Last week I shared some tips for making spreadsheets, this week I'm sharing our assignment sheet as an example of just how handy a spreadsheet program can be. At the top I write assignments for the whole week--typically these pertain to our Tapestry of Grace studies, but it could adapt to any curriculum. I write in the titles of books that the children need to read and whether they are to summarize, outline or give a narration on each title. Sometimes there are worksheets pertaining to our studies, oral reports, or projects--these too are written in on the top portion which the child works on through the week.
At present I'm meeting with my two oldest (ages 7 and 9) every other day, and assigning for two days at each meeting. These assignments go in the lower portion of the form. Any work that needs to be re-done (fixing missed math problems, etc) is written in red ink. The rest I write in pencil.
An assignment sheet allows the children to take responsibility for their own studies, and gives them freedom to learn time-management as they plan their week. It has been a joy to watch my girls working diligently to ensure that they stay on schedule.
There are some great forms available online for homeschooling and I hope to link to a few in next week's Taming the Chaos, -but knowing how to make your own enables you to customize and adapt the form to your life instead of trying to squeeze your life into someone else's form.
Sometimes it is easier to tweak an existing form than to create one from scratch. I'm happy to email my Excel file to anyone who asks in the comments or emails me through my blog. (I've emailed a few copies of my schedule as well.)
Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart and hearth.
