For me it is the time of year that I plan for the coming school year. I allow my children to take the summers off so fall really is a “back to school” time for us. We may do some science experiments, field trips, and math, during the summer but for the most part it is just for fun. I truly believe kids need unscheduled time to allow the lessons to manifest through active play. However, I am far from traditional in my educational approach even though we use a traditional calendar. And if truth be told, the summers help my mind unwind as well as allow me to get some work done. So, it is a win win for all of us.
As I plan for fall, I find myself overwhelmed with the amount of curriculum and books I already have! I wade through books, games, art supplies, and math manipulatives, wondering how I have accumulated so much. I actually started to clean out the school stuff and quickly gave up. Once I realized it would take me all day long I decided it was best for another day. I almost feel like throwing it all out and starting over! Where do I begin?
If you are like me, you are a curriculum and school supply hoarder. I keep everything until one day I decide to purge it all. It is a sickness, really. I just love all the trappings that go with homeschooling. I also convince myself that I will use an item again rather then get rid of it. But that can only last for so long…as I begin to plan for a new year I purge the old stuff by throwing it away or selling it off. This first step helps me to clearly plan. The first step is the most important since it will lead to the end. So, first step to plan for the new year is to declutter! That’s your assignment!