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4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

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

If you’re looking for an editable homeschool lesson plan template for your homeschool planner, you’ll love the ones I have for you today.

I have four colorful and editable homeschool lesson plan templates.

Planning can be stressful and if you have a guideline or framework to follow, it gives you a direction.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

And if you prefer to plan by paper and pen but not write the same subjects over, templates have a huge time savings advantage.

In addition, you also can save printing cost when you print exactly what you need by having a two page spread.

5 Advantages to a Homeschool Lesson Plan Template

First, look at these advantages to an editable homeschool lesson plan template.

  1. Planning is very flexible because your subjects can change from week to week. Adjust your templates through the year as needed.
  2. Long range planning is easier because you can type in topics for each quarter or semester and add to your planner.
  3. By having your lesson plan template separate you can submit your lesson plans to a shared file with your children. Use the templates as a checklist if you’re training your children for independence.
  4. Each child can be assigned their own two page spread if you use more than one color.
  5. Or use one two page spread to see all of your learners on one page. You decide the layout.

Also, some moms prefer to set up their template for the year and then laminate it.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

In addition, not all lesson planning templates have the same editable fields.

So be sure you’re looking at which boxes can be edited.

Homeschool Lesson Plan Template

Also, you decide if you want to use regular paper or cardstock.

Personally, I prefer to use regular paper especially if I’m going to prepare my whole homeschool planner.

You do not want to print for a year using cardstock. Your planner would be way too thick and unusable.

If I am printing for a glance for the year for my kids, I would print two pages on cardstock.

Too, you don’t really need an expensive printer. I’ve always a mobile or smaller version of Canon.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

Next, look at these five lesson planning templates.

Other Homeschool Planning Resources:

Too, you’ll love these other homeschool planner helps.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

Lesson Planning Templates

The first template is the confetti color choice.

The columns across the top allow you add what topics or subjects fit your needs.

Too, the side column can have text added in.

You can read more about it here at 4 Editable Homeschool Planning Pages to Ease Planning.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

Next this color choice is Gems color choice..

The text you add in across the top is white.

In addition, like the confetti, it has large editable fields at the bottom.

Too, you can read more about it here at 4 Editable Homeschool Planning Pages to Ease Planning.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

Third, is another color choice I love and that is Robin’s egg.

Like the other templates there is a space at the top, sides and bottom for you to add your text.

4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates

Last, I have the Mink Over You color choice. And it’s editable top, sides and bottom as well.

You have many color choices.

What do you think? Are you ready for your new homeschool year?

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)

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

Today, in how to create the best homeschool schedule for kindergarten, I’m sharing tried and true tips for kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

Besides, having a kindergarten homeschool schedule is a must have to help you balance a learning day.

No, don’t create a homeschool schedule for your child, but for you. You’ll want a visual picture of what to teach.

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)

In addition, most public schools plan for a nine month school year and include topics like Opening and Discussion in their day. Those things happen naturally with your child in a day.

There is no need to add segments like Opening and Discussion to your schedule.

I’ll explain their meaning in a minute, but the point is to keep your schedule simple and clean.

Do not add fluff to your schedule which can be used by public school to teach the masses.

Kindergarten Subjects

First, you want to start with the subjects that you want to teach in kindergarten.

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten

And standards have changed through the years. However, children this age have not changed in how they develop.

Although the educational world touts more subjects to teach at the kindergarten level, they should not take place of what is developmentally appropriate for a child.

For example, look at subjects some of the state standards tout:

  • math
  • reading and language arts
  • social studies
  • science
  • physical education
  • health
  • art
  • music
  • computer literacy and I even found
  • environmental education

This list even compared to just 20 years ago has changed significantly to include more subjects.

Homeschool Kindergarten

Next, after being familiar with some of the subjects generally taught in kindergarten, you want to check your local state law.

Don’t complicate your schedule by adding more than is necessary to give you a guide.

For instance, Opening is used in public school as a way to start the day the same way each morning. Some schools say the pledge of allegiance, some sing a hymn and others open with a prayer. Some do all three or other things they choose.

Discussion allows children to share their thoughts with their peers.

