homeschoolplanner

How to Choose the Perfect Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

June 19, 2022 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

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

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

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

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

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

Homeschool Planner for Multiple Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homeschool Planner to Use for Multiple Ages

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unique Forms for a Multiple Children Planner

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

If you live in a state where you have to keep records or you have a high school teen, you need to track attendance. This Colorful and Editable Homeschooled Student Attendance Record has 3 color choices.
Whether you want to keep grades or not is another section to add to your planner for multiple students. The editable grade keepers are here on Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!
In addition, field trips are a huge part of homeschooling whether you have multiple children or not; you can find field trip tracking forms also at Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!
Lastly, goals are a huge part of planning for multiple ages. You’ll love the goals forms I have here at Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives.

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

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

More Homeschooling Multiple Ages Tips

Print exactly what you need HERE at my 7 STEP DIY HOMESCHOOL PLANNER

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

Also check out the Ultimate Homeschool Planner and you can read about it here on my post Ultimate Homeschool Planner.
Add in calendars and grab these beautiful ones here at Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers
Pre-Homeschool Year Planning Checklist – 7 Step Homeschool Planner

3 Beautiful and Free Homeschool Planner Covers

June 18, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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.

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.

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.

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.

Also, look at these other homeschool planner cover posts:

Choose my other planner covers on this Step 1. Choose A Pretty Front/Back Cover.
7 Step Free Homeschool Planner – Top 5 Questions Asked Are Answered

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

March 28, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

In this homeschool beginner’s guide to figuring grades, I’m sharing tips I didn’t know when I began. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

Although I live in Texas where grade keeping is not required by state law, I started keeping grades before high school for two reasons.

One reason is that my teen wanted feedback.

The second reason is that I wanted to know how to figure grades sooner instead of tackling it on top of learning how to homeschool high school.

Having homeschooled twenty-five years now, I see how figuring grades has changed in the public-school world.

It’s not that we want to keep up with public-school changes, but eventually our kids may be graded by those same standards. It’s important to be somewhat familiar with how to figure grades.

Figuring Grades

In addition, understanding how the public-school world decides grading gives us reason to not follow them because we don’t have a classroom of 30 kids.

It’s a conundrum to somewhat follow a similar pattern of grading with widely acceptable ways of determining grades while meeting our unique circumstances at home.

Look at these tried-and-true tips and pointers.

First, I didn’t realize that public school teachers aren’t really taught how to grade. Sure, there are some exceptions to this. But several public-school teachers turned homeschool mom who took my workshops revealed that they didn’t really learn how to grade. It’s a skill they’re supposed to pick up while in training. You can do the same while homeschooling.
Second, grading needs to be purposeful. It’s one thing for me to show you various grading scales, but another for you to wield the tool of grading effectively.

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

Reasons to Grade

So, beyond your state requiring it, grades should give valuable feedback to your children.

Grades serve other reasons:

they communicate what your children have learned,
they give valuable feedback where your children are along the learning continuum, identify skills mastered and identify skills which need practice,
and motivates students to grow and advance in proficiency.

Besides, if the grading tool is not created and wielded correctly, it can also have the reverse effect.

Homeschool Grades for Elementary Children

Once I realized balance was needed, I moved forward with these distinctions.

In the elementary grades, a check system like satisfactory or unsatisfactory is perfectly acceptable.
Trying to not follow public school standards in the early grades is important. Kids at that age are building their foundation of knowledge. To constantly test, quiz, and drill can be harmful to their confidence.

However, you may need a guide at this age.

Below I will give you various grading scales to use for both elementary and middle and high school students.

Be sure you’re following me on my YouTube channel How to Homeschool EZ for awesome tips.

Look at my video How to Gauge Your Homeschooled Child’s Progress.

In addition, high school is the time when grades become important.

A lot of states have relaxed laws which means you create your own high school transcript and grading system.

It’s important to become familiar now with easy ways to grade. I have a free editable transcript and helps for high school too at the bottom of this post.

Homeschool Grades for Middle and High School Teens

Next look at these two different, but easy ways to figure grades.

ONE.

Whatever subject your child is covering, convert all grades and numbers to 100. That system is understood by us because a lot of us were graded on this system.

It’s also an easy way to quickly create grading standards. Letter grades are converted to numerical value or percentages.

This system is based on the thought that 100% means all answers are correct.

Afterwards, decide how to grade assignments based on a 100 percent.

Two Easy Ways to Figure Grades For Different Subjects

Look at these various examples of how categories of assignments are divided to see what I’m talking about:

daily work 50%, quizzes 20%, projects 10%, and final test 10% = 100
assessments 75%, practice 20%, and extra practice 5% = 100
project 25%, quizzes 25%, test 50% = 100

From this you can tell grading is very subjective.

