The 2010 Homeschool Planner!!!

I just got a shot in the arm that gave me new vision, motivation, and inspiration for the coming school year, which is a tall order since I've been homeschooling so long. Was it a miracle drug? Maybe jumper cables? No, it was the 2010 Homeschool Planner, and wow (no, WOW!!!), what a resource!




Are you looking for monthly resources to jump start your curriculum, such as lists and charts and writing prompts? Here they are, and lots of them. Do you need ideas for surviving as a homeschooling mom, discussing such things as burnout and manners? Here you have it. Are your meals becoming boring and bothersome? Check out the recipes included. (How about Slow Cooker Pizza, Layered Corn Casserole, White Bean Chicken Chili, and Blueberry Crumble Cake to stimulate your appetite, just for starters?) Would articles on timelining history or creative writing help you in your homeschool journey? Done! (with many, many other articles to choose from also.)

This planner is divided into months and filled with idea after idea, article after article, chart after chart, list after list...what a wealth of information for a new homeschooler, an experienced homeschooler, or even a seasoned homeschooler. Anyone can benefit from the information, whether you feel like you've got it all figured out, or you are overwhelmed with the thought of it all. There are websites listed to help with different topics of the month, and resources from The Old Schoolhouse store, too. I appreciate the work being done for me!


I love all the lists. Just to scratch the surface, there were lists for animal classification, writing prompts, cloud types, planets, branches of government... Do you get the idea that you can find just about anything you'd need here? Please don't get me started on the forms. I am a form girl, and love to at least attempt to be organized. This is form heaven. You get forms for homeschooling, like grades and transcripts, but also for home organization such as a household budget sheet or address book.

Now we get to the planner. It is great. You can customize it to your needs, and fill it out right there. It really is a great idea, and I'm excited to implement it. You have all sorts of options, and that helps make it functional for each family.


I am obviously just scratching the surface, but you will want this planner. You will NEED this planner. Even if you just use part of the planner, it will be well worth it. Here are the links for the downloadable version: http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=14269 or CD: http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=15592.

Homeschooling is tricky enough without having to worry about the things that are already included in this wonderful resource. It takes a lot to impress this old homeschooling mama, but I must say I am impressed with the 2010 Homeschool Planner. All I can say is...check it out soon!!! You (and your homeschool students) will be glad you did!



FYI and Disclaimer: I am a member of the TOS crew, and I received and used the 2010 Schoolhouse Planner free of charge so I could enter a contest where I write an ad about it for a chance to win. But, I really did like it, so I can wholeheartedly recommend it, contest or not!=)

Family Science Camp or bust!!!

We just got back from family science camp, run by Greg Landry and his wife Nancy. (homeschoolscienceacademy.com) I asked Greg if I could brag on him on my blog!! All I can say is wow. No, WOW!!! It was an incredible week that we enjoyed more than I can say. It was held at Strong Rock Camp in Cleveland, Georgia. It was beautiful, and lots of fun with swimming, archery, fishing, rock wall climbing, basketball, frisbee, not to mention great fellowship with other homeschool families.


That would have made for a wonderful week, but then Greg and Nancy led science classes for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. It was so much fun. I told Greg he was like Mary Poppins pulling things out of a bag. It went from one interesting thing to another. We tested blood, did our fingerprints, talked about genetics, and learned how to do stitches. (not on each other, fortunately--it's harder than you'd think! We'd have some funky scars...) The kids liked the dissections--a worm, crawfish, sheep's pluck, cow's eyeball, and a sheep's pregnant uterus. This is a lot, but it seems I'm just barely scratching the surface of the activities of the week. It was so well planned and smooth and interesting and educational yet fun...who could ask for more??? They even had classes for the little ones each day, led by a wonderful teacher named Jody. It was just such a blessing to see the dads and moms work and play with the kids. I just wanted to cry every time I looked around the room.


Ok, I know I will post more about the week, and Greg and Nancy, in the weeks to come. (I may even post some pics if I can figure out how to do that--or should I say if I can get Travis to do it for me!!) Now I need to bury out from under laundry and sunburn and vacation stuff first. But, I did want to say how great the week was, and how wonderful a teacher Greg is. We were blessed beyond belief. The kids are still sad about coming home!! They want to save up to go to science camp next year!! (and to think they were a bit hesitant about going to the first science class!)