Guide to a Smooth Start this Homeschool Year

I am always looking for ways to make our homeschool year more effective, efficient, and smooth. As a Type B mom, with a Type A brain, I tend to want to be as organized as possible, whether that organization sticks or not is a different story. I have compiled a checklist of ways that have helped us remain organized, on schedule, and prepared for the upcoming school year.

Homeschool Year Kick-Off Checklist

1. Plan & Organize

•  Review state homeschooling requirements and update any needed paperwork.

  • HSLDA.org is a great place to check for your state's requirements

•  Set yearly goals for each child (academic, personal growth, and life skills).

  • Be sure to include your children when creating these goals! Ask them what they wish to accomplish, what interests they would like to dive into, and what they feel they need to focus a little more on.

•  Map out your first month’s schedule and routines (including breaks).

  • There are so many ways to map out each month: by themes, by weeks, by subjects, by concepts, etc.

•  Organize curriculum and print any worksheets or planners you’ll need.

  • We use binders to organize all of our curriculum, worksheets, and activities, Ensure you have enough printer ink to get you through!

•  Create a flexible daily or weekly rhythm.

  • Whether your schedule is the same every day or you create a loop schedule, having some semblance of routine can really help with efficiency and getting things done.

2. Prepare Your Learning Space

•  Declutter and refresh your homeschool area.

  • Now is a great time to toss the old and set up the new. Clear out last year's books that aren't being used, old worksheets, and expired craft supplies.

•  Stock up on school supplies (pencils, notebooks, art materials, etc.).

•  Create a storage system for books and completed work.

•  Post a visual schedule or morning menu.

  • Having a visible schedule to all can really help to set clear expectations for you homeschool day.

3. Gather & Inventory Curriculum

•  Double-check all books, manipulatives, and online resources are ready.

•  Bookmark or download any digital lesson plans or videos.

•  Test logins for online programs.

4. Set Up Your Calendar

•  Mark important dates (start/end dates, holidays, co-op days, field trips).

  • We homeschool year-round so it is important that we plan out our breaks, field trips, and vacations in advance to ensure we get all of our goals accomplished.

•  Add regular planning or “teacher days” to review progress.

  • This is such a great way to ensure that you, as the instructor, can set aside time to evaluate how the year is going, how the curriculum or resources are working out for your family, and if anything needs to be altered.

5. Build Excitement for Your Kids

•  Create a fun “first day of homeschool” activity or tradition.

•  Prep a back-to-school basket with fresh supplies or a small surprise.

•  Discuss goals and interests with your children to personalize learning.

6. Prep Yourself

•  Reflect on what worked or didn’t work last year.

  • Be sure to ask your children if they had any favorite moments, resources or activities from the previous year that could be incorporated this year. Also ask if there was anything that stood out to them in a negative way that maybe you could avoid during the upcoming year.

•  Create a self-care plan to avoid burnout (parent breaks matter!).

•  Join or reconnect with a homeschool support group.

7. Final Touches

•  Make a list of field trip ideas and hands-on projects.

•  Meal prep for easy, low-stress school days.

•  Keep a flexible mindset—no homeschool year is “perfect”!