• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Middle School
    • High School
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

homeschool clutter

Homeschool Organization Motivation – 11 Gadgets To Get You Going

May 11, 2025 | 159 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool organization motivation means finding the little pretty things that motivate me for the new homeschool year. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

Besides, as homeschool educators we have many areas of a our life that must be maintained.

Also, we want to keep lesson planning streamlined and record keeping to the minimum.

Homeschool Organization Motivation - 11 Gadgets To Get You Going

This frees us to enjoy our home which is not only a place for learning but for living.

Tools like planners, calendars, or apps help maintain a regular schedule, which is crucial for effective learning and time management.

MORE HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATION RESOURCES

  • Homeschool Room Organizing + Organizing Tools
  • 100 BEST Ideas to Organize Your Homeschool Area – Storage, Spaces, and Learning Places
  • Best Tools To Organize Homeschool Easily and Stress-Free
  • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
Homeschool Organization Motivation - 11 Gadgets To Get You Going | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

ORGANIZING LEARNING SPACES

I got a small clip on lamp when we were on the road to South America and just love the fact that it’s light and not bulky.

Besides, a lot of my homeschool reading how-to I do at night.

Then, add a bit of some fun things to your learning surface whether you have a table or nook.

I love anything that keeps me motivated.

Okay, okay, it has so much packed into a small container like scissors, tape and the most adorable mini stapler, which is great to have by your 7 Step Free DIY Homeschool Planner.


Then I couldn’t resist a few more pretties. Stuff like this gets my going for the new homeschool year. Why shouldn’t we homeschool with a bit of style?

Over the Top Homeschool Organization Tools!

Don’t forget the other things I have to help you get this homeschool year off to a great start.

If you’re new to homeschool, you’ll love my book.

It is UNIQUE in that it’s not another book written by a homeschool mom, but a program based on my years ACTUALLY helping new homeschoolers.

Glam It Up Package 300 Tina Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Also, besides all the free and paid pages to upgrade your free 7 Step DIY Free Homeschool Planner, don’t forget I have the Ultimate Glam it Up Planner and and the fabulous Unit Study Planner. (click on the links to see more pictures).

  • Homeschool Organization – 12 Unconventional Ideas for Storage
  • 100 BEST Ideas to Organize Your Homeschool Area – Storage, Spaces, and Learning Places
  • 3 Ways to Instantly Gain More Time in Your Homeschool Day
  • DIY Undated 12 Month Calendar | Organized Planner
  • Homeschool Organization – Why You’re Still Drowning in Clutter
  • 5 Homeschool Things to Toss By the End of Summer
  • Top 10 Tips for Maximizing Space in (Really) Tiny Homeschool Spaces

11 Gadgets to Keep Your Homeschool Organized.

Hopefully, these gadgets will keep you motivated to keep on homeschooling as you prepare each day.

Jonathan Adler Greek Key Cover

    Certified "Made for Kindle" accessory (fits Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle & Kindle Touch)     Irreverent printed
cotton canvas exterior and luxurious sueded lining     Unique silicone backed 4-point elastics to secure your Kindle device

Vekkia Rechargeable Book Light for Reading in Bed

Yes I love mine so I can keep on reading well past bedtime.

Pixio 12 inch Black Monitor Storage Top Shelf - Adjustable Platform

I love this for being able to change our learning area as needed.

Colored Gel Pens, 12 Colors 0.5mm Fine Point Smooth Writing Pens

  • A Palette of 12
    Colored Inks: Discover a set of 12 vibrant colored inks that bring each
    page to life. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance and creativity to
    all your notes and projects.
  • Effortlessly Smooth Writing: With a smooth ink flow and quick-drying
    ink, these gel pens glide over the page without smearing. The 0.5mm fine
    point pen offers precise, clear lines that elevate your writing
    experience.

    Aim High Notepad 3-Pack Set, Note Pads for To Do List

    Yes, some things need to be written.. Not all things need to go on our phones.

    Believe in Yourself Mini Gallery (artwork with mini easel) Hardcover January 13, 2014

    I love these mini art sayings on an easel. They are so inspirational for our home to place in different places.

    World's Tiniest Tool Box - Includes; Flathead Driver, Screw Driver, Measuring Tape on a Keychain

    Okay it’s so cute, but it really works. And I love having this because I can put my hands on it easily.