In addition, many years ago like when our parents were in kindergarten, teachers stood in front of the class and talked with their students. That doesn’t happen as much today.

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)

However, while at home, Opening and Discussion happens in a natural way. There is no need to schedule time to talk with your kindergarten.

Again, don’t follow a public school schedule.

Another example of a subject that does not need to be on your homeschool schedule is environmental education.

Children learn about nature and their environment around them by playing outside and by explaining to you what they find on a nature walk.

By being outside together, you naturally teach your child about the world around them just like you’ve been doing to this day. That doesn’t have to be reduced to scheduled time.

Easy Homeschool Kindergarten Schedule

As you can see, the most basic or foundation subjects are the only ones you need to add to your day.

Sometimes I’ve seen working homeschool moms who need to schedule a timeslot for play and nature. This makes sense because their family schedule is full.

However, if that is not your schedule, keep the schedule easy.

Look below at the time needed to cover the basic subjects.

SUBJECTAMOUNT OF TIME
MATH25 MINUTES
READING 20 MINUTES
BUILDING THE 3RS
(READING, ‘RITING, OR ‘RIMETIC)		15 MINUTES
SCIENCE & HISTORY ALTERNATE30 MINUTES
ARTS, CRAFTS, GAMES, AND PLAYING OUTDOORSAS MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN FIT IN FOR THE DAY

As you can see, there is a TOTAL of 1:45 minute formal instruction time.

However, the WHOLE day is devoted to learning. Do not stress over the formal amount of time.

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)

And do not underestimate the power of a little every day.

Other Homeschool Kindergarten Resources

Free Editable Homeschool Kindergarten Schedule Printable

Finally, I have a free editable schedule you can use for kindergarten.

However, I’ve created it where you can BOTH schedule and track if you want to.

Because play IS learning, tracking play learning time will show you how much your child really is learning.

If you don’t want to track, then fill out the form with the schedule that works for you for the year.

If you want to track weekly, you can simply fill it out by pen and add to your planner.

Too, you can add times the column and fill out the rest by pen as you track your child’s learning.

Also don’t forget, I have this Early Learner Planner which can go from Prek almost up to first grade.

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)

How to Get the Free KINDERGARTEN SCHEDULE


This free printable is a subscriber freebie.

How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)

This is how you get access quickly.
 1) Sign up on my list.
2) Download the schedule NOW!
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Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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

Homeschool schedule is our topic today. It’s day 9 Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

It almost seems like an oxymoron to use carpe diem or to seize the moment and to plan ahead or schedule in the same sentence.

But that is exactly what learning at home becomes.

At first, your routine feels more like a taskmaster with very little room to seize the teachable moments.

That is normal because you are trying to find a schedule that fits your family.

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Sharing a tip or two on how to schedule your day, month and year will help you to learn to relax and know when to seize teaching moments.

Tips For Scheduling Your Homeschool Day

Early and first in the day is usually better for most young children.

 I will point out here that I did not say it was always good for the teacher, but  children learn better first in the day.

Tips for scheduling the day

In addition, each family has to decide what they consider “first” in the day for them.

For our family, we are up by about 6:30 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. so 9:00 is a good time to get started.

I know another homeschooler whose husband works until 9:00 p.m.

If they went to bed at 9:30 p.m., like my family, then her children would miss out on spending time with their dad.

Homeschool Schedule

She has adjusted her family “first time” in the day to 10:30 a.m. and that is when her school starts.

There are many times we have slept later and benefited, but in the long run, we get so much more done for the day when we get up earlier and maintain a good night time routine.

A quick but good breakfast allows everybody time to wake up and stay in a good mood for learning.

Pizza Party

Schedule lunch good for your family and it doesn’t have to be noon. Since we rise early and sometimes earlier than 6:30 am. we tend to eat lunch earlier. We prefer to eat around 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

I will show you a schedules tomorrow that might work for you on how to balance home and school.

Tips For Scheduling For the Homeschool Month

No homeschool hermits allowed. I say this all the time — if it were left up to me, I would just decide to not leave the house for any planned activities during the month.

However, both the kids and yourself need a break.

Tips for scheduling the month.

(One of my earlier homeschool co-ops because we are still meeting in a home.)

