Homeschool Planning - Write your Homeschooling Goals
You need to know where you are headed in order to be organized in your homeschooling and to be able to write out your homeschool goals. This is STEP ONE on my website.
On my page about "Setting Goals - Is it really important", I write:
Without setting goals, you can aimlessly do everything! We can easily be swayed by all the curriculum packages and lovely materials we see around us. If we are not sure of our own goals, we can easily follow along and pick and choose materials and continue to load up our children with "excellent content", but without direction and prior knowledge of where we are going and why we are adding on curriculum upon curriculum. Our own homeschool planning in the early stages will help us not to aimlessly do everything!
Without setting goals, you can aimlessly do nothing! Without goals or adequate homeschool planning, you can allow the day to follow day, month to follow month, year to follow year, without a plan. It doesn't mean that you aren't hoping that education will happen, or that good character traits will be formed, but at the same time, you are not actively pursuing it. Will you look back at those years with confidence that you were guiding and training your children? Perhaps not.
Without setting goals, you can do wonderful activities, but not know why! You can end up doing someone else's goals, or be swayed toss and forth by the latest homeschooling fad." For myself, I know it is very easy to do what my good homeschooling friend is doing; or decide to let my children choose their entire curriculum because that was what I read in the latest article or at the latest conference. Working against yourself and working to someone else's goals is probably one of the greatest ways to experience burnout, frustration or disappointment. Read more here.
However, if you have worked through your homeschooling goals - and know what you want to teach, you can plan how it will be done and you can also set out to write your homeschooling goals.
In order to do this homeschool planning now, I encourage you to review the Homeschooling Goals (Step One) section of my website and then return here once you know where you are headed.
Homeschool Planning - Writing your Homeschool Goals
Big Picture Goals
Firstly, make a list of the Relational, Practical and Academic goals you have for your family as discussed on the page about Setting Educational Goals.
You may use this page for your homeschool planning - Our Homeschooling Goals to write your big picture goals.
Homeschool Curriculum or Course of Study
The next step when doing homeschool planning is to outline the details of a homeschool curriculum which you decide for your family. As I have mentioned on the Homeschool Curriculum page, (Step Two) I am not referring specifically as to "what" to use, but rather the variety of subject areas which you determine to be important to achieve the big picture goals. You will now need to write goals for each specific subject.
Goal Writing for a Specific Subject
As I go about my homeschool planning and write specific goals for each subject area, I have found it useful to write:
- A summary or foundational statement about the subject area (broad objectives)
- A Skills list for each subject - Find Skills lists under each Subject Sitemap on my navigation bar.
- Homeschool materials or homeschooling supplies which I may use to fulfill the objectives. See the Skills, Method, Materials example here.
In the examples below of my own homeschool planning, I have used History as the subject. Each Goals chart would be different for each subject area.
Here is an example of Broad Goals of a subject area using History as the subject:
Subject Area |
Foundational Statement |
Learning Activities |
History |
As a family, we see the need to understand the place of man in the world and his relation to God and his neighbour. We need to study decisions that man has made in history in the light of the environment and the beliefs he holds, and to judge those actions by Biblical standards and consequences, in order to see the way in which God has worked in His World.
We intend to look at time periods chronologically, and explore the events and the characters therein.
Using this framework, we will read, memorize some important facts and dates, and discover God’s good plans, his mercy and love as a Creator, Provider and Sustainer.
We will see changes that have occurred since the fall of man and consequences thereof, and how all creation can and is called to praise and bring glory to their Creator. |
Reading- Reading aloud and personal reading list of historical fiction novels and living books in the time period.
Reading the literature from the time period.
Reading about the scientists in the time period.
Reading Art History.
Reading about the World Views/ philosophies of the time period.
Drawing: Artefacts, fasion, maps, characters, weapons..
Writing: Different forms of writing explained by the Write Source Handbooks
Research using encyclopedias and the internet.
Art: Activity guides on life in the time of...
Discussion: pre-writing discussions, questions, debating
Presentations: History Notebooks, End of term presentations; Speeches, Orations
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The History Skills, Method and Materials Chart - in more detail.
Notice that the skills for History are Reading, Listening, Writing, Communicating and Presenting - in more depth and with more detail as children develop and mature.
Stage |
Skills |
Methods |
Materials |
Pre-Grammar (Age 6-10) |
Reading
Listening- being read to and being able to comprehend and re-tell (narrate) what was being said.
Reading
- Non-Fiction- Living books/ Textbooks/ Encyclopedias/ Internet articles and websites
- Read about:
- Culture- Way of Life
- Society
- Family
- Government
- Toys and Games
- Art
- Wars
- Famous People
- Famous Events
- Fiction- historical fiction
- Biographies
Writing
- Writing about people from the past.
- Re-tell the stories – first orally and then written narrations.
- Copying passages from biographies or primary source documents.
- Making a time-line – adding dates
- Draw maps of the places being studied;
- Draw a map of where you live.
Communicating
- Re-telling an historical event or life story of an historical character.
- Giving an oral report of a historical character.
- Memorize a famous speech.
- Discuss what it would be like to live in the time-period/ engage in the war/ be in a family at that time.
- Discuss differences in our lives now and in the past.
- Discuss the structure of a society – class, roles, occupations ; Compare this to our own life.
Presentation
- Copy a portrait of a famous person.
- Draw a time-line. Add details. Add your own details.
- Draw a map of where you live, and where the people you are reading about live.
- Draw a picture of the historical event.
- Make a model of an event or an invention.
- Make some art from the time period.- copy an artist/ make a mask/wall painting/ mosaic
- Play some games from the time period.
- Cook some of the foods from the past.
- Make a visual display board.
- Make a History Book.
- Make a song.
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Reading.
-Each child will narrate after the history reading.
-Children will listen to read alouds.
-Children will read independent books appropriate to their age and level.
The narration will be written in their history book.
A time-line will be viewed and characters and events will be added as they are learned.
The children will place the events in order.
Discussion
Oral Narration
Recitation of a famous speech.
Drawing
Copying work from Artists of the Time period
Mapping
Each week an age-appropriate craft will be incorporated into the history lesson.
Play-writing
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Read aloud books as outlined in the Tapestry of Grace Program, TruthQuest, Sonlight
Independent Reading books in the time period – from library and Tapestry of Grace, TruthQuest, Mystery of History, Sonlight or Diana Waring.
Wall time-line.
Time-line cards.
Famous Oration Collection Vol1-12
Craft books-
Story of the World Activity Book – includes craft ideas; Also internet ideas from the TOG website.
Craft Books from the library.
Art History Books |
Grammar (Age 10-12) |
The above skills and:
Reading:
- Biographies
- Primary Source Documents
- Reading aloud – speeches, orations
- For research projects and assignments
Writing:
- Draw maps of the places being studied;
- Compare maps of the historical time period with where we live.
- Writing a story from the perspective of an historical character.
- Outlining – articles/ speeches/
Communication:
- Discuss what it would be like to live in the time-period/ engage in the war/ be in a family at that time.
- Discuss differences in our lives now and in the past.
- Discuss the structure of a society – class, roles, occupations ; Compare this to our own life.
- Discuss government of the time period. Discuss similarities and differences between then and now.
Presentation:
- Make a time-period costume.
- Present a play.
- Play some games from the time period.
- Cook some of the foods from the past.
- Make a visual display board.
- Make a History portfolio.
- Make a song.
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Listening
Independent Reading
Recitation
Research
Map drawings
Story writing
Written Narrations
Outlining articles
Discussion:
From readings
Discuss Government
Designing simple costumes- handcrafts.
Play writing
Making Games
Cooking
Display Boards
Song writing |
Primary Source Documents
Famous Orations in the time period
Discussion questions from Tapestry of Grace
Craft Books
Websites
Activity Book for Story of the World |
Logic (Age 13-15) |
All of the above, plus:
Reading:
- Primary Source Documents
- Reading aloud – speeches, orations
- For research projects and assignments
Writing:
- Comparing different author’s viewpoints on a similar topic.
- Writing about the significance of a Primary Source Document.
- Writing about the context of a historical character in time and location.
- Writing argumentative essays on historical or present day issues.
- Writing cause and effect essays.
- Writing essays of comparison.
- Writing about the impact of historical events on society.
- Writing about the influence of the geography on historical events.
Communicating:
- Discuss the structure of a society – class, roles, occupations ; Compare this to our own life.
- Discuss government of the time period. Discuss similarities and differences between then and now.
- Discuss reasons for events.
- Discuss spiritual and moral consequences of events.
- Discuss cause and effect of the historical events and the famous characters involved.
Presentation:
- Make a powerpoint presentation.
- Make a History portfolio.
- Make a video of a play or a working model.
- Write a web page on a theme/ character/ event.
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In depth reading.
Recitation
Research
T- charts
Venn diagrams
Compare/contrast charts- graphic organizers
Essay Writing- variety of styles
Discussion
Drawing
Working with computer technology.
Using video.
Web page writing. |
Primary Source Documents – online.
Harvey Bluedorn's Ancient Sources Book
Timetables of History
Writing Handbook on teaching essay styles
Tapestry of Grace Discussion questions.
Computer and software
Video |
Rhetoric (Age 16-18) |
Reading: Philosophical/ Worldview readings
Primary Source Documents
Writing: Writing the Research Paper
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Homeschool Planning - Yearly Program
From these specific goals in History, I write a very similar outline (in fact, I copy and paste) of how we will develop the same set of skills in that year for the different ages of the children I am teaching. It doesn't matter what content you are studying (as far as historical time period) because the set of skills remain the same - we're just developing and fine tuning them year by year.
