Our Homeschool System: Organizing & Planning

by Mandi on August 20, 2010

Today I wanted to take a few minutes to show you our homeschool system. This year we are using Classical Conversations with Sonlight Readers for our 6 and 4.5 year old, and our two younger girls will get Daddy time during school. Yes, I realize how ridiculously lucky I am to have that setup — no toddlers underfoot, woohoo!

(If you’re reading this in email or a feed reader, you may need to click here to view the video!

First, here is our office/school room setup:

School RoomMy side of the office. Ignore the cord that needs to be tacked up under the desk — oops!

School RoomThe school side, with our toy/art/school cabinet and the girls desk.

School RoomInside the cabinet, magazine holders with the girls workbooks and other activity papers. We started out putting the workbooks in sheet protectors and doing them with dry erase markers, but we’ve decided just buy new workbooks each year moving forward.

School RoomOur book shelf. Our books are categorized by topic (which means Mommy puts them away for now!), and we hope to replace this shelf with a bigger, more substantial one down the road!

For those of you who like to know such things, along with the Classical Conversations program and Sonlight K & PreK read-alouds, we’ll also be using:

:: Explode the Code
:: BOB Readers
:: Singapore Math
:: Handwriting Without Tears (for the 4.5 yo)
:: A Reason for Handwriting (for the 6 yo, and most likely moving forward)
:: Usborne Science Activities
:: Veritas Press History Cards (part of Classical Conversations)

I’m still not sure if I’m going to add in a formal language arts program or just stick with our daily journal time and see where that takes us.

Because I work full time from home, our homeschool time is fairly scheduled. Here’s what it’s going to look like each day:

:: Calendar Time
:: Read-Alouds (I’m guessing the little ones will join us for at least part of this)
:: Workbooks (Reading, Math, Handwriting)
:: Journal/Language Arts
:: History Cards & Related Activities
:: Science/Geography/Art/Experiment (one per day)

We do Bible as part of our read-aloud time, and we have a few different books/series that we choose from rather than one set devotional for the year.

Finally, I wanted to share better pictures of some of the products I mentioned in my video. Although I was sent these products for review, I really have incorporated them into my system because they solved a problem or issue for me. I love them all!

Carolina Pad's Dreamsicle Line

Carolina Pad's Studio C Dreamsicle Line by JACK!E

Be sure to “like” Dreamsicle on Facebook to learn more about the Girls on the Run organization and how it’s inspiring little girls to develop self-esteem and self-respect as well as a healthy lifestyle through their program as they train to run a 5K together. You can also follow Jackie Savage McVee to learn more about her latest design projects and Carolina Pad to see their latest designs!

Avery's NoteTabs

Avery's NoteTabs

Avery has a Facebook page called The Organization of Moms that is dedicated to sharing organizing and time management tips. These NoteTabs are by far my favorite Avery product. I use them in binders, in books, in magazines and in notebooks to easily mark a place so that I can refer back to it later!

BusyBodyBook

BusyBodyBook

And last — but definitely not least — here is a shot of my BusyBodyBook. I love that I can plan each week in detail in this notebook and check off things as we go, and I plan to use the left side to add notes about books to get from the library or supplies to buy for projects as well as notes about things we want to follow up on, do differently, etc.

Have you started your new school year yet? What is your favorite homeschool organizing product?

Mandi Ehman at Organizing Your Way

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  • http://naturecanopy.typepad.com/lilolu/ Jackie@Lilolu

    Very impressive, Mandi. I love when you add a vlog to your posts. It really helps us understand your systems better. I’d like to know more about your binder. Is that on a previous post?
    .-= Jackie@Lilolu´s last blog ..This Moment =-.

  • http://naturecanopy.typepad.com/lilolu/ Jackie@Lilolu

    Very impressive, Mandi. I love when you add a vlog to your posts. It really helps us understand your systems better. I’d like to know more about your binder. Is that on a previous post?
    .-= Jackie@Lilolu´s last blog ..This Moment =-.

  • Mandi Ehman

    Hey Jackie!

    I haven’t set up a homeschool binder at all yet, but my home management system is another vlog.

    searching the archives now…

    Here you go: http://www.organizingyourway.net/printables/home-management-notebook-a-vlog-and-more-printables

  • Mandi Ehman

    Hey Jackie!

    I haven’t set up a homeschool binder at all yet, but my home management system is another vlog.

    searching the archives now…

    Here you go: http://www.organizingyourway.net/printables/home-management-notebook-a-vlog-and-more-printables

  • http://homemakinghabits.blogspot.com tacy

    I have been intimidated but also totally excited about the prospect of homeschooling my daughter. This post is making me really excited, and the reminder that curriculum guides the day-to-day is also reassuring.
    Of course, she is 2.5 right now…but I’m not sure if I can keep up and keep us on task down the road. I would love to hear how you keep your daughters in line and on task in the day to day- maybe a future post?
    I love how BEAUTIFUL all these systems are and how tidy and inviting your office/school space is. Thanks for sharing!
    .-= tacy´s last blog ..A Quote from Thomas Merton =-.