    22 Pack 0.5mm 6-in-1 Multicolor Ballpoint Pen,6-Color Retractable Ballpoint

    Great for a co-op gift. It reminds me of the pens I had as a child. They add a bit of fun to your day.

    Heart Shape Sticky Notes 8 Color Bright

    Just too fun to not share.

    Nature's Decorations Agate Bookends

    I combine my love of nature with my love of books. Swoon!

    Gorgeous 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner You Build

    Because a homeschool planner should be the life blood of your day, I’ve created many different ones here. Whether
    you are using a planner to track lesson plans, or just journaling, you’ll love the choices here.

    Hugs and love ya,

    Signature T
    Homeschool Organization Motivation - 11 Gadgets To Get You Going

    This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

    159 CommentsFiled Under: Gift Ideas for Homeschoolers, Giveaways, Homeschool Hotties & Faves, Homeschool Space, Organization Tagged With: home organization, homeschool clutter, homeschool room, homeschoolgiftideas, homeschoolorganization, learning, new homeschooler homeschool room, organizedhomeschool

    How to Cope Successfully With Homeschool Mental Stress

    April 21, 2024 | 1 Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Homeschool mental stress is real. Also, look at my How to Homeschool page for more tips and resources.

    Jumping into homeschooling with ways to reduce negative mental stress is crucial because homeschooling takes a toll on your mental health.

    Having tried and true techniques at your finger tips is absolutely essential to coping with homeschool mental stress; the power of a mental hygiene homeschool routine can’t be underestimated.

    How to Cope Successfully With Homeschool Mental Stress

    I’ve learned to accept happily that struggling and being stressed doesn’t mean that the homeschool lifestyle is not worth it.

    For my family, it has been a superior way of education.

    How to Cope With Homeschool

    The right view of stress, which is that not all of it is negative, is necessary to categorizing the type of stress we encounter in homeschooling.

    5 BEST How to Homeschool Books

    I've rounded up some of the best books to help you get started homeschooling.

    Homeschooling for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

    Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops. When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.

    The Unhurried Homeschooler

    Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the “why” of homeschooling from time to time—but "The Unhurried homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.

    Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace

    Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for their children and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home.

    The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

    Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?

    Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

    Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.

    There is good stress and there is bad stress.

    There is no way to eliminate stress totally from our life because stress can be an energizing and motivating force to do school day in and day out successfully.

    The release of energy, the highest sense of accomplishment, and the gratifying feelings deep down in our gut we get when we teach our kids to read, to cook, or see them positively engaging with adults is hard to explain to those that have not experienced it.

    10 Tips to Manage Homeschool Stress

    However, today I’m not talking about the good side of stress. 

    We don’t talk enough about the bad kind of stress which can take over our mind, affect us, and affect those we love.

    If you haven’t lived our homeschool life it’s hard to know what we experience day to day. 

    Look at these 10 tried and true tips that have worked with me as I’ve homeschooled over the past 20+ years.

     1. Lowering your expectations is NOT equivalent to lowering your standards.

    In many ways homeschooling back before all the devices exploded on the homeschooling scene, which are suppose to free up our time, was easier than today.

    We didn’t have so much content thrown at us; we weren’t bombarded with information overload to wade through.

    Pushing back and resisting the urge to cover every possible facet of a subject has not meant lower standards in learning.

    How to Cope With Homeschool Mental Stress. Jumping into homeschooling with ways to reduce negative mental stress is crucial because homeschooling takes a toll on your mental health. CLICK HERE to grab them!

    My sons high college grades prove otherwise. I view myself as a normal home school mom who didn’t always push her kids academically.

    I was consistent each day and that was key to lowering the stress for the day and not overloading my mind with worry if my kids were performing well enough.

    If you find that you keep piling expectations, extra subjects, or longer homeschool days on you and your kids ask yourself is it worth it?

    2. Step away from the online world and into the real world.

    One of the best ways to help me rejuvenate quickly is to be around close friends or family and stay completely off my phone and off online.

    Do you remember the time when we all didn’t carry phones? Some people had to actually wait for a reply.

    As much time as I spend on my blog and online schooling for my kids, I realize that I’ve always had intermittent times when I’m completely away from the online world.

    I find myself with instant calm for my mind when I have face to face conversations with warm individuals. It reminds me that slowing down for day to day interaction is the key to a healthy mental hygiene.

    3. Do simple physical activities. I do mean simple.

    Don’t get me wrong, if you want to knock yourself out at the gym go for it.

