Now I know that some home educators do not keep a school calendar at all, but in North Dakota we are required by law to provide 4 hours of instruction for 175 days during our school year. However, we are not required by law to ever submit a school calendar to our school district of residence.

I keep a pretty detailed schedule for the two I home school, with the clear understanding (this is my OWN understanding!) that it is open to change and needs to be flexible. Having determined that though, I make every effort to maintain a schedule that keeps us moving forward.  I know of home schooling famlies that use the unschooling method and, frankly, that would never work for me simply because of my makeup. I believe it does work very well for many.

Why do I keep a schedule? Primarily for my own benefit. How will I know I have met my goals if I have no way to assess them?  I have goals for each of my students which represent where they are academically, socially, spiritually and even physically (who would have thought that a sudden growth spurt and hormonal changes could affect a boy like this!!??).

Practically speaking, I simply took a 2006 and 2007 calendar and copied them to suit my 3-ring binder. Using a colored pencil I colored in the days set aside for 4 hours of instruction. Since our school year coincides with the traditional government school year it allows us time off during the summer months when we are very busy with yard and garden work. We do have about 16 days during the three summer months which we use to either finish up the year's projects or take a quick but in-depth class. Summer 2007 will find us studying biology together.

Working the schedule is also accomplished in our home school by using a detailed daily/weekly planner. Not everyone needs or wants to use this system, but I find it very beneficial. It allows me to see where we have been, what we have missed and how much we have accomplished. It also is great record for me personally when it comes time to prepare the high school transcript for college admission. Again, I belive this should be done in a manner consistant with your needs and abilities.

Recordkeeping can become a real chore, but I have found that if I set aside time with my students each Monday morning to prepare the daily/weekly planner it is a much less cumbersome job and the kids end up having a stake in it, too.