I include another column where I add the specific details - writing assignment, books we read, art projects that are specific to that time period. See my History Bookshop for recommended resources.
As you can see, I have copied and pasted from my above table to present this:
History Outline for 2009 - Time Period: Ancients, Creation to the Fall of Rome
Skills |
Materials being used |
Specific Activities |
As above- From ages 8 - 15
Reading
Listening- being read to and being able to comprehend and re-tell (narrate) what was being said.
Reading
- Non-Fiction- Living books/ Textbooks/ Encyclopedias/ Internet articles and websites
- Read about:
- Culture- Way of Life
- Society
- Family
- Government
- Toys and Games
- Art
- Wars
- Famous People
- Famous Events
- Fiction- historical fiction
- Biographies
Writing
- Writing about people from the past.
- Re-tell the stories – first orally and then written narrations.
- Copying passages from biographies or primary source documents.
- Making a time-line – adding dates
- Draw maps of the places being studied;
- Draw a map of where you live.
Communicating
- Re-telling an historical event or life story of an historical character.
- Giving an oral report of a historical character.
- Memorize a famous speech.
- Discuss what it would be like to live in the time-period/ engage in the war/ be in a family at that time.
- Discuss differences in our lives now and in the past.
- Discuss the structure of a society – class, roles, occupations ; Compare this to our own life.
Presentation
- Copy a portrait of a famous person.
- Draw a time-line. Add details. Add your own details.
- Draw a map of where you live, and where the people you are reading about live.
- Draw a picture of the historical event.
- Make a model of an event or an invention.
- Make some art from the time period.- copy an artist/ make a mask/wall painting/ mosaic
- Play some games from the time period.
- Cook some of the foods from the past.
- Make a visual display board.
- Make a History Book.
- Make a song.
Grammar: All of the above, plus:
Reading:
- Primary Source Documents
- Reading aloud – speeches, orations
- For research projects and assignments
Writing:
- Comparing different author’s viewpoints on a similar topic.
- Writing about the significance of a Primary Source Document.
- Writing about the context of a historical character in time and location.
- Writing argumentative essays on historical or present day issues.
- Writing cause and effect essays.
- Writing essays of comparison.
- Writing about the impact of historical events on society.
- Writing about the influence of the geography on historical events.
Communicating:
- Discuss the structure of a society – class, roles, occupations ; Compare this to our own life.
- Discuss government of the time period. Discuss similarities and differences between then and now.
- Discuss reasons for events.
- Discuss spiritual and moral consequences of events.
- Discuss cause and effect of the historical events and the famous characters involved.
Presentation:
- Make a powerpoint presentation.
- Make a History portfolio.
- Make a video of a play or a working model.
- Write a web page on a theme/ character/ event.
Logic: All of the above, plus:
Reading:
- Primary Source Documents
- Reading aloud – speeches, orations
- For research projects and assignments
Writing:
- Comparing different author’s viewpoints on a similar topic.
- Writing about the significance of a Primary Source Document.
- Writing about the context of a historical character in time and location.
- Writing argumentative essays on historical or present day issues.
- Writing cause and effect essays.
- Writing essays of comparison.
- Writing about the impact of historical events on society.
- Writing about the influence of the geography on historical events.
Communicating:
- Discuss the structure of a society – class, roles, occupations ; Compare this to our own life.
- Discuss government of the time period. Discuss similarities and differences between then and now.
- Discuss reasons for events.
- Discuss spiritual and moral consequences of events.
- Discuss cause and effect of the historical events and the famous characters involved.
Presentation:
- Make a powerpoint presentation.
- Make a History portfolio.
- Make a video of a play or a working model.
- Write a web page on a theme/ character/event.
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Tapestry of Grace Year One
-Read aloud books
-Individual readings
-Project ideas
Streams of Civilization Vol 1
Read Aloud books from a variety of sources
Story of the World Vol 1
Story of the World Activity Guide
Kingfisher history Encyclopedia
Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt
Write Source 2000: A Guide to Writing, Thinking and Learning
History Notebooks
History Notebooks
Websites
Library books
History Notebooks
Classical Kids Activity Book
Ancient History from Primary Sources by Harvey Bluedorn |
Read aloud books:
Paper Model of the Tabernacle. |
This is just an example from the subject of History. You would follow the same format if you were outlining Science or Math. Use the skill charts which I have completed so far: (General Math Skills, Language Arts: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking ) as a base from the different subject areas and make it suit your situation.
More pages on Homeschool Planning :
How to Homeschool - Organization Sitemap
Read the details here:
- How to Homeschool: What method suits your family? Your homeschooling approach will affect your physical space.
- Where: Organize your homeschooling supplies - materials and physical space
- When: Homeschooling Schedules - Organize your homeschooling schedule or routine.
- Homeschool Planner Options
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