Okay, I don't remember who it was but someone before mentioned a ton of things they put into their lesson plan book. I am putting my new one together now and trying to get extremely organized. I would love some ideas about what needs to go in it. So far I have put in dividers for DS's lessons, Dd's lessons, homeschool forms/info, and grades. I have also included a calendar, grading scale, theme list, curriculum outlines and course of study for dd and ds. I also keep an area for extra lesson plan forms, report forms, book lists, etc. Can you think of some other good things to include in here? Also, dd will be in 2nd this Fall and I'm going to make her a notebook as well to keep things in! I wanted to include things like assignment sheets, daily chore lists, possibly journals (writing/poetry, science) and then I run out of ideas. Can you think of anything else for her notebook? Most of her work is in workbooks so I won't be sectioning it off for subjects. Thanks for any ideas you might have! I love this part of teaching...getting organized and everything in order. It sure makes life easy when school is in session!!!
Missy, You might look at TWTM book or the Donna Young web site for inspiration. You sound like you have a pretty good start. In addition to our normal school stuff, I keep a List of the books we read, our educationl goals and even a section for the house hold. (Last semester, I began using a computer HS tracker and love it.) And it was free! It looks super professional in addition to my big binder. Tammy
Tammy I used Donna Young's site to print many of the forms and things I would need! She's got a great site! Thanks Tammy!
Missy... I also included in mine a *homeschool journal sheet* behind each days lesson plans in a pastel color. Mine is pastel blue. The reason is that I don't want to *forget* any of those precious answers or funny sayings that they come up with! So it allows me to use it like a diary/journal. While they are working, I will jot it down so that I don't forget what it was....so I can add to my *end of the year scrapbook* Also it has been a lifesaver for notes, recipes and other ideas to do or not to do while I'm sitting there teaching. Since its always opened, its a place to write down all kinds of notes. Also, the last sheet in my manual is a calendar for NEXT year! Something I found out later I could have used was a page for long range planning. Sheila did one for me. It has all twelve months on it with like one or two lines underneath each month. Just enough to write down something you want to remembert to check for the NEXT year! It helped me keep straight when I was laying out lesson plans. YOu know things like *ok when is the family reunion again* since it was sooo far away,etc. I know you said you included a calendar,but did it have days listed with special themes like *this week is hot air balloon week* or *popcorn day* you know like Dr. Seuss day,etc. There is a website that lists themes for weeks and days. Behind my January tab for example, I have the calendar, one page with theme days or week days, lesson plans for 4 or 5 weeks. In between EACH day is a blue homeschooling journal sheet. Don't forget to tell them to add some *pockets* when you take it get it bound. I have one pocket 1/2 way through for durability and another one at the end. They are quite useful for catching all those little sheets i have written notes on, but haven't transferred to the right page yet. I also stick my notices to conventions and field trips in there so i have the actual hard copy after i write in on the calendar. I loooove this part of teaching too! Hope this helps! Tina
I was sort of going for the one book does all approach. I wanted one book that I could have all my info together instead of 500 sticky notes and 3 notebooks and a scattered *whatever*. I like it organized. I put *book* pages in mine. Separate page (front & back) for Science and one for history. Then I have 4 pages (front & back) that are just books. So..when someone tells me about a book to check out or if I am searching for books on a particular topic I can write down the call # and then go searching the library shelves. I put yearly calendars in mine for 3 years. I like to be able to see when a date is going to fall. Told you...I like it organized. ) I also have a Curriculum Key that I typed up all the resources I have (no not all of them only because I forgot. ) and then a place to put the Key abbreviation. The back side is all lined out for handwriting. I figure while I am using my book with ds#1 and know what SOTWAB means, when I go through it several years from now...I might think I was just swearing. (Story Of The World Activity Book) In the back I also have some single sheet (front & back) for ideas. I have one for Math, Reading, Science, History. All different colored paper. Then I have 5 (front & back) pages of general notes & ideas. I also have a contacts sheet in the back so if I meet someone, I can jot down the number & name. Yes, you need pockets!!!! Pockets are your FRIEND!!! I got some plastic ones at Wal-mart and then just cut them down to fit into my sprial bound book. Helpful?