You can apply equal percentages to types of assignments or different percentages like above.

Too, if you want a guide of what to teach your kid when, you’ll love my online self-paced course Teaching the Stages of Homeschool. From PreK to High School, Learn at a Bird’s-Eye View of What Subjects to Teach & When to Teach Them.

I am your coach as I take you though the ages and stages of homeschooling.

Furthermore, your grading form can list under each category the objectives or assignments.

Look at this sample below where I used Assessments, Practice, and Extra Practice breakdown from above.

Assessments – 75%	Practice – 20%	Extra Practice – 5%
daily assignments	daily handwriting	typing
essays	create a lapbook	spelling game
book reports	science experiment	watching videos

This is how I kept things easy. I decided what I wanted to grade (not grading everything) and which type of assignments or activities were more important to the subject we’re studying at the time.

It can feel a bit complicated in the beginning.

While some subjects are easier to grade than others, once you have the hang of it, just repeat the same percentages.

6 Easy Steps to Calculate Grades on Numbered Assignments

Also, look at my video How to Successfully Begin Homeschooling Middle & High School.

Additionally, some assignments are more straightforward to grade. Math is one type of subject which is easier to grade.

TWO.

Look below at these 6 easy steps to determine grades on numbered assignments like math. One of the best tips is to have a calculator handy or your phone calculator.

Here is how to easily grade an assignment like math which normally has a set number of problems like 20 or 30 problems.

Correct any wrong answers on your child’s assignment.
Look at the total number of problems on the assignment.
Calculate the total number of problems correct.
Divide the total number of correct answers by the total number of problems in the assignment.
When you get that answer, multiply it by 100.
Consult your grading scale to determine a letter grade if you want one. (I’ve shared grading scales below.)

Look at this real-life example from our math. The math assignment had 30 problems. My son missed 5 of the problems; he got 25 correct.

I divided 25 correct answers by 30 total number of problems which equals .83.

Next, multiply .83 x 100 or 83%. Finally, look for the percentage grading scale and find the corresponding letter grade if you’re keeping letter grades. Too, you’ll love this free EZ grader tool online tool.

As I mentioned, grading scales are subjective, but these are the two most common I’ve used in my homeschool. These grading scales can easily work for any grade level.

Easy Grading Scales For Homeschool

90–100% = A	93–100% = A
80–89% = B	86–92% = B
70–79% = C	78–85% = C
60–69% = D	70–77% = D
below 59% = F	below 69% = F

Noting the easy 6 steps above and based on my example about math, you can see that my student can make two different letter grades, namely a B or a C, depending on which grading scale I choose.

Now, let’s switch back to understanding the basics of percentages or the first method I mentioned.

In addition, look at my video How to Choose the BEST Middle School Literature for Your Homeschooled Child.

It’s important to understand how to categorize assignments using the 100 based system because some subjects or assignments especially like writing have very different objectives.

Grading essays is an art and is subjective.

In addition to the different genres of writing, there are many skills to learn as your student demonstrates writing.

Art is another subject that can be tough to grade.

Those types of assignments do not have a set number of problems.

Because you have specific goals for your children to meet, the best method to grade those types of subjects are percentage based.

Tina’s Time -Tested EASY Grade Figuring Tips

You can literally get overwhelmed with all this information and I’m going to keep it easy for you.

I have used these three easy grading tips and recommend them to you.

choose one grading scale and stick to it
use third percentages (more on this in a minute) on writing and other subjects which are hard to grade like art, writing, hands-on projects, and life skills.
use both grading systems to keep grading uncomplicated.

My own opinion is that the grading scale of 90 to 100%= A is more reflective of a wider range of skills and it’s the one I’ve used more often.

Also, when grading essays, writing, or any other type of subjective assignment I keep my percentages divided by thirds only.

Having only 3 broad categories with assigned percentages kept grading easier for me.

Under each of those broad categories I created objectives.

Of course, you can use any combination of 100 to create your unique goals based on the needs of your children.

Back to mentioning thirds.

I understand that 100 can be divided different ways and it has great flexibility. Again, I prefer easy segmenting and having objectives within those sections.

For example, with the free form below for descriptive writing, I have 3 segments. One section is Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics 30%, Content and Style 35%, and Organization 35%.

However, you will notice I have objectives within each of those 3 categories.

Look below at my sample of the free form Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record which I created for you.

The grading record is for middle school, and it is to be used for a descriptive essay. Thank you to Kimberley, my follower, for allowing me to create it for her and for you.

