I'm a planner.  Well, I like to think I am.  I plan, but I tend to plan too much.  Sometimes I can plan to the point of paralysis.  Have you ever done that...plan so much that it seems impossible to even start?

Well, I discovered that without planning (at least a little) I'm left at an equally unappealing point of paralysis.  I know what needs to be done, but not exactly.  So, I tend to just coast along and that's not any good either.

I finally bit the proverbial bullet and worked out 2 1/2 weeks of planning for the boys last Sunday.  I'm happy to report that we are almost a week into it and everything has gotten done.  My oldest was a little shocked on Monday that we were actually spending (gasp!) 45 minutes on language and writing, but hey, he got over it and has been asking to do it first for the rest of the week.  Go figure. 

The Schoolhouse Planner looks like a great tool if you're in need to planning forms and don't mind printing them out.  Unfortunately, my printer has gone on strike and refuses to print much of anything until I spend a day cleaning it, so I got a simple, cheap teacher's plan book from Lakeshore Learning in King of Prussia.  U.S. Toy Company in North Wales/Lansdale also has a great teaching section and I'm sure you could find a myriad of plan books there.

For some simple homeschooling forms be sure to check out AskPauline.com.   There are forms for just about everything, but again, your printer will need to be working.   

Whatever you decide to do, and no matter how you decide to make it work for you, just know that if it works for you it's perfect.  No two homeschooling families have the exact same schedule, the same routines, the same way of planning.  You have to do what works best for your family.  And isn't that the wondrous beauty of homeschooling?

So, off with you....go plan....or not....but have a great day and know that you're doing a super job!

If you and your family enjoy skiing you may want to check out Camelback Mountains' offer for Homeschoolers...

Dear Home School Family:

Over the past several winter seasons, Camelback Ski Area has hosted numerous Home School groups and families.  After speaking with Home School groups, and learning of their interests for fitness, recreational and social activities, Camelback has created a special program for Home School families to learn to ski and snowboard.

Our Home School Ski Club is offered Mondays – Fridays, during non-holidays, for groups of 20 or more.  For a (5) visit program the cost is $165 per participant.  Included are an Open-to-Close Lift Ticket, Ski or Snowboard Rental and a Group Lesson for any level.  This is equal to $33 per visit!  Camelback provides a pass and complimentary lift tickets to the person that organizes the group.

Skiing and snowboarding are great activities for fitness and learning self-discovery.  At Camelback we take great pride in our programs and I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in more detail about our programs.  Please feel free to call me at (570) 629-1661 ext.1133, or email, craig@skicamelback.com to learn more.

Think Snow!

Craig Low

Some Interesting Places if you're near....

Erie:

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center

Pittsburgh:

Carnegie Science Center

State College:

Palmer Museum of Art

Grantham:

The Oakes Museum at Messiah College

Scranton:

Houdini Museum

What are some favorites by you??

Some of you may be veteran homeschoolers and some of you may be brand new at it.  I'm willing to bet that no matter how long you've been homeschooling you're just like everyone else in at least one aspect - you want the very best for your child.  But then we get into the question that everyone gets asked...."Why do you homeschool?"  (Followed closely by the socialization one!)

After some strong opinions in my extended family recently about their aversion to homeschooling and why we should sell our house and move into an apartment so that we could be in a better school district (yes, seriously), I started thinking about the real reason why we homeschool.  It was hard to put into a short, concise, non-confrontational response.  That is until another homeschooling mom told me what someone had once told her when she asked the same question.

"We homeschool because we want our children to be challenged and enjoy learning, and we don't feel that a failing public education system can provide that as well as we can."

Hmm.  Yep, that pretty much sums it up in a short, concise response.  There's no question that public schools are failing...no matter what district you live in.  So, keep your home - no need to rent an apartment - and share with us why you homeschool. 

I have a phone call to make...  =)