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

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

Today, I’m share some of my favorite homeschool planning pages for my homeschool planner.

When creating my unique 7 Step Homeschool Planner, I never dreamed that it would be the best tool I’ve used through the years. I’m sharing tips about what I do BEFORE I begin my year and 4 pre-homeschool year planning pages you may have missed.

Tip ONE/ Planning doesn’t begin when your school year begins.
It begins 8 to 6 weeks BEFORE your school year. (Use the PRE-Homeschool Year Checklist.)

It seems like stating the obvious when I say that planning doesn’t begin when your school begins. Knowing that I’ve still found myself short on time for planning our schedule.

You need just as much time to decide which months you’ll school and which months or weeks you’ll take off as you do time to make curriculum choices.

When it’s your first day of school, you want to be ready and rested to teach without having to focus on planning.

One tidbit we can learn from public school is to do like a public school teacher does. She comes back to school a few weeks earlier than the kids.

This allows her quiet time to plan and to set up things in her teacher space. That’s a great tip for us as home educators. Plan while you’re not formally teaching.

Though I make notes all throughout the year on what I want to change, I put pen to paper about 8 to 6 weeks before school on my pre-homeschool year planning page. I find this gives me time to change my mind.

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

Curriculum Planner Pages

Here are a few of the things I’ve jotted down on my page.

  • when to throw away or sell old curriculum
  • when to have my mind made up about new curriculum purchases
  • when to check out co-op classes or field trips in my area
  • when to buy supplies to coincide with back to school sales
  • when to choose unit study themes as well as when to finalize my choices
  • if I need to update a study area
  • buy new art, paper supplies or atlases

Just a side note, I also use it and write in it before I bind my planner.

The document I grab to do this is the Pre-Homeschool Planning Checklist.

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

Something else I do is to put a clean unused page at the BACK of my current planner.

Then, as I think of what I need to do before the next school year, I jot them down and have it ready to go for the next year.

You’ll love having your thoughts, notes, and ideas of what you need to do weeks leading up to the start of your year. It’s the only way I’ve been able to keep organized too.

Tip TWO/ Plan your year when you’re free of teaching.
(Use the School Year Round Planning Schedule, which I update each year.)

Whether you decide to school year round or have a complete stop in the summer, you need to plan your next school year when you take your longer break.

Too, remember just because you may choose not to homeschool year round doesn’t mean you don’t plan that way. Homeschooling and planning should be two separate tasks that are not necessarily done at the same time.

Sometimes you need to separate the mommy and teacher hat and this is one time when you can. Plus, I enjoy planning and savor it more so when I don’t have to focus on the needs of the kids.

With a clear mind, I can plan our year and not while something may come up during our year.

When originally creating this schedule, I made it for a full 12 months. Begin planning on it where you need to.

I keep it 12 months too because life changes when you’re homeschooling. For example, one year you may actually school year round and other years you may choose not to.

This schedule is flexible for the time you begin planning.

The two documents I grab for this are the 5 years of holiday pages  and the School Year Round Planning Schedule for the current year.

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

The holiday reference page helps me to mark them on my schedule.

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

I keep the School Year Round Planning Schedule each year on Step 5a.

Actually, I print several copies of this form for many reasons. I use one for a draft and I may scratch up and scratch out a copy until I find a workable homeschool schedule. Then I print out another one and make it all neat, clean, and purd-y for my new planner.

As you can see above, I’ve already started working on this next year’s schedule to determine when I want to start. This year, we’re not taking much time off during summer because we will be moving into a new home at the end of August. I adjusted our schedule and take off time accordingly, but have still kept myself accountable.

Adjust your schedule to your life, but highlight the weeks you want to school. By doing this each year, your keep it real. What I mean by this is that you actually keep yourself accountable to see how much you’re actually learning.

We don’t need any state agency looking over our shoulder as homeschool teachers. Most of the time, we school way longer than a public school year anyway.

Here is another side note, but it matters the type of highlighter you use. I don’t like nasty black smudged prints on my brand new planner.

I have a pen and highlighter addiction which I’ll save for another post, but the one time tested highlighter for me is the Sandford Highlighter Kit – 4 Colors Dry Pencil Non-Bleed.

It’s a dry lead pencil and doesn’t smudge or smear as I highlight. I’ve tried many that claim to be smear or smudge proof by I’ve learned that they are not. The Sandford has been my for-sure-doesn’t-make-a-mess highlighter. It says it’s actually a Bible highlighter. That’s probably why it really works.

Homeschool Planning Means Letting Go!

Tip THREE/ Renew your vision AND release the guilt.

Lastly, it’s not only important to set realistic goals, but to learn from past mistakes.

A mistake we always seem to make is over planning. We tend to think we can do more than what we end up doing. We can be hard on ourselves for that.

Equally important is to learn from past mistakes and to put down what we want to do less of next year as a reminder to not repeat the same mistakes. We need to let go of guilt because we understand that we’re doing more than we realize.