I know you said you included a calendar,but did it have days listed with special themes like *this week is hot air balloon week* or *popcorn day* you know like Dr. Seuss day,etc. There is a website that lists themes for weeks and days. Behind my January tab for example, I have the calendar, one page with theme days or week days, lesson plans for 4 or 5 weeks. In between EACH day is a blue homeschooling journal sheet. Don't forget to tell them to add some *pockets* when you take it get it bound. I have one pocket 1/2 way through for durability and another one at the end. They are quite useful for catching all those little sheets i have written notes on, but haven't transferred to the right page yet. I also stick my notices to conventions and field trips in there so i have the actual hard copy after i write in on the calendar. Thanks Tina! I have a great calendar that was on our school systems web site for this year and then one for the following two years as well. I love having those! I don't have a list of the special days though. That would be useful. I also have my list of themes calendar. I like that yours is divided into months. This year I took out the months plans and filed them away and put in the next months into my notebook. Might be easier for me to do it your way. I am not going to bind this notebook. I'm using a big three ring notebook with dividers and pocket protectors. It worked fine this year. But, I guess I could bind one for later use. I actually bought myself a book binder back in the Fall. DH said he could use if for business sometimes too so we got it. I love having one to bind the kids books or journals if I want to do so! It is just like one I used at school. Thanks for your suggestions. I have always enjoyed putting notebooks together. I got nice comments on my organizational skills in college and when teaching, but it is so nice to get ideas from others too. I miss that about homeschooling. I guess that is why I visit these message boards. I love to talk to other teachers to get ideas and share a few of mine! Missy
Sheila I also have a Curriculum Key that I typed up all the resources I have (no not all of them only because I forgot. ) and then a place to put the Key abbreviation. The back side is all lined out for handwriting. I figure while I am using my book with ds#1 and know what SOTWAB means, when I go through it several years from now...I might think I was just swearing. (Story Of The World Activity Book) Thanks for the great ideas! I have a course of study or curriculum key that I have typed up as well. I need to actually put it in the notebook though. I like to also have that with me so that I can see what resources I have. The problem is that I have a zillion and one teacher resource books. I guess I could type up a few hundred and forget the rest, lol. I taught school for six years but to see my books you'd think it was sixty. I have only typed up what I thought I would use this year with my 2nd grader and my preschooler. I think I'm slowly getting organized at home though. This year I bought some pretty oak filing cabinets to match our playroom/schoolroom. I filed all my units and teacher stuff in them. Now, I don't have to go far to find what I need. Now, if I could just move all my teacher resource books to the playroom I would be set. At the present they are in a big plastic storage cabinet in the garage. That's the only place I could find to store them all! Too far away, hee, hee! Missy
I figured that we can all use this one again as it's getting to the end of the year and lots of us are planning for next year. Kristina
Another thing you might want to keep track of is all the "extra" stuff you do that can be included for school somehow. I would have a page for each month, then write the date on the side and list what we did that day that was extra. For example, this month already. The First I would write Faythe: Dance. Then 2nd would be soccer practice (Phillip practice and Rachael coaching) 3rd (today) Showcase (a homeschool program where kids can compete in different areas...art, Bible memorization, recitation, science projects, music, etc.) We didn't participate, but we went to observe. We're interested in participating next year. I will also include soccer games, field trips, AWANAS, trips to the library, visiting the Nursing Home, swimming, etc. I was amazed at how much my kids do!!!
Boy, Oh Boy, ladies you all are so together. I must be one of the dumbs mothers/teachers out there in homeschool. I do a lesson plan but I don't do all the neat binders. I don't how to get started at it. I am so dumb. Oh well we have being fine so far I hope we keep it up. Wish I was like you all? How does one person get that way? HELP ???????? :lol:
Kris.... Please don't feel like you're doing something wrong. I think a lot of times I spend too much time on my lesson plan book (wasted time). I don't think any of it is really necessary except the plans themselves and also the attendance (required by our state). The rest is for fun. I enjoy writing and paperwork so this is sort of a hobby instead of a requirement. You do what works best for your family!!!
Kris TX, Everyone has their own way of doing things. None of them are right and none of them are wrong. It just depends on your family for what works for you. I know that because of my childrens age differences I need to have a guide line for next year but I won't start planning lesson plans until June. I have to start early because it takes me awhile to get everything organized. (I'm not a very organized person so I really have to work at it) Again, this is just what works for my family and maybe nobody else's. :wink: Kristina