Free Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record

The Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record is a subscriber only freebie.

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

This is how you get access to this form quickly.
1) Sign up on my list.
2) Download the freebie.
3) Happy to have you following me by email. Look for my future emails in your inbox.

Rubric Versus Grading Scales

Another term which can make grading hard is understanding what is a rubric. A grading scale is a way to convert checkmarks to letter grades or to a number grade.

Although in the educational world now that has somewhat changed to a 1-to-4 point system. However, that still would have to convert to a letter grade for purposes of a report card. Don’t let me lose you.

A rubric is a term used more in the educational world and not as much in the homeschool world. A simpler term to understand is checklist.

Some homeschool evaluators with a teacher background prefer the term rubric. Whatever term you use checklist or rubric, it can be used different ways.

A rubric is a tool used by a student as a guide to view assignment expectations and objectives set by the teacher. It is a way to encourage students to self-check and can be used as a grading tool. Many rubrics exist on the internet and a lot of them are based on a 1-to-4 point system. Rubrics can be complex or simple.

Four is the highest and can mean achieve, accomplished, or even mastery. Three can be interpreted to mean proficient or practiced. Two can mean developing and one can signify incomplete.

Right away you see that a rubric or self-checking list may be more beneficial to a student of any age. We homeschool for mastery, not just a letter grade.

In addition, a checklist or rubric can encourage children to be challenged and show what they know instead of always measuring what they don’t know.

I think it’s important that if you use a rubric with young kids to assign positive terms to each number one through 4.

You’re encouraging growth at every age, but it’s especially important in the early grades that your children value practice and progress.

More Homeschool High School Teen Elective Resources

How to Calculate Homeschool Grades Using Rubrics

Here are a few more terms to describe each 1-to-4 point level; they can be mixed and matched based on the ages of your learners, subject type or project.

Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, Good and Well Done
Just Beginning, Getting There, Right On and Wow
Poor Effort, OK, Great, and Exceptional
Novice, Intermediate, Proficient and Distinguished
Beginning, Developing, Experienced and Exceptional
Beginning, Developing, Accomplished and Exemplary
Novice, Approaching, Proficient and Advanced Understanding
Not So Much, I Tried a Bit, I Did a Good Job and I Did My Best Ever is a cute one for art by Art Projects for Kids.

One thing I did when my children were teens was to show them my grading record, objectives, and goals. Can you see from that morphs a checklist or rubric?

Whether you use a checklist or orally convey your expectations to your children, I hope this information about figuring grades helps to simplify the process for you.

Look at these other helps.

Colorful and Beautiful 2022-2023 One Page Printable Calendar

December 30, 2021 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m rolling out the 2022-2023 one page printable calendar which you can use in the 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner. I have two color choices available for this one page printable calendar.

One Page Printable Calendar

Also, I have 3 types of calendar pages which I prepare each year AND each one has an academic year AND a physical year.

Homeschool Planners

The 2022-2023 one page printable calendar is used for reference purposes.

The second type of printable one page calendars are the homeschool planning calendars which are to be used for tracking your homeschool days and weeks.

The third type of printable calendars are the the 2 page per month appointment keepers which have bigger boxes for writing appointments.

Printable Calendar One Page

You’ll need a set of EACH type in your 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner each year.

Because the reference calendar today is used for everything in your planner like planning and referencing you’ll want to print a couple of these for your planner.

I print one or more in the front of my homeschool planner and I print another one or two toward the back. I can easily put my hand on the calendar.

Next, look here at the free two color choices.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Plus, look at these other pretty forms I have to make your DIY 7 Step Homeschool Planner unique!

7 Easy Steps DIY Homeschool Planner – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color” Begin building your 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 2022 to 2023 Two Pages Per Month Calendars

December 28, 2021 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have the printable 2022 to 2023 two pages per month calendars. I also call these two pages per month calendars Two Page Appointment Keepers on my site. There are two color choices.

Two Pages Per Month Calendars

First, I always keep the Appointment Keepers here at Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

Also, 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.

Beautiful and Colorful 2022 to 2023 Two Pages Per Month Calendars

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.

The two pages per month calendar color choices are App and Jewel. Grab one or both.
You get a full 12 months and the calendars begin July, 2022 and go through June, 2023.
My copyright allows you to print it as many times as you need it for your needs.

Hope you love these color choices and you can get them now! Yay!

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.
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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

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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.

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

Lastly, below are the 7 Steps to help you prepare your free DIY unique 7 Step Homeschool Planner. I know you’ll love adding the two pages per month calendars to your planner.

7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner