It’s almost time for the Great Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati, and I am busy making plans. Two years ago, I attended this mammoth homeschooling convention for the first time and loved it. So, this year, I am packing up some of my best girls and heading south again.

So much to do, so little time! I do a lot of pre-planning so I can use my convention time wisely (in addition to presentations and vendor booths, there has to be time for food, talk, and ice cream at Graeters in Fountain Square… Yum!). What I actually do at the convention is, however, fodder for the homeschool convention planning post later in the week. We need to get the heavy lifting done first. In my world, that means doing some research and making initial curriculum decisions for our homeschool.

I don’t know about you, but annual planning for me puts my home into a temporary state of insanity as I corral stray curricula, dog-eared magazines, and notes – bits of paper in different notebooks reminding me of all of the terrific ideas that I may want to use in the future. (My husband is not a fan of this time of year. I can always see the relief on his face when all of the stacks of books and papers are returned once again to their rightful locations.) This process can go on for weeks and even though I enjoy thinking about next year (I think another blogger called it Pine-time – pining for next year), I much prefer an orderly house so that my kids are still learning this year while I design their homeschool for next year.

Thanks to one little piece of technology, my mountains have truly become molehills, and I feel like singing for joy…

My iPad, dubbed “Paddy” by the small people, has been a terrific tool for homeschooling… both for day-to-day operations and for curriculum planning.

Before I get into the whys and how’s, let me tell you that, even though I used to work in tech (on big web projects for big companies), I haven’t exactly stayed on the cutting edge of technology. All of the pregnancies, diapers, dishes, and general mom-chaos forced me to prioritize (maybe a better word would be survive) and I have been a little out of touch with all things tech-trendy. By the time I came out of toddler fog, I realized I didn’t have a clue what was out there and even worse, didn’t really want to know. Why? Because I felt a bit foolish that I was so clueless. I also viewed many of the newer devices, such as tablets and smartphones as consumption-oriented and frankly, I could not figure out where people found the time to consume that much media. I did NOT need yet another distraction… Especially one that was so tempting that it would pull me away from productive work.

However, one of my dear friends is a lover of all things Mac, and she gently dragged me into the present. When I got the opportunity to interact with her iPhone, I realized there was more to it than watching goofy YouTube videos and playing Angry Birds.

After a ton of research and even more waffling, I bit the bullet. Scott wanted to buy me one for Christmas. It took me until March to decide. (I know you are all wondering about my sanity at this point.) It was worth the wait, however, because I have been transferring lots of my paper-based mountains into appropriate apps that make my homeschool and business tasks much more organized and portable.

How then does my lightbulb moment translate into easier curriculum planning for the next school year?

Through the strategic use of apps. An iPad is really just a pretty paperweight without its apps. These little software add-ons are the true heart and soul of the table. Invest a little time in figuring out which ones work for your life and goals and you will not be sorry.

These are some of the gems I have found, with some notes on how I use them to plan my homeschool curriculum needs for the year.

iThoughts

iThoughts is a mind-mapping app that I used to create the graphic you see at the top of this post. I basically create a node for each child and use branches for each subject that I want each child to study next year. From there, I list different curricula that I have been interested in for that subject at that level.

I can also create a map for each year, so if I see a resource for high school or some other future need, I simply place it in the curriculum planning map for that year. Since the app allows me to link within a map, I add the link to the vendor’s website (see the little globe next to History Odyssey?) and voila… I get it out of my head and into a format where I know I won’t lose it – which is exactly the opposite of all of those notebooks I have all over the house.

I also add notes like the one next to Sonlight Core A. In this case, the note reminds me that I need to dig those materials out of labelled bins I keep in our basement. This is incredibly useful because even though I can keep most of our materials in our school room, I find we work better when we apply the ‘less is more’ approach. I like clear spaces… they help me to think. When we are in the throes of modern history, I don’t need to have 40 books on the ancients cluttering up our mental workspace.

Homeschool Tracker Plus

I have been trying out Homeschool Tracker Plus online to keep track of our library. With the books multiplying like Mogwai in water – am I dating myself? – I need an overview of our books that doesn’t involve me dressed in old sweats rearranging boxes in the basement. I know some of you are probably trying to imagine where you would get the time to input all of your books. It’s easier than you think. The software allows you to input books based on ISBN number and it pulls the info for you. I have been trying to do a shelf a day, which takes about 25 minutes… The great thing about doing this with iPad is that you can move easily around the house to wherever your books are.

With my library on the screen I can gauge what I have and what I need to look for either online or at the convention.

