Preparing for a new homeschool year...

Last year in preparing for my first year of homeschooling, I read one of many books called The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. In it she suggest having a binder system which I loved. Keeping things organized in binders helped us not only stay organized but also helped us see that we were accomplishing more than we thought. Sometimes with homeschool, you start feeling like you're not getting enough done, when really you are. I would often get behind in my filing of their school work and start feeling that way. It also gives them a great sense of accomplishment and serves as a scrapbook/memory book for years to come.

All you need...

- 4 " binders w/ inside pockets

- 1 1/2" binders

- sheet protectors for photos and important stuff

- tabs

I labeled the binders like so...

- Jaxon's 4th Grade Science
- Jaxon's 4th Grade History
- Jaxon's 4th Grade Language
- Jaxon's Math (smaller binder)
- Field Trips '08/'09

Next, I labeled the tabs like so...
Science (human body, plants, weather, animals)
History ( Ancient 5000 B.C.-400 A.D., Medieval/Early Renaissance 400-1600, Late Renaissance/Early M. 1600-1850, Modern 1830-Present)
Language (spelling, grammar, reading, writing, memory)


Pretty basic system, but I hope this helps someone out there. I think when you're new to homeschooling, you just want someone to show you exactly how to do it. We all have to find what works for us, but I liked that in The Well Trained Mind, we're given a well organized starting point.

I think I'm going to do this (on a smaller scale) for my boys school work this year. They are trying out the new charter school nearby, but they always need a place to put the stuff they want to keep. Right now I still have a file cabinet full of things from clear back in preschool.I guess I'll get them organized into scrapbooks. They love getting it out and reminiscing.