Dynamic 2 Moms~Welcome~

"Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. 14:40

Because we do desire to do all things orderly, we have come to appreciate that order is a beautiful thing. Don't get the wrong impression, we still struggle, but realize that lack of organization costs a high price we are just NOT willing to pay.

We are not willing to give up our precious time to spend time straightening up clutter that we never use, making extra trips to the grocery store because we didn't menu plan, buying double of a book or curriculum because we had so many we couldn't find what we needed, or not have any "direction" in our journey because we lacked to lesson plan. Yep, we have done all these things.

Have you ever heard the motto, "fail to plan and plan to fail?"

Over the years we have found in our experience this motto is true. Sometimes as new homeschoolers we equate organization and stress as the same. In otherwords, to be organized it takes some super human feat. Then we don't even try to do it.

If organized persons were to share tidbits with the "wanna be's ..lol, I think they would share the reason they organize is to shore up their weaknesses. So organized people see a weakness and find something to support it.

They aren't using "super forms" but forms to make us super, make sense?

Hopefully, some of what we share can help you feel like "super woman" in your journey. Go grab your cape super woman!

 Even though we can keep records by software programs like Homeschool Tracker and other web based planners (link at the bottom) we still prefer from time to time our paper planners. Some do not like all the "techie" things about a PDA and some like all those things.

The beauty of homeschooling is that you can find a system that works for you. Kelley prefers the techie things and I prefer the paper planner. But over the years we have both used a combination of programs but whatever we use it boils down to being perfectly suited for us.

So that is why we make paper planners each year. I will NOT try to adjust my lesson plans to fit inside a planner made for a public school teacher with 20 - 30 kids.

I have been making my own planner for about 5 years now and have come to realize that "simple" is better.  Yes you can have TONS of charts and extra info in the planner but in the "volume" you lose the simplicity of "use". I prefer to keep chore charts with chore charts and household forms  with a household planner.

Read this before you begin:

About this planner: This planner is NOT for one child. This planner is for 3 children. (at least) You can use the very first column at the far left to write each child's name in. In addition, I have some moms who have more than 3 children but ignore the horizontal black lines dividing each section. This works especially if you have very young children. (I do plan on making available planner pages for the mom who has at least 5 or so children)

Too, the monthly calendar pages are not for a "week at a glance". They are simply calendar pages as my planner is also my home management appointment book. You can print them or not.

I have used "week at a glance" for so long and it seems to be the only thing free out there and I am not impressed as it does not give you room to write/plan. When I plan,  I want to see what all the children are doing "each day" so I can make adjustments "instantly".

When an organizational tool stresses you instead of bringing relief, it is time to change the way you use the tool. This applies to our planner as well.

You don't have to print off the whole year and bind it as I do. This is just MY method. If printing off the monthly lesson planner suits you better do that. If you don't want a cover, don't use it. If you only want half the year, do that. Do what fits YOU the best!

Remember to read each step carefully and be sure you understand the last step that explains how I bind it.

From my heart to yours, enjoy!

Planner Step by Step  

STEP 1. Choose a Cover or not! ( I have three choices this year). Too, if you print just the lesson plans for half the school year--you can print the other half and pick another cover.lOl)

 ME--I do ONE big one and I'm done  

About the covers: All the covers have a quick calendar glance for 2009-2010 with general holidays circled in red.

           09-10 Cover Green                         09-10 Cover Lavender

  09-10 Cover Gray

We had a special request  for a cover with NO holidays circled. So we edited the black/white cover above and did not highlight any holidays. If you prefer that cover then download that link at the end of this.

                               09-1- Cover Gray - NO holidays circled. 

STEP 2. Print off Monthly Calendar Pages - Two Options here- Okay so why are these important if you have them printed off on the front already?

 Well, the front is a "quick reference" tool to refer to as you carry your planner with you. It is a place to "quick glance " as you converse with other homeschool moms in a co-op or even at a "dentist" office making appointments. YES--my planner goes with me just about everywhere.

However, the actual monthly calendar pages  are the first place every appointment goes down THEN I transfer to the Home Calendar for all the family members to see. So instead of carrying a home planner (I have one too but it stays in the car) inside since it's bigger and too---I don't like the idea of my "personal information" that could possibly get into the wrong hands being taken in and out of stores.)

About the monthly calendar pages: All the calendar pages are BIG and cover just about the whole page. I want ones that I can ACTUALLY write in. They have the standard holidays in red. In addition, the odd pages are moved over closer to the right to allow for binding one the left margin and the even pages which are the back sides of the page (used both sides of the paper) are moved over closer to the left to allow for binding on the right as well.

Printing:

Remember to print using front AND back of your paper.

If you have double sided printing option on your computer, I think this is less daunting. This was a MUST for me this past year on my curriculum supplies, a printer that prints two sided. It has more than paid for itself. However if you do not have a printer that does that, take your time and print small "parts" at a time by printing the "odd" pages then "even" pages.

First Option -  For Non-Texas Homeschoolers

I love all homeschoolers but I know that the Texas homeschool convention dates have already been set on the calendars. So the only difference between this set of monthly calendars and the Texas ones are that I added all the 2010 Texas Homeschool Conventions to the Texas calendars. If you are a Texas homeschooler and don't want the dates on your calendar, then download here.  If you are a Texas homeschooler, look at the second option.

A. 1/2 year - July 09 to Dec. 09 monthly calendars

B. Whole year - Jan. 10 to July 10 monthy calendar - Download the above AND here to get the rest of the year.

Second Option -  For Texas Homeschoolers

A. Texas moms 1/2 year - July 09 to Dec. 09 monthly calendar

B. Texas moms Jan. 10 to July 10 monthly calendar

(*Note- Tx homeschoolers- FEAST of San Antonio has not announced their 2010 date. If you do know it, please email me and I will add it to the calendar. The rest of the key cities are on there.)

Step 3. Goals and Objectives. You HAVE to have them, otherwise, "where would you be headed?". Now there are some wonderful links that I will list here and I have used them in my planner over the years to just give me an idea of what my children should be introduced to.

If you have some of your own goals and objectives you want to reach, then I have included a form for each subject for you to write them down so they are focused clearly in mind.

In addition, you might want to use some from a website that lists a scope and sequence AND your own.

Here again, you make the choice for your family. I normally list my objectives close to the front of my planner so that I find them easier. After this section, I normally put the huge lesson planning sheets. But by having the objectives close to the front, I find they are easier to review during the year.

Scope and Sequences we have added to our planner:

Abeka's Scope and Sequence - 16 page download for a scope and sequence for 2 year olds to 12th Grade. Just print off the pages you need to just see what you might want to cover.

World Book These are general curriculum requirements from preschool to 12th grade.

Our caveat: As experienced homeschool moms we want to assure any of you that are new to homeschooling that it is NOT the curriculum that teaches the child. We are not teaching a "curriculum", we are teaching a "child". No amount of Godly curriculum will do us any good if we do not have the "hearts" of our children. It is by example, persistence and cultivating a love of learning that instills the passion for "more learning". So please do not get so caught up in standards that you forget that each child is "unique" and a gift. ADJUST to that child's needs but use these scope and sequences as "tools". DO NOT become enslaved to curriculum or testing.

Goals and Objectives 2009 - 2010

Step 4. Lesson Planning Pages. Print off the whole year or one month at a time. These planning sheets are the body of your planner. I made them more generic this year but also I did something I have been wanting to do for a LONG time. That is to go through and date EACH page. YES MA'AM! LOL In years past, I would just type the date, print, and do that over and over. This was on my "to do" list of long range goals and I finally met it this year.

I made the image of the lesson planning page extra big so you can see what each page will look like. You notice I have it divided horizontally into three sections.

Personally, I use one section for each child....but I did not label the the first narrow column on the far left "child's name" because some of you expressed how you might write two of your younger children in one box and the older two got their own boxes. So it is up to you as to how to adjust it for your needs, or ignore the divided sections.

The skill subjects are separated and go across the top.

The content subjects that most of teach our children together on like Geography, Science, History, Foreign Language, Bible and Art share one box since those subjects rotate during the week. For example, we do history one day and science the next.

 Lesson Planning Pages

2009

Sep. 2009 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Oct. 2009 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Nov. 2009 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Dec. 2009 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

2010

Jan. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Feb. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Mar. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Apr. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

May 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

June 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

July 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Aug. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Sept. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Oct. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Nov. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Dec. 2010 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Jan. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Feb. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Mar. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Apr. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

May. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

June 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

July 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Aug. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Sept. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Oct. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Nov. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

Dec. 2011 Dated Lesson Planner Sheets

 Step 5. "Special or Extras" - Here you can print off Reading List,Bible Reading List or add your own pages. This is what makes each planner unique because this section contains pages that are specifically suited to you that year.

    Reading List lavender and mint green   

  Reading List - Black and White

 (We had another special request for a black and white reading list. Here you go.)

                      Reading Listlavender

Step 6. Personalize it ~ Bind it!

Personalize

What do I mean by this? Well did you notice all the pictures I had in my planner? Since teaching is a work of the heart, I personalized it to remind me of what we DID accomplish the year before instead of all that we did not. Any "organizing tool" has the ability to be cold, austere and rigid. So that is what I believe anyway..LOL So this makes it warm and inviting and PERSONAL.

Did I mention over the years the pictures make a nice collage for memories as well? Since we don't really have time to do all things we love, like I would love to scapbook a memory book each year but right now this will have to do. Too, in this planner you have all the "proof" of what you accomplished by adding your field trip notes and  souvenirs and pictures of your co-ops, lapbooks, music recital and dance recitals. Don't forget to add your child's art work, drawings, greeting cards received for your work for other homeschoolers and attending/working homeschool conventions. Pretty cool uh?

Bascially, I copy and paste pictures and make a collage on one page. You can use Publisher but for many years all I had was Word and it works fine too. Then I printed them off on Photo paper and added them inside  a page protector.

 Add your photo page AFTER you bind but be sure the page protector does go in the stack to get bound.

Tip to remember: You will have two pages per page protector that you decide to add to your binder. So be sure you have taken enough pictures to add to your  binder. Here is a pic of how it looks when you add a collage.

My list of what I take to the Office Supply place.

(Be sure you put the pages in the order you want before you go the office supply place. I find it easier to think "at home" than standing in front of the counter with all the kids and a line behind me.)

Cover

Monthly calendars

Objectives

Dated Lesson Plans

Special Pages for that year

 Page Protectors - I put mine at the front and back instead of between lesson planning pages but IF you use the tabs I mention below which are page protectors AND tabs you might not need as many.

Tabs - Yes I am very picky about tabs. I don't like extra pages that have stiff tabs that are sharp ANd that take up lots of room in my planner. The Avery Protect 'n' Tab divider pages are sheet protectors with soft tabs. So the page protectors serve as dividers between sections or you can even divide the dated lesson plannings. I didn't put a divider between months this past year, but sometimes I do. IF you do, then just use "stick on" dividers onto the actual page instead of an extra page. This will save on room as well.

Here is the tabs I prefer over all others.

Avery Protect 'n' Tab Tabbed Sheet Protectors 7416- 5 Tabs. It also comes in 8 tabs. Did I mention the tabs are so easy to print on with the downloaded template and the colors are beautiful. Look at the picture that show the inside of my planner?

Pic. of Tab Sheet Protectors that I like the most:

Inside of this year's planner laying sideways to show tabs.

 One Very Stiff Page Protector - I usually put this at the very back of my planner. I use this pocket to store recipes I get if I am on a field trip visiting with other homeschool moms, business cards, my to-do list, bills for music lessons,etc. I left some cards in there and didn't entirely clean it out for the year so you could see. Since this pocket gets used more often, I wanted something more sturdier.

I have used half pockets before but small slips of paper where may be I had written another mom's email or address that I need to contact has fallen out. Since this a page protector, that doesn't happen. But everything goes here and I clean it out from time to time. Some of the business cards stay there like my son's orthodonist so I can get the number quickly before I add it to my cell phone...Make sense how I use this pocket? ( I apologize for the glare, but its almost like taking a pic of glass,kwim?)

Binding

Coil

As far as binding, the way I liked the best is coil bind.

For a few bucks more, especially if you printed your pages, it is worth the coil bind. The best reason is that the pages lay flat on my table. Too, the binding does not take as much room on the left margin.

Coil bind comes in ALL colors, red, black, white, and even purple and pink. lol. But it just depends on which office supply place you get it bound at as to selection.

For example a college town will carry the colors of your local college or even school. Some will just carry the basics like "black and white".

I use to call ahead to the Office Max to see what is in stock before I chose my "cover" so it would all coordinate. I am not quiet so anal now LOL. But for bigger planners, the choices are usually limited to either black or white.

 Cover and Back

I use to get a clear cover and then a hard back black cover to provide some support because I just didn't really take it anywhere. That was fine. (This normally is what the average office supply worker usually recommends.) If you choose this, keep in mind you have a selection colors for the stury back cover as well. For example, if you choose a purple binding, you can do like a pearl iredescent back. It is very pretty :o) and clean looking, not to mention professional looking.

BUT my favorite trick I have learned --is to laminate the FRONT and BACK extra big.

 I have the office supply worker place my front page on a 11 x 11 piece of carstock. Then they laminate over the whole thing PLUS about an inch PAST my cover page. The same way for the back. The office worker laminates an 11 x 11 piece of cardstock for the back.

Even though my pic below is not to scale, there is the same amount of room on both the left side and right side of my cover page as shown by the red arrows.  Rounded corners too by laminating - NO sharp corners please!

In otherwords, my front page of my planner is centered on this 11 x 11 piece of cardstock with about one inch on each side.

You will notice right away that you do not see ANY of my tabs sticking out or the inside pages as the front and back laminated this way protects all the inside pages.

Here is the pic in case this sounds like "mumbo jumbo"

What do I accomplish this way?

1. It is more sturdier than a clear front and hard back.

2. My front calendar page is protected because it is laminated and not loose.

3. The tabs to my pages are "inside" and protected and not getting bent and caught on everything as I "transport" it or cutting me.

4. I can place my planner down on liquids such as water (I have done it before by accident) and it's okay because the back protected any pages. Just wipe and go.

 5. Did I mention it just looks SMOKIN HOT? ROFL..

If you get a chance, we would love to display some of your smokin' hot planners. Send us a picture and we'll see if we can upload it to share with others.

Links we like to other planners:

Home School Inc. - Free web based. You can print out the hourly schedule for each day. You can set it up for different times each day, or skip days for subjects.

Hold That Thought - For some reason, this free calendar is not so easy to find on the site. You have to click on any item, any item like you are going to view it. When  that page loads, at the very bottom there is a link that says "Some free forms we thought you might enjoy". Click on that and you will be on the page for free forms. They have blank weekly planner pages, weekly organizer, book list and ones we like Dad's monthly planner and Mom's monthly planner.