While I like Homeschool Tracker Plus (it has great features), it isn’t especially lovely (yes, pretty things motivate me:-) and it does have a pretty steep learning curve. That is why I am looking forward to seeing the new planning software that Rebecca Keliher and the folks over at Well-Planned Day are working on. Their planners are amazing, and I love how they keep up with technology… Not to mention that pretty much everything they do is stunning! Their well-designed products keep my dominant logical side in line by giving my right-brain some eye candy.

(I did put my name in the ring for the Beta… If I get to play with it, I’ll give you a post with the inside scoop!)

Springpad

Moving on, I also use an app called Springpad, which lets me keep all sorts of lists. One of the more useful features for homeschool planning is the shopping list feature. I can search books and websites and keep them in one shopping list that lets me check off each item as I buy it. It can search the web for books, which is nice for pricing items. I also can make notes tracking when I bought a particular item… sometimes I even note where I put it so I can actually find it when August rolls around and my brain is still floating in the lake under a sunny sky:-)

Now you have the dirt on how I use my iPad to streamline homeschool curriculum planning. It has been wonderful to have everything in one place and be able to jot notes as I think of them, all the while knowing nothing is going into the no man’s land that was my paper-based system. Don’t get me wrong, I still love paper – the smell, the feel… but I really love having everything in one place, where it is useful and orderly. And the best part is that I can take all of it with me to the homeschool convention without needing an appointment with the chiropractor when I get back!

It's that time of year again… December 15th – officially 10 days before Christmas.  Maybe you have all of your shopping done, cookies made, and cards delivered and are currently curling up on the sofa with a nice cup of hot cocoa.  I think most of my readers wish they were you:-) 

If you fall into the categories of "not quite finished", "halfway there", or "how the heck am I ever going to get all of this done?!", look no further than your own kitchen to fill in the gaps.

As many of you know, I am not especially skilled in the culinary arts.  That's why I always appreciate any help I can get from those whose wisdom exceeds my own.  If someone handed me a book containing the secrets to her culinary success, I think I would do a happy dance there on the spot.  Consider spreading some joy this Christmas by sharing a guide to your own kitchen creations by creating a recipe book. 

You can make it fancy using services by Blurb or Lulu for professional-looking layouts and high-end printing.  These sites walk you through each step and will allow you to order the exact number of copies you need. 

For a more frugal approach, Better Homes and Gardens has a quick and easy guide to creating your own handmade recipe book from some decorative papers, chipboard and 4X6 index cards.  By using some of the terrific scrapbooking art on the web, such as the FREE word art from Shabby Princess that I used at the top of this post, you can create a really beautiful, custom book for an itty-bitty, little price.  (You really need to check out her site, by the way, for free papers, fonts, and embellishment collections.  I love them so much I used one set for my Thanksgiving invitations and another for my Christmas cards!)

I hope this makes your Christmas planning a little less hairy and a little more fun.  Off to coop!

The sun is shining, the air is brisk, and the house looks grand!  Hmmm, except the faded throw pillows and the tattered rug at the front door.  Oh, and the small army of porcelain figurines, closets stuffed with clothes that remind you of another life, and various dishes that are glorified dust collectors.  You glance through a Pottery Barn catalog and realize that you could fund your children’s college education with what it would cost to redecorate.  As a homemaker, you want to create a home that fits your family perfectly; sometimes you just wish you knew how.

Take heart… what you need to renew your living space may be right at your fingertips.  You may already have all you need to makeover your home.  How?  By using eBay to clear your home, you can pay for improvements as you go.  You don’t need a Ph.D. in Computer Science to do it, either; all it takes is a camera, a computer with internet access and a little creativity.  Your winter home renewal is underway!

Dream a Little

The first step is to take inventory.  Choose a time when you are alone in your house (if this isn’t possible, send everyone to their rooms for some quiet time!)  Now, really open your eyes to your possessions.  Is there a throw on the couch that is pilled or faded?  What about the dreary picture on the wall?  Could your living room use a bookshelf to contain your beloved reading collection? 

Bring a notebook with you.  Start a new page for each room.  List changes you’d like to make (a vibrant painting over the fireplace,) things you need to replace (the dingy comforter on your bed,) or items that you would like to purchase (a set of cobalt blue vases to brighten up the kitchen ledge.)

Gather Your Tools

Then, you need to get online.  Go to www.ebay.com and register for an account.  This doesn’t cost anything, and you have the ability to protect your privacy.  Choose a fun username that reflects your personality and your new mission. 

Your next visit will be to www.paypal.com, where you will also register for an account.  The beauty of PayPal is that you are able to receive money from buyers (or send money to sellers) without any exchange of private financial information.  It also gives you the option of using your bank account instead of a credit card.

Prepare Your Workspace

Now the real work begins.  Again go through your home, room by room.  Remove any items that:

a) you no longer use (size 2 pants from 1983)

b) you really don’t care for (that vase Aunt Rhoda gave you for your wedding) or

c) are broken, worn, or fall into the category of “someday” items (“someday” I might need that.) 

Determine which items are worth selling.  Remember, one (wo)man’s trash is another’s treasure.

Get Camera Ready

Lay a plain sheet on a table.  Attractively arrange the items you are selling, taking pictures of each item and making notes of its details (i.e., size, color, condition, name brand, etc.)

List, List, List

Now, logon to your eBay account and click on “Sell”.  The site will walk you through the listing process.  You don’t need to pay for all of the bells and whistles that they offer.  Just make sure you have a clear picture and an informative title.  The nominal cost for a Gallery picture isn’t a bad investment either, it can give you an edge in the search results.  Browse similar listings to determine realistic prices for items like yours.   eBay also has a tool from Terapeak that will give you an idea of what items are selling for.  All you do is type in the name of your item and, poof, you have a list of what similar items have sold for!

Set up Shipping

One word of caution, determine your shipping costs before you list to ensure that you won’t be losing money… I skipped this step once and ended up losing $5 in shipping on a $4 item!  Next, stock a bin with shipping supplies (envelopes, boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, Sharpie marker.)  When someone wins a bid and pays for their merchandise, you can simply box it up and ship it out. 

Another tip – When I have sold a few items, I copy and paste the shipping addresses into a Word file and print the labels.  Then, I cut each label and adhere it to the appropriate box with packing tape.

O.K., remember that PayPal account you set up?  Your balance should be growing as buyers complete their transactions. 

Don’t Forget Feedback

eBay etiquette dictates leaving brief feedback for each buyer or seller you do business with.  This helps both parties to establish a good reputation on eBay.

Order In

Finally, it’s time for the really fun part.  Go back to your “Dream List” and start browsing eBay.  Check out listings that match items on your list.  When you win an item, pay for it with the earnings you have accumulated in your PayPal account.  Make sure to check the seller’s feedback rating to ensure you are buying from an established, trustworthy eBayer. 

That’s it!  By clearing your clutter, you have now created a clear, attractive space for your family.  Each time a box is delivered, remember that you and your home are on the path to simplicity and organization.  As you revitalize your décor, bask in the fruits of your labor with a cup of hot tea.  You can enjoy your revitalized home all the more knowing that you made it happen.  

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Someone once said that 'failure to plan is planning to fail.'  Homeschooling is no different. Even though we can march to the beat of our own drummer (and let's face it, that's why many of us enjoy it so much:-), we don't want to get so caught up in that march that we forget that there are certain life-tools that have proven their worth over time.  Basic lesson planning - in essence, giving yourself a roadmap – is one such tool. 

Still not convinced?  Here is a quick list of lesson planning benefits that I have put together for you this fine morning:

You will waste less time finding things.  To be organized or not to be organized, that is the question. Regardless of where you stand on the Julie Morgenstern scale, your kids need you to step up and make sure they have the tools they need to learn.  Preparation means that you have those beakers for the chemistry experiment on hand when you need them, so you don't spend half the day driving around town to find them.

You won't be sidetracked with rabbit trails (unless you want to be!)  We are homeschoolers, right?  Do we not love rabbit trails?  You know, the times when your son or daughter becomes so fascinated in a subject that it consumes the household?  Those rabbit trails are some of the most beautiful moments of homeschooling life.  But, it is important to remember that rabbit trails can lead nowhere if they aren't well-managed.  They can also overwhelm you and draw you away from more foundational skills.  Those foundations (you know… basic grammar, math, and spelling) may not be quite as exciting as a rabbit trail to the land of India, but they are still crucial to your homeschool.

You don't get lost (because you know where you are going.)  How do we get anywhere unless we know where we are going?  Homeschooling is at least 12 years of numerous subjects, not to mention life skills and character training.  Having an outline of your journey helps you stay on track.  It also helps you catch any molehills before they become mountains.  Lesson planning keeps you going in the right direction.  It also gives you the flexibility to take on the afore-mentioned rabbit trails with confidence, knowing everything else is still accounted for.

Your expectations are clear.  Good lesson plans give you the opportunity to lay out expectations clearly.  I am not talking about lengthy rubrics (unless you like them.)  Instead, your lesson plans tell you and your kids what is expected of them.  You experience peace in not having to develop and explain an assignment in between blow-drying your hair and your morning coffee (besides, I highly recommend the coffee first;-)  It is also more fair to your children.  They have expectations that are consistent and well-thought out.  No flip-flopping for their mom!  Nope, she knows what she expects, and she communicates that clearly.  Kids need those boundaries so they can concentrate on the work at hand.

