How to Plan a Homeschool Year Without Burning Out

The biggest homeschool planning mistake is planning every day of the year in August. Life happens, and a rigid plan falls apart by October. Plan in layers instead.

1. Set the year

Decide your start date, end date, breaks and how many days you'll school. Check your local homeschool requirements, as some areas ask for a set number of days or records.

2. Map each subject

For each child, list the subjects and the curriculum or resources for each one. Divide the material roughly by term so you know what "on track" looks like.

3. Plan one term at a time

Sketch the big topics, projects and field trips for the term. Leave a little slack for sick days and rabbit holes.

4. Plan the week on the weekend

Each weekend, write the next week's lessons. With several children, plan them side by side so you can teach some subjects together.

5. Keep simple records

Track attendance, grades or progress notes, and a reading log. Records are useful for any requirements, and lovely to look back on.

6. Review each term

What worked? What felt like a battle? Adjust before the next term starts.

Put it all in one planner

The Homeschool Planner includes a curriculum planner, term planner, weekly lesson plans for 2 or 4 students, a 180-day attendance tracker, and grade, reading and field trip logs.

Keep reading: Preschool learning at home · How to make a weekly schedule