A pace that has always been good for us through the years is to allow one field trip per month.

When the kids were younger, I went on more field trips because their academic requirements are less as they should be in the first few grades.

The older your children get the harder it gets at certain times to get away.

Plan ahead by looking at what events your local homeschool group have that are coming up.

Scheduling field trips

(The Mr. had off work that day, so I picked up my nieces so they could join us and we were out the door to NASA.)

In addition, we have planned many family outings when my husband had off work during the month. Try to plan for a least on opportunity to learn outside the four walls of your home each month.

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.

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.

Tips For Scheduling For the Homeschool Year

Many homeschoolers enjoy homeschooling year around.

When I first heard of year around homeschooling it made me exhausted to think about it, but that is only because I didn’t fully understand it.

I have several blog articles you can mull over too. Look here at:

You will find that you have many weeks left over when you can decide to take off during the year.

Look at the year and ACTUALLY Plan.

When you refer to a calendar and put in days you want to take off, holidays and days you want to school, you are more likely to stick to your schedule. 

For example, you have seen the calendars listed on public school websites where they have days in service, holidays and student days off. Well—that is exactly what you need to do the first few years as you learn the rhythm.

I have created a form that helps you to do this. Look at how I planned one year.

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

By the way, after I update it each year, I keep the updated version at Step 5a. Choose Unique Forms JUST for You.

Perhaps you may want to take off one day per week to catch up on housecleaning.

I have schooled many years with a 4 day week because I enjoyed having a day where I was caught up on laundry, groceries and bill paying.

Deciding a workable schedule now frees your time for seizing unplanned teaching moments.

Scheduling brings freedom and that is why I use the words carpe diem.

Plodding along getting things done that you want to accomplish this first year of school will allow you the freedom skip a day or two of school.

Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to see a traveling exhibit at the museum that is only in for a week or miss an opportunity to socialize with your homeschool group by watching a play.

Moments like that are treasures and bring a yearning for learning that will carry you through your journey.

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Avoid being rigid and remember that living and learning will eventually become blurred.

No, you don’t have to give up your routine or schedule, just savor the moment.

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

Day 9. Carpe Deiem Scheduling 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp
comprehensive key
Year Around Schedule Sample

Homeschool Organization – 12 Unconventional Ideas for Storage

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

Homeschool organization is one of my favorite topics in how to homeschool.

Creating niches and discovering spaces you didn’t know you had can bring your home school area to life. 

And turning unconventional storage pieces into useful tools for those areas can be daunting.

Also because I am not sure what type of stores or resources I will be able to find in South America, I am both excited and nervous to think of ways to create a new learning space when we move.

Switching subjects on you here for a minute, I promised I would update you on our move.  The Mr. is still working on closing some business he has going on here in the states. 

Homeschool Organization – 12 Unconventional Ideas for Storage

So we still have not put our house up for sale.  It would be okay with me if we didn’t put it up for sale until March because the weather would be better. 

Either way, in the meantime I have been hoarding resources that have unconventional storage ideas.  I know my favorite stores like Target or Hobby Lobby won’t be there.

So today I have rounded up a few useful resources to help spur on the creative juices.  Savvy solutions don’t have to be costly either.

Also, though I love to mix the old and the new with unconventional storage. In homeschool, we have so many needs that we want a wide variety of items to choose from.

And storage should look cute and inviting for our learning areas with kids.

And don’t forget about lighting. Most of us prefer a lot of natural light but I love me a gorgeous lamp when I can find one.

It really counts when I can find it in one of my favorite colors. Purple goes in a school room, right?

Simple Solutions to Stop Clutter

Whether it’s ziploc bags, jars or shower caddies going from the conventional to unconventional can still be beautiful while minimizing clutter.

Check out a few unconventional homeschool storage ideas that I have flagged.

Homeschool Organization – 12 Unconventional Ideas for Storage

Looking at them keeps me excited about our move and redecorating. I hope to stay inspired and implement some of these ideas when I have no Target to run to for my latest fix. (scary)

Do you see any ideas you can implement now in your school area?

