I feel like I’m living my best life when I’m well planned. Proper planning allows me to complete tasks in a timely manner. It also gives me the time I need to accomplish my personal priorities too. If you’re a homeschooling mom who struggles to find the time to “do you”, consider using time blocking. It’s my favorite productivity tip! 

The great thing about time blocking is that it works with both digital and manual planners. It works for adults, teens, and children as well. Let me give you some background and explain how I make time blocking work for me.

What is time blocking?

Time blocking is a time management system in which you purposefully set aside time to accomplish a particular task. Typically, a 60 to 90 minute interval will give you time to dive into a task and make good progress. For smaller tasks, a 30 minute interval can work well too.

Why use time blocking?

I use time blocking because it provides a specific amount of time to focus on ONE specific task. I no longer have to choose between or among tasks. Time blocking gives me the ability to work on all my tasks because I have created a time block for each one. Throughout the week, I work during multiple time blocks so I can complete many tasks in several different areas. 

What do I do during my time blocks?

• Grade and plan material for the outside classes I teach
• Prepare homeschool lesson plans and activities 
• Plan my family’s weekly menu and grocery lists
• Organize drawers or closet
• Clean out the refrigerator
• Do an at-home pedicure
• Respond to email
• Paint my nails
• Take a nap (Yes, really.)
• Write

How do I set up time blocking?

Whether you’re a Google geek like me or a paper and pencil planner like my friend Belinda over at a Blessed Heritage, time blocking can work for you. Here are the steps I take to make time blocking work using Google, but you can tweak the procedure for use in a paper planner.

• First, I open Google Keep (Google’s note taking app) and create a list of tasks I need to accomplish during the coming week. It’s important to note that the only tasks I list are the ones that will need at least 30+ minutes of uninterrupted time. I don’t use time blocking for tasks that take less than 30 minutes to complete. 

• Next, I write down how long I think it will take to complete each task. It’s important to be realistic when estimating how long a task will take because I want to have enough time to get things done. If I have a larger task, I break it down into smaller tasks and schedule time blocks on multiple days. This gives me plenty of time to complete the task without getting stressed. It’s also important to note that I never schedule time blocks back to back. (I find I lose focus if I do so. My brain needs a rest.)

• Then, I open Google Calendar, create a new event inside my Time Block calendar, and give it a name (such as Grade Class Essays or Editing Chapter 1). I set the amount of time based upon how long I previously noted it would take to complete the task.

•  When scheduling the time block, I set reminders at 60, 30, 15, and 5 minutes before the time block begins. These reminders let me know it’s almost time to start working. I also use the note section of the event description to describe what I’ll be doing during the scheduled time block. 

•  At the scheduled time, I sit down and work on the scheduled task and nothing but that specific task. When the time block is over, I stop working. If I underestimated the amount to time it took to complete the task, or if I ran into a difficulty that lengthened the amount of time it took to complete the task, I don’t worry. I simply create another Time Block so I can finish the task a later time. 

It’s just that simple! If you like this post about household organization, please check out this additional post: 6 Ways To Use Google Calendar This School Year.

 

 

Selecting curriculum is an important part of homeschooling. However, doing so can be difficult because there are so many choices. (It’s like trying to pick a new cereal from among the hundreds of boxes in supermarket cereal aisle!) 

We want to choose a curriculum that will meet our children’s needs, but how do we sort through all of the choices? Here are some things to do when selecting curricula for your homeschool.

1. Take your time. Take time to review the choices. Look through the textbook and carefully examine any supplemental materials that accompany it. Be sure to spend time studying the teacher’s manual as well. Give yourself time to think about the pros and cons of each curriculum. Don’t rush the decision. 
2. Realize that one size rarely fits all. When we find a great curriculum, we may be tempted to get our money’s worth by using it with every child over the next few years. Yes, that math curriculum may be the perfect one for your son, but it may not work well for your daughter. 
3. Know your child’s learning style. Children learn in different ways. Some children are auditory learners, while some are kinesthetic learners, and some are visual learners. You’ll want to select a curriculum that matches your child’s learning style.
4. Consider how much work you want to do. Are you okay with spending lots of time planning and assembling supplemental materials or do you prefer a curriculum that can be used right out of the box? Choose a curriculum that realistically coincides with the amount of work you’re willing to do.
5. Think about the cost. Some curricula is expensive, while some is much less expensive. Think about your budget and purchase accordingly. Keep in mind that expensive does not always mean better!
6. Don’t jump on the bandwagon. Though it can be helpful to see what others are using, you should not let that be the single criteria you use for selection. Just because your homeschool bestie says she has found “the best science curriculum ever!”, doesn’t mean you have to buy it as well.
7. Don’t let “experts” dictate what you buy. Just because a homeschool influencer says a certain curriculum is amazing, you should not automatically run off and purchase it. Check out the curriculum, but seriously consider if the curriculum will be a good match for your child. 
8. Check for accuracy. See if the information presented within the curriculum is accurate. If a publisher is pushing a false narrative or attempting to rewrite history, skip it. Children need to be presented with factual information and no parent wants to spend time reteaching inaccurate or untruthful information. 