This page I use is about looking at my overall goal for the year. It’s not about planning objectives like my objective planning page. Objectives are measured goals.

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

The page I use is my school year goals page. The top of the page is to reinforce what you want more of and the bottom part is what you want do less.

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

Getting ready for a new school year can be equally exciting and exhausting. I try to keep it fun by planning when I’m excited about it. Do you?

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

I think you’ll love these other tips.

4 PRE-Homeschool Year Planning Pages (and how to use them).You need just as much time to decide which months you’ll school and which months or weeks you’ll take off as you do time to make curriculum choices. When it’s your first day of school, you want to be ready and rested to teach without having to focus on planning. Click here to grab these four AWESOME and free homeschool planning forms!

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

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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?

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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:

3 Beautiful and Free Homeschool Planner Covers

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

Choosing a homeschool planner cover is one of the best parts about creating a homeschool planner. And because I love homeschool planner covers with quotes, I have 3 new planner covers. Mix and match them with the covers I already have on Step 1. Choose A Pretty Front/Back Cover.

In addition, whether your planner is for elementary, middle, or high school grades, the homeschool planner covers can be used for any age.

These quotes for planner covers are all in color because I love planners which are not all matching pages. Run wild with choosing colors on all my planners because all the pages are different.

Homeschool Planner Covers

Because quotes are inspiring, I have chosen three quotes to inspire you about homeschooling.

This first unique homeschool planner has a bright orange-ish pink-ish color.

3 Beautiful and Free Homeschool Planner Covers

And it has the following quote:

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Nobody likes making mistakes, but making mistakes is how we all learn to do things differently. Embrace mistakes to become a better homeschool educator.

Homeschool Planner Cover

Second, this next beautiful homeschool lesson planner cover page has bright turquoise and purple hues.

3 Beautiful and Free Homeschool Planner Covers

Then, this quote I took a bit longer to find; I feel it embraces exactly how I feel many years while homeschooling. After all, I didn’t homeschool to be like everyone else and I know you’re not either.

Here is the quote:

Take the course opposite to custom and you will almost always do well.

Finally, this third planner cover with a quote I love is this blue-ish pink one.

I’m not normally a pink girl, but I am a lover of bright colors. So, I do love the brighter pinks and included this planner cover as another color option.

Homeschool Planner Covers

Quotes for Homeschool Planner Covers

This last choice has the following motivational quote:

Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.

Yes, that quote comes from Mary Shelly, author of Frankenstein and I love it.

We are fearless when it comes to homeschooling our kids and there is no stopping us until we find what we need for them. Powerful!

The Best Printer and Supplies for Planners

Too, I have used a lot of printers through the years.

Currently, I’m using CANON PIXMA iP110 Wireless Mobile Printer. I think a good home printer works beautifully for your planner.

In addition, do not use cardstock because your planner will be too thick. I use regular all-purpose paper like this Hammermill Printer Paper.

These 3 Free Planner Cover are Subscriber freebies.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my Exclusive Subscriber’s Only Library which has this freebie in the library.

This is how you get access to these pages 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

IF you are already a follower/subscriber, PLEASE do NOT email me asking how to find it. You may not want to wait on me replying since I get bombarded with emails.

Find the MOST RECENT email from me and the password and link to the Subscribers Area are ALWAYS at the bottom of every email.

Homeschool Planner Covers

Also, look at these other homeschool planner cover posts:

Beautiful and Colorful 2021 to 2022 Two Page Monthly Calendar Curious

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

Today, I have the printable 2021 to 2022 two page monthly calendar second color choice ready. This is the Two Page Appointment Keeper.

Two Page Monthly Calendar

They are kept here at Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers.

Beautiful and Colorful 2021 to 2022 Two Page Monthly Calendar Curious

Curriculum Pages for Planner

Second, I want to remind you that I have FREE calendars that are made for a quick glance that I share on the same step, Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers and planning calendars are also different because they are for planning and tracking school weeks.

The homeschool planning calendars are kept at Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!.

Academic Printable Calendar

In addition, the two page spread I share today is for keeping appointments for any of your family’s needs whether it’s personal or homeschool.

Also, this two page spread can be used in a home management binder, blogging planner, financial planner, or fitness planner.

My copyright allows you to print it as many times as you need it for your needs.

Hope you love this color choice and you can get it now! Yay!

(Note: If you click on the image for the cart, you can see a bigger picture or look at my bigger graphics below)

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.

Printable Calendar for Homeschool Planner

Lastly, I value your business and value you as a follower.

I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer.

Beautiful and Colorful 2021 to 2022 Two Page Monthly Calendar Curious

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

Academic Calendar

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color” Begin building your free planner

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! Not a kazillion other people

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

Beautiful and Colorful 2021 to 2022 Two Page Monthly Calendar Curious

Hugs and love ya,