Other Homeschool Organization Tips

12 Homeschool Organization Unconventional Storage

You'll love these ideas for unconventional storage for your homeschool learning spaces.

Homeschool Organization - 12 Ideas for Unconventional Storage
ForeverBlogPlanner-225x300

Day 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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

Today is day 3: What is NOT homeschooling in the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

New homeschoolers tend to have a picture in their mind of what homeschooling is and normally it looks a lot like public school.

I have found through the years that sometimes it is easier to explain what homeschooling is by telling you what it is NOT.

Day 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Begin with these three quick mindset shifts.

3 Ways to Know What is NOT Homeschooling

1. Homeschooling is NOT school at home.

If the public school system is not working now, why repeat it? You don’t have to have a chalkboard, dry erase board or even a school room.

Some families prefer a schoolroom, others don’t and still others just don’t have the space for one. A school room or lack of it does not make a true homeschooler.

A school room is fine if you want one, though set it up to suit YOU. When I started formally homeschooling my sons were 5 years old and 3 years old and newborn. A schoolroom was a place I could organize all of our school items.

I did not hail to the way of thinking that just because we did some of our academics in our schoolroom that my children would grow up thinking that learning only took place in the schoolroom.

I brought in a couch to my school room to be comfortable on while I nursed my newborn and a changing table to my school area so that I wouldn’t have to leave my oldest as he was learning to read.

Don't set up your school like public school.

At that particular time in my journey, my schoolroom was a huge life saver in helping me to control chaos when I had little help from my young children.

Training was in progress to help them to begin a day, have good study habits and help with chores around the house. My schoolroom gave me a sense of control that was needed at that time when I could control very little else going on with children that young.

Include an area for fun hands-on homeschooling.

The thinking that learning just took place in schoolroom was balanced with the fact that the other part of our day was spent lounging around the house reading, playing games, and doing science and history. My children showed me that they will learn because of the loving environment their father and I created instead of doing school in one area or another.

Other families prefer to have their items all over the house. Each family is different and needs to determine how and where to school. From personal experience, if you have ANY area you can possible use, try to start with organization now by keeping a good amount of your school items in one area.

2. Dumbed down academics is not homeschooling either but you do want proof of homeschool success.

Do not try to win debates by explaining your choice to those that criticize it. Present some facts to the naysayers and grab some for yourself too.

Grab some facts from the National Home Education Research Institute. What is NHERI?

From their site: NHERI conducts and collects research about homeschooling (home-based education, home schooling), and publishes the research journal called the Home School Researcher

. The institute has hundreds of research works documented and catalogued on home schooling, many of which were done by NHERI. Simply put, NHERI specializes in homeschool research.

Click here for the research.

Reading together.

{loving, learning, fostering sibling togetherness – what more could I ask for?}

3. Homeschooling does not mean we have follow grade levels.

There is not a bigger mistake than taking your kids out of the grade level they were in and putting them in the next grade level in homeschool.

As homeschoolers we don’t follow grade levels. We find the true level of each child and make the curriculum match the child.

In addition, we match each subject to our kids’ strength and weaknesses.

New Homeschooler

So, what is homeschooling and the homeschooling lifestyle?

Day to day meaningful conversations become a normal part of teaching your children. I

t is about getting to know your son or daughter that you thought you knew so well before.

Allowing your children to hear your expressions each day of your love for learning. Homeschooling becomes more about parenting while learning takes place.

Day 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Also, letting go of burdensome homework and allowing more time for free play and a simple childhood become the norm.

Eventually the line between living and learning becomes blurred.

This is a good thing and you are no longer living for your curricula, but making curricula serve your lifestyle. It is about playing together, working together, worshipping together and learning together.

Define your mission and your goals because they are your foot holds to guide you through your journey.

Homeschool Mission Statement
Homeschool Mission Statement

 

 Go here to Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!
Not a kazillion other people download my forms for a Homeschool Mission Statement and jot down your goals.

Appreciating that homeschooling is not a mere academic choice but a lifestyle change will help you to seize ALL that homeschooling offers.

New to Homeschool

Also, look at a few other things about me.

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

Day 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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.

Day 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Other New Homeschooler Resources:

What is NOT Homeschooling! 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp