On Planning Your School Year: The (Almost) Back to School Episode

I'm big on philosophy when it comes to education but at some point we need to stop thinking and discussing and actually do the thing. This is the nuts and bolts of it all.

How do we actually homeschool? What is the super practical application of the beautiful Charlotte Mason Philosophy?

1. If your child is under 6, get all thoughts of curriculum shopping out of your head and commit to these three things instead: Read great books, Go outside, Work on habits. (Trust me). That said, sometimes we are so excited about homeschooling, we just want to take it out on someone (i.e. your oldest child). If that's you, consider this. ;)

2. If your child is school aged or high school aged, decide if you want to rely on an all-in-one curriculum like Ambleside Online or Simply Charlotte Mason, or if you'd like to piece it together for yourself.

3. Figure out what you want to teach each child (individual work) and what you can combine (group work, aka Morning Time). Or flip these if that makes more sense for you.

4. Use a planner of some sort to help you stay organized.

5. If you are putting together your own curriculum, plan your year/term/week (this podcast breaks this down).

6. Decide where these things will fit in your day (routine).

7. Cut the fat (we always want to do too much; make Margin now or regret it later).

8. Make your list and collect the curriculum and supplies you'll need (Borrow, bargain-hunt, or buy).

9. Pick a start date. I suggest a Wednesday, not a Monday. You can also ease in and start Morning Time only on Monday, add individual readings on Tuesday, shoot for full day on Wednesday or whatever works best for your family. Make start day fun — cook a big delicious breakfast and take "back to school" pictures afterwards.

   1. Adjust the plan as needed. Remember, curriculum is a tool, not the master ;)

10. Resources*

    All six of Charlotte Mason's volumes, but especially this one

    Sarah Mackenzie's Teaching from Rest

    Ambleside Online is a time-tested, all-in-one (FREE!) curriculum

    Morning Time by Cindy Rollins

    Simply Charlotte Mason, especially the