Last year we used workboxes for almost the whole year. We liked the system, but I got tired of keeping it up and filling the envelopes nightly. When I was planning for this year, I knew I wanted to do something different to organize our days.
In December, we started using weekly checklists and the girls and I both love them. Before, I was writing out a weekly plan for myself and most weeks we would end up moving things around to different days or spending a whole day doing nothing but science. At the same time, I could see that my eight-year-old was longing for some control over what activities she would accomplish each day.
Each of my girls now has a weekly checklist, which they can work through at their own pace and discretion. If all their work is done by Friday, we take Fridays off. If I’m working with one of the girls, the other one can find something independent to do on her list. Natalie learned very quickly that saving all her math lessons to do on Thursday was not a good plan…
We work together to plan out the week, including a nice mix of book lessons, time for interest-led projects, games, field trips, etc.
Any worksheets or resources the girls need for the week goes in a folder with the checklist. I store their completed work in the folders, too. When it is time to do my monthly summaries for our charter school, I can just pull the 4-5 weeks worth of folders and look back at what we did.
I’m feeling like this system might stick around for awhile. It seems to fit with our more laid-back, flexible daily rhythm.
Update: You can download our Weekly Plan Checklist and give it a try!
How do you plan and organize your week?
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Can you put together a link for this? I’ve had a few of my facebook friends ask for it after I posted the link to your site. Obviously, it’s not too difficult to put together, but yours is just so perfect!
LOVE the idea…I already do a simplified one, but I know my 2nd grader would really enjoy having a bit more control over when she completes her tasks for the day!
Hi, I love this! Any chance you can offer a larger view or a PDF? I can design something like this on my own but kind of would like to see what info you guys used. TY
Thanks, ladies! I added a pdf download of our weekly checklist to the post. I hope it helps you out!
thank you! I am thinking about making a binder of these. Do you keep them after you are done with the week?
I keep them until the end of the school year – it’s fun to look back and see everything we accomplished!
You are awesome- your ideas are always so helpful! This weekly checklist made my day! I’ve been looking for an idea like this to help me stay focused. Thank you!!!
Thanks so much! We have been having too much work without enough fun. I think this will be a ton of help! This is just perfect timing for us.
Jennifer & Kim – You are very welcome! Hope this helps you and your kiddos.
I just stumbled upon your blogs this week, and I *LOVE* them both! I have always homeschooled my five children ages: 18, 16, 13, 10, and 4. After so many years of learning at home with them, I find myself struggling to keep things fresh. You have some really great tips and projects. Reading through your posts has given me new motivation and encouragement. Thank you! (I hope you don’t mind if I add your blogs to my blogroll.)
Hi Susan! Sounds like I could learn a lot from you and your many years of homeschooling. So glad you found some things of interest here!
it’s gteat and i’m going to link to it!
Love this form! And I think my 8-year-old daughter will appreciate it, too.
What font did you use? It’s super cute.
Hi Diana – I hope your daughter enjoys the checklist. We are using it again this year and we love it!
The font is “Love Ya Like a Sister”
loving your blogs! big fan of this checklist. we are HSing our 1st grader (and his preschool aged brother) for the first time and i’d love to do a combo of workboxes and your checklist. thanks for sharing such creativity with us!
ps we are doing a charter program too, so i loved that you file away work in folders. sounds like the perfect plan.
xo
Hi Angie – Hope your school year is off to a great start!
I love this checklist. My daughter is so used to her Montessori preschool (homeschool) that when I tried to use workboxes, she balked. She likes seeing her work out on shelves:) However, she seems to flit aimlessly during school time so the checklist would help her organize herself. Thanks!
I am thrilled with the time-management skills my girls are practicing using their weekly checklists. They are determined to take Fridays off, so they work like crazy to finish everything by then.
This is phenomenal! Exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks for doing all the hard work for me. I look forward to reading your blog.
{ 2 trackbacks }