Let the Planning Begin

It’s that time again- homeschool planning for next year. Truthfully, I’ve put off next year’s planning.  Bummed that the last two years haven’t gone well, feeling behind again, worried we’d miss most of the beautiful summer to finish up this year’s work.

Then this weekend, the clouds parted as I filled out May assignment sheets. It turns out, we ARE going to finish our current school before June. Hallelujah! It’s not perfect, but I’ll feel confident calling their current grade levels complete. The kids are grumbling a bit about an extra math assignment a day to complete our catch up. Our days are more ‘git-er-done’ and less leisurely exploratory learning. Subjects I usually plan 2 or 3 times a week, now assigned everyday.

Lets face it, our last two homeschool years have pretty much sucked. Schedules thrown out the window. All my hopes of wonderful, peaceful school days dashed -hello too many transitions plus a colicky baby year, then busy toddler year.  Extras like art and sign language, reading historical fiction aloud, fun hands on projects mostly skipped.

Suddenly I’m excited about researching next year’s options. We’ll have time for summer break before the year starts. By August, the toddler should be a little easier and less apt to rip up our books, eat crayons, and draw on furniture. Settled into our home with the year looming ahead of us we will again have the leisure to field trip, take time for ‘real’ hands on learning, and follow interest-driven rabbit trails at the library and in our own backyard.

I’m so glad to feel excited about homeschooling once again!