Homeschooling can sometimes feel like juggling a dozen different things at once. Between lessons, extracurricular activities, and household responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, over the years, I’ve developed a few strategies that help me organize my homeschool. Here are five ways I organize my homeschool that have made a big difference for us.
This blog post is about 5 ways I organize my homeschool.
1. The Library Basket
One of the first things I implemented was a dedicated library basket. We love borrowing books from the library, but keeping track of them all was a challenge. Now, we have a large, sturdy basket where all our library books go as soon as they come into the house. This way, we always know where they are, and it makes returning them much easier. No more scrambling around the house searching for misplaced books on library day!
2. Subject-Specific Game Organization
Games are a big part of our homeschool, but they can easily turn into a disorganized mess. To keep things tidy and accessible, I organize our games by subject. Math games are in one area, language arts games in another, and so on. This makes it easy to quickly grab the right game for our lesson. It also helps the kids know exactly where to find their favorite educational games when they want to play independently.
This blog post is about 5 ways I organize my homeschool.
3. All Supplies Have a Place
Having all our supplies neatly stored has made a significant difference in keeping our space tidy and functional. Before I started homeschooling about 12 years ago, my husbands only request was that our house not look like a school room. We lived in a very small apartment and we wanted a clutter free, minimalist-ish home. Since then we’ve moved several times and have had very large areas to school in to our current small dining room area. We use cabinets, drawers, and bins to store everything from books and art supplies to science kits and manipulatives. Each item has a designated spot, which makes it easy to find what we need when we need it and ensures that everything gets put back in its place after use. This system not only keeps our homeschool area organized but also helps the kids learn responsibility and independence by knowing where to find and return items.
4. Minimal Curriculum Purchases
In the beginning, I was tempted to buy every interesting-looking curriculum I came across. However, I quickly realized that having too many options can be overwhelming. Now, I carefully select only the essential curricula and supplement with books, games, and activities when needed. This approach not only saves money but also helps us stay focused on our goals without feeling burdened by too many materials.
5. Weekly Planning Sessions
Every weekend, I set aside time for a weekly planning session. I review what we’ve accomplished in the past week, plan our upcoming lessons, and make any necessary adjustments. This routine helps me stay organized and ensures we always move forward. My planning session allows me to prepare any materials or activities we might need, so there are no last-minute scrambles during the week. I also take time to meal plan and prep snacks to make feeding times easier.