  • http://homemakinghabits.blogspot.com tacy

    I have been intimidated but also totally excited about the prospect of homeschooling my daughter. This post is making me really excited, and the reminder that curriculum guides the day-to-day is also reassuring.
    Of course, she is 2.5 right now…but I’m not sure if I can keep up and keep us on task down the road. I would love to hear how you keep your daughters in line and on task in the day to day- maybe a future post?
    I love how BEAUTIFUL all these systems are and how tidy and inviting your office/school space is. Thanks for sharing!
    .-= tacy´s last blog ..A Quote from Thomas Merton =-.

  • Sarah

    For life organizing, nothing is more effective than GTD (David Allen, Getting Things Done). For homeschool planning I love love love the Well Planned Day (“New” on the left bar http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org.) It’s got excellent planning pages, report cards, chore cards, semester goals, and weekly planning pages, and its beautiful!!

    One thing I think you have going on here is that your room is not cluttered or even full, but rather empty except for what you’re using. I’d love to pack all my things away and then only bring into the room (or the house for that matter) only the things I’m using. That would be revolutionary!!

  • Sarah

    For life organizing, nothing is more effective than GTD (David Allen, Getting Things Done). For homeschool planning I love love love the Well Planned Day (“New” on the left bar http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org.) It’s got excellent planning pages, report cards, chore cards, semester goals, and weekly planning pages, and its beautiful!!

    One thing I think you have going on here is that your room is not cluttered or even full, but rather empty except for what you’re using. I’d love to pack all my things away and then only bring into the room (or the house for that matter) only the things I’m using. That would be revolutionary!!

  • Rochelle

    I love the calendar board idea! Could you post/email me a picture of it full on so I can see what you’ve done with it more clearly? I love your space and how you’ve organized it! Very inspiring!

  • Rochelle

    I love the calendar board idea! Could you post/email me a picture of it full on so I can see what you’ve done with it more clearly? I love your space and how you’ve organized it! Very inspiring!

  • http://www.ModernFamilia.com angelica @ Modern Familia

    Mandi, this is such an awesome show-and-tell! Your vlog gives us a great such as real idea on homeschooling. One thing that is totally clear about good homeschooling is “organization.” Thanks for sharing all the tools you use to get well organized. I will surely include this post (and vlog) in ModernFamilia as a resource.

    Angelica
    .-= angelica @ Modern Familia´s last blog ..The Pursuit of Family Happiness =-.

  • http://www.ModernFamilia.com angelica @ Modern Familia

    Mandi, this is such an awesome show-and-tell! Your vlog gives us a great such as real idea on homeschooling. One thing that is totally clear about good homeschooling is “organization.” Thanks for sharing all the tools you use to get well organized. I will surely include this post (and vlog) in ModernFamilia as a resource.

    Angelica
    .-= angelica @ Modern Familia´s last blog ..The Pursuit of Family Happiness =-.

  • http://mommyspiggytales.com Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES -

    I recognize this area from you last vlog. Love the red chair and your sweet baby girl!
    .-= Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth´s last blog ..Crossing the Border Into Mexico =-.

  • http://mommyspiggytales.com Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth

    I recognize this area from you last vlog. Love the red chair and your sweet baby girl!
    .-= Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth´s last blog ..Crossing the Border Into Mexico =-.

  • http://kimmysnewthing.blogspot.com/ Kimmy Davis

    Thank you so much for the BusyBodyBook links! Our son started school last week and I’m already overwhelmed with scheduling. Even my husband agrees this is an awesome system!!
    .-= Kimmy Davis´s last blog ..First Day of School =-.

  • http://kimmysnewthing.blogspot.com/ Kimmy Davis

    Thank you so much for the BusyBodyBook links! Our son started school last week and I’m already overwhelmed with scheduling. Even my husband agrees this is an awesome system!!
    .-= Kimmy Davis´s last blog ..First Day of School =-.

  • http://www.rockingranola.com Kara Fleck

    Thank you for this! I always love seeing other people’s set-ups for homeschool and I’m a visual person, so the vlog was VERY helpful :-)

    Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! Best Wishes, K
    .-= Kara Fleck´s last blog ..Christopherus Second Grade Math Giveaway =-.

  • http://www.rockingranola.com Kara Fleck

    Thank you for this! I always love seeing other people’s set-ups for homeschool and I’m a visual person, so the vlog was VERY helpful :-)

    Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! Best Wishes, K
    .-= Kara Fleck´s last blog ..Christopherus Second Grade Math Giveaway =-.

  • KristenL

    I love the desk you have! Did you build it or did you buy it from somewhere? I’d love to know where (or how!) if you did. It is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do in my work area.