    My problem is that it takes me a while to recover from strenuous workouts and then it defeats my purpose in easing my mental stress. From there I go to worrying about what has not been done for the day.

    What I have found that works for longer periods of time or through the years is a simple nature walk. To this day, I still take nature walks even in my neighborhood. I think doing it at the crack of dawn and seeing the sun rise sets the right tone for my day.

    I’ve always been an early morning person, but if you’re not a morning person the evening sun or night skys is just as gorgeous. I have no favorites.

    Being outside reminds me of what is important each day, it fills up my tank when I have to deal with others especially my kids, and it just reminds me to be grateful I’m alive.

    4. Easy activities with the kids eases mental tension.

    I always read about self-care and getting away from the kids. While this is true on occasions, the truth of it is we homeschool because we love being with our kids.

    Not every solution involves isolation. When I feel overloaded I change our plans for the day.

    A simple walk or hike with kids, an all day reading day, or even something simple like watching a movie are all easy activities that can ease mental tension. A shift in focus, rest, or stepping back are all options depending on your needs.

    Sometimes it’s just not possible to be alone and when you can’t, take steps now to have ideas in place for when you need a different pace.

    Besides, you are also modeling to your kids how to cope with days that are mentally taxing.

    5. Add humor in big doses throughout the day.

    There are many reasons to laugh during the day while homeschooling.

    If you’ve taught for any length of time, you know your kids say funny things, think funny things, and do funny things.

    Treasure those moments and don’t forget to laugh when it’s time to laugh.

    It’s a quick fix to alleviate stress in the air and your kids will love the stress free atmosphere you create. Better yet, write down all of those funny sayings in your planner and come back to them.

    I also save pictures in one file of funny things my kids did and I have some picture of myself that ares absolutely awful while homeschooling which I would never share with the homeschooling world.

    But every time I look at them, I laugh so hard it’s hard to stop. It keeps me balanced of how I view myself.

    6. Do we really NOT have time for a hobby? Count the mental cost.

    I was wrong when I started homeschooling because I gave up some of my hobbies. Okay, my thinking was a bit off. It took me years to find balance; I hope it doesn’t take you that long.

    My thinking was off because when I thought of a hobby I thought of something that gave no value. A hobby could keep you from doing the more important things if it’s not kept in balance. Why do we think it has to be all or nothing?

    How did I adopt such an extreme view? I know it was to prevent me from not giving attention to what I needed to do each day which is to be sure my kids get the best education I can give them.

    From Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

    • Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle
    • How to Cope Successfully With Homeschool Mental Stress
    • How to Begin Homeschooling A Teen Lagging Behind
    • How Early Should I Begin Homeschooling My First Child & Free Checklist
    • 5 Ideas to Kick-Start Your New Homeschool Year By Including Others

    Again, I try not to go too hard on myself because I had set the right priority.

    Balance is the key to doling out increments of time doing something I enjoy whether it’s photography, cooking, or blogging.

    Not thinking about the teacher mom at present, but about the person and woman I am has always revitalized me.

    You’re the only one to answer to if you have become unbalanced with your hobby.

    At times, depending on the level of stress in my homeschooling, I’ve needed more time to step back and focus on who I am. Other times, not so much.

    Avoiding critical judgments of how others spend their time off from school helps.

    There is no time to be critical of others when you homeschool positively and care for your mental stress.

    7. The power of 15 minutes for a shift in focus.

    I mentioned earlier that unless you experienced our homeschool lifestyle it can be hard to appreciate the tips. I know oh so well how at times we just can’t get away from our kids.

    When I had that time period in my journey, I had to learn the power of a 15 minute shift in focus.

    If your kids are old enough to be left alone or to go to another room for that long, then implement that daily tip.

    I set the timer on my stove because it was the loudest and because my boys could run into the room to see how much more time was left. It was an easy timer for them to read.

    Of course I explained to my kids they didn’t have come into the room to see the timer and that they would hear it.

    Staying in their room was a game in the beginning because they wanted to be near me to see what I was doing. However, the more I did it, the more they enjoyed it and stayed in their room or another room to play.

    Also, looking back, I realized I also taught them how to have a pause in their day for relaxed mental time. This world can be extremely stressful and our kids need tips as they grow too.

    Whether you decide to lay down and read, bathing (if you can), or just do nothing, you decide. Don’t keep engaging your mental person when it needs rest.

