Help finding a good planner

http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/is-it-me-or-is-it-because-im-new-to-using-this – this is about the oraganizer, but in the middle Janell explains some very practical ways to make and use planner type schedules.

http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/charlotte-mason-friendly-paper-organizer/page/3#post-49553 – this has 4 pages of discussion and links to several paper planners/organizers that are CM friendly.

http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/checklist#post-29471

http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/well-planned-day-planner#post-40119

Hope these help!

I tried all of the options listed above, but then just created my own.  I just made it in open office.  I set up two tables per week, one on each page facing each other.  The first page shows all our ‘family’ activities, including school, out-of-the-house activities, preschool activities for my dayhome, and time for outdoor play.  The second page has each of my 2 school aged kids and their individual subjects, violin practice, etc.

I typed in the basic subjects in each square and printed the pages. Then each week I pencil in the specific details (eg. which page of which book, or what the ‘fine motor skills’ activity will be.)  I check off the square when we are done and make notes or comments.  I have to write small, but for me this just works.

My favourite part is that I can adapt it as things change.  For example, now that we are indoors more because of weather, I have to plan more things to do than just “Go Outside for 4 hours.”  So I can make those squares larger for more room to write.  I only print about 3 or 4 weeks at a time, then adjust as needed.

I think it’s simple, but it’s tricky to explain.   PM me if you’d like to see a copy so it makes more sense.

Joanne

I like donnayoung.org

I have used a variety of the forms from this site depending on my needs for each year. Currently I’m using a .doc format  which I can adapt each quarter. I type in our template and print. Each quarter, I print 9 weekly planners +a  goals template, and we are set. There are also open office formats if you don’t have word.

I have a basic template that I print then fill in the specifics. To make a 1 page weekly format work for multiple children, I have subjects or activities share blocks. For example, I have 1 block per child for  individual subjects. I am able to type up to 6 individual subjects in each blocks.

The template that I’m currently using has 9 rows and 5 columns. Row #1 is dd individual subjects, Row #2 is ds individual subjects. Row #3 is Bible and Literature, etc. I even have a row labeled “afternoon” so I can keep track of handicrafts/pe/music/etc that we do.  We do a 4 day school week so I use the 5th column for notes.

donnayoung.org also has a quarter or subject planner. I have used these a lot in the past.

Donnayoung.org also has lined journal type pages so you could  print 1 page as a weekly planner with the lined on the back for your notes. I just write on the previous week back page that is blank.  

HTH

You are looking for ideas how to organize all the “stuff” and not necessarily how  to schedule?

Sue Patrick’s workboxes? If you google workbox homeschool , you will find a lot of different ways to implement this organizational concept.

I did a year or two using workboxes. I used  sterilite drawers instead of the shoe rack and shoe boxes. Now my workboxes are filled with a subject ( for example, all my art books in one drawer) and I pull from that drawer to do my daily lessons. I keep my weekly stuff in a binder with a tab divider with a pocket. I liked having file folders but I lost that option when our school space moved back to the dining room table.

Have you checked out motivatedmoms.com ? $8 bucks and you have a years worth of chores list. I place mine on the fridge so the whole family knows what needs to be done each day.

Can we link our blog on this site? Perhaps if you have visual pictures it will help you figure out what is going to work best for your family.

To really organize my household things and my school stuff not on the organizer, I have used and really liked all the editable forms here: http://momstoolbelt.com/  Very nice.  =)