One thing I struggled with in my "getting ready to start" organization was what to do with this big, huge (but very, very helpful) Sonlight Binder, that holds the year's schedule and notes for the all of the awesome books we'll be reading this year. Its not the most convenient thing to lug around, or even to have open on my lap for easy access to notes.
After reading many words of wisdom from other Sonlight users, I decided to downsize a bit. I bought a 1/2" binder, and put just the first 6 weeks worth of schedule and notes into it:
Then, to help me even more (because I need all the help I can get!) I labeled everything. Along the side, I labeled where the notes for History, Readers and Read-Alouds start, and put those notes in order of when each book is read. To make it even easier, I then labeled each indivdual book title along the top of the binder. Notice the nifty color coordination with the side labels? Yeah, I'm OCD like that, but its all good for me. Especially since Michael has expressed a desire to do the read-alouds with the kids at bedtime (Hooray for Daddy involvement!!), I wanted it to be really easy for him, too.
(You can click to enlarge the picture to see the labels more clearly)
Granted, every six weeks I'll have to go ahead and switch the schedule and notes out again, as well as relabel things, but it took me less than an hour the first time, so I'm not too worried about it. An hour of my time in the evening is worth 6 weeks of organized schooling!(Oh, and if you're wondering, the cool tabs I used are just Post-it file tabs. They can be written on, stuck on, and then removed and stuck again and over and over... I use them everywhere!!)
Our official "not back to school" start date is Monday, August 16! Be sure to join in the Not Back to School fun at Heart of the Matter Online!
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9 comments:
I hope you have a great year! My mom LOVED Sonlight when she homeschooled my little brother... she still talks about it! :)
Jessica
Wow, great idea with the Sonlight book. I am sitting here, at work, with my Sonlight bag and HUGE binder, definitely not wanting to carry it around anymore. I am going to use your tips here to help me. So very helpful. Thanks!
I've never used the Sonlight curriculum, but I enjoy poring over their catalogue. I love all the literature they use.
Oh, my, goodness!!!! I love, love, love your little tabs idea. I cannot express what an amazingly inspired idea that was, and I am soooo going to copy it :D. This is especially important for me, since I'll be doing Core 1 with some Core 2 books with my own schedule this year to match it up to Core 6. It'll be a mess, but these tabs.... Oooo, I'm still geeking out about them. Thanks for sharing on the blog hop.
The little binder is easier to lug around and less daunting than that huge one, isn't it? I also use a smaller binder with 6 weeks in it. I like how you set up your tabs.
I have used SL for years and LOVE it. My older boys went through school from about 5th grade on in it and they are doing great in college. Just a note of encouragement:) I still use it for my younger kids too. I know you will have a blast sharing in it with your kids too. One of the best things I did was read great books with my kids. Have a great year!
P.S. I just saw your pic at the top -- I have 5 boys also (+1 girl)! Love my boyzzz!!!
Erin, You have such a cute blog! I'm stopping by and following from the TOS Crew Blog Walk. I'm on the older crew, as my kiddos are all teenagers. I've always loved the looks of Sonlight, especially all the read alouds and literature selections. Hope you have a great year! If you take any field trips I'd love for you to link up to my weekly Field Trip Friday meme. Blessings!:)
I hope you enjoy Sonlight as much as my family has. We're entering our 12 year using SL. We just finished round 3 of Core 3 this past June and will start Core 4 at the end of August. Your binder looks great!
~Tess-- from the Review Crew stopping by on a blog walk.. oh and I'm following your blog now.
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