Learn 7 Ways to Get Motivated for Next Year’s Homeschool Plan
Is planning next year’s homeschool more exciting than finishing this year’s school?
Or are you just done and ready for a break before thinking about planning next year?
Most years I find myself becoming excited about planning next year’s curriculum for my three children in late February or early March.
Other years, though, the thought of planning out and then completing another year is overwhelming.
Here’s a list of seven ways, in no particular order, to get out of the planning funk and put some enthusiasm back into next year’s school plan
#1 Check out a Homeschool Curriculum Fair
If you’re a book junkie like I am, the sight of so many books in one space will instantly improve your outlook.
Plus, you can thumb through different programs and get a better feel for them than you can by looking at them online. You probably will even learn about some products that you didn’t know were available—and now you can’t live without!
#2 Consider Piecing Together Your Own Curriculum
If you can’t find the right fit in a packaged curriculum, consider making up your own and tailoring it to your child’s exact needs.
I’ve done this the past two years for my youngest’s science and history by consolidating several free resources into a year-long schedule.
There are so many great unit studies, lapbooks, and notebooking resources online that making your own program really isn’t that difficult or time-consuming.
Check out this Step-by-Step homeschool curriculum planning article on our sister site, Whole Child Homeschool, that explains exactly how to put together your own curriculum.
#3 Discover Living Books to Add to your Homeschool Plan
Plan to supplement your packaged curriculum with corresponding “living books” (as defined by Charlotte Mason). These books can really make a topic come alive and will help with retention of knowledge.
For example, if your middle schooler is studying world history and World War II, have them read Number the Stars by Lois Lowry or Diary of Anne Frank. If desired, you could even plan to add in a short unit study to go with one of these living books.
#4 Set Goals for Each of Your Children
Make a list of the goals you have for each of your children for the next year. Then have your kids make lists of their own goals and the activities in which they’d like to participate next year. This can help you set your priorities and make plans for extra-curricular activities.
#5 Extra-Curriculars That Have Meaning and Purpose
Add “something that matters” to your plan. Some seasons of your life, this might mean volunteering for a leadership position in your co-op or adding in more community service; other seasons that might be making sure that you are spending time on yourself.
It may even mean simply making homeschooling a greater priority—after all, homeschooling your children IS something that matters in the long run.
#6 Seek out Veteran Homeschool Parents
Chat with other homeschooling parents to see what programs/books/curriculums they’ve used in the past and what their experiences were. This is a terrific excuse to get together and spend some time with fellow homeschooling friends!
#7 Pray!
If you are a believer, pray about your plans and decisions for next year. Let God lead you in the direction He wants you to go.
Be sure to pin this post to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it again later if you find yourself in a planning funk again.
And be sure to follow Homeschool Helper Online on Pinterest for 1000s more free homeschooling resources!
Jenn’s plans for next year include homeschooling two high schoolers and one third-grader along with coordinating the teen group activities for their local co-op.
