Are you intimidated or overwhelmed with the idea of lesson planning? Do you procrastinate the preparation because you just don't know where to begin? I understand that designing a weekly lesson plan for your children can seem daunting at first. However, with a little organization and creativity, you can create a structured and engaging learning experience for your kids. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of creating an easy-to-follow weekly lesson plan using calendars, whiteboards, and other organizational tactics. Let's tackle this journey together and empower you to become an effective homeschooling teacher!
1. Choose Your Planning Tools:
- Select a physical calendar, a digital planner, or a homeschooling-specific planning tool. Find the one that best suits your preferences and needs. For a limited time you can find great deals on planners and other helpful tools here.
- Invest in a whiteboard or a large wall calendar to display the weekly lesson plan visibly in your homeschooling area.
2. Determine Your Schedule:
- Decide on the days and hours you plan to dedicate to homeschooling. Consider your family's routine, including meal times, breaks, and extracurricular activities.
- Allocate specific time slots for each subject, ensuring a balanced approach to learning.
3. Identify Key Subjects and Topics:
- Make a list of the core subjects you want to cover each week, such as Math, English, Science, History, and any additional subjects of interest. Remember - often times you will find already prepared lesson plans in the teacher guide for you.
- Break down each subject into topics or chapters that align with your curriculum or learning goals.
4. Map Out the Weekly Plan:
- Start by filling in your calendar or planner with the subjects you'll cover each day, ensuring a variety throughout the week.
- Assign specific topics or chapters to each subject, maintaining a realistic pace that allows for comprehension and engagement.
- Take the number of lessons in the curriculum and divide it by the number of weeks you intend to do school - this will tell you how many times a week you need to do a lesson for that particular subject. Some curriculum is meant for 5 days a week, some might be only 3 days a week - others are only meant for a semester. You have flexibility.
5. Incorporate Interactive Activities:
- Enhance the learning experience by incorporating hands-on activities, experiments, field trips, or educational games.
- Schedule these activities on specific days, making the week exciting and dynamic for your children.
6. Include Breaks and Flexibility:
- Schedule regular breaks to allow your children to recharge and transition between subjects. Use these breaks for physical activity, relaxation, or creative pursuits.
- Remember to be flexible. If a topic takes longer than expected or your child shows a particular interest, adjust your plan accordingly.
7. Set Goals and Objectives:
- Define clear learning goals and objectives for each subject and topic. Consider what you want your children to achieve by the end of the week.
- Break down the goals into smaller milestones or learning targets, making it easier to track progress and celebrate achievements.
8. Utilize Visual Aids:
- Incorporate visual aids such as charts, diagrams, or posters to support learning and engage your children visually.
- Display these aids in your homeschooling area or on the whiteboard to serve as a visual reminder of the week's lessons.
9. Reflect and Adjust:
- At the end of each week, take time to reflect on the effectiveness of your lesson plan. Assess what worked well and what could be improved.
- Use this feedback to make adjustments to future lesson plans, tailoring them to your children's learning styles and interests.
Remember, creating an easy-to-follow weekly lesson plan sets the foundation for a successful homeschooling journey. By choosing the right planning tools, determining your schedule, identifying key subjects and topics, mapping out the plan, incorporating interactive activities, including breaks and flexibility, setting goals and objectives, utilizing visual aids, and reflecting on your plan, you can provide a structured and engaging learning experience for your children. Embrace this incredible opportunity to inspire their curiosity and love for learning. Also - the plan can (and will) change - but you have to start with a plan. You've got this, homeschooling moms!