Highly Recommended

Have you ever NOT known someone personally but felt a deep connection with them from something they have written or said? Gene R. Cook is this to me. I love all of his talks I have heard and all of his books I have read.
This book is especially my favorite. I have read it now about 3 times over and listened to the audio CD's about 4. (I know, I'm a repetition girl. I like to watch my same favorite movies over and over again too. :) And read my favorite books time and time again.)
I recommend this book to everyone! Whether you have little ones or teens. I want to say this without sounding too dramatic, but this book has really played a major part in how I parent.
This is a MUST READ for every LDS parent.

Not trying to do 'school at home'....

I found this quote shoved in the back of my journal the other day. I thought I would share.

" We're not trying to do "School at Home." We're trying to do homeschool. These are two entirely different propositions. We're not trying to replicate the time, style or content of the classroom. Rather we're trying to cultivate a lifestyle of learning in which learning takes place from morning until bedtime 7 days each week. The "formal" portion of each teaching day is just the tip of the iceburg. "
--Steve and Jane Lambert ( Five In A Row )

My first year of homeschooling was the greatest learning year of my life! I tried my hardest to keep a rigorous curriculum for my kindergarten-age child. I tried so hard to make our homeschool day like a regular school day complete with recess, and PE. I learned very quickly that this was exactly what DID NOT WORK at home. It seemed so stressful and those nights I would go to bed feeling overwhelmed and I'm sure my child felt the same way. This lasted for only a week or so, before I had to really re-evaluate. the question came to my mind, "Isn't this part of the reason why you are homeschooling?, because you want something different for your children?" It was so simple! I'm not trying to mimic school at home! I don't want that! I instantly realized that homeschool was an entirely different thing. I wanted a lifestyle of learning!

Keeping Mom Organized

I recently made me this binder to keep myself a bit more organized when it comes to homeschooling. And, with it being a new year, it is the perfect time to re-organize and re-evaluate. This is kind of a modge podge of ideas all squished together. Some of the ideas I got from homeschool mom, Diane Hopkins, home organization tips, calendars that work , and fly lady . But I found what works best for me. And so I will share my version of "Mom's planner"....

First:
I got a three ring binder and used some craft paper to make it recognizable amidst all of my kids' other three-ring binders. (This is where you can get creative and color-coordinate according to your style. I probably would have gone with a more fresh look, but since I am on bed-rest with this pregnancy and can't get out much, I just used what I had in our homeschool closet.)
Second:
I made a section for Mom's goals. This is where I keep a record of my thoughts and plans throughout each day.
I found this cool goal organizer in the back of one of my homeschool books by Diane Hopkins. I think it was either Happy Homeschooling, or I Love Homeschooling. Here is a link to her site if you would like to purchase her book. ldfr.com
Third:
I made a section for my calendar. This is a must for me! We meet twice a year as moms to plan out our homeschool group activities and each mom needs a calendar to keep track of who is in charge that week. I also include the other families ' phone numbers , addresses, kids ages, etc. in this section.
Fourth:
My favorite section! I have an idividual section for each of my children. This is where I write down ideas and inspiration for each one. I include what we are working on and also their goals. For example:
My oldest has a more vigorous agenda each day unlike my 4 yr. old. So, I have to keep better track of his progression and where he is either progressing or staying stagnant. My youngest is learning how to write all kinds of short words. I have a list in there of all the words he is learning to spell so we can work on them and help ingrain them in his memory.
I also include a Book of Mormon reading chart in each of their sections. We read from the illustrated Book of Mormon reader and also the Old and New testament readers as well as the D&C illustrated reader. The boys love looking at the pictures ! (this does not include the family scripture study. We do that later with Daddy.) I think that this is an essential part of any LDS homeschool family. After all, isn't this part of why we homeschool in the first place? Because study of the scriptures is not included in the public school systems curriculum. Fifth:
The infamous misc. section. This section could get crazy if you let it. (if you're anything like me :) ).
I try to just include my favorite articles that I like to re-read.

And Viola!!!! There you have it! A planner for mom!