    8. Your spouse or a trusted friend are priceless.

    We know that we do a majority of the homeschooling, but if your husband is like mine, he’s interested in how you’re coping.

    Don’t shut him out because he may not understand completely.

    Just relaying to my husband what I have been dealing with helps me to articulate it orally and I find it refreshing to get it out of my mind.

    I’m all for date nights if you can.

    One more technique that my husband and I have implemented is although we may not be able to get away from the kids, we make time to talk alone and teach the kids to respect that time.

    Time alone with my husband while the kids were present became absolutely necessary as each kid hit the teen years and we had to deal with unique stressful situations.

    We had already implemented daily or weekly management of that type of stress.

    9. Organize it, throw it out, and kick it out.

    Another huge mental release for me is being able to clean, organize, or kick clutter to the curb. This is especially good if part of your mental stress toll stems from a cluttered home.

    Don’t ignore your need for a more efficient working area.

    Homeschooing is about teaching kids how to cope with daily life.

    So many homeschooled kids are not taught that taking time to organize is as imperative as doing their school work. Is this because some homeschool families don’t view it as essential?

    It’s unbalanced to do a whole workbook of math while kids live in a monumental mess.

    Why is being good at math so much more important than being a person that people want to be around as they grow into adults? I would never want to live with anyone that didn’t pick up after himself. I want my kids to be the kind of persons that others can roommate with or live with.

    Did I mention they are? If you find that your mental stress comes from a cluttered home, then STOP homeschooling and declutter.

    You’re not getting behind on homeschooling when you clean, you’re getting ahead of it.

    10. Make time for the little things. Chocolate, chat with a friend, get out of the house, or listen to music.

    Lastly, make time for what refreshes you mentally.

    Creating time to soothe your mental health needs to be part of daily management of homeschool mental stress.

    Whether you find a bit of milk or dark chocolate helps bite by bite, a chat with a close homeschool friend which understands your feelings, getting out of the house, listening to your favorite music, exercising more, or doing like I did one time binge watch a Netflix series, they all count.

    Make Daily Stress Management Part of Your Routine

    Accepting the fact that I can’t do all I want to do and having daily routines has helped me to cope with negative stress.

    Learning how to say no to things I can’t be involved in and recognizing stress triggers like avoiding explosive personalities in my homeschool world helps me to manage too. Some people bring unnecessary stress on themselves and those around  them.

    Have tips ready at your fingertips for when you need a mental break; your journey should be memorable for the right reasons.

    How to Cope With Homeschool Mental Stress. Jumping into homeschooling with ways to reduce negative mental stress is crucial because homeschooling takes a toll on your mental health. CLICK HERE to grab them!

    What mental coping techniques do you use?I know you’ll love reading these other ways to empower your sticking ability to homeschool:

    • Homeschooling STARTS When You STOP Caring What Others Think
    • 3 Foolproof Ways I Cope When I Can’t Homeschool
    • Deschooling: Step One for the New Homeschooler (the Definitions, the Dangers, and the Delight)
    • 4 Undeniable Reasons People Hate Homeschooling (Keep It Real)

    Hugs and love ya,

    1 CommentFiled Under: Be an Exceptional Homeschool Teacher, Homeschool Simply, Homeschool When Nobody Wants To, Schedule/Balance Home & School Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool anxiety, homeschool challenges, homeschool clutter, homeschool crisis, homeschool joy, homeschool joys, homeschool lifestyle, homeschool stress

    Homeschool Organization – Why You’re Still Drowning in Clutter

    October 31, 2016 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Homeschool Organization - Why You're Still Drowning in Clutter @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

    Getting rid of the kids is one option for homeschool decluttering. (okay, okay). Today, I’m sharing homeschool organization – why you’re still drowning in clutter because understanding why we save things helps us to part with them.

    The Big Four Barriers to Homeschool Decluttering

    Telling you that I have a regular routine to declutter and why you should too won’t have one ounce of meaning or motivation to you unless you understand why we all keep clutter.

    On top of that, homeschooling just adds another layer of stuff to what we already have in our home.

    Before we can address workable solutions, we need to conquer our fears, which are the barriers to homeschool decluttering.

    Look at these four reasons why you can’t let go of clutter.

    ONE// The one day thinking.

    It for sure is the most crippling mindset, which is one day I will need it.

    TWO// It may be worth something one day.