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

 

In addition to being a homeschool mom, I serve as the “Organizational Director” of the household. That means I’m taxiing kids from place to place, planning and preparing meals, and scheduling appointments. There’s no need to explain any further. You already know what I’m talking about! 

Staying on top of everyone and everything can be a big challenge. I use Google Calendar to make sure I don’t miss an appointment, meeting, task, or deadline. Here are six ways Google Calendar helps me stay organized throughout the school year and beyond. 

1. Use Multiple Calendars: Everything in One Place

I maintain my own personal calendar, but I need to keep track of everyone else’s calendar as well. Google Calendar allows me to create multiple calendars, but conveniently displays them all in in one place. I’ve created a calendar for each one of my family members and have taken this idea one step further by creating additional calendars with various titles. Here are a few of the calendars I’ve set up:

• Homeschooling: This calendar is reserved for general homeschool activities such as co-op, literature circles, and the English classes I teach to other homeschool students.
• Church: This calendar is where I write down church activities such as Bible studies and youth groups.
• Business: This calendar is used to track business related appointments and writing deadlines.
• Menu Plan: This calendar shows the meals I’ve planned for the week. (This makes creating a grocery list super simple and ensures we don’t eat the same meals over and over again.)
• Health: I use this calendar to track my weight, exercise routine, and menstrual cycle. 
• Time Block: I use this calendar to set aside a specific block of time dedicated to working on a specific tasks such as menu planning, creating lessons plans, or writing. 

2. Use Color Coded Calendars: At a Glance Organization 

Because I’m tracking many different activities and events, my calendar could easily become a cluttered mess.  The best way I’ve found to combat calendar clutter is by using a color coding system.

I’ve assigned a specific color to each of the calendars I mentioned above (Red = Personal, Dark Blue = Husband, Green = Church, Orange = Homeschooling, Menu Plan = Light Blue, and three additional colors for each one of my girls,  etc). When I take a glance at my calendar, the color of the event immediately lets me know who or what I’m dealing with. I can then tap on the event to get further information.

3. Use Tasks: Don’t Miss Anything

I also use Google Calendar to remind me of my tasks. My credit card payment is set up as a recurring monthly task, but I also add other impromptu tasks to the calendar as well (return Virginia’s phone call, schedule orthodontist appointment, write letter of recommendation for Nikki, order jazz shoes, etc).

To keep my tasks organized and easily recognized, I’ve also assigned a single color to tasks. In addition, I set up tasks as all day reminders so they’ll remain at the top of the calendar day. Once the task is finished, I mark it as completed. 

4. Use Event Notification Times: Leave and Get There on Time

I get busy (and honestly…sometimes I just forget!), so I need to be reminded about events in advance. Well in advance. I’ve set my notifications 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 15 minutes prior to an event. That gives me plenty of advanced notice about an upcoming appointment or event. If those times don’t work for you, Google Calendar allows you to set up specific notification times that will meet your needs.

5. Use The Daily Agenda: An Email Secretary

The Daily Agenda is my FAVORITE Google Calendar feature! Within the settings, you can opt to have Google email a Daily Agenda that shows all the events scheduled for the day. Select as many different calendars as you wish; the daily agenda email will show them all in one single email. The Daily Agenda hits my inbox at 5:30 am each morning, so it’s ready for me to review after I wake.

6. Use Imported Calendars: Additional Information

You can create your own calendars, but Google has additional calendars you may wish to use. You can browse other calendars of interest and add them as well. These include holiday, religious, and sports calendars. (I’ve added the Philadelphia Eagles football schedule to my calendar so I know what time games start and whether they’re home or away.) You can even color code these additional calendars.

Google Calendar is a great tool for the busy homeschool mom! Check it out and see if you can use these suggestions to make your life better organized!

Photo by Nadeena Granville on Unsplash

During the pandemic, our local library shut down so we were not able to check out books. I wasn’t willing to dish out dollars for dozens of books on Amazon, so I turned to audiobooks. Our library is open now, but I’ve fallen in love with audiobooks and I’m hooked! I listen to them in the car, while exercising, and even when grocery shopping. My kids listen to audiobooks while taking long car rides, doing chores, or hanging out on the couch. I cannot believe I waited so long to get hip to this game!

