4.16.2012

the master homeschool binder

Part of doing a six-week master plan escalated into organizing all the random files and folders and loose papers I had all over for our homeschool stuff. Not like the actual "schoolwork" part, but the admin stuff; attendance sheets, records, etc. So I piled up all the stuff, took some great information that I learned at the homeschool conference I recently went to, and compiled this beautiful little sister that I like to call The Homeschool Master Binder. She has printed tabs and everything!!



Notice I did not name her The Homeschool Master Planner. I do not make my lesson plans in this book. My lesson plan book is actually just a calendar from Target. It's one of those July-June calendars, which works great for school.

I use the whole calendar view to put in dates that I need to plan around for school and the weekly sheets is where I plan the lessons for the week. I have a row for Jack and one for Noah. So each subject and kid has it's own box. When we accomplish that assignment I highlight it so I know it's done but I can still read it.

Ok, so back to the Master Binder. Here's what's inside:


And here's the breakdown of what all that jazz means:


 {Book Lists}books I'd like to read, would like my kids to read, books that would go along with a science unit I'm planning, lists of the best children's stories in the world...all those types of lists.




{H.S. Helps}articles I've printed off and things of that nature.











So that's that...super organized homeschool goodness. Now if I ever get audited or something I'll pull this thing out and they'll know I mean business. Yes, binders are defense mechanisms. Did you know that? I love to see how other people organize, so I thought you'd maybe like a peek into my organizational method. Keep in mind that my life is not all this organized. This is .00002 of my life and the rest is almost all UNorganized, so do not feel intimidated...it's just the one area where I feel good right now.

Happy Monday to you! I am currently not in Asheville, but somewhere far far away from there. I can't wait to tell you about it on Wednesday!  And don't forget to come back and link up your Happy Day challenge on Wednesday and get a new challenge for the week!

xo,
{alicia}

16 comments:

Rach@In His Hands said...

You are my homeschoolin' mama hero. If I ever decide to do it when my boy is older, I'm calling you up! :)

Christina said...

Fabulous job! Thanks for sharing all of that with us. TX law doesn't require any proof of homeschooling (scarey in some ways!) but makes my life much easier with the paper work side of it. I am new to all of this though so in your opinion, do you think it is still important to keep up with that sort of thing "just in case"? Thanks again for sharing!

Jennifer S. said...

This is fabulous! I am sharing with my friends who homeschool! Have a fun trip, cant wait to hear about it :)

Blissful Blooms said...

I would like to request a special order of this binder for next school year please. Just let me know when I can pick it up.
Hope you are having a marvelous time!! Can't wait to hear ALL about it!

jahorn12820 said...

I saw that picture of you and Robin. You better not be in SD!

Etheline said...

You are the most rockin homeschool mom ever!! I too use a target calendar and find it to be fantastic!! Thank you so much for sharing all you organizing goodies:)

Cailan said...

Wish I could just spend some time thumbing through this, but thanks for the peek. You are an inspiration, lady : ) Hope you're having some fun!
love, cailan

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Organized AND cute. (just like you)

Cierra Pera said...

So I went to my local Staples to find the cute Martha Stewart stuff and could find it anywhere! Boo. We have a home managemtnt binder, and several HS binders but not a master HS binder.... Now I think I have the bug to do it too!

Mandy said...

i'm setting one of these up for next school year. question: this was my first homeschool year, and i had written everythign in the well planned day planner {in pen, i can't handle writing in pencil!}, but then changed SO much throughout the year, i just tossed the planner! what do you do with changes, etc???

meg + andy said...

Thank you and bless your heart once again for letting us look over your shoulder at all your awesomeness. I pinned this and WILL make one this summer! for reals.;)

carissa at lowercase letters said...

gasp! can't wait to find out your secret place!

ps. if you ever want to come to charleston and organize my life, feel free. ; )

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Okay I've missed, missed, MISSED you. I'm still so way behind on my blogs and emails from taking most of a week off. Seriously next time I decide to do that please smack me.. the catching up is a bear!! And now I see I've missed all kinds of lovely over here. Darnit.

You make me miss homeschooling... Just a little... :)

Melissa Telling said...

Love this! Looks like something that would actually fit my style of planning. I also don't usually like music playing on blogs that I visit, but I enjoyed your selections. :)

Anonymous said...

Where did you get your calendars? Are they homemade?
Thanks!

Kellie said...

Thanks so much for showing all the detail! This is super helpful!!

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