Self-Confidence.  I can't tell you how many moms I talk to who are unbelievably unsure of themselves… especially when it comes to homeschooling.  They feel unorganized, not worthy for the task, tired, or worn down from 'negotiating' with their kids.  Planning your lessons is one small step toward building up that skin you need when you homeschool.  Everyone isn't going to support you, we all know that.  But, when you are down on yourself, you can sabotage your entire homeschool experience.  Who then suffers?  That's right, the kids!  So, this week, try to work in a little planning.  See if you don't feel just a bit stronger. 

Planning can't solve all of your problems, create perfect kids, or eliminate world hunger.  What it can do is take away some of the noise of life and allow you to focus on the very reasons you are doing this homeschool thing in the first place… your kids. 

Thought of the day:  When you prepare for life, you glide through a bit easier and a bit saner.

"Have nothing… that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." 

William Morris's words still ring true.

I keep this quote on my refrigerator, where I see it everyday.  It is both a literary reminder and a succinct way of describing my philosophy on "stuff".  In one brief sentence, we have two foundational criteria for what comes into our household – and what gets to stay in our household.

If you find yourself internally conflicted over the sheer volume of "stuff" that has infiltrated your home, perhaps you need a clearer filter for your possessions.  In order to make some meaningful decisions over what goes and what stays, let's break down the meaning of the word useful and how it applies to clutter control.

There are certain possessions that are either necessary to survival, such as food or basic clothing, or are aesthetically pleasing to us, like a cozy wool blanket or a child's artwork.  It is within these two categories that we find the elusive formula for clutter control.

Let's begin with useful.  Useful, in the context, means something that we either need to survive or that, by its presence, enables us to be more efficient or effective in our work.  (Work can be homekeeping, business, philanthropy, child-rearing, etc.)  Examples of useful items include:

• Food
• Winter coat (especially if you live in Wisconsin:-)
• Dishwasher
• Computer
• Sprinkler
• Car
• Knitting needles (or other items that facilitate recreation)

Now that we have a working definition of useful, the question becomes, "How do I decide if something is useful?"  The answer seems intuitive, but it is more complex that it first appears.  For example, think back to when you last went through your basement and decided to keep that sewing machine because you'd be able to use it… someday.  What does "someday" mean?  In this context, "someday" becomes a synonym for "not useful." 

You probably just said, "What?  How can she say that?  Is she crazy?  It would be such a waste to part with something that has such practical application!"

Before you smack your computer screen, let's look a little closer.  A bulky piece of equipment + taking up valuable storage or activity space in your basement + something that you do not use = CLUTTER!  A reminder, everytime you look at it, that another year has gone by and you still haven't taken up sewing = STRESS!  An asset that sits and gets older and less valuable and more susceptible to damage and breakdown = WASTED MONEY!  Do you see where I am going with this?

Looking at your stuff with this drastically different mindset will be hard at first but remember, the goal is to create a haven where you work and play surrounded by that which lifts you up. 

So, take a gander around your home and practice.  See those size 4 clothes in your closet.  They used to say, "You'll wear us again… just lose 30 pounds."  Now they say, "If you donate us to the local women's shelter, we can help someone in need.  Oh, and we won't torture you anymore!"

Or take that cappucino machine you received as a wedding gift.  It used to taunt you.  "Are you ever going to get the counter-top space for me?"  Now it says, "Sell me on eBay, and you can repaint your powder room."

How about those boxes of baby clothes that you just can't let go of?  They are telling you to keep a couple of meaningful pieces and give the rest away.  By doing so, you just freed up a corner of the basement that you can turn into a play fort for the kids. 

Useful means that an item is relevant to your life right here, right now.  If something is truly meaningful to us, we seldom wait for "someday" to do it.  Our priorities are evidenced in the stuff that we keep front and center.  By making our possessions congruent with our current priorities, we can eliminate a great deal of clutter. 

So, if you are ready to get started, here is a list of places to start using the Usefulness Test:

• Kitchen specialty items (breadmakers, mandolines, or that little tea set that has a 1/4 inch of dust on it)
• Hobby materials (10 yards of fabric that you bought because it was on sale, 4 boxes of tiles to make mosaics, enough yarn to knit a cover for your whole car)
• Clothing and personal items (too small, too big, too old, etc.)

After you have done a once-over and you've used the Usefulness Test to control your clutter, you will have probably pared down quite a bit.  Congratulations!  The next step is to focus on what you believe to be beautiful.  This step, which will be coming soon, may be a bit more challenging because it brings in the emotional element of your possessions.  For now, revel in your progress and go have a nice cup of tea!