“Training to be an Olympic gymnast means spending hours on practice without sacrificing my grades. Bridgeway Academy worked with me and my family to create a flexible homeschool schedule. That takes off a lot of pressure and my grades have never been better!”
Amber, 12th grade
New to Homeschooling – Step Seven: Organized Homeschool
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Get Organized for Homeschooling
You are well on your way! You have selected your homeschool program; you have researched your state homeschool laws; you have found the right approach for your child; you are ready to begin!
What next?
My next piece of advice is essential for an organized and relaxed homeschool program:
Be sure to set aside a specific area in your home for homeschooling.
This does not mean that all learning and teaching must take place in that room or area; however, it does mean that each child has their own area to store books, to keep their school supplies, and to go to for more information.
This area could be:
# a shelf
# a specific school room
# a box
# a bin to slide under the bed
# a cupboard in the kitchen or dining room . . .
. . . you decide what will work in your home.
Establishing this specific area before you begin homeschooling, allows you to start off the year right–organized and ready to go. Your child knows where he or she will find supplies and books and has a place to spread out those books as the learning takes place.
When we started, our homeschool area was our dining room table–the kid’s books went into a dresser that we had placed in the dining room. By the end of that first year, we had purchased inexpensive desks for each child, a set of plastic drawers to store their school supplies and books, and posted a bulletin board above each desk for them to post their projects and schedules.
Do they always do their homeschooling at their desk? NO.
On many occasions throughout each year, we can be found spread out in the dining room, laying on the living room rug, snuggled in my bed, or outside on the porch reading, writing, discussing or working in the curriculum.
But the kids got into the habit early on of putting their materials away in their desk every day. This eliminates the need to go searching for things each day and gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.
So, before your year begins, I strongly recommend that you find a space in your home that is reserved only for your homeschool materials.
I guarantee you will not regret it!
Homeschooling quick links > Top 10 Important Steps for those New to Homeschooling
Make the Commitment – Know the Law – Know Yourself – Know Your Child – Find a
Homeschool Support Network – Explore Your Child’s Interests – Organized Homeschool – Commit to Homeschooling – Become Your Favorite Teacher – Get Ready to Learn – Back to New to Homeschooling List