    This is especially hard for us as homeschoolers because a lot of us by nature are frugal or thrifty, but can that be misguided thriftiness?

    THREE// My ________ (insert family relative here) saved it for me all these years or gave it to me.

    My mom and I are real close, but unlike me she saves everything. She had things from my high school and elementary years which were sentimental to us both.

    However, she didn’t just have a few things, but tubs and tubs of them. I have no room to store them, but I am thankful for technology today because I am able to capture numerous photos of them.

    FOUR//  It’s worth too much to just throw away.

    The somebody, somewhere in the world will be able to use it that can’t afford nice things is another mindset setback for decluttering.

    You and I both know as teachers that before we can correct negative behavior with children or find a solution to their problem we have to understand and identify the behavior first. Decluttering our homeschool is similar.

    Confession time. Which one are you or do you want to silently stalk here? That is okay too because I will be addressing each of these barriers in upcoming articles with solutions and tips.

    You won’t have to wait too long for some help, look at these articles right now.
    5 Homeschool Things to Toss By the End of Summer, Top 10 Tips for Maximizing Space in (Really) Tiny Homeschool Spaces and How a 31 Day Menu Plan Makes You a Healthier, Better & Smarter Homeschool Mom + Free Editable Planner.

    Hugs and love ya,

    Signature T

    Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

    Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


    Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Home, Homeschool Space, Organization Tagged With: home organization, homeschool clutter, homeschoolorganization, new homeschooler homeschool organization, organizationalprintables, organizedhomeschool

    5 Homeschool Things to Toss By the End of Summer

    August 4, 2016 | 19 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    5 Homeschool Things to Toss By the End of Summer @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

    If I lived in the perfect world of just organization, I would ideally label one box give away, another box labeled to keep and another one to throw away or recycle. But I don’t live in that world because I need to homeschool too.

    Homeschool organization is quite different than having all day long to organize, which of course I would love but it won’t happen as long as I homeschool.

    Why Homeschooling Simply is of Lasting Value?

    Because my time is limited, tossing has always been my go to option. Unless something will bless a homeschool family right away and in a large way, clutter multiplies if you don’t get rid of it soon.

    Too, because we are sharing living and learning spaces, a lot of the things I do at the end of summer spills over into my home organizing.

    I find that back to school or the beginning of a school year, after I have chosen my curriculum is a great time to take a peek at my home to see what I need to toss.

    Look at 5 homeschool things to toss by the end of summer…

    ONE. Toss old food, containers and items from your pantry. Mark containers clearly.


    Toss old spices and food items @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

    toss old containers

    When I need to make room for food that my family will eat because their likes and dislikes have changed, I find that cleaning out my pantry for the new homeschool year gets me ready.

    It’s hard to cook well when there is a mess to begin with. Take time to toss what you won’t eat this next year or take it to the food pantry for others to be blessed by.

    Then, get rid of containers that make it hard to see what you have on hand when ready to cook. I love see through containers and I mark them clearly (no corny pun intended) so I know what I’m grabbing when time is rushed.

    TWO. Toss recipes that you do not use.


    You know I have mentioned before that though many apps exists for recipes, I like to put my recipes in a 5 inch binder.

    Homeschool-Organization-Are-you-Collecting-Cookbooks-or-Recipes_thumb.png

    I don’t like my hands touching my devices while I’m cooking. And with page protectors I can turn the pages easily in my binders and wipe them off to sanitize them.

    It’s the way I roll and so I always try to go back through my 365 recipes for the year and toss ones that just don’t make top marks with my family.

    THREE. Art projects. Do you have some of these lying around the house?


    Perish the thought that I don’t keep every crafty piece of art that my sons have done, but I don’t. I would be living under a suffocating pile of heap-o-junk.

    A long while back I had to have a reckoning with Tina Day. I was in homeschooling for the long run, which meant I had to make some hard and fast decisions about art projects to keep and which ones to not keep.

    toss old art projects by the end of summer @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

    I do cherish each one and take several pictures of each project.

    How to be Happily Homeschool With What You Have and not With What You Don’t Have

    And though I do love free cloud storage, I prefer to use a huge external hard drive because I don’t want to rely on free cloud storage that may come or go.

    I use the Toshiba 1TB portable external hard drive because it has tons of storage (1TB) is slim and I can travel with it. I take lots of pictures of our projects through the years and store them on the hard drive.

    FOUR. Sorry, but I don’t pass on nasty broken crayons or map colors to the younger siblings.


