Getting Ready for a New School Year!!!

Hi there!  It's been a while since my last post, took a break to refocus on family and home priorities.  It was a much need and well spent break.  But from the looks of it I have some updating to do on this blog. Yet, it feels good to get back into the swing of things.



For a couple weeks now the local stores have had school supplies on sale.  I don't know about you but this is when I load up on the things we need.  Usually, I hit these sales at the last minute scrambling and rummaging through the left overs.

This year, I took the second week of July to sit down and take inventory of our school supplies -because I knew the stores were prepping for their back to school sales starting the last two weeks of July.  It's so much cheaper to stock up at this time than to pick-up an item when it runs out.

Things I purchase:

•  3" 3-Ring Binders - to file kids work and my paperwork/lesson plans
   (re-use for next year until no longer functional)
• 1" 3-Ring Flexi Binders for any books I print out
• Dividers with tabs
  (separate subjects)
• Cahier books for journals
• Packs loose Wide Rule paper for kids / College Rule for me
• Computer paper
• jumbo pencils
• pink erasers
• mechanical pencils (for older children)
• refill lead and erasers for mechanical pencils
• box of crayons for each child (keeps everyone happy)
• liquid and stick glue for each child
• construction paper
•  scissors each child
• rulers each child
• colored pencils
• markers
• water color paints
• rubber bands
• stickers
• tempera paint
• index cards for our vocabulary
• Clips
• Staples  (book making)
• Duct Tape (for projects and book making and well... it's Duct Tape!)
• Organizer Pockets for storage of Pencils and erasers in the Binders
• Reinforcement labels for loose papers in binders
• Pens for Mom to grade with
• Dry Erase Markers Big and Small
• Dry Erase Boards - Awesome for Preschoolers and Elementary learning to read and write

 I thought about back packs-but we don't do enough traveling to justify the expense and with 5 kids it's too much to try to keep track.

I don't normally have to pick up everything.  But this is what is on my inventory list and if I'm out or low I stock up at this time on these items.

This is also a good time to pick-up dress clothing and shoes for the kiddos.  I typically shop Goodwill or thrift shops for our clothing.  But for dress clothing I hit the sales for those two to three nice outfits for special occasions.

So, when do you prepare and where do you shop for the next school year?  Maybe your ideas to could help any newbies or families stuggling to make it work.

Summer Vacation & Next Year's Planning

 Summer Vacation is here and all children, homeschool and public, are cheering.  This is when they put up the books and pencils, and enjoy the sun and outside world.  This is also when the homeschool moms and teachers alike take a breather and regroup.  I know this is the case for me.  .

I'm not a homeschool veteran.  In fact, I'm still in beginner stages (My oldest is just 8 years of age).  But, I'm definitely learning a lot and trying to glean anything I can from those before me. 

So, that is why I am listening to those pioneers and taking a break from "School".  It will only be 2-3 weeks for me.  Then I will start my planning for next year.  This time I want to have our routine ... well... more routine.  I, also, want to train my children to be independent learners and doers. Which is going to require me to be more diligent about having our ducks in a row and utilizing our resources in a more accessible and efficient way.

Like, having assignments and books for the day set out for them ahead a time.  Something they can see and go to on their own and take ownership of their day and work-Especially, when mommy is tied up potting training or keeping little hands out of places they don't belong.

Basically, I want to train my children to diligentlly "finish what we started" and then "move to the next thing" without pressure-  knowing "what doesn't get accomplished today can be picked-up again tomorrow".  I want to instill that work ethic of  "Work Before Play" ( This may be more for me than them.). Because "Play" or "Relaxation" is so much more enjoyable when you feel like you've accomplished something.

But for now, I am going to put my books, planners, and worries on the shelf.  I am going to put on my large brimmed hat and sun glasses.  Grab a glass of lemonade and a book.  Lay a blanket on the lawn  and  read to my children, while enjoying the sun and outside world.

I want give thanks to God for getting us through another Homeschool Year!

Happy Summer Vacation!
Brook