Possibly the biggest hardship that a homeschooling parent faces is how to draw up a schedule for homeschooling. I’ve heard many suggestions from many parents about how they handle the scheduling problem. Some use software programs, inclusing Microsoft Word & Excel and some write every thing in a notebook.

Some of them plan the day as it goes and some plan ahead of time. I prefer to think that it is a mix of planning ahead and on-the-spot is the most comfortable and practical when it comes to homeschooling.

What your Goals Should be:
You should first make a goal plan that lists the goals that you have set for your daughter or son’s upcoming year. This is not as hard as it sounds. Once you have these goals they will help you make make better choices when you are gathering the books and supplies that you will require.

There are a wide choice of books that have good suggestions for goals. These books generally have some sort of scope and sequence within them. You may be able to find these types of books at your public library or you can buy then from a curriculum catalog at bookstores or online.

If you are looking for a free scope and sequence book, you can check out any number of websites such as WorldBooks.com and gather ideas from their scope and sequence. You do not have to do every thing that is in the scope and sequence list either.

If you would prefer, go ahead and add your own ideas to the goals that you are setting for your child because no one knows your kid better than you do. When your child is older, he should assist you with creating the goals and eventually you will become the assistant and advisor as he sets his own goals.

From your goals lists you will want to fill out a curriculum planner. Avoid curriculum fairs until you have done this already and have gotten the hang of it. When you are at the curriculum fair you will need to have your goal lists and your curriculum planner handy so that when you are at the fair you do not buy anything that you do not really need.

You will need to have your goal sheets handy and the books that you will be using close at hand. All you have to do is get a sheet of paper and make an overall plan that lists the subjects, the books or supplies, and about how many times a week that you think that particular subject will be studied or how many times a week the book will be used.

You can even try to estimate how much time you think each subject will require. Once you have done this, you will have an overall look at what you have and if anything are missing.

And don’t be frightened to think creatively. For instance face painting can be used not just as art but depending on the face painting design could lead into a nature, history, etc discussion too.

And if you don’t know how to face paint, check out these articles
Face painting instructions
Children’s face painting ideas
halloween face painting ideas
Both you are your child can have great fun face painting. And it can be made educational too!