    Unless I have a preschooler in the house, which chunky crayons are for, each kid gets brand new crayons or map colored pencils.

    Even younger kids are smart enough to know that they are getting second hand crayons and they don’t want those old nasty things.

    I guess you could have a party with the crayons and melt them all to make an art piece but then you’re back to needing to store that project.

    FIVE. Toss or tear down old science projects. Recycle if you can.


    I say toss loosely here because sometimes we can use the same parts over when we have built something previously.

    Toss or recycle old science projects @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

    We have loved every contraption and gadget we have made through the year but the end of the summer is a great time to part with them and make room for new creations.

    We break them down and keep only the parts that look like we may be able to use again.

    Those are just a few of the things that I am happily sorting through.

    What about you? What do you toss or recycle by the end of summer?

    Also, look at my article, How Can I Achieve Simple Homeschooling and Get Organized – Rev Up for the New Homeschool Year.

    Hugs and love ya,

    Signature T

    Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

    Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


    Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

     

    19 CommentsFiled Under: Home, Organization Tagged With: home organization, homeschool, homeschool clutter, homeschoolorganization, new homeschooler homeschool room, organized pantry, organizedhomeschool, organizedkids

    Do You Need to Know What A Scope and Sequence Is When You Homeschool

    August 23, 2015 | 2 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Do you need to know what a scope and sequence is when you homeschool? Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips!

    No term seems as daunting to grasp to a new homeschooler than a scope and sequence.

    You don’t have to have a teaching degree to understand new terms.

    Too, sometimes there is just too much hype in trying to understand new terms and I feel scope and sequence can fall into one of those types of things.

    I don’t want to minimize the importance of understanding the term.

    But it’s not necessary to completely understand all the details of a scope and sequence before you embark on your new career as home educator.

    Do You Need to Know What A Scope and Sequence Is When You Homeschool

    A simplified definition of scope and sequence is this:

    Scope means the range of knowledge in an area or subject that will be covered and sequence means the order in which that area will be covered. That’s it, simple enough.

    If you choose something that is laid out lesson by lesson, which is called a boxed curriculum in the homeschool world, then the publisher has already determined what will be covered in that grade level and when or what days it will be covered.

    I would prefer that you focus on how advanced or how much help your child needs instead of worrying right now at which grade level to cover which subjects.

    You will have plenty of time to be educated about all the education-ese.

    For example, look at the scope and sequence of each grade.

    And then determine which grade your child fits into and not determine your child’s grade first and then buy that level.

    There is a huge difference here.

    Are You Making this First-Timer Mistake

    The first way of selecting a grade level will set you up for a course that will make your first year more successful and the second way may set you up for a more stressful year.

    Assuming your child is ready for the scope and sequence in a grade level because that is his grade level is a common first year mistake I want you to avoid like no other.

    Let me say it again and that is don’t buy curriculum based on your child’s current grade level.

    There is a time when a scope and sequence will weigh in heavier on your choices for curriculum.

    That time is when you decide to play a larger role in lesson planning.

    Then, it becomes more important to understand how extensive a subject should be taught in a grade and in what order it should be introduced or mastered by your child.

    I encourage you for your summer reading to study and become somewhat familiar with both free online scopes and sequences.

    Too become familiar some books that I will share with you at the bottom of this post.

    Hear my heart on this.

    Key to not getting overwhelmed is to not study all 12 grades.

    What insane crazy person does that? I did.

    FOURTH GRADE HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

    • 35 Simple But Powerful US History Homeschool Curriculum Resources K to 12
    • The Best Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
    • Easy Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity for fourth grade
    • 5 FREE and FUN Hands-on Science Activities for Homeschooled Kids. Free Science Guides.
    • Do Homeschoolers Need to Know What is a Scope and Sequence 4th Grade
    • The Dos and Don’ts of Homeschool Objectives – fourth grade writing objectives

    I almost gave up homeschooling in the beginning because I put myself under too much pressure.

    Study the grade level your child will be in, the one above and the one below it.

    That is enough for now.

    That will give you a bigger picture skill wise, to see where your child’s level is compared to a scope and sequence.

    I assure you instead of stressing you out, getting familiar with the set of skills a child is generally introduced to in each grade level will do quite the opposite for you in the long run.

    It will empower you to be a teacher that is a cut above those that don’t take time to understand the learning process.

