Does PLANNING really take this long?

This is the second year I’ve followed the CM planning book and yes it took me a very long time.  But, the payoff is astronomical!!    And the second time was easier since I was more familiar with it.  As Cindie said, give yourself grace.  It takes time to learn something new.  I had to look at the first year as sort of a transition year; to tweak here and there.  You could either start later if you need to or start when you planned to with what you’ve finished planning and incorporate the rest as you get the plan finished. 

And definitely, more coffee!!!! 

Diana,

We are new to HSing too, but only because our children are so young. We’ve been HSing for almost a year, and have been doing CM the whole time. I only discovered the planner a month or so ago, and I can’t believe how unorganized I was before (which really wasn’t all that bad). I watched the DVD through once, no note-taking, no planning. I didn’t even stop when Sonya said to stop. Then I watched it through a second time after I had really thought about my goals, subjects, schedule, etc. That made it so much easier because I didnt’ feel like I had to come up with everything all at once. 

It might help if you just write down what subjects you want to cover for each child first, and then give yourself two or three days (or even a week) to research books, go to your library and browse to see what books would be best for each subject. Once you have a good idea, then continue with the planner. I talk a lot about the library on this forum because I couldn’t HS without my librarians! They have been invaluable to me in finding books, planning, inter-library loans, etc. I really don’t think I could do this without them!

Also, when researching books, use the Bookfinder on this site (if you’re not already). You can do a specific search, for example, for a living geography book for your 7yo, and read a little about the books before you make a decision. And like some of the other said, don’t feel like you have to plan an entire year this week. You might want to just plan the next three months, take a month off to plan the next three, and continue from there. Don’t worry! You can do it!

Hi everyone – my name is Marilyn and I have never posted on any site before now.  I already goofed up on my very first message because instead of posting in this general feed which is what I intended to do, it went directly to LindseyD’s private mailbox:-(  Sorry Lindsey.  Anyway, I will try this again.

I loved the detail that both RobynN and LindseyD gave on planning.  My struggle is that I am a BIG planner but also a BIGGER perfectionist (to my detriment).  I spent all of last year researching the CM philosophy while we lived in Georgia (lots of support for CMers there) – but moved to Florida (not by choice – but by circumstance) and have not found much support here (thank the Lord for SCM).  Last year we used My Father’s World K and I spent several hours creating a customized “Lesson Plan” that I used to plan each week (too overwhelming to even consider planning beyond that).  This yr I have my 6 year old son in his 2nd yr in 1st and my 4 yr old son (turning 5 in 2 weeks) starting K.

My question to those reading this is how do I plan for an entire year?  Do you use specific planner pages you created and then transfer it to weekly lesson plans?  Did you buy a yearly planner, and if so, does it already break out the days of the week for you?  I am just overwhelmed trying to figure out how to plan it all “on paper” for two children.  I am very visual and it would help to get some descriptions on how to set up the planning pages. 

Just looking for anyone who will be kind enough to share how they organize everything and “put it all together” on paper.

Thanks in advance for those who take the time to write back.  You ladies are really special to encourage others like you do.

Marilyn