Planning, Planning, Planning

    I have a confession to make.  I love to plan things.  Now, I didn’t say that my plans always get implemented exactly the way I envisioned them; but, I do plan.  This is true in all aspects of my life – housework, church activities, homeschooling, family things, well – you get the picture.  I am a little bit (o.k. a lot) of a control freak.  I am not the OCD type who has things planned and then doesn’t allow for change.  I am the type of planner who plans while always remembering that life happens and sometimes plans have to change. 

     So, how do I plan our homeschooling?  We have a lot of kids (6) – although 3 are still homeschooling.  We also have tons of different activities and other things going on in our home right now.  This flurry of activity has prompted me to bump my planning up to a higher level.  I have created “Mrs. Sarah’s Brain.”

     What exactly is “Mrs. Sarah’s Brain?”  It is a binder that has sections for any and every aspect of my life that requires planning.  I use the TOS Planner pages and set up a master calendar section, menu planning, grocery lists, address book, medical information, budget information, teaching information for the co-ops I teach in, and planner pages for each of the kids schoolwork.  I also have assorted pens, pencils, and highlighters so I can mark things to remember.  Because my blogging schedule has gotten so busy, I have an entire section for my blogging planner. 

      This binder goes with me everywhere!  The reason I call it “Mrs. Sarah’s Brain” is so that if I lose it I can ask my kids “Has anyone seen my brain?”  They think that is funny and help me look for it! 

     You may not be a binder person, but, let me tell you, this binder is what works for me.  It is working so well, that my kids want to set up binders of their own to use for school. 

     I typically plan a week at a time for school.  In the beginning, I planned out an entire school year.  This proved to be very frustrating for me because of all of the adjustments that had to be made during the school year.  By planning a week at a time, I can take into account appointments and known events that will take us away from the house during the week.  I have learned my kids learning styles over the years and now know that some of my kids like to study in a block type format (all of one subject for a week in one sitting), and some like a more traditional format where they do a little of each subject everyday.  I have no preference as long as what they like is working for them.

     I am not going to tell you that my system is perfect, it is far from it; but, I am staying on top of most things.  My family can attest to the fact that if something isn’t written in my brain, it will totally get forgotten or overlooked.  So, whatever your system for organization, whether it is  a computer planner, post-it notes, highlighters, colored pencils, folders, etc…., find what works for you and use it.  It really takes the stress off your brain to plan ahead – that is, as long as you don’t misplace your brain.  Hey kids, has anyone seen my brain?