  • KristenL

    I love the desk you have! Did you build it or did you buy it from somewhere? I’d love to know where (or how!) if you did. It is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do in my work area.

  • http://www.amylovesit.com/2010/08/24/top-ten-organizational-favorites-toptentues/ Top Ten Organizational Favorites #toptentues

    [...] 5. Magazine Files {great for separating girls’ school books, home management files, etc… à la Organizing Your Way} [...]

  • http://www.abokroskindoflife.com Maggie

    Loved this post, because I have an obsession with office supplies!! The Avery products are great! I need to look into those! I have to say though my fav part of the whole post was your little girl grabbing everything you had in your hands! That is so my life right now! We must have babies the same age! Cute! Cute!
    Thanks so much! This was great!
    Maggie

  • http://www.abokroskindoflife.com Maggie

    Loved this post, because I have an obsession with office supplies!! The Avery products are great! I need to look into those! I have to say though my fav part of the whole post was your little girl grabbing everything you had in your hands! That is so my life right now! We must have babies the same age! Cute! Cute!
    Thanks so much! This was great!
    Maggie

  • http://vivamorris.blogspot.com sheriece

    Oooo. Me, too! I would love to get more info on your calendar board, both the way you did it, and where else you’ve seen it on the web. I’ve been trying to think of easy ways to incorporate learning the simple stuff into our days for my preschooler!

    Thanks so much!

  • http://vivamorris.blogspot.com sheriece

    Oooo. Me, too! I would love to get more info on your calendar board, both the way you did it, and where else you’ve seen it on the web. I’ve been trying to think of easy ways to incorporate learning the simple stuff into our days for my preschooler!

    Thanks so much!

  • Mandi Ehman

    Oops, I think my response got lost when I was moving servers last week!

    Here’s an up close picture:
    http://www.organizingyourway.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC07902.jpg

    And this is where I got the idea and some of the printables:
    http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/homeschool-calendar-morning-board.html

    Thanks, Sheriece!

  • Mandi Ehman

    Oops, I think my response got lost when I was moving servers last week!

    Here’s an up close picture:
    http://www.organizingyourway.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC07902.jpg

    And this is where I got the idea and some of the printables:
    http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/homeschool-calendar-morning-board.html

    Thanks, Sheriece!

  • Crystal

    I would love to hear more about your choices on curriculum. I have 2 boys I guess about a year behind both of yours (5 and 3.5yo) and am having the hardest time deciding on what to buy! I was interested in what you were doing because I’m working with another mom right now to get classical conversations set up in our area and am wanting to try out sonlight. I’m wondering what you did last year and what you have done jointly and what seperately with the girls.

  • Crystal

    I would love to hear more about your choices on curriculum. I have 2 boys I guess about a year behind both of yours (5 and 3.5yo) and am having the hardest time deciding on what to buy! I was interested in what you were doing because I’m working with another mom right now to get classical conversations set up in our area and am wanting to try out sonlight. I’m wondering what you did last year and what you have done jointly and what seperately with the girls.

  • Molly

    My favorite part? The coffee pot on your desk. I love it. Trying to balance working from home, homeschooling, and young kiddos myself, I get that!

  • Molly

    My favorite part? The coffee pot on your desk. I love it. Trying to balance working from home, homeschooling, and young kiddos myself, I get that!

  • Mandi

    LOL, because walking downstairs to the kitchen is just too. much. work!

  • Mandi

    LOL, because walking downstairs to the kitchen is just too. much. work!

  • http://www.blessyourhearteh.blogspot.com Christy

    I’ve seen a handwriting program that incorporates drawing. Any ideas on what it is?

  • http://www.blessyourhearteh.blogspot.com Christy

    I’ve seen a handwriting program that incorporates drawing. Any ideas on what it is?

  • Tiff

    Do you recall what the the Avery adhesive envelopes are called that you used on your bulletin board? I can’t seem to find them anywhere.

  • Anonymous
  • Gina

    I tried to comment on my usual browser choice, Firefox, and I was told my browser setting was preventing me from commenting. I allowed cookies and still had the issue. Are comments just not accepted via Firefox? I am commenting fine in IE.

    I printed the time tracker, but I am scared to see how many hours I am actually dedicating to the various ways I spend my days.

    I am unemployed AND a tech-addict AND a Netflix/TV-fiend, so I am sure to see my day is spent primarily wasting the time I am given to use in each day.

    I already am very aware that I spend too much time on tech and TV and Netflix… I just need to find a way to stop myself and unchain myself from the laptop and TV. It’s not as easy as people make it out to be. Not for me anyway.

  • Ms Bookdevotee

    I did this once when I was feeling as if I never got any time to myself… I made a spreadsheet and color coded the blocks of time as work related, chores, family time, and personal time.

    Turns out I had much more “me time” than I thought I just wasn’t using it productively. These days I am much more aware of when I am wasting time.

  • Showersmt

    Thanks! I love your blog!

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