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Over planning?
- This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 11 months ago by
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I have been planning my ds’s(11 yo) first year homeschooling for about 2 months now, lol. I read, search, and read some more. There are so many decisions to make and is getting overwhelming. I have bought a lot of books from thrift stores and also some from the classified website. I actually probably have plenty to do for this year but I keep feeling like it is my last year(6th grade) to do all the elementary stuff and want to make it right, lol. Even when I have made all my book choices I still feel like there is the planning what to do each day, week, month and so on. We are suppose to be deschoolong right now but only one of us are getting to forget about school, lol. Anyone have any advice for how to make it more simple? I have obsessive tendencies(ok, I have a problem ;))when I start something new.
I have that problem too! My best advice is to pray about the decision, and then pray for peace when you’ve picked the right stuff. Then just stop looking! I need to follow my own advice. 🙂
I can totally relate. I am administrative by nature, and I love organizing and planning – it is sick, I know. But I agree with mama_nickles – at some point you have to stop planning AND stop shopping, and just implement what you have come up with. To be honest, there are always going to be ‘tweaks’ throughout the year. Sometimes a book I think will be a big hit is a flop, and I have to change tactics. Sometimes an opportunity presents itself for real world learning instead of my carefully structured plan, and I have to be willing to grab the better option. Sometimes the Holy Spirit says to take a break!
Anyway, I guess I would encourage you to enjoy your planning, but don’t forget to live in today and enjoy this time with your daughter.
And, practically speaking, I have heard many people on this forum say that “Planning Your CM Education” helped them to get better organized without obsessing.
Hope that helps – blessings on your homeschooling journey!!
Have you read this series on this site? http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/planning/ (there are other series of articles here too http://simplycharlottemason.com/series ) or, even more info on doing planning is the “Planning Your CM Education” book (and DVD) too. They can help you work out what you want to do.
Also, the new Free Guide is a great way to go. Basically 3 steps to pick out resources recommended by SCM and you are pretty much done! http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/
What subjects do you legally have to cover where you live? (We are supposed to have a plan for Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math here…)
If you aren’t using the free curriculum guide, you could just list the main subjects and your general plan for them….
An Example (not necessarily grade 6 level….)
Math: RightStart Level G
Language Arts:
Literature: (list of a few books)
Writing: – ?
Grammar: -?
Science: Apologia Botony
Social Studies
History: Early American History (list of a few books)
Geography: Map Drills of the 50 States
Other: Swim Lessons. Getting Started with Latin. Whatever
This is a very simple example, and I’m not saying to use my resources specifically…. I’m just suggesting that you start to figure out your various subjects, and what you want to use. Personally I think the Free Curriculum Guide is now very simple to use. (I also like and use Ambleside Online) I love the planning books here. And sometimes just thinking through each subject seperately.
A Warning – with the desire to do everything comes the tendency to try to schedule TOO MUCH. Watch out for that!
Don’t let perfectionism paralize you either. We didn’t do Timelines for 4 years because I wanted them perfect. I finally had to just break down and get them organized to just do something with them. This year it has been one of my kids favourite activities!
Hope that helps a bit!
Have you seen this form?
http://media.simplycharlottemason.com/downloads/Plans-for-My-Year.pdf
It is by far the simplest way for you to gather your thoughts at this point (IMO.)
Pray over the things you’ve listed. Delete/postpone the unnecessary. Then, enjoy the summer! ;0)
Yes I have read the blog series on planning but I only wish it was that simple, lol. I have a few glitches.
1. I don’t know yet what my “big picture” is because the local colleges require either an accredited diploma or score high enough on SAT to be accepted. I have not made a decision as to what I want to do yet. I don’t even know if he will for sure go to college.
2. If I decide to go with a boring curriculum for an accredited diploma, that would only mean I have three years to do the CM method and have to decide what do I want to be sure to cover in the three years. Or, if we go the SAT route then how do I know we are doing enough to be ready for SAT tests. I don’t want to do the accredited but my dh don’t want him to have problems getting a job or having to get a GED.
I would like to check more in-state colleges and see what their acceptance policies are.
We are in Alabama and are required to go through a “church school”. We are required to turn in grades twice a year.
How do you do grades with a CM education? Do you do tests or grade the work daily? I am still trying to figure that out.
I keep telling myself that when I get all this planning done I can take a break until it’s time to start but can’t seem to get it all in stone.
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