    Do You Need to Know What a Scope and Sequence Is When You Homeschool

    Look at my list below and one last reminder before you jump into some of this not so light reading is that this is just a “map” designed by curriculum providers.

    What I don’t want you to take away from the reading is that your child has to cover x in x grade.

    Eventually, I will share some posts about some significant milestones to look for in certain grades which is of far more importance than keeping up with each grade level.

    Do Homeschoolers Need to Know What is a Scope and Sequence? Click here to grab these AWESOME tips!

    Each child, barring any developmental issues will reach each educational milestone at their own time.

    Look at these free online scope and sequences:

    • Christian Light Education. You can view them as free .pdfs. Both elementary and high school.
    • A Beka Scope and Sequence
    • Bob Jones Scope and Sequence
    • Worldbook has been used for homeschoolers for years to get a general starting point and direction.
    • Montessori Scope and Sequence. Infant to Age 12.
    • Houghton Mifflin Grades K to 5 and 6 to 8th.
    • Virginia state standards too. Click on an area like English and you will go to another screen for grade level.

    Books to read that I think help through your whole homeschooling journey:

    The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home Even though you may or may not follow this homeschool approach, she has great tips for valuable resources in all areas.

    Pick and choose what works for you. For example, I used her reading suggestions when teaching my sons to read and write.

    Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School

    Again look at some of the resources instead of honing in on exactly all that needs to be covered.

    What Your Preschooler Needs to Know: Get Ready for Kindergarten (Core Knowledge Series)

    What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know

    What Your First Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of a Good First-Grade Education (Core Knowledge Series)

    What Your Second Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of a Good Second Grade Education (Core Knowledge Series

    What Your Third Grader Needs to Know (Revised Edition): Fundamentals of a Good Third-Grade Education (Core Knowledge Series)

    What Your Fourth Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of A Good Fourth-Grade Education (Core Knowledge Series)

    What Your Fifth Grader Needs to Know (Core Knowledge Series)

    What Your Sixth Grader Needs to Know (Revised) (Core Knowledge Series)

    Books to Build On: A Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers (Core Knowledge Series)

    Slow and Steady Get Me Ready I used this book for my boys when they were babies and again, didn’t get stressed out if my boys were behind some of these things or some of them were easy.

    It gave me a heads up about what to expect at each age.

    When is Knowledge Power

    Too, this series below is the set of books I much more preferred to use along with the ones written above by other homeschoolers.

    I did glance at the Core Knowledge Series above and use some from those books.

    But I loved the fact that the books below had ideas of how to teach concepts and it also came with an envelope in the back of the book that had a test I could give.

    I know, I know, I couldn’t help myself about testing.

    I was worried and had to test for a year or two, but after that I realized I was on track.

    Do Homeschoolers Need to Know What is a Scope and Sequence? Click here to grab these AWESOME tips!

    You will too. So if it gives you comfort, it’s okay to test, just don’t stress over them in the younger years.

    How Is My First Grader Doing in School? What to Expect and How to Help
    How Is My Second Grader Doing In School? What to Expect and How to Help
    How Is My Third Grader Doing in School? What to Expect and How to Help

    . . . . My Fourth Grader Doing in School?: What to Expect and How to Help
    . . . Is My Fifth Grader Doing in School?: What to Expect and How to Help
    How Is My Sixth Grader Doing in School?: What to Expect and How to Help

    Try to remember that as you join with the other thousands of homeschoolers who have been down the road for several years now that we too have expressed some of the same feelings of not wanting our child to get behind or wanting to do this “right”.

    So instead of following a scope and sequence, just use it as a guide to enlighten yourself about the general educational needs of all children. 

    But focus on how unique your children are and know that what you will eventually be teaching them through all the years won’t be able to be contained in any set of scope and sequences.

    What do you think? Do you feel a little more empowerment from this foundation of knowledge?

    Do You Need to Know What a Scope and Sequence Is When You Homeschool. Tips for the Beginner. @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

    Look at these other helps:

    • Resources I’ve Used for K to 12
    • A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
    • Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)

    Hugs and love ya,

    Save

    2 CommentsFiled Under: Choose Curriculum, Lesson Plan, Teach/Which Subjects to Teach/Cover EVERYTHING Tagged With: curriculum, homeschool, homeschool clutter, homeschool curriculum, homeschoolplanning

    • Page 1
    • Page 2
    • Go to Next Page »

    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

    Categories

    Archives

    Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy