It's that time of year again ...

I had a very interesting experience last night ~ I participated in a Homeschool Information Night, organized by my friend Leigh, who is the Publicity Coordinator for our homeschool support group. Our group does this once (or perhaps twice?) a year; I've always meant to volunteer ... but something has either come up - or I talk myself out of it feeling unqualified or maybe a bit shy to speak in front of a group. Well, I finally got around to it this time. :)

Homeschool Information Night is a panel discussion held at a local library - open to anyone interested in, or curious about, homeschooling. Veteran homeschoolers (including young men and women who have been homeschooled themselves) sit on a panel to take questions of all kinds regarding home education in Massachusetts. It's hard to believe I can count myself as a veteran homeschooler - we'll begin our 9th year of home education this fall!

It was a great night - and I'm really glad I did it! I hope it was helpful to the people who attended - I know it was helpful to me! I came home all revved up to prepare for another year of homeschooling - and the timing for that was perfect, because ...

Just like last year, it caught me by surprise - the letter from the school department. It arrived a few days ago, reminding me that our end-of-the-year reports are due - and due soon. And - the ed. plans are due soon after that ...

Time to flush out the file crate and begin all over again!

So I pulled out last year's folders, and bundled them up with a pretty red ribbon. (Necessary? No, but it looks so much nicer this way.) At the top of the pile is the letter from the superintendent's office. I will leave this pile on the back of my desktop and at some point over the next few weeks, I'll carve out some time to tackle the old files ...

... but in the meantime, it was on to the new:

Over the weekend I purchased a few packages of folders for the new year - in soft neutral shades. I dug out a bunch of dark green hanging folders to replace the primary colors from last year (which would have clashed terribly with the new blue tan and green folders, lol).

After bundling up last year's folders, I cleaned out the crate (dusted and wiped) and then began filling it back in.

I have started making up the folders for each week of the year. So far I've just been dating them - but I am considering adding a week-at-a-glance calendar sheet to the front of each folder, as seen in the picture above. I've done this before on occasion and I do find it helpful. First of all, it makes the folder more productive - keeping it out on my counter or desk, I have the papers inside at my fingertips, and I can see the week ahead at a glance. By year's end, the folders serve (inside and out) as excellent reminders of what we did each week of our academic year.

I'm still (and forever it seems) tweaking this system - but I keep coming back to it, because I know it can work well - when I take the time to work it. I am always eager to hear from others who use a file crate - how and why this kind of system works for them. Angela at Three Plus Two has some wonderful posts about how she uses the file crate system. Do stop by and check them out!

Well, I'd best be off! That bathroom's not going to clean itself is it? (Though wouldn't it be lovely if it would?) Thanks, as always, for stopping by - I hope your day is a good one!

Comments

[Fe]

Hmmm... so what do you _do_ with your files from previous years? I've been contemplating trying this approach, but I'd assumed you re-used the files each year?

[Jo]

Thank you! I've been catching up on your blog since I've been recovering from birthing my baby girl (born June 23). I am really intrigued by your file folder system and am seriously considering implementing it for this coming year. (Which begins, for us, on July 15 since we are moving out of the country in November and I imagine will get no schooling done that month!) I've also enjoyed your ideas for themes and plans and seasonal activities. (Have been making my own templates and notebooks for years and your blog has fueled the fire!)

Thanks for all you do. I know this is a labor of love for you, but I know you put a lot of work and effort into your writing. Know that it is appreciated.

[Angela]

Hi, I appreciate your blog so much. I rarely comment, but I am here. :) I am new to homeschooling though I have been "homeschooling" the wee ones since birth, and we are using a pre-planned curriculum, but I am tweaking a version of it (that has already been tweaked by a veteran) to make it more like a unit study with weekly themes. I originally planned to have it all in one binder, but that is cumbersome, and if I get behind or change weeks around (some are based on holidays and weather) there could be lots of flipping back and forth. Having each week in a folder sounds interesting. My only fear is that I spill the whole crate of folders and all the weeks get mixed up. ;) But this could make life so much easier, having each week labeled, and if we decide to do themes out of order, it wouldn't create any disorder. :) I am going to look through your archives on this and the links you mentioned. Thank you!

[Soutenus]

Your organizational techniques are inspiring to me!

When you get the chance, please come over to A Catholic Notebook and add your personal favorite Catholic books to the growing list via the com box. I am putting together a Blogger's Choice Catholic Reading List. I can't wait to see and share the results. Come on by!

[Angel]

Thanks for the links, Dawn (I wondered why my typepad stats went crazy! LOL) :-).

I'm just glad you put all these ideas out there. I have not an original organizational thought in my head, so it really (really) helps to be mentored in this by someone who *is* good at it.

And I love your checkered ribbon. :-)

[Karen Edmisten]

Always love to see your organization in action, Dawn!

And, yes, if only those bathrooms would clean themselves! :-)

[Danene]

I love reading your blog. It is always inspirational and loaded with ideas. I have used a system similar to yours, but I just number file folders-1~36 for the year, and theses are for school related items. Then I have a monthly file folder for all other activiites.
I love when you post homeschooling related "stuff".

[michelle waters]

Wow, you make even filing look pretty and fun!!! That, my friend, is a major compliment... I remember attending a home school info night and got so much out of the panel; I think it's a great service to participate.

[Yvette]

Hi Dawn, I thank you so much for your inspiration and sharing.
I wanted to know if you had a copy of your "week in a glance" available to share?

I think I also saw on your site
"week in advance meals"...and if so wondered if you could share that too.

I dream organization, charts and computers graphs but am totally computer naive and can not make them. I had hoped if you had them on hand if you wouldn't mind sharing them.

Also...not certain if you had heard of these, but to go along with your "where do I put books?" post. I too am a huge book addict and recently discovered the idea of "rain gutter bookshelves". Jim Trelease suggested this in his handbook and a quick search will give you wonderful ideas. We recently put 60 feet of them in our catwalk upstairs. Three rows of 20 feet. The books face out and look good!!!!

Thank you again,

[Steph]

Thanks! I think this is just what I need. :-)