Audiobooks are great, but getting audiobooks for our family of five had the potential to become expensive. The most popular audiobook sites and apps charge for membership fees and credits. I didn’t want to pay for all of that, so I started hunting for free or reasonably priced audiobooks. If you’re into audiobooks, here’s where you should look:

• Your local library: This is my favorite way to listen to current and bestselling books. Your local library likely provides an audiobook app that will allow you to listen to hundreds of audiobooks for free. If you have a library card (and I know you do!), simply add the app to your phone, input your library card credentials, select an audiobook, and start listening! Hit up your library’s website to see if your membership includes access to any of these popular audiobook portals:
  • Libby 
  • Overdrive 
  • Hoopla

• Out of state libraries:
  • Did you know you can get a library card for a library outside your town and even outside of your state? Yes ma’am, you can! For less than $50, I was able to was get a virtual out of state library card that gave me access to Hoopla, which includes audiobooks AND television shows for the entire family. Now, I have access to both Libby (from my local library) and Hoopla (from an out of state library). Paying for an out of state library card is much cheaper than paying for an audiobook subscription. Plus, I love that titles I can’t find in one app are often available in the other app.
  • If you want to learn more, check out this helpful post: Libraries With Non-Resident Borrowing Privileges.
• YouTube: 
  • Search YouTube for adult reads you might enjoy. Just input the title in the search bar and see what pops up. I’ve listened to dozens of audiobooks using this method.
  • Get something for the kids. Check out the Bookmarks series on the Netflix Jr channel to find great books that celebrate Black voices. (We love Tiffany Haddish’s fun and engaging reading of I Love My Hair and Jacqueline Woodson’s thoughtful and heartfelt reading of her book, The Day You Begin.) Also do not, DO NOT leave YouTube without listening to As Fast As Words Can Fly by Pamela M. Tuck read by Dulé Hill! Hill’s soulful, emotional, and authentic reading of this inspiring story is AMAZING and the detailed illustrations are top notch!

• LibriVox: You won’t find the latest bestsellers here, but LibriVox is a good place to look for books within the public domain. If you’re looking for books like Booker T. Washington’s Up From Slavery or The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B DuBois, you’ll find it here. 

• Spotify: If you think Spotify only provides music, think again! Check out Spotify’s audiobook page. There’s a great selection of titles there! Novels are often split according to chapters, but if you select a book’s album option, you’ll be able to listen to the entire book.

Audiobooks don’t have to be expensive. Use these options to see if you can find your next great read!

Photo Credit: Daniel Romero on Unsplash

I’ve been a homeschool moms for twelve years. During that time, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and the pleasure of befriending some amazing homeschool moms. My conversations, interactions, and outings with these moms always remind me of three things:

• Homeschool moms love to read, therefore,
• homeschool moms collect lot of books, and,
• homeschool moms don’t believe one can ever have too many books!

I suspect you know exactly what I mean. If I had a dollar for every book we have in this house, I could probably pay for a month of groceries and still have enough money left to fill up the minivan’s gas tank. I know I’m not alone!

If you’re a book lover like me, then I’ve got a treat for you. My new book, The Story of Jackie Robinson, will be released this Tuesday, April 6. I want to celebrate the book’s release by offering not one, but two free books to the winner of this giveaway. One book is perfect for the adult reader, while the other book is perfect for a young reader. Here’s what I want to share with the winner of this giveaway: 

• I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography by Jackie Robinson is one of the books I read as I prepared to share Jackie Robinson’s story with young readers. It was a privilege to read Jackie Robinson’s own words and understand his personal thoughts as he described his journey from boyhood, to college athlete, to baseball icon, and ultimately to trailblazing civil rights hero. 
• The Story of Jackie Robinson is the book I wrote. It introduces younger children to Jackie Robinson and tells not only of his barrier breaking baseball accomplishments, but also tells of his work as a family man, civil rights leader, and businessman.

If you’d like a chance to add both of these books to your collection, enter the drawing for this giveaway. Entering is simple! All you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling me how many books you think you have in your homeschool library AND how you acquired so many books. Entries will be accepted from 12:00 am on April 1, 2021 to 12:00 am on April 8, 2021. One RANDOM winner will receive both books. The winner will be notified via email.

In the meantime, I’m sharing a Jackie Robinson printable I created. Get your free copy of the Jackie Robinson baseball card: Robinson Baseball Card. Have your child fill in the stats.