More Homeschooling Multiple Ages Tips

What else would you add to a planner for multiple children